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Sustainable Gift Guide

November 30, 2021 0 Comments

Sustainable Gift Guide

Tis the season of stocking stuffers, shopping local, and wrapping goodies for our favourite people. While there is joy in gifting, we can't help but think about how this time of year is so wasteful and encourages excessive consumption. 


Did you know that $15 billion is spent annually on unwanted holiday gifts? 

Here is our guide for 12 Sustainable Gifts to share with your loved ones this year. Let's gift intentionally, think about why we buy and thoughtfully share gifts you can feel good about. 


1. Gotcha Covered Gift Set  

This gift set is perfect for someone looking for some more sustainable self-care into their lives.  This gift set by one of our brand partners Gotcha Covered, supports 3 small business owners in Canada and includes a linen robe, Blu Nude Face Oil from A Summer In Italy, and a jasmine incense + holder from HOLISTICK


2. Consumed by Aja Barber 


The holidays are a perfect time to relax with a book, don't you think? In this case we recommend Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism by Aja Barber.   Aja is a writer, thought-leader and consultant with a focus on the intersections of sustainability and fashion. This book is on our holiday wish list and with the amazing reviews we know it'll be a educational and inspiring read. 


3. Recycled Wool Blanket by Anupaya  


Anupaya believes that the products in our home should be quality items that inspire us to celebrate the daily little moments of bliss and joy that are often missed, and we couldn't agree more. There are so many gifts and home-goods to choose from, however we recommend either the Homebody gift set or the homestead blanket which is made from 100% recycled materials. 


4. Live Concert Tickets 


One of the most sustainable gifts you can give, is an experience! Right now, there are so many artists and bands booking gigs and shows for Spring/Summer 2022, and with the restriction plan, they should be a go! Surprising someone you love with concert tickets to an artist they love is a beautiful gift. Who do you want to see live in 2022? 


5. A Wardrobe Style Consult 

Did you know our Founder is actually also a Wardrobe Stylist? Jaclyn has been helping people consciously build wardrobes they value and feel great in for over 7 years. Gift someone you care for with a virtual Wardrobe Edit where they can get personalized expert guidance how to edit, refine and build their dream wardrobe. Book anytime, anywhere. 


6. The Good Tee DIY Kit


Another one of our brand partners, The Good Tee, offers this fun sustainable DIY activity to Tie-Dye your organic cotton tee at home, using natural dyes made from herbs that transform blank tees into custom works of art you can wear and love. What a fun activity too from a B-Corp and Fairtrade certified Canadian business! 


7. A Shopwise Gift Card 

A gift card gives someone the opportunity to buy something intentional or on their wish-list. It helps people add things to their wardrobe that they'll actually wear and value. Share the love and support small business this holiday with a Shopwise gift card to our sustainable marketplace, where you can shop 20+ brands all in one checkout. Starting at $25. 


8. Low-Waste Gift Sets by Harlowe Green  

Explore any of these awesome low-waste and natural gift sets for the home. These items are useful, low-waste and support a Canadian small business. In particular, we love the Low-Waste Favourites Set set or the Calm Down Set. You can also explore the shops local to you to discover low-waste gift options without the shipping carbon footprint. 


9. Dinner at a Local Restaurant 

Something we love gifting is a pre-paid gift card to a local restaurant. You can either get a voucher through their website, or pop into the shop. A thoughtful and fun experience too. Support and dining local feels and tastes so good. 


10. Online Education with a Masterclass Membership 


Masterclass is focused on providing life-long learning through their digital education platform. A membership allows you to join online and learn from anywhere on hundreds of topics and expert teachers. A couple of courses we're most interested in are Conservation with Dr. Jane GoodallMindfulness and Meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn, or Creating Change with Malala Yousafzai.  Any course, virtual event or webinar is a great gift option that is both useful and sustainable. Virtual gifts can be extremely helpful to avoid any excessive waste during the holidays.  


11. Sustainable Pajamas by Tamga 

Cozy, stylish and sustainable lounge-wear you can wear from sleep to at-home brunch, is absolutely perfect for the holidays. There's something about having a matching pajama set that just makes you feel so good, don't you agree? Check out the Zahara Lounge Set by Tamga Designs, available in 4 different prints and sizes XS-XXL. A Canadian small business we love, focused on sustainability and wearable fashion. 


12. A timeless sweater made to last 

Sweater season is upon us, and there is something so wonderful about a cozy, soft, durable and warm sweater to keep us warm for a lifetime. We are big fans of Canadian brand, Ecologyst for their advocacy work in sustainability, product innovation, ethical production and timeless designs to love. They also offer a Guaranteed for Life program to repair any products in the future, ultimately extending the garment life. Sounds like a gift we would love too. Check out their women's collection or men's collection for thoughtful and sustainable gifts.

Ps... if you're unsure of a certain clothing item, it's best to opt for a gift card to ensure the receiver can choose something that adds value to their existing wardrobe. 

 

A friendly reminder from us at Shopwise to wrap your gifts in more natural gift packaging. Zero Waste Canada, a Vancouver-based advocacy group, estimates each Canadian tosses about 50 kilograms of garbage over the holidays, 25% more than the rest of the year, thanks to the purchase of 3,000 tonnes of foil, 2.6 billion Christmas cards and six millions rolls of tape.

Try using brown paper, natural trimmings, newspaper or tote bags with twine as packaging instead of the wrapping paper wasted and sent directly to landfill every single year. 

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Thank you so much for supporting our small business. Every order with Shopwise directly supports us and 20 other small business owners in Canada, while casting a vote for a better fashion future.   

Wishing you all a wonderful and joyful holiday season! 

- Team Shopwise 





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