With Christmas not too long away now, thoughts begin to go towards what gifts to get friends, family and co-workers. Finding the perfect gift to give some one can be hard enough, without having to think about how these choices can impact the environment. Being a bit of an eco-warrior myself when it comes to things like this, especially this year as i can’t actually buy anything new. It’s going to be even harder! However, it’s not a totally lost cause, there are plenty of amazing things you can make yourself at home – such as handmade wooden gifts.
Plus, for those of you who can buy new, here are some great ideas, and reasons why you should look in to buying wooden gifts this Christmas.
Why Wooden Gifts?
Not only are wooden gifts beautifully created, and stunning to look at. They also tend to last much longer as well. Plus, there are so many plastic items around these days that something wooden would really stand out, and could tell a story. I remember my Gran had a beautiful wooden rocking horse that my brothers and I loved to play on when we were younger. I can even remember the smell and the feel of it. The soft wood told a story. The chisel marks still visible in places, and the tiny imperfections that almost seemed to make it more perfect. My Gran also had many other toys as well (mainly tin or plastic) but this was the only one i really remember.
Beautiful items such as this can be passed down through families. Or even kept as collectables. I’d love to know how much it would be worth these days – not that we would sell it!
Gifts For Everyone
Whether you’re looking for a wooden gift for a child, or an adult. You want to buy something new, or make it yourself. There are many ways to choose the perfect gifts for your loved ones. If you’re looking to buy something special, perhaps consider this folding chess board. Thanks to the Netflix hit The Queens Gambit, chess has become a very popular game to play, both with adults and teenagers alike. This folding travel board would also be great to take on holidays, or pack up in your camper van.
However, if chess isn’t quite your thing, you can’t beat a game of Garden Tower Tumble to get people laughing. This giant game would be ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. The perfect game to play on Christmas day with the family. Crafted using New Zealand pine from sustainable sources. It includes 63 blocks and can reach a height of 25 inches.
However, if you’re looking to make the gift yourself, then there are many Youtube tutorials that can help you make beautiful creations, made from the heart and with love. Just note, making gifts like this at home might not save you money – and definitely not time!
Traditional Wooden Gifts
If you’re looking to buy something special, perhaps consider Erzgebirge region. These handmade wooden crafts would be perfect for everyone on your list, young and old. From mechanical music boxes to figurines and ornaments, and the world-famous nutcrackers and Christmas pyramids. These handcrafted pieces by artists and toymakers in Germany would make fabulous presents for those eco-friendly friends and family members.
The Environment
Of course another great reason to choose wooden gifts is the environmental aspect. This is especially so if you are giving to someone who is very environmentally conscious – like me! I would love to receive something that’s either handmade, or eco-friendly.
There’s nothing worse when someone hands you a big lump of plastic when you’re trying to go plastic free. Of course the thought is lovely. However, thinking about each person individually, and their views is so important as well.
Supporting Small Businesses
Being a small business owner myself, it means so much to try to help out other small business owners. Handmade wooden gifts are made in small workshops, by local people who put a lot of care into making them perfect. Supporting a very skilled craftsperson is a gift in itself! Plus, it would be so much nicer to buy a unique gift than something mass produced with no character.
Which would you rather receive a homemade gift, or a gift bought from a skilled craftsperson?
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