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Eco-Friendly Irish Christmas Gift Guide

Maeve Ferris

We live in a culture of mass consumerism; I believe we all have too much stuff and there's a huge pressure to have the latest "thing". In December 2019, the average spend by Irish holds was €2,800. It is estimated that this increased by a further 6% in December 2020. A survey carried out by parenting website rollercoaster.ie in 2019 found that one in eight of respondents said Christmas would leave them in debt.

We splurge, we accumulate, we throw out, we end up in debt. It’s far from the happy, healthy approach to Christmas we all no doubt wish for.

A far bigger is that our planet is suffering from our buy now, throw away soon approach. 

People living in Ireland produce more than 14 million tonnes of waste every year. We do this in our homes, our places of work and leisure. Much of the waste we accumulate is plastic. Ireland is producing the highest volume of plastic waste per person in the EU, while having the fourth worst recycling rate for the material, European statistics show.

The data, which was released by Eurostat in early 2021, analysed waste generation and recycling rates across 27 EU member states for 2018. Ireland was found to have the highest plastic waste generation at 54 kilos per capita, substantially more than the EU average of 33 kilos per capita.

Of the 319,082 tonnes of plastic packaging waste generated in Ireland in 2019, only 28 per cent was recycled. Each piece of plastic we generate takes up to 500 years for plastic to decompose. An annual plastic waste generation of 54 kilos per person in Ireland times 500 years……………We are not only passing our problems to the next generation but for many, many, many more to come. To scare yourself even more into “eco anxiety” visit https://chariotenergy.com/blog/how-long-until-plastic-decomposes/ and stare in horror at how long it takes for plastics to decompose.

Okay so I’ve painted a stark picture and sadly it is not a new one. However, I prefer to focus on positive action and look at what each one of us can affect. It’s Christmas and so naturally most of us will go and buy gifts for others, it’s a lovely thing, it’s admirable. But perhaps this year I invite you to do so with a little more care and thought for our planet and its finite resources. So here are my suggestions for some eco-friendly living and Christmas gifts this year, all from Ireland. And for the love of all things green, do Secret Santa and just buy 1 gift per person tops! Or maybe go gift free and go on weekend around Ireland together or try one of the activities or experiences suggested below – memories last much longer than things (unless it’s plastic and then it will NEVER leave) It’s always great to be honest too, let your loved one know what you’d really like so it avoids impulse buys, stress and panic buying.

1.    Soulful, heart-filling experiences

The best gift ever is arguably the gift of an experience. Think of workshops, classes and the likes. Experiences last, they may even creating a lasting change, Ebb & Flow is delighted to launch Seasonal Soul starting on 1st December 2021. A 12 month journey that’s a space for women to put themselves first, learn to manage stress and find their tribe - all in rhythm with the seasons. Yoga, journaling, nourishment and community it has it all!. Visit www.ebbflowyoga.ie/seasonalsoul for more - door open on 1st December 2021 and there’s a special offer running until then, save a few euros for other nice things! Or perhaps a Yoga Gift Voucher maybe? Give the gift of peace and calm from us here at Ebb & Flow Yoga https://ebbflowyoga.punchpass.com/passes.

Join a Forest Bathing Experience with Ebb & Flow and wander mindful through native woodlands, allow time to stand still www.ebbflowyoga.ie/forestbathing There are free of charge walks throughout December and January all around the Kerry area.

Ballyseedy Home & Garden Centre have a beautiful Christmas Festival of Events on, check them out at https://bit.ly/3COG61w

Go eco-camping and get away from it all at Black Dog Base Camp and reconnect with nature https://www.baseglamp-blackdogfarm.com/ or nestle to sleep at the base of Cruach Mhór mountain at Carrauntoohill Eco Farm Killarney http://www.carrauntoohilecofarm.com/ or take a trip to Pure Camping Eco Site in Co. Clare www.purecamping.ie. Or ask for a gift voucher and have something to look forward to in Spring / Summer 😊

Plan an outing together with the family and do something that gives back – join the December Beach Clean at Banna Beach on Saturday 4th December at 2pm organised by Banna Coast Care (Clean Coasts) https://www.facebook.com/BannaCoastcare/ free hot chocolate from Salty Souls Café for all the little ones who take part. Salty Souls might have a special visitor on the beach a little closer to Christmas too ho ho ho! Check out www.instagram.com/saltysoulscafe for updates.

