Please, please! Give sustainable gifts this year . If you've been doing it before, keep doing it. It's more important every year. If you've never considered it or don't know how to do it, we'll give you a few ideas in this post.
We're already deep into Black Friday week , the discount and shopping craze that has become so popular in recent years. In fact, this year, you'll have found discounts right from the beginning of the month.
As a small business with a commitment to sustainability, we have thought a lot about what role we should play in this event .
Clearly, we knew from the beginning that if we were joining, it wouldn't be on Black Friday, but on Green Friday . This is a movement driven by sustainable companies and brands that seeks to counteract the rampant consumerism of this time of year. The goal is to make the purchase of more environmentally friendly products and services more accessible , thus preventing consumption from always falling on large multinational companies that ignore the care of the planet.
So, yes, we've decided to join Green Friday . As a small family business, we're doing it with a lot of effort . The margins on the products we sell are already quite tight, but we want to do our part and make it easy for you to buy environmentally friendly products. We want to make sustainability accessible to everyone.
Therefore, we suggest you start your Christmas shopping early next Friday, November 27th. At Alma Eko, you'll find discounts that will allow you to purchase environmentally friendly products at reduced prices.
What is a sustainable gift?
Before we get into gift ideas, we want to reflect a little on what makes a gift sustainable . For us, the key points are these:
Origin
Before buying a gift, ask yourself where it came from . Is it something I can easily find around my home? If not, how did it get to me? We encourage you to research these factors before making a purchasing decision.
Local commerce
Closely related to the previous point, we urge you to shop at local, neighborhood stores . Avoid large supermarkets and multinational businesses. By shopping locally, you'll be helping families like yours.
Ethical practices
Make sure the store you're shopping at and the manufacturer of the product you're interested in apply responsible practices that care for the environment, their employees, and fair trade.
Materials
How important this is! Avoid plastic , especially single-use plastic, whether in the product itself or in its packaging. Opt for natural raw materials, sourced, processed, and distributed in the most responsible way possible . Also, try to use high-quality materials that are durable so they don't need to be replaced in a short period of time.
Good for health
It's a shame we have to talk about this, but the truth is that there are products on the market that are harmful to our health. We're talking about hygiene and cosmetics, which more often than we think contain materials that affect our health because they are potentially toxic and endocrine disruptors . There's a wealth of scientific evidence to prove this (we'll leave you with just this example , but you can find much more information from reliable sources online), and it's a shame that institutions look the other way for economic reasons. And yes, this is related to sustainability. Health costs money, and maintaining it consumes resources .
That is going to be used
This is the most important key. Make sure the gift you're giving will be used and not just stored in a drawer . Items that aren't used, no matter how eco-friendly they may be, have consumed resources to be manufactured. If you have any doubts about this point, don't worry; we'll give you a few ideas in the following sections.
At Alma Eko , we work to ensure our catalog meets these conditions . The products you'll find in our online store are carefully selected. We try to ensure they are as natural as possible, with ecological and organic ingredients. You'll find them packaged without plastic. It's also very important to us that the production and distribution chains of our products are respectful of the environment and the people who work there. That's why we work with ethical companies committed to human rights and caring for the planet. But be careful, not everything is perfect; sometimes you have to choose between one condition or another. You can learn more about how we select our products in this blog post .
You don't have to give the typical gift
Stop giving matching scarves and hats to people who already have plenty. Don't buy that cologne just to look good. Broaden your horizons, be daring , and give unconventional gifts that you know will be used . That's the key.
Break the rules . Ask your loved one what they want or need from you. When in doubt, if you don't know what to give, don't you think it's better to do this than to make a mistake?
Giving experiences is something we're becoming more accepting of: travel, culinary experiences, wellness, adventure. But let's take it a step further. What if you make yourself the protagonist of these gifts? If you prepare a special meal, give a massage with your own hands, or organize a getaway to a special place, you'll be more successful in controlling the materials and conditions under which the gift is made and ensuring that they are more sustainable.
Lose your fear of giving consumables, even essential items . They'll use them! What's wrong with giving a sustainable dental hygiene kit to someone you know wants to try these products but isn't sure how to start? Is dental hygiene something important? Yes. Are these products we all need? Yes. Will your loved one be surprised if you give them something like this? Probably yes, but it's the perfect excuse to talk about it, show your concern for the planet, and raise awareness among others.
