Here are some mindful gift ideas that don’t only focus on sharing blessings this Holiday season but also encourage caring for the environment, upholding animal rights advocacy, and supporting the livelihood of local farmers, craftsmen, and small businesses.
1. Vegan leather gadget or passport sleeves. Leather accessories offer a rustic and clean look that is nothing but elegant. However, animal rights advocates try to avoid genuine leather so as not to support leather farms and the drastic situations within its four corners. Luckily, vegan leather offers the same classic look and feel without having to hurt animals.
Who it’s for: People who love minimalist accessories, digital nomads and freelancers who frequently need to have their laptops in tow wherever they go
Price: Vegan leather sleeves for laptops, tablets, cellphones, and passports range from P299-P1289. Inspired Space vegan leather products are available in three colors: barako, tablea and bukayo.
2. Reusable straws. Phys.org cites a study that says up to 8.3 billion plastic straws lie on shorelines all over the world. The simplest and most obvious solution is to sip beverages straight from the cup. But for drinks that are just more enjoyable with a straw like milk tea or whipped cream frap, reusable straw is a mindful gift that delivers. Amid the popularity of metal straw, bamboo straw is also a great alternative, especially since many varieties are sourced locally and provide a livelihood for our fellow Filipinos.
Who it’s for: Milk tea addicts, frap lovers, and anyone who loves sipping cold drinks
Price: You can get a bamboo straw set for about P100-P300 in various bazaars and online stores.
3. Personalized tote. When it comes to gift-giving, you can’t go wrong with a simple tote bag – it’s useful and practical and allows the receiver to avoid extra paper or plastic packaging when shopping. Make your gift extra special by having it personalized with a name just like these cute abaca and burlap totes from JI Designs.
Who it’s for: Someone who always needs an extra bag to hold essentials – from documents and water bottles to jackets and umbrellas.
Price: The adorable personalized abaca and burlap totes shown in the photo are from JI Designs and range from P349 to P449, depending on size, and come with free twilly.
4. A basket of fruits sans the cellophane or plastic wrap. Anyone would surely appreciate a basket of fruits as a Christmas gift, especially since Pinoys believe that having 12 round fruits at home when the New Year strikes attract good luck. Ditch the cellophane or plastic wrap and go for reusable net bags instead. Top with a reused ribbon, and you’re good to go.
Who it’s for: Health buffs, fruit lovers. This is also a good option if you’re giving one gift to a whole family. This is also one of the best mindfulness gifts for mom and dad to encourage healthy eating amid a series of Holiday parties.
Price: Woven baskets cost between P60-P200 depending on size and style. Lambat or net bag costs P10. Prices of fruits range depending on the variety. To make it truly a mindful gift, find out what fruits (or other fresh produce) the recipient likes and put those in the basket.
5. Shampoo bars. The Philippines is the third largest contributor to plastic waste, according to a study conducted in 2015. It may not come as a surprise since almost all consumer items in the country can be bought in tingi (retail) sachets. A shampoo bar is a good alternative to its liquid counterpart, which comes in sachets or plastic bottles. This makes an especially good gift for those who prefer personal care products that are made from natural ingredients.
Who it’s for: People who love taking care of their mane but wouldn’t want to contribute to plastic pollution
Price: Human Nature’s Zesty Vanilla Delight Natural Moisturizing Shampoo Bar costs 139.75 on their website. There are also many local artisan soap makers you can find online – and they offer amazing scents too!
6. Bamboo toothbrush. If you think shampoo bars could be a hit or miss, as friends and family have different preferences for hair care products, you might want to move on to an item that’s a lot more generic: a toothbrush. Dentists advice changing one’s toothbrush every three months, so that’s quite a lot of non-biodegradable plastic sticks that regularly end up in landfills.
Who it’s for: Just about anyone with teeth! People who are willing to make small lifestyle changes for a good cause. This is also one of the best mindful gifts for him – he’ll use it for sure!
Price: Bamboo toothbrush costs around P50-P250 depending on the brand.
7. Scented candles. Who needs chemical-loaded air fresheners or home sprays when you can enjoy the natural and relaxing fragrance of scented candles? Citrus-scented candles can be great in neutralizing strong kitchen odors from cooking; floral scents are a good choice for the bathroom, while vanilla or cinnamon-scented candles will make your home smell like freshly baked cookies.
Who it’s for: People who love a good home scent and can’t tolerate nasty smells. This is one of the best mindfulness gifts for her!
Price: Scented candles usually cost P150-P500, depending on size, brand and scent.
8. Essential Oils. Holiday Season can be a stressful time. Heavy traffic alone can drive one nuts, add that to the pressure of ticking every name on the Christmas list, and making sure thay everything is set for Noche Buena and Medya Noche. Essential oils like lavender or peppermint can be a great natural antidote to stress. Throw in a jewelry diffuser for instant aromatherapy sessions anytime, anywhere.
Who it’s for: People who love chilling out with a good book or a Netflix marathon alongside a good, relaxing scent
Price: Essential oils usually cost around P200-P1,300 per 10g bottle depending on variety.
9. Locally-sourced coffee beans or grounds. For many Pinoys, the Holiday season is the time for collecting stickers from international coffee shop franchises to get a free planner for the upcoming year. One way to even out the Holiday sales competition is to buy coffee grounds sourced from local farmers. There are supermarkets that sell local coffee by weight. You can also grind the beans just before packing them up. Tip: skip the plastic and put the beans or grounds in jars instead. Decorate it with a jute ribbon, and it’s ready for gift-giving. You can also go the extra mile and add a coffee press or a gorgeous mug to make a coffee mindfulness gift box.
Who it’s for: Coffee lovers, people who can’t function in the morning without their caffeine fix
Price: 250g of local coffee costs around P150-P450, depending on brand and variety.
10. Face towels. “I have too many face towels,” said no one ever! We might have hated getting face towels or handkerchiefs as gifts when we were kids, but one can’t overemphasize the usefulness of this versatile helper, especially for people who are trying to lessen the use of disposable paper towels. More than just being used to dry the face after washing, it could be used as a sweaty back rescue, a shower washcloth, a hot or cold compress, and so many others. Old face towels could be used as hand towels or cleanings rags – the possibilities are endless! You can also use a face towel to wrap items for a zero-waste gift.
Who it’s for: Just about anyone who wants to lessen their use of disposable paper towels
Price: Face towels range from P25-P70 depending on size, quality and brand.
What’s your favorite mindful gift? Tell us in the comment section below!
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