Or if you're having to go super cheap and cheerful, use the Hiiker app https://hiiker.app/trails/ireland to find the most beautiful hiking trails. Or check out a book by Kevin Corcoran called Kerry Trails (it’s in most local libraries to borrow too)

Our local restaurants and cafes have suffered alot this year due to Covid19 restrictions, support them by buying a gift voucher, pick up a take-away or dine in and show them some love.

2.    Go Vintage & Pre-loved & ReGift

I'm a big fan of preloved and vintage anything! Im writing this from a 1950s style table and chairs that cost me a sum total of €25 from Higgins Waste Recycling (this is my top tip! Go visit your local recycling plant and they always have cool stuff set aside that you can pick up for a few euros) and a charity shop (visit them regularly and let the staff know if there’s something you’re looking for and they often help out or set it aside for you). Pretty much every single piece of furniture in my house is second hand including the picture frames! Paint them up, swap out the picture, stick acorns or shells to it and bam you have a unique, handmade gift! Shopping like this makes for an eclectic mix and you can pick up some really unique bits n bobs to create something brand new to gift to another too!

Check out vintage clothing stores & online markets

New housewares

Regifting - Let face it, we’ve all been given gifts that either just didn’t suit us, that we had already or had no use for so how about regifting these and giving them a gracious new home and life elsewhere. Pass the parcel onwards :)

3.    Hit the Markets

I love craft markets, farmers markets and online vintage markets you get to meet the lovely people who made beautiful things and see their face light up when you come to chat and hopefully support them. A great place to pick up unique, bespoke gifts. There’s a market in Ballybunion Co. Kerry on the 27th November 2021 visit https://www.facebook.com/Ballybunion-Community-Market-354090825304968/  for more information. There’s also one in Ardfert Community Centre where I live on the 5th December 2021 from 9.30am – 4pm. Ashes Cafe in Camp are also running a weekly craft market visit https://www.facebook.com/ashescoffeebar/ and have a Santa residency in December!

 Check out your local area for these, you can’t beat them for cool stuff! See a full list of local markets at https://www.mast.ie/Kerry.html or select your county from the drop down list.

4.    Handmade & Local

Choose something handmade and local, and at this site you’ll find a huge list of suppliers and creators https://www.shopinireland.ie/ May I suggest something I co-created perhaps? I wrote a poem all about sea-swimming, Niamh from Badger & Blue created the art print for my poem based on my design. It’s a stunning original piece of artwork and is available at https://www.badgerandblue.com/collections/all-prints/products/the-11am-sunday-service-maeve-ferris-x-badger-blue-sea-swimming-print The online shop opens again on 26th November 2021. Niamh and I would love your support! All packaging is fully compostable of course 😊

Some my personal local heroes are:

5.    New Threads

Visit a vintage shop, a charity shop or how about a clothes swap with friends but if you’re convinced you need something new then how about:

  • Grown Clothing www.grown.ie grab a t-shirt or jumper from these folks and they'll plant a native tree at Lackamore Co. Clare, one that will not be felled or sold for profit. It's a fantastic initiative — one that helps our ecosystem and wardrobe.

  • Fenit Without – a sustainable lifestyle brand by Aisling Brosnan here in Fenit, Co. Kerry. https://www.facebook.com/fenitwithout/shop/ The proceeds from the sale of the bespoke garments will go towards funding and promoting community projects in Fenit. Awesome!

  • All Things Fiona Lily – ethical clothing from Donegal. Fiona saves garments that would have been landfill bound and redesigns them. A lockdown business that is thriving https://allthingsfionalily.com/

  • Fresh Cut Clothing https://www.freshcutsclothing.com/ A family run Dublin based business. Using only GOT's certified Organic Cotton in their garments - free from toxic chemicals and pesticides. It uses up to 91% less water, 62% less energy, and emits 46% less Co2 compared to conventional cotton farming. 

