Sustainable Gifts – DIY Edition

Well, here we are – the Holiday Season is in full swing.

I know how chaotic it can feel and truly wish for you to have an opportunity to slow down and have some fun with it this year.

Making little handmade gifts is one of a few ways I can really tap into the holiday spirit (see also: driving around to see twinkly lights, my mom’s chocolate chip cookies, and Die Hard).  

I’ve made a lot of different things over the years, but really don’t consider myself very “crafty”. So if I can do it, you can do it. I do try to add an extra personal touch by sharing a holiday family tradition or recreating something I’ve experienced throughout the year. Ideally I can incorporate supplies I already have on hand.

Did an idea just pop in your mind? Go with it! 

If the ideas aren’t coming easy, read on for some inspiration. Everything can be accomplished in an afternoon and there’s lots of room for improvising the components with items you may already have on hand, whether you’re the creative type or not. And remember, if you get stuck – google is your friend. 

Share the Self Care

Candles:

Making your own candles is low waste and eco-friendly and guaranteed to be as non-toxic as the ingredients you use to make them.

Funny novelty mug candles would make a great White Elephant or Secret Santa gift!

The vessels you choose can turn these candles into true works of art. Repurpose a .50 thrift store coffee mug, vintage tea cup, or mason jar.  Or maybe you have those little glass yogurt cups or old tea tins laying around. Hm! 

If you prefer to go jarless, you can make small wax melts using a silicone ice cube tray. 

Fancy up the tops of your candles or melts with some herbs, flowers, or dried fruits!

Why should you avoid paraffin wax? It is derived from petroleum and full of toxic chemicals such as toluene and benzene which is released into the air when you burn them.

I strongly suggest using either raw beeswax or soy wax for something sustainable and safe to inhale.

Ingredients: 

  • Vessel(s) – up to 24oz of volume 
  • Cotton or Wood wicks* (as many as you need for your number of vessels) 

*The wood wicks have a crackling feature for that extra *ambiance*. 

**Beeswax candles naturally smell a little like honey, but you can use essential oils if you want to add some fragrance. If you’re going to do this, I recommend adding a bit of coconut oil since beeswax doesn’t seem to hold onto the scent quite as well.

Directions:

Melt the wax and oil in a double boiler, then add the essential oils. Place the wicks in the jars and pour the mixture in, being sure to secure the wick with a clip (or tape to a pen) so that it holds in the middle while the candle cools. 

Check out this video for a quick tutorial: 


Body Butter:

Body butter is easy to make while also ultra moisturizing and luxurious. This recipe has ingredients you can find by the ounce at Life Unplastic, but could of course altered based on what you might have on hand. 

Ingredients: 

Directions:

If you plan to use arrowroot powder, soften the coconut oil and mix the powder in. Then use a double boiler to melt the butters. 

Remove from heat and mix the butter with the coconut oil. Refrigerate the mixture until it firms up a bit, then add the essential oils and “whip” the mixture with a fork or a standing mixer. Add it to your jars and store with the lid on at room temperature. 

It will keep like this for 6 months or more, though I recommend always using clean hands when you scoop it out. 

(Recipe adapted from: https://livesimply.me/how-to-make-easy-body-butter/)


Bath Bombs:

Most people don’t have bath bomb molds lying around and that’s OK. Look around and see what you have! You can make bath bombs into all kinds of shapes by using molds such as muffin tins (metal or silicone) and cookie cutters. And why make them traditional when they can be quirky and unique? 

Their natural color is classic and elegant, but you can add different coloring agents. It’s important to be careful what dye you select, since if it’s not water soluble it will actually stain your tub (or the tub of the person you give it to! 😬) 

This recipe yields 10 large bath bombs, so feel free to half it or adjust as needed. Again, almost all of these items may already be on hand in your home or can be purchased by the ounce at the shop.

Ingredients: 

  • 2 Tbsp Water
  • 2 Tbsp Dried Orange Peel (optional)
  • Make your own dried orange peel by zesting several oranges (3-6) and sprinkle it out on a tray to dry for 48 hours. 

The orange peel is optional, but it adds a nice natural color and helps soften and exfoliate your skin. Plus it has anti-inflammatory properties! 

Directions:

Whisk together the cornstarch, citric acid, epsom salt, dried orange peel, and baking soda in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the melted coconut oil, water, and essential oils (if using).

Very slowly add the oil mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring and mashing as you go. The end result should be similar to wet sand. Pack the mixture into your selected molds and allow to dry for at least 30 minutes (and up to 24 hours) before removing the mold. 

