As the year draws to a close and gift-giving holidays begin to loom ever closer, the pull to show appreciation for the people around you introduces a whole new dimension of gratitude and community—but also a sense of stress and even gift anxiety.
However, showing love and care for others does not always have to come from buying the newest things from the coolest brands. Celebrating friends and family can be sustainable if done with care. This year, consider gifts that come from the heart, either made from scratch or from a small business. The extra effort demonstrates both the love for the gift receiver and how much we can embrace the very Earth that sustains us.
Some of the most meaningful changes start at home. There is something deeply special about receiving a homemade gift, as the level of effort and attention put into creating it shows more care than any expensive store-bought item.
“This season, I would love to give a handmade friendship bracelet to one of my friends. I would research some patterns and choose one I like with the colors I want,” shared senior Lillian Lauritzen. “These kinds of gifts are meaningful because they take a lot of time and effort to create. It’s a sincere gift that I think lots of people would enjoy receiving.”
Baked goods are another simple but fan-favorite treat that everyone loves, ranging from homemade jams, cookies, bread and even granola for a variety of flavors. Upcycled creations are another way to get creative but sustainable when giving gifts; old bottles turned into candles or repurposed fabric into tote bags are a great way to spread joy through thoughtfulness.
“So, for me, I love gifts that are experiences. I don’t need anything; I have plenty. But experiences are what I love. One of my favorite beaches down past Pescadero, Bean Hollow, my kids have made me a birthday picnic there, and we go down for special lunches. My husband has done things like that for me, too,” described Social Science teacher Wendy Connolly.
If buying gifts is more your style, supporting small businesses is a great way to enjoy the festive season with some traditional gift shopping. Shopping locally is a great way for your money to help your community. Furthermore, local goods often require less packaging and come with a smaller carbon footprint—another way to support the environment mindfully.
One Bay Area favorite is Laurel Street Arts, located in San Carlos; the perfect place to get creative and intentional with gift-giving this season. This paint-your-own pottery studio has customers create their own works of art with a variety of ceramics, ranging from cutlery to vases to small statues. This store offers a hands-on way to make some lasting memories, both creating and receiving this gift.
Another small shop that should definitely be on your Christmas to-do list this year is Ladera Gardens and Gifts in Belmont, a boutique with the perfect combination of greenery and design. With a variety of houseplants, pottery and other elegant decor, finding seasonal gifts here shows that small businesses are curated with both love and good taste.
Kirkpatrick also shared, “I love shopping at Joey Ray, it’s a small business in San Carlos. It’s actually run by a Notre Dame Alumna, which is really awesome. It’s a really cute boutique with clothes and little trinkets that I can get for my friends.”
It is easy for the holiday season to become a time of excess materialism. So this year, give something that means something, as each thoughtful gift reflects care for the planet and future generations.
