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 this website 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 the majority from Co. Kerry (where Im from & live!). 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 an activities or experience – 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. So how about giving the gift of peace and calm from Ebb & Flow. This year I’m offering gift vouchers for classes or pop me a message or email (ebbflowbeo@gmail.com) for a monetary sum gift voucher.Thank you for support. Or try one of our events and retreats this year!

Plan an outing together with the family and do something that gives back – join the December Beach Clean at Banna Beach on 10th Dec at 11am organised by Banna Coast Care free hot chocolate from Salty Souls Café for all the little ones who take part.

Or if you're having to go super cheap and cheerful, use the Hiiker app 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 are finding it tough with the utilities hikes this year, 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

I'm a big fan of preloved and vintage anything! Im writing this from a 1950/60’s old desk I got from a local secondhand shop called Walter Lyons. And do haggle a bit, I think they expect it! If you’re into upcycling, visit your local recycling plant or refuse centre, they always have cool stuff set aside that you can pick up for a few euros. Visit charity shops (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! I got alot of my stuff on Facebook Marketplace and Done Deal too and I resell things there all the time too. 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!

3. Regift - 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 :)

4.    Hit the Markets - Support Local

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 are so many this year! Check out your local area for these, you can’t beat them for cool stuff! See a full list of local markets nationwide here or select your county from the drop down list.

5.    Handmade & Local

Choose something handmade and local, and at this site you’ll find a huge list of suppliers and creators .

Some my personal local heroes are:

• Danu Skincare: Beautiful, nature skincare products made in Kerry by Sarah O’Neill, fully compostable and eco-friendly packaging

• Wild Atlantic Keepsakes: Driftwood art, handpainted signs, upcycled bags and bears and bows - no end to Trudie’s talents

• Lisa Dora: Hand crafted jewellery using semi-precious stones by Lisa in Co. Kerry

• Peak View Creations: Hand crocheted winter woolies, bespoke designs and colours I LOVE them!

• Art with Amanda: Art prints, sweaters, workshops and more! Really creative one off pieces that capture local life

• Honey & Stone: Ceramic earrings in amazing colours and glazes, I don’t wear anything else now!

• The Flower Press: High quality wooden flower presses, made to last a life time. Stunning! 5% of all sales will be donated to the wonderful project Trees on the Land

• Karen Lunnon Prints: A professional photographer & friend, based in Cork, Karen’s shots can be hung as a print or sent as a notecard. Stunning eyecatching pieces

6.    New Threads

Visit a vintage shop, a charity shop or how about a clothes swap with friends. Check out vintage clothing stores & online markets for unique pieces, local to me, we have Goose Boutique in Tralee and Hazel Nuts about Vintage in Killarney but if you’re convinced you need something new then how about:

• Grown Clothing 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. 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 

• Fresh Cut Clothing - A family run Dublin based business

• Improve your personal BER rating, keep your head insulated with a Bogman Beanie or a gorgeous knit from Liadain Aiken

7.    Choose reusables

There’s a great online plastic free store called Ode to Earth . 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 beautiful gifts from Ion Organics, The Dingle Druid and Kamana Candles all based in Kerry too.

8.    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.

9.    For the Kiddos

Jiminy Eco Friendly Toys founded by Dublin mum Sharon Keilthy.

Or how about a beautiful book called Wild Waves and Wishing Wells: Irish Folk Tales for Children by Órla Mcgovern or a book from the Izzy collection by Kerry author Emma Larkin

10.    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……

• Wild Sage Bakery based in Co. Kerry for all your wholefood, vegan sweet treats

• Melbo’s Gluten Free Bakes

• Emilies for some beautiful food and artisan products

• Luxury chocolate from eco-consious Irish brands like Chocolatey Clare, Bean & Goose and Exploding Tree

• Woodland Coffee claims to be Ireland’s most sustainable coffee

• Organic shops in your area like Manna, Tralee and Milltown Organic Store, or artisan stores like The Little Cheese Shop

• Neighbour Food is a great site too connecting all of the products listed in a NeighbourFood market are grown or produced by local farmers or artisan producers. Order online and collect in your area.

11. 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

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

2.    Stories from the Deep by Ken O’Sullivan

3.    Listen to the Land Speak by Manchán Magan

4.    Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

5.    Her Kind by Niamh Boyce

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

7.    An Irish Atlantic Rainforest