 

Whip Up Delicious Consumable Concoctions 

Ok here’s where your family traditions could shine or be adventurous and try something new, it’s all in the experience. Here’s some ideas to get you started: 

Note: You could of course focus on what you have on hand first. I also carry a bunch of pantry staples by the ounce that will fill any gaps for a multitude of tasty, thoughtful gifts. There are so many options it’s difficult to list all the exact recipes. 

**All of these consumables are great to package in clear jars with a little twine or reused bow to give as a gift. 

Candied Nuts:

Mix brown sugar (or raw sugar) with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a little spice with your sweet. Add a splash of water and vanilla extract. Melt the mixture, stir in the nuts, then spread and cool them on a baking sheet before breaking them up and transferring to a container. 

Cookies or Cake in a Jar:

Just mix together the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie or cake mix, then tie the instructions to the jar! We carry gluten free flour, raw sugar, and oats. 

Good Soup: 

Perfect for literally anyone who loves to cook for their family. Grab your favorite chili or soup recipe and layer the dried ingredients like beans and spices in a jar. You can even add our vegan powdered broth mix. Write out and attach the instructions for the other steps, like sauteing diced veggies, adding a can of tomatoes or broth, then dumping the jar in a pot and letting it stew.

An alternative soup idea is this 13 bean fiesta soup mix. Simple and looks beautiful in a jar. Add cajun seasonings for a kick!

Put Together a Personalized Plastic-Free Gift Basket

And finally, as I look around the store it’s hard not to see all the different ways you could combine our environmentally friendly products to make tailored gifts for your friends and family. They are maybe not “DIY” in the traditional sense, but still very thoughtful and a great way to show you care. 

For the coffee enthusiast:

Grab some locally-roasted coffee and pair it with a CoffeeSock and a locally made holiday scented candle.

One variety we are carrying is called ‘A Love Letter to Gainesville’ and proceeds support a program helping to eliminate food insecurity for local students. 

For the homebody:

Make up a batch of super easy room freshening spray with just water, witch hazel, and essential oils! Lavender is great for relaxing a space and Lemon is refreshing and rejuvenating. We have colored glass or aluminum spray bottles so your gift is plastic-free, refillable, and non-toxic. 

Pair it with these handy recycled cotton tea towels and a whimsical animal tree ornament. 

For the ‘buzzy’ bee:

Local honey, beeswax food wraps, candles, and these silicone reusable bags make a cute bee-themed collection. You can even wrap it all up in this Honey Chemistry Tote bag. 

For the zero waste beginner:

Foldable stainless cutlery set, bamboo toothbrush, and string grocery bag are just a few options for a starter kit that just makes sense. Other must haves: washable and reusable kitchen sponges, dishsoap block, Happy Willow shampoo bar, cotton produce bags. 

Sustainable DIY Gifts Have Never Been Easier

So you see, there are many ways to put together eco-friendly gifts that won’t end up clogging our landfills and really show you care… about your people, and your planet

If you don’t have time for a visit, remember that shop items can be delivered within the Gainesville area. Order online or give us a call today. 

Visit us at:

2441 NW 43rd St.
Ste 24B-1
Gainesville, FL 32606
📞 352.225.3116

 

Going Green for the Holidays

‘Tis the Season for Another Eco-Chat

I don’t know much about the infamous White Christmas, living in North Central Florida most of my life, but these days I’m dreaming of something a little more… green. 

Y’all loved the Halloween Howliday Guide so I thought we’d bring it back for a chat about how to have a greener giving season. Considering its reputation for being a consumer-centric eco-disaster, it’s surprisingly easy to be more sustainable during the holidays. I used to really worry about gifting and receiving gifts, but once you establish some ground rules, with yourself as well as your friends and family, you’ll see how fun it is to be in full holiday-swing, without all the pollution and waste.  

Reusing what you already have is always the most eco-friendly option and the most sustainable gift is the one you don’t buy, HOWEVER, a Zero Waste Lifestyle does not have to be restricting and giftless. We don’t have to be a bunch of Scrooges. We just need to embrace consumables, natural materials, and edit everything that doesn’t meet our expectations. 

I’ll break it down a bit so you can reduce waste in all areas of the holidays. 

Environmentally-Friendly Holiday Decorations

You’ve probably heard of popcorn garland and pinecone ornaments, but with a little creativity you can create some beautiful holiday decorations out of natural materials.

