Many adults have already made up their minds: no material gifts are exchanged at Christmas, but time and togetherness are valued. However, if gifts are to be given, the most sustainable and meaningful choice is a gift that is homemade, experiential, recycled or circular.
The environmental burden of gifts is significant and can be reduced by giving recycled gifts.
According to a study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland, fair price, treasure hunting and ethical and ecological reasons motivate consumers' intentions to buy recycled gifts. As services evolve and consumer attitudes change, the role of second-hand products in the gift market is set to grow.
At Second Hand Tampere, we encourage you to look at our member stores, which offer a wide variety of products and services! A gift card to a vintage or second hand shop, antique shop or repairer supports local entrepreneurship, the growth of the circular economy and gives the recipient the opportunity to choose something really useful and extend the life cycle of their favourite clothing and accessories.
Children and young people are a chapter in their own right, with their own aspirations. For them, the most anticipated moment of the eve is probably tearing the wrapping paper and wrappings off the expected gift, not necessarily whether the gift is new or recycled. Second Hand Tampere member Huomentamuovi has commissioned cardboard boxes suitable for recycled toy gifts. A recycled gift is also a step towards learning about environmental responsibility. A young person's gift wish can also be a shared time!
Here are some ideas for recycled gifts that you can tweak and personalise to your liking:
- Gift voucher for a repair workshop or handicraft course
- A repair evening with a group of friends: learn to repair, maintain, fix together.
- Shopping tour together: as a gift service, where you take the recipient on a discovery trip to second hand shops with a shopping list and a map of Second Hand Tampere.
Gifts for clothing and shoe care
- Leather care products for shoes, bags and leather garments and accessories
- A moccasin brush, moss comb, bobby pin or knitting brush.
Edible and homemade:
- Homemade breadcrumbs
- A self-blended bath salt mixture made from herbs gathered together
- Spice oil or herbal tea packed in a recycled glass jar
- Pepper dough or sourdough bread for ready-to-bake.
- Handmade card (from recycled materials)
Small objects made from recycled materials:
- A bag, make-up bag or cloth bag sewn from old fabrics
- A repaired garment, accessory or household product - or instructions for repair
