Conscious Christmas: Gifts and Presents

Christmas is a time of coming together and thinking of others, but often the presents we choose are the results of unsustainable practices. Without going into detail, there are clear economical costs in the production of more or less all consumable goods, but even the eventual disposal of these comes with consequences. We see more and more that materials used in the production are harmful not only to our natural environments, but even to us humans. However, social issues are still insufficiently considered when we shop. How do we know that that sweater we bought was not made by children in a sweat shop? Or if that child's toy was produced under fair conditions and without toxic materials?

There are various labels and brands now that certify specific ecological or social conditions. These are very important, not just as an indicator to us as the consumer, but also as an awareness campaign amongst consumers, producers and sellers worldwide. These brands are spreading and creating a very positive influence on the various parties in production as well as the consumers.  However, that said, there are limits to these.

Firstly, there are many different brands, but most of these tend to focus on either ecological/biological issues OR social issues. While I am of the firm belief that they are interconnected and not separable, few combine the two categories. Therefore you must choose if you care about the future of our natural planet or of the people in it. This can be a difficult choice to make. On the bright side, you have plenty of choice in this category and you can find a more mainstream gift if that is what you are looking for.

Another issue is that in order to create an official label, you will have to set official standards. Official standards must in turn have specific definitions and delimitations. There are plenty of scientific or non-scientific literature out there discussing the pros and cons of this so I will not go further into the details of that, but suffice to say that things are complex and imperfect even if you chose all your purchases carefully after branding.

If you want to take your gift giving to another more level, you can chose to make your own gifts. This is often both more ecological, socially just (you know that you treated yourself well, after all) and even economically sustainable (for you). You can find plenty of ways to recycle your material and create a sustainable piece of art to offer to a loved on.

However, if you are like me and you are not artistically gifted, you will find it very difficult to be artsy crafty in a time known for time pressure. You can either stick with the conscious branding or you have some alternatives for those who are of a more altruistic nature. You can make a donation to a good cause in their name. There are also possibilities to adopt an endangered animal (for example through WWF) or be a Child sponsor (offered by Save the Children). Or why not buy UNICEF products? I am mentioning the organizations most known in my region in Europe, but there are plenty of others to choose from. Unfortunately, you are most likely going to have to chose between social or environmental issues also in this case.

There are however organizations that see the links between the social and the environmental issues and that are aware that the poor are the most exposed to environmental problems and disasters (I am not by any means saying the interactions between social and environmental issues are limited to this). An example that I know is COTAP.org where you can buy carbon credits. A unique gift under the Christmas tree.

What are your thoughts on the examples mentioned above?
Do you have other (better?) ideas?