The first thing you’ll want to do is head out and collect materials. If you live in an area with woods this can be as simple as going for a walk! Keep an eye out for: 

  • Pine boughs/branches
  • Pinecones
  • Dry grass stalks (especially ones with little seed tufts on the ends) or cattails 
  • Winter berries
  • Seedpods 
  • Twigs and branches of various sizes
  • Nuts
  • Flowers for drying

Then you can supplement those materials with items you’ll find at local farms, supermarkets, on your Buy Nothing Group, at thrift or crafting stores. Consider: 

  • Oranges, cranberries, pomegranates, or dried fruit
  • Nuts in the shell
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Dried herbs or flowers
  • Feathers
  • Natural cotton
  • Burlap, muslin fabric, jute twice, or raffia ribbon

If you plan on going to a roadside stand or tree farm ask if you can take home some of the leftover boughs – people often leave branches at the base of the tree if it’s a bit too tall or just a tad unruly at the bottom. Most places won’t charge you for this and they’re highly versatile in your holiday decor. 

Wreaths

Natural wreaths have such a classic holiday feel to them, plus the smell of pine as you come in the door is sure to lift your spirits. 

While you can make them completely compostable and from scratch with some greener branches, you can also purchase a metal frame and reuse it year after year. Grab some twine and simply tie the sticks and boughs around the frame, then add your accent pieces. 

Try cinnamon sticks or dried oranges for some more fragrance, or dried flowers and berries for extra color. Feathers, pinecones, seed pods and dried grasses add various textures and colors as well. 

I recently saw this wonderfully whimsical wreath, made from repurposed toilet paper rolls, of all things. But everything Emily Ehlers does is amazing, go follow her insta!

Mantles, railings, and entryways

This is where those spare boughs come in handy. Laying them across a mantle or bookshelf, wrapping along a railing, or framing a doorway with pine boughs brings the joy of Christmas throughout your house – so it’s not just in the room with your tree. 

Try laying out bowls of nuts in the shell, pinecones, pomegranates and red and green apples to get in the natural holiday spirit. 

Wine corks also make fun decorations and can be crafted into everything from Christmas trees and snowmen to these cute little reindeer figurines. 

The Tree

As far as decorating a tree, consider some of those natural decorations we’ve already talked about. Make garland with cranberries, popcorn, or wine corks. Try ornaments with pinecones, dried orange slices, and bundles of cinnamon sticks. 

You can also find recipes online for sugar cookies and gingerbread that can be made into ornaments, which is a great activity for both adults and kids. 

If it’s time to buy a new strand of lights, consider LED as they are more eco-friendly. 

Sustainability showdown: Is it more eco-friendly to get a real Christmas tree or a fake?

Christmas trees come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Overwhelmingly, there are just two normalized choices, and there is a debate in the sustainability community about which is more eco-friendly: getting a real tree or a fake? 

The arguments go something like this: Cutting down a real tree sounds bad in theory – don’t we always want more trees? But it’s in the interest of Christmas tree farms to replant, the growing trees absorb lots of CO2, and that land may not be suitable for much else. Plus if a tree is composted, it releases very little carbon back into the atmosphere. 

The main argument for a fake tree is that you can reuse it year after year, and it doesn’t involve cutting down a new tree each time. But they are made from all sorts of synthetic materials including plastics, so the ultimate ecological cost of manufacturing and eventually disposing of a fake tree is fairly high. 

The winner? Honestly, whichever one is right for you. In the grand scheme of the holidays, whether you go with a real or fake Christmas tree is not going to make or break your carbon footprint. We need to hold corporations accountable for their emissions and target whole industries like fast fashion. Then we can worry about our Christmas trees. 

Ultimately the idea here shouldn’t be that one is right or wrong, but how you go about it. If a fake tree is right for you, try to reuse it for as long as you can and try to keep it out of the landfill. If you go the route of real trees, buy local and compost it when you’re done.

Sustainable Gifting Ideas

It is the season of giving after all! And while I think the real power of the season is in spending quality time with loved ones, there’s nothing quite like the delight of a friend or family member opening a gift they love. 

There are plenty of ways to be sustainable with your gifts. So as you run through your list this year consider some of these options: 

Tree-Friendly Holiday Cards

Thoughtful Human makes beautiful cards with tree-free, plantable seed paper that grows wildflowers. It’s an interactive gift that will bring joy now and again when the flowers bloom. 

Or go digital! While it may not have the same feel as receiving a card in the mail, you can now make it super personal with a video message. Plus adding GIFs and memes can make them highly entertaining and bring the holiday cheer to your loved ones. 

Zero-Waste Gift Wrapping

Save the brown paper that comes in your online purchases and use it to wrap gifts!

**Local tip: I have a TON of brown shipping paper I’ve been saving all year that you can grab for wrapping next time you stop by the shop!  It’s a little crinkled, but I think it adds to the charm. 

Tie them up with twine or ribbon and add some snowflakes or christmas trees with a marker or stamp. These come out with a classically rustic look that people always love. 