Consider another thing: don't give gifts . This is shooting ourselves in the foot. But if you don't know what to give, if that person already has everything, if they're going to receive a ton of gifts from somewhere else, if you don't have time to organize one of the experiences we've suggested, or if you don't feel like giving essential products, don't give gifts. You're under no obligation to do so, and it's the most sustainable gesture of all. And, again, it can be a great excuse to talk about the importance of caring for the environment.
Gift ideas you can find at Alma Eko
Let's give you some specific gift ideas that you can find at Alma Eko.
First, we want to tell you about our packs . They're designed to help you get started with the zero-waste movement or to purchase sustainable products that combine well and are also affordable. Check out our kitchen starter pack or the Golconda shower pack , for example.
And, as always, one more twist. What do you think of one of these options as a Christmas basket for your company's employees?
At Alma Eko, we have a series of very giftable products that are not only useful but also very pretty. These are gifts that make a good impression. They're guaranteed to be a hit 99%. We'll give you some specific examples of items for the kitchen or for eating out that are absolutely adorable.
Of course, we had to mention the reusable Chilly bottles . They're the best stainless steel bottles on the market, and we're not ashamed to say so. They truly keep drinks cold for hours and hot for 12. Alma Eko, we swear! We know because we've tried them and we're thrilled. Plus, they're so cute! There are tons of models , including some that both boys and girls will love. We assure you, it's going to be hard to choose.
Another lovely option for coffee lovers (and even for those who enjoy hot infusions) are bamboo cups . They're beautiful, we have different models, and they allow you to replace plastic cups when you get coffee to go at the office, or simply enjoy your hot beverage in a container you love.
Other giftable options are wooden cutlery and reusable straws . They're very pretty and reusable alternatives for use both indoors and outdoors. And if you combine them with coconut shell bowls, you'll make the perfect gift set. They're things we all use, and they're a wonderful gift.
Let's move on to the cosmetics section . We could talk about hygiene products, but we understand that some people don't consider this a gift. But natural cosmetics... that's a great gift! You'll be giving products of the highest quality, health, and respect for the environment. All in one! Along these lines, we suggest you take a look at Matarrania products and Zorro d'Avi soaps and clays . Both brands are Spanish and work with sustainable local production, producing cosmetics of the highest quality, paying scrupulous attention to skin care and the environment . Their products are true gems.
If you have a yogi friend who loves to meditate and is an Eko Soul, but also a calm soul, we have things they'll love. We have a wide variety of incense burners, burners , and candles to create cozy environments and relaxing aromas. Among the candles, we can't resist highlighting those made with soy and coconut wax inside a coconut shell. They are beautiful and have an amazing aroma. You'll find them in three varieties: toasted coconut , tropical fruits , and coconut and lime . Pair it with a Tibetan singing bowl. And you already have the perfect package for this person so connected to their spirituality.
A small essential oil kit can also be a great gift for these people . These small bottles may not seem like much, but with them you're giving the gift of health and well-being. They have so many uses... A few weeks ago, we launched essential oils at Alma Eko and told you about all the varieties we have and what uses you can give them. We recommend you visit our social media channels, Facebook or Instagram , to review all the information we shared at the time, which can help you decide which ones to buy.
Is there a new member in the family? Usually, Babies have everything from before they're born. It's very difficult for us to contain the urge to give something to these special little people. At Alma Eko, you'll find less conventional options. This way, your gift will be different, original, and, above all, useful. You can choose from natural cosmetics or other bath accessories, such as sponges and combs specially designed to protect babies' delicate skin.
Hey! And don't forget the pets . It's so cool when our furry friends receive a little package with their name on it along with the rest of the gifts. We suggest this recycled rag fabric teether , but you'll find a whole section with more options on our website.
If, even with all the ideas we've given you, you're still not sure what to give, we suggest the Alma Eko Gift Card. With it, the recipient can decide what to buy, and you'll have made a nice gesture by ensuring that what they ultimately purchase will be sustainable products.
It's not just a question of ideas! And you're sure to come up with more if you take a look at www.almaeko.com . This year, there are no excuses: GIVE SUSTAINABLE GIFTS!
