Mindful Christmas Gift Ideas

Mindful ideas for Christmas

Jude Gidney

It’s that crazy time of year when we are inundated with Christmas adverts, Dos and fairs. I don’t know about you but I find it a very confusing time, trying to think through what gifts to give to who, what they’d like, what they need, what I want to give them, at the same time having a running commentary of ‘buy this’ ‘buy that’, viral Christmas Ads from chain stores, light switching-ons, Christmas craft Fairs and Markets and most starting well before November. Perhaps I need to just book myself a ticket abroad and not return until January. 

But then Christmas can be a time of celebration and of making the most of the friends and family we have, gathering and pulling together as communities to brighten these days that rarely seem to see the sun. 

I’ve gathered a few ideas that appeal to me with the view to a mindful Christmas, making gift giving and buying a little more interesting and perhaps ethical too. 


300,000 tones of card!

300,000 tonnes of card are involved in the presentation, sending and selling of gifts during the festive season. That’s enough to cover the pitch at old Trafford 180,000 times! A lot of card! This can all be recycled, so make use of your recycling bin and put card in it and not in your general waste bin. 

Most wrapping paper can now be recycled too, although still not shiny metallic or glittery paper. The scrunch test will tell you which can and can’t be recycled – scrunch a piece up in your hand, if it remains in a ball when you let go it’s probably recyclable. Paper that can’t be recycled will go to landfill sites.

Giving the gift of time…

I’ve been creative and draw you a Tree of Gifts. I’m going to try to give more from the bottom layer than the top. 

Ideas for spending time with others 

  • Buy a beautiful arty Christmas card from a local artist, say from a craft market or art market, and make your own voucher to go inside:
    • ‘Spend a day with me going to the zoo and then a night out’
    • ‘Afternoon Tea with me’
    • ‘An afternoon decorating your lounge’ 
    • A skiing experience at the local dry ski slope
    • A summer photo-shoot with the family
    • A day exploring the pubs and restaurants within 30 miles radius
    • A trip to an Art Gallery and lunch 
    • A magical mystery tour and picnic
    • A couple of nights in a local boarding house, such as TheHouse on the Hill, so your family that live at a distance can visit you.

Click to download your copy of the Gift Ideas Tree and share with friends and family
View from The House on the Hill Boarding House

The middle of the tree is a recycling and making layer. 

What about baking a cake or making some flavoured Gin??

I’m often finding wonderful things in local charity shops, RSPCA, Age concern, MIND and reclamation rooms such as Emmaus Mossley. So often items are donated that haven’t ever been opened or used. These are likely to be obvious on entering the shop as the staff are very aware of what’s a bargain! And all your money spent buying gifts goes to the good cause. Oxfam also have a wonderful range of gifts such as ‘the gift of a goat; and ‘the gift of bees’. If you’re an animal lover the idea of sponsoring a guide-dog’s training for a year may appeal (www.sponsorapuppy.org.uk)

And the top layer of the tree is buying items off the shelf.

I like to buy locally so I know I’m supporting other small independent businesses whose owners also live locally, perhaps even a neighbour. Craft and Art Markets are also another hub of local sellers. Buying locally helps our area to thrive, builds communities and good spirit. Buying from large chain stores or online chains, the money certainly goes elsewhere!

Happy Gift buying! And don’t forget to include a mulled wine at some point. 

Many thanks to Jenny Martin of Jenny Martin Photography and *TheHouse on the Hill for her suggestions.

Jude Gidney - Editor
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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