Gift Guide: Alternative Gifting this Holiday Season
Posted: December 14, 2016
Categories: GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Ontario
Ontarians spend more and more on holiday shopping every year. In December of 2014 Canadians spent 185% more on toys, games and hobby supplies during any other month of the year and 136% more on audio video equipment, according to Statistics Canada. Many of us are privileged to receive lots of gifts over the holidays, but this means we’re often overwhelmed by items we don’t need or want. This year, think outside of the gift-wrapped box and get your friends and family what you think will be the most useful and meaningful to them.
Treat a friend to a meal: Spend quality time with a food lover(s) on your list by taking them out to a new or well liked restaurant. Bonus points if the restaurant sources locally!
Give a cooking lesson: Preparing food is a crucial skill! Cooking lessons are great for children who want to learn the basics or for young adults who have recently moved out and need a few tips. Or, if you’re not so confident in the kitchen yourself, treat them to a cooking class.
Give your time: Food banks, soup kitchens and food rescue organizations across the province rely on volunteers to stay up and running. Bring a friend and give your time to those in need.
Make a donation: Spend your budgeted amount for friends or family members on a charity or non-profit that you think they would appreciate.
Buy a share in a CSA: With the Community Supported Agriculture model, consumers pay a one-time fee to the farmer each year and receive regular food boxes in return. This is a great way to support one of your local farmers and to ensure that a friend or family member has a supply of local food throughout the growing season. The cost of shares varies depending on the farm and the size/quantity and contents of the box. Find CSA’s across Ontario here.
For more tangible gifts, try:
An indoor plant: For those who are already feeling the winter-time cabin fever, give them the gift of greenery. Look for a plant that can be planted outside in the summer (try holly, for warmer climates) or edible plants that will keep on giving (try a herb basket).
Useful items/replacements: Sometimes the most useful gifts are the most appreciated. If your friend or family member is looking for a specific but hard to find item, see if you can use your own resources to find it (for example, look in local antique stores or online for items that are no longer sold in retail stores).
Gifts that give back: Look for companies that donate profits to charities or non-for-profits. These items will cost you a little more, but your gift will be twofold.
Support Sustain Ontario this holiday season! Make a donation today.
Top and featured photo credited to Moyan Brenn via flickr
Holly photo credited to Liz West via flickr