Did you know that Buy Nothing Friday falls on the same day as Black Friday? Unless you’ve been on a remote retreat, it’s been hard to miss that at least one of them is happening this week. Unsurprisingly, the whole point of Buy Nothing Friday is to spend absolutely nothing for a day.
But if your mind's already drifting to holiday gifting, the GC team has put together some ideas that are all about thoughtfulness, not spending tons of money. And the best part? They’re free – they just require a little time and effort.
First off, Jo’s suggestion: be bold and ask people to stop giving you gifts altogether!
But if you’re not ready to take that step, why not organise a clothes swap with your friends or family? It’s such a win – getting rid of stuff you no longer wear and swapping it for something “new”, all while catching up with the people you love.
Or host a book swap. It’s the perfect excuse to clean off your shelves and trade in your old reads for some fresh ideas, stories or recipes to enjoy in the new year.
Or, maybe take a look at your kitchen gadgets – are there any that you never use? Maybe it's time to pass along that pasta maker, jettison that juicer, or freeze out the ice-cream machine. One of Katy's favourite gifts was a second-hand bread machine.
Sometimes, the best gift is just giving your time. Offer a babysitting night for friends so they can have a date night. Help your parents redecorate or clear out a room in their house. If you’ve got a friend who needs a little TLC, offer them a massage. Or maybe spend an afternoon helping out in the garden. It’s a simple and thoughtful way to show you care.
Do you have more kombucha scoby, kefir grains or sourdough starter than you know what to do with? Share it with friends and give them a quick lesson on how to get started with it. (Shelagh's tip is that ginger is always a winner in kombucha.) Or, if you’re into gardening, share some saved seeds or plants grown from your cuttings. They're gifts that keep on giving.
If you’re into DIY, whether that’s crochet, weaving, sashiko embroidery, or even decoupage furniture, you probably already have a few ideas for homemade gifts. Chen has made lip balm and moisturiser for people before (and she makes her own deodorant too – but hasn’t given it as a gift yet, haha). If you’re into it, it’s a great personal touch!
Who doesn't love homemade truffles? If chocolate isn't your thing, Rachel recommends making sloe gin with foraged sloes or chilli oil made from your homegrown chillies.
Helena suggests some great recipes for you to try:
Hopefully, these ideas spark some creativity and inspire you to leave your wallet at home this week. And stay tuned for more in our Spend-a-Little-But-Make-It-Sustainable Saturday post coming next week.