  • Improve your personal BER rating, keep your head insulated with a Bogman Beanie https://bogmanbeanie.com/ or a gorgeous knit from https://www.liadainaiken.com/

6.    Choose reusables

There’s a great online plastic free store called Ode to Earth www.odetoearth.ie

Caroline is based here in Co. Kerry and is a one stop shop for sustainable living. She has beautiful gift sets, wrapping paper and much more. I highly recommend!

Or this beautiful bamboo travel set from the Whistondale Collection based in Lixnaw, Co. Kerry https://www.whistondale.ie/products/bamboo-travel-set They also offer coconut and rapeseed candles with organic botanicals and much more!

7.    Winter Sun / Post Party Shades

Irish company Crann make eco-friendly sunglasses and watches for both men and women with their watches and sun glasses arrive in a bamboo case. For each purchase, €2 is donated to the Native Woodland Trust too. Watches engraved for a special touch. www.crann.co

8.    For the Kiddos

Jiminy Eco Friendly Toys founded by Dublin mum Sharon Keilthy. They have over 300 toys, books, and craft materials that are plastic-free and locally-made from natural or recycled materials. https://jiminy.ie/

Or how about a beautiful book called Wild Waves and Wishing Wells: Irish Folk Tales for Children by Órla Mcgovern

Wrap them up and send them out to Forest School with Cathy of Forest Connections, Tralee https://m.facebook.com/Forest-Connections-Kerry-103407667676496/ or in Killarney with Kerry of The Nature Hub https://thenaturehub.ie/ who is also offering outdoor Christmas Craft Workshops for little ones.

9.    Food glorious food!

Make up a hamper in a recycled box, use old shredded paper in the base and skip the plastic wrapping and fill it with lovely things that you get at the local markets and top it up with some of these……

10. Books

Ohhhh my I could ramble for hours here, I love more than going to my local library and borrowing 12 books at a time! Or access your local library online at https://www.borrowbox.com/

But if you’d like to buy a book from your local store, here’s my top 10 Irish books this year:

1.    How to save the planet one object at a time by Dr. Tara Shine (it’s my breakfast time reading!)

2.    Stories from the Deep by Ken O’Sullivan

3.    Thirty-Two Words for Field by Manchán Magan

4.    Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature by Manchán Magan

5.    Her Kind by Niamh Boyce

6.    Irish Trees: Myth, Legend and Folklore by Niall MacCoitir

7.    The Blissful Breath: 10 Minutes of Daily Breathing Exercises That Will Change Your Life by Niall O Murchú

8.    The Way Home: Tales from a Life Without Technology by Mark Boyle

9.    Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McNulty

10. Strange Flowers by Donal Ryan

If you can’t get them locally try Charlie Byrne’s Books, Kennys, Dubray Books, O’Mahoneys, Easons etc.

And if you’re writing your own book – check out a gorgeous range of recycled notebooks from https://www.badlymadebooks.com/ Co. Cork. Grab a recycled pen from Ode to Earth or a stunning handcrafted pen from https://killarneypens.com/  

11. On the Move

12. For the Dog!

Your dog doesn’t need a cheap plastic toy for Christmas, firstly they have no idea it’s Christmas! And they will destory it in seconds. Pick up a bone from the local butchers or invest in strong indestructable toys that last like or pick them up a new collar and lead from Co. Wexford Dog Swaggles - handmade and gorgeous! https://swagglesdogcollars.com/ Take them for walks, spend time with them - that’s their favourite present of all :)

Final top tips:

  • Skip the wrapping paper and use old magazines, recycle gift bags, old newspapers and string for a quirky, hipster looking packaging or put it behind your back, as the lucky recipient to close their eyes and drum roll please…….. ta-da!

  • Keep the receipts - it may mean less waste in the landfill

  • Do Secret Santa - 1 gift only to buy

  • Organise a clothes swap this Christmas, instead of buying new clothes and shoes, swap them and make a night of it!

Still not sure?

If you still want more ideas check out the Irish Examiner’s list of 200! https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/people/arid-40737045.html

Thanks for reading, wishing you and yours a wonderful, healthy, happy and eco-conscious holiday season.

Nollaig shona dhuit,

Maeve x

Ebb & Flow

Ps. Add your favourites in the comments and tag someone who needs some inspiration!