Meaningful giving | How to shop sustainably for Christmas 2019

As we enter the Christmas period every year, we witness hypercapitalism at its finest; we're pummelled with ads online, on billboards and on the television urging us to buy, buy, buy. But this year, we're also seeing a different message gain ground: give meaningfully and sustainably.

In 2019, we have seen a remarkable rise in people - especially younger people - engaging in activism around climate change, and sustainability issues. There's a backlash against throwaway culture, and a renewed focus on spending money on quality items that last. How many of the gifts you got last Christmas are you still using and enjoying today? 

Many of us want to move away from the commercialisation of the holiday that has taken over in recent times. For most, Christmas is about taking that time to reconnect with family and friends, away from the stress of work. It makes sense that our gift choices are becoming more about reinforcing these values.

If these issues are on your mind as you make your Christmas lists, here are some tips for giving meaningfully this Christmas.

Make it personal

These days, most of us have everything we need to get by - so gift giving is about creating joy - and the best way to to that is to make it personal. There are many ways to personalise a gift to make it truly unique. Our selection of gifts are often engraved with an important date, like that of a wedding or a birth; a favourite proverb, lyric or quote; or your family's crest and motto.

Buy Irish to reduce the airmiles!

When you buy from a local Irish company, you know that the carbon footprint is low. Cheaper gifts from China could take a massive toll on the environment by comparison. Our gifts are laser engraved and dispatched from Co. Clare. As well as that, you're supporting the Irish economy.

Support small businesses

Speaking of supporting the Irish economy, supporting small businesses like Irish Gift Solutions is also an easy way to give more meaningfully. Small businesses support their local economies, encourage entrepreneurship and local employment, and they offer great customer service. You're dealing with real people like you, not a big corporate entity, and that matters. Small businesses also offer items that are more distinctive and have more character than you'll find on the high street.   

Choose locally-sourced materials

We put lots of time into finding the right materials for your gifts. All of our products are made from sustainably-sourced materials, including aged Irish bog wood and slate. We're careful not to over-use our valuable local resources or disrupt the environment.

Make it last

As we hinted at above, most of us have probbaly already forgotten about, broken, or lost the presents we got last Christmas. If you're thinking about giving more sustainably this year, choose gifts that are designed to last for a lifetime like all our pieces are. A gift that sits on the mantelpiece or hangs in the hall can give a little bit of joy every day.

Connect with culture

Our final note on gift giving in 2019 is to connect with your culture and what you're passionate about. If you're buying for a sports lover, a miniature hurley might be ideal, or an Irish history buff might love a secret message in Ogham. Talk to us about how to personalise your 2019 Christmas gifts for someone you love.

As a small business, we pride ourselves on our customer care. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on +353 65 6845082, WhatsApp +353 87 2555391 or send us a message on Facebook. 

You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for gifting tips, inspiration, offers and giveaways.