If you want something a bit more colorful and funky (especially for the kids) consider what you have lying unused around the house: old maps, comic books, newspaper and magazines make for great wrapping paper. 

Try yarn or twine instead of ribbon, or make the wrapping part of the gift by using something like a thrifted silk scarf or cloth napkins. You can use an old brooch to pin it all together.

I have also seen various sized reusable fabric wrapping bags. You can make your own with any fabric or even get away with an old pillowcase when push comes to shove. 

And of course – if you don’t already – save any gift bags, bows, or ribbons you receive this year to reuse for your gifts next year. (I actually save tissue paper too, but that’s just me, lol.) 

Our Sustainable Gift Guide

As a conscious consumer I’m sure you’ve heard many of the classics: DIY candles or soaps; baked goods; candied nuts; experiences such as tickets to a show or play, art or cooking class. 

But some of us aren’t that creative, or simply don’t have the time to invest in DIY gifts. If you love the feeling of stuffing a stocking, or handing a heartfelt gift to a friend and watching their face as they open it – we have put together our list of favorites from Life Unplastic so you can give gifts you trust are not negatively impacting the planet. Consumable gifts and gifts made from natural materials top our lists. 

For the men: Florida-made beard balm, lava pumice stone, or a rosewood beard comb

For the femme: tassel hoop earrings, this jade facial roller, or these adorable wood animal magnets

For the kids: 100% recycled crazy crayons, this plant-based finger paint kit, or this honeycomb candle making kit

For the student: decomposition books and/or a fancy, zero waste highlighter pencil

For that on-the-go friend: a collapsible straw with keychain case or locally roasted coffee beans (by the ounce, so a great opportunity to package in a fun, thrifted jar!)

For your out of town family: these “someone in Florida loves you” ornaments or magnets

For the tricky-to-buy-for: a 30hr outdoor candle, organic seasoning blends, or a pound of local orange blossom honey 

For self care: beautiful holiday themed locally-made soaps, locally-made body butter, or this pot of gold

For a White Elephant/Gag party gift: people will go nuts over these wood britney or dolly face ornaments

For your best bud (pooch or kitteh): treats, treats, and more treats!

For advent calendar, festival of lights, or stocking stuffers: a vitamin-rich lip balm, these travel size shampoo bars, an exfoliating woven soap bag, or a washable/reusable bamboo spork 

For anyone: cute swedish dishcloths, a gallon-sized silicone storage (freezer) bag, or these versatile string grocery bags 

When in serious doubt, a Gift Card can still be presented in a really thoughtful way.  

Remember too, if you’re ordering from us or elsewhere online, order early – experts predict the shipping delays may be even worse than last year. 

Hopefully this gets you in the holiday spirit and feeling like it’s going to be a very green Hanukkah, Christmas, or whatever you are celebrating this time of year. 

Voting – It’s more than just bubbles on a ballot!

Heading to the voting booth to cast our ballot each year is an important political civic action. Those collective choices shape government policy, which has the power to bring about considerable change to the society we encompass.

But today I want to talk about a different type of vote. Because whether or not you bubbled in your ballot, you are voting this November. In fact, we’re all voting every single day, without realizing it.

You vote for the world you want to live in whenever and wherever you spend money.

Why? Every purchase you make supports the organization you’re buying from. To that end, every purchase you choose NOT to make can be an effective signal that you, a consumer with a monetary vote, have found an alternative that you prefer, for one reason or another (even if it means not buying anything at all!).

It may seem insignificant – after all, what’s one more Amazon order?

To multinational corporations or fast fashion conglomerates, perhaps it IS insignificant. But – every time you DON’T choose the giant corp and you buy local produce, thrifted clothing, or refill your containers at your local refillery (a-hem), it means absolutely everything! 

Do my small purchases really make a difference?

The short answer: YES! 

For better or worse, your purchase supports the company and people who are working for that cause. It helps them keep going, perpetuating the values and standards that company shares with the world.

And collectively, these consumption choices yield great power!

If you need a little more convincing, take a look at some of these examples where the consumers shifted the balance of power and took matters into their own hands. 

  • The 1791 English Sugar Boycott

One of the first known examples of a boycott, 1791 English citizens who opposed slavery took it upon themselves to boycott sugar produced by slaves in the West Indies. Many of the political leaders had stakes in the sugar industry. After sales dropped by 30%, political campaigns and policy reform began to ramp up in earnest. 

It took several years, but the sugar boycott is credited with being a driving force of abolishing slavery in England. It may seem like large corporations are impenetrable, but reducing their purchases by only one-third was enough to create sweeping legislative change for the entire nation.  

