The holiday season is just a month away and if you’re like me, you’re just starting to think about what to gift your kids this year. Because packaging is often the main negative offset to the toys and objects we offer our kids, I decided to share with you a few zero waste gift ideas and wrapping options.
Give them tools
Toys, unless they are open ended like blocks, tend to be loved for a few weeks and then forgotten. For the past few years I have been giving my kids tools that hopefully they can keep until they are ready to move out :). Here are a few of the tools we have given them over the years:
1. Embroidery kit
Teach them how to hand sew, mend and embellish their clothes. Not only will they learn essential skills, they will also gain a huge appreciation for their clothes.
2. Knife and cutting board
If you want your kids to eat their vegetables, let them prep with you. They will love pulling out their own cutting board and knife.
3. Measuring cups and spoons for baking
Start them off baking early so that by the time they are teenagers, they can fix breakfast while you finally get to sleep in on the weekend. These are also perfect tools to help understand fractions.
4. Multi-tool
First they will whittle on a piece of wood and then will jump at the chance to lend you their mini tweezers when you have a splinter.
5. Pasta maker
Forget the play dough hair dressing kit, this is the ultimate tool to transform real dough into edible food. It’s messy but the end result is the best pasta you will ever eat. Also, imagine how your kids college roommates will be impressed by their culinary skills. Perfect for kids 6 and up.
Give them a good story
Books are a timeless classic gift. Here are some of my favorite children’s books that promote the values of sustainability and help us appreciate how things are made. They are also as much a joy to read as to listen to.
6. The Quiltmaker’s Gift
Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken have created a little masterpiece. This is one of those sp
7. Pelle’s new suit
Learn how clothes are made from the time the shepherd sheers the wool to the tailor cuts the cloth for Pelle’s New Suit by Elsa Beskow.
8. The Lorax
Dr Seuss’s classic will make you remember why he is such a wonderful storyteller and at the same time, teach your child how our natural resources are not to be destroyed for the next Thneed.
Embellish their old clothing
Gifting clothes is also a popular holiday gift option. To keep with the spirit of the Lorax, I propose that rather than giving new clothes, make the holidays the perfect opportunity to embellish and re-purpose existing clothes.
9. Add a Modern Mending patch or appliqué to your child’s jeans or top
Add a little LOVE to cover a stain on a favorite top or over a print that’s no longer trendy. Check out the blog post I wrote that shows how I used cutoffs from an old pair of leggings to make the letters on the t-shirt show above.
10. Give them a Modern Mending pattern so they can do it themselves
The picture above is the final result of the Skull Patch that my 8 year old son added to his favorite t-shirt, which had a tear at the hem. To see him in action, check out the video I posted on Instagram. I used the small
Use fabric gift wrapping
This just might be the ultimate zero waste gift habit I have adopted that has the most profound impact during our holidays.
The amount of wrapping paper used each year during the holidays is astounding. Inspired by the traditional Japanese art of Furoshiki, I decided about 5 years ago to wrap my kids presents with fabric. The benefits, other than the fact that my recycling bin is empty on Christmas morning, have been surprising: wrapping a gift takes only a few seconds, it has an incredibly cozy look under the Christmas tree and the cleanup is satisfyingly quick. I simply fold and store away with the tree ornaments. Here are a few items I use as fabric wrapping:
11. Vintage linen or square tablecloths
I first started using fabric wrapping when I found this beautiful square tablecloth in a thrift shop many years ago. I fell in love with how it looked when I used it to wrap a birthday present and since then, it’s become the official birthday gift wrap.
12. Cut old fabric
You can repurpose old fabric or bedsheets to make your gift wraps. I find the best size is about 18″x 18″ but you can cut them smaller or larger to fit the gift size. I usually do a small nip with my scissors and tear the fabric straight across. You can then make a double folded cuff or leave unfinished and it won’t fray.
13. Use colorful pillowcases for board games
Pull out the spare pillow case or purchase a few from your local thrift shop to keep for gifting. Also great for large picture books
14. Purchase printed fabric you love an cut them in square.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more cash, go to your local fabric store and have a look at the amazing variety of printed cotton they have in the quilting section. You can have a blast choosing 4 or 5 different prints that work well together. If fabric is 45” wide, purchase 22” to make two squares of fabric.
Do you have any zero waste gift ideas that you love? Share them in the comments below so we can all get inspired. If you want to give my patterns a try, click on the link below to browse the various tutorials available.
Happy planning!