Maybe it’s for the holiday season, dinner parties or just get-togethers with friends. It’s always a nice gesture and a kind thank you to bring something thoughtful to your host. Who hasn’t missed the good times with family or friends during the pandemic? Luckily, we are getting back to it. When it comes to choosing that host gift, stop the cycle of our throwaway society with these 10 minimalist and zero waste gifts.
Does gifting disposable junk that cause environmental and clutter problems cause you to shudder? Let’s dig into minimalist and zero waste host or hostess gifts.
What are Minimalist or Zero Waste Gifts?
Ideally you’re looking for gifts that don’t burden your host or the environment. Who needs more trinkets, knick knacks and unnecessary clutter?
They should be simple, timeless, useful or consumable.
Tips for host or hostess gifts
When you start considering what type of gift to bring, ask yourself: Is it useful? Could this end up in the landfill? Can it be simply enjoyed?
Personally, I like to give consumable gifts. Ones that can be easily enjoyed without passing on the burden of stuff.
10 Easy Minimalist and Zero Waste Gifts for your Host or Hostess
Fresh Bread
Whether you made it yourself or supported a local bakery, who doesn’t love fresh bread? Or at least the smell of a warm loaf straight out of the oven. Tuck it into a zero waste cloth bag or container. Hopefully it goes with dinner, or be enjoyed the next day.
Baked Sweets or Pastries
Once again, make them yourself or pick them up at your favourite bakery. No need for wasteful packaging if you bring your own container.
Plants
You could always opt for flowers, but a plant will live longer and can improve indoor air quality. Simple succulents look good in even the most minimal decor and can be the easiest to care for.
Candles
It’s a great gift that is always useful. Bring the spa vibes home with soothing natural scents. Non-toxic soy based candles are great and many of them are sold in nice reusable jars.
Wine
Wine is a simple go-to that is always welcome. Maybe you live near a winery that refills your own bottles to make it truly zero waste.
Chocolate
Look for low waste options that are plastic free or get a container filled at a local chocolatier if you are lucky enough to have one nearby.
Tea
Not into wine or just want something that the host can enjoy with their feet kicked up? Consider tea as a great option. There are so many loose leaf sustainable options out there. Help them discover something new or give them a traditional favourite.
Coffee
High quality coffee is so popular these days. Many communities and neighbourhoods have local coffee roasters. Have them fill up a nice reusable container for your coffee loving host.
Olive oil
Infused olive oil or balsamic reduction are great for cooking or go well with fresh bread. With a bit of looking around you can find it in reusable glass with cork.
Hand made soap
With so many to choose from out there, find one that keeps the wrapping simple with something like a straw ribbon. If you don’t like to gift soap, consider putting some bulk epsom salts with lavender flowers into a nice reusable jar with with a simple straw ribbon.
In the end
Keep it simple, avoid the waste and clutter of trinkets and knick knacks. Our resources are too precious for disposable junk; stuff that is just trash in transition. Hope these 10 easy minimalist and zero waste gifts for your host and hostess prove to be helpful.
What are your favourites? Did I miss some good ones? Leave a comment.
Start the giving by sharing the list on your socials with friends, family… All of us together can influence positive change and have a major impact.
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Thanks for reading,
Pat
Pat is a Ski Patroller/Avalanche Technician with a keen interest in design and sustainable living due to a longtime passion for the outdoors. Seeing glaciers melt, seasons change, summer skies full of smoke and beach pollution first hand, motivate him to make a difference.
As Yvon Chouinard Founder of Patagonia says “If you are not part of the solution, you are still part of the problem”.