  • 2010 Nestlé Palm Oil Boycott

A much more recent example is the 2010 Nestlé boycott over unsustainable palm oil. Palm oil production created rampant deforestation across Indonesia and beyond. To stop the devastating effects, Greenpeace organized a boycott campaign. 

It only took 8 weeks of pressure by consumers for Nestlé to change its tune. They quickly released a new policy promising zero deforestation in their palm oil supply chain.

  • 2019 Chick-fil-A Donations

After some online backlash regarding anti-LGBTQ donations hit the internet in 2012, Chick-fil-A made a few changes, but did not completely stop the donations in question. When consumers stepped in again and initiated a boycott in 2019, the company formally changed their donation policy to focus on education, homelessness, and hunger, officially ending those anti-LGBTQ donations. 

🟔 Note: I’m not necessarily saying these companies are now doing everything right, but they make for good examples of how your dollar CAN make a difference. 🟔

How can you determine what companies deserve your vote?

 

As a conscious consumer you know how to reduce, reuse, refill, and rethink, but sometimes it can be time to buy something new. 

You’re smart, so I’m sure you can tell when a company is obviously not good to purchase from. Triple-wrapped in plastic? Nah. No thanks. Costs one-third of what its competitors do? Probably not a good sign. 

On the other hand, if it is clearly made with recycled materials, organic, or fair-trade, you can probably tell the company has some of your shared values. 

Certifications are a good place to start, but it’s important to know whether (a) those certifications are reputable and (b) what they really mean. 

Some trustworthy certifications: 

  • Certified B Corporations – audited regularly to ensure high standards of social and environmental impacts. B Corps maintain a high level of sourcing and financial transparency within their business. 

  • Rainforest Alliance – a certification for paper products, food and drinks, as well as tourism businesses. Pretty much any industry can have a negative impact on the rainforest, but the Rainforest Alliance Certification let’s you know they’re doing their part. 

  • Green Seal – often found on paper products, it sometimes crops up in other places. Green Seal indicates that a company is not contributing to deforestation or other unsustainable practices. 

  • Cradle to Cradle – focused mostly on textiles and home goods, Cradle to Cradle certifies companies that are committed to creating a circular economy. 

  • LEED Certification – a designation for buildings that were constructed in a low-impact, socially conscious way, often with recycled materials. 

  • Leaping Bunny Certification – a way to identify cruelty-free cosmetics, personal care, and household cleaning supplies. Leaping Bunny is different from other third-party cruelty-free certifications because of their strict no animal testing standards, Supplier Monitoring System, and independent audits.

Some other certifications:

  • 1% for the Planet – pretty much exactly what it sounds like, this designation indicates that a company donates 1% of its profits to eco-friendly efforts. While that is certainly something to be celebrated, and I know lots of brands doing this, realistically it tells you nothing about how the company actually conducts its sourcing and manufacturing. Just something to consider. 
  • Carbon Offsetting – if a company is carbon offsetting, it means they are donating to environmental projects that reduce carbon in our atmosphere. It’s helpful and very powerful when combined with strong efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of production, but some companies use it as an excuse to continue (or cover up) other harmful practices. Be sure to dig a little deeper. 
  • FSC Certification – a certification for paper products that is intended to reduce deforestation. It’s better to buy certified products than not, but some experts have questioned the effectiveness of the FSC, finding that audits aren’t thorough or often enough to truly protect the forest. Again, try to dig a little deeper and look for sourcing transparency. 
  • Energy Star – similar to the FSC, it’s better to have the certification than not. But the Energy Star logo simply means that a product is slightly more energy efficient than the current industry standard, and how much better varies from product to product. Consider doing a little more research before you buy. 

You have the purchasing power!

All this is not to make you feel guilty or overwhelmed, but rather empowered. 

Your choices make a difference. 

The choices of large corporations make a bigger difference – but you have the power to influence them with your own.

In the age of smartphones, it’s easier than ever to search for a company’s reputation before you make a purchase. And if you’re shopping online, that information is just one tab away. 

This little bit of extra effort has a compounding effect. The more of us who consistently shop consciously, the greater the results. 

As we head into the holidays, and particularly Black Friday weekend, I encourage you to think about your purchases as a way to support and perpetuate your values in our community. 

Together we can drive lasting changes. 🤍

At Life Unplastic’s sustainable shop and refillery, you can shop confidently (and guilt-free!) knowing that I have personally vetted every brand we sell. Your purchases support normalizing low waste consumerism as opposed to throwaway culture and the people who are making that possible.

So thank you for supporting my small business that supports other small businesses. We love you!