Gift-Giving For Sustainability Skeptics

We all know people who are reluctant to embrace sustainability as part of their lives. Maybe it’s your mom, who is too busy to think about sustainability. Maybe it’s your friend, who can’t afford to prioritize beeswax wraps or organic produce. But as someone who cares, you want to keep your sustainable influence going. So how do you balance not offending your mom, and not seeming too ‘above’ your struggling friend? It can be tough to play your cards right in these situations, especially in the gift-giving season. 

The best way to navigate slipping sustainable gifts into skeptical stockings is to find sustainable alternatives to items you would already want to buy them. With a little digging, you can almost always find an alternative to conventional items! So make your shopping list as you would always do, and then plan a little twist. 

One of my favourite seasonal items is the candle. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing gift that’s not too pricey, either. However, traditional candles have environmental consequences. Paraffin candles are known to emit greenhouse gases when burned, and are made from non-renewable petroleum. Fan favourites like Bath and Body Works contain fragrances that originate from petrochemicals, which are known to cause health issues when burnt frequently. It’s not in anyone’s best interest to invest in conventional candles, but what’s the alternative?

Beeswax candles are a great option- as a natural by-product of the beekeeping process, these candles are renewable sourced, and beeswax products are trending! Honey Candles is a growing BC company that specializes in pure beeswax candles, with no added petrochemicals. You can also ask your local beekeeper about beeswax. Backyard beekeepers may have leftover wax for sale- use this map to locate a beekeeper in your neighbourhood.

Soy candles are another option, and perfect for the true vegan. Soy wax is 100% biodegradable, and is sourced from renewable materials. Local company Wick’d Petals uses soy wax, paired with dried flowers, to create a clean, local, and delicious fragrance, all packed in a reusable tin! They have also implemented a container-return program, where the candle tins can be returned for a discount on your next purchase. This motivates people through savings, but in the end facilitates sustainability. It’s a neat product to gift, for sure.

Looking to combine environmental and social sustainability? Look into Misiyo candle company, an local brand that supports disadvantaged Rwandans with the sales of their beeswax/coconut wax candles! By purchasing a candle, you provide health insurance to widows and orphans in Rwanda, helping to boost social sustainability and keeping you involved in global citizenship. You are also purchasing a renewable-sourced product in a reusable tin that can be returned for a discount; it’s a win for the buyer, the receiver, the Edmonton company, and the Rwandans.

You pinpointed one item on your list; the candle. You found three local companies finding innovative alternatives to conventional candles. You have eliminated harmful petrochemicals. There is no more black smoke coming off your candle. You’ve cut down on packaging and shipping. You’ve found a reusable tin that gets you a future discount. And, your money has stayed within the community, helping Canadian artisans thrive. Why would you spend that money any other way? And the best part is, you don’t have to flaunt it as a sustainable purchase. Know your audience; do they care most about the local investment, or about the future discount? Do they love the dried flowers, or the cute tin? Play to their interests. It makes you look like a great gift giver, and it gets them interested in a sustainable product. You’re not stuck with a big-chain product. This holiday season, dig deeper into your shopping list, and dig up those sustainable alternatives to products that you already know your people will love.

Featured photo credit: Wick’d Petals