Bare’s Last Minute Sustainable Gift Guide
Photo by Kari Shea
If you already have all your holiday shopping done, you can stop reading right now. Close this blog, turn off the computer, and enjoy a nice freshly-baked gingerbread which I am sure you also had time for, you monster. For all the rest of you who woke up this morning and realized Christmas is only two weeks away (or who are realizing it at this exact moment) — I’ve got you. Strap in for the best local last minute sustainable holiday gift guide around.
Before we dive in, my gift guide has a few rules.
It must be safe for the person and the planet, meaning no toxic crap or disposables
It must be locally made or support a local business in some way
I won’t buy something just for the sake of having a gift to give.
Without further ado, my I present Bare Refillery’s Top 10 Last Minute Local Gift Guide!
Growlers from a local brewery
Here on the North Shore my go-to brewery is Bridge Brewing, but nearly every community has a local brewery, cidery or winery so rather than just grabbing any old bottle from the liquor store, make it a bit more special by loving on the local! Loved one doesn’t drink? Try a refillable kombucha bottle or consider a local foodstuffs refillery like Livlite to make their Christmas extra yummy.
Photo by Caytano Gil
Local experiences
Find a local attraction and give the gift of a membership or special trip like the Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Hive Climbing Gym or Deep Cove Kayaking sessions! It is okay to get people out of their comfort zones, but make sure you pick something that they can physically and mentally do. If you can join them on their adventure, the gift is all the more meaningful and special.
Explore your Buy Nothing Group
I have brought this up in many previous blogs because sometimes you just don’t know what you’re looking for. Rather than aimlessly wandering the aisles in a Canadian Tire (it’s okay, we’ve all been there but no one really needs another ladle and spatula set), you can scroll through the many treasures people are looking to pass along, often finding something unique while saving money and planet Earth!
Christmas Craft Fairs and Markets
There are some extremely talented people living amongst us and many of these treasures can be found through local holiday markets. Not only are you likely to find something made with love and zero packaging, but you will also be supporting local families and keeping value in the community instead of giving it all to big box stores who take the profits elsewhere. If you’re looking for an awesome market, come check out the Bare Holiday Market, on this Saturday in Delbrook Plaza from 10am to 4pm. Bring your reusable mug and get your fill of free hot apple cider while crossing everyone off your list.
Handmade PJ Pants
These are the easiest thing you’ll ever sew and you will get major credit! Go to your local fabric shop (Made by Me in North Van behind Capilano Mall is awesome) and choose your recipients’ favourite fabric. Hop over to this super easy tutorial and you’ll be done 2-3 pairs in one evening! Hello matching Family Jammies, made with love!
Personalised Gifts
Why are things with a name on it so much more fun?! I have scored big points for making a work colleague a custom stamp (BC Stamp works turns around stamps in 24 hours or less with a rush fee) or having a spoon engraved for your ice cream loving bestie (most key cutters or knife sharpening shops will also offer simple engraving — I’ve used the one in Lynn Valley Mall!). I generally avoid buying new whenever I can but putting someone’s name or favourite saying on something means that gift is much more likely to be treasured for years to come.
Bare Refillery Gift Baskets
Come on, it wouldn’t be my blog if I didn’t talk about my beautiful holiday gift baskets! I’ve had so much fun creating a huge variety of super fun zero waste gift baskets this year which feature products I’ve made myself or sourced from super talented local makers. There is a gift basket from everyone including the hippie in your life — think patchouli everything plus some tactful deodorant, the minimalist in your life (hello multipurpose products!) and even your teenagers (every Teenager gift basket includes a free unpaid internship at Bare Refillery and I don’t have to be kidding if you need a break). Check out all my holiday gift baskets, and if you’ve got something specific in mind that you don’t see on the site (such as fantastic corporate gift baskets), drop me a line at hello@barerefillery.com or come by the shop in Delbrook Plaza.
Subscriptions
Even small local businesses are offering a ton of different subscription options these days! For example, Everyday Bouquets is a local North Vancouver subscription flower delivery service that offers recipients a fresh bouquet of sustainably grown and assembled mason jar flower arrangements at your doorstep every two weeks — plus it is a a non-profit, with all of the proceeds going to families in need!
Photo by Sandie Clarke
The gift of time
Yes your time! This can be such a valuable gift, especially if you don’t give it very often. Imagine someone gifted you themselves for the afternoon to either babysit your kids or help with your spring garden prepping? Magical. Pick something you are good at and offer your services. Ideas could include helping your sister tackle her mending pile she’s been complaining about — so gift a sewing night together! Or perhaps you’re a good organizer and can guide your brother-in-law through some much needed kitchen clean up. My only word of advice on this is to pick something that you know has been weighing on them not you (aka maybe your Mom is just fine with her messy recycling system but can’t find anything in her bedroom closet and you know she finds that stressful).
Regift something you previously loved
My favourite last minute local gift giving tip is to regift something you’ve previously loved. This has been taboo for far too long but this year we have excuses like “that darn supply chain issue” and “Amazon Prime is now up to a week for delivery of some items!” Regifting got a bad rap because people started doing it without thinking about whether the person would actually appreciate it. Don’t be like your Great Uncle Al. Regift with purpose. Regift with care. Regift with thought. Make sure you only regift something that will be loved and valued or go one extra step and get it personalized so they at least can’t gift it back!
Enjoy the holiday season, don’t stress about gifting too much, and remember, if all else fails, everyone loves cheese. There is even delicious vegan cheese. You really can’t go wrong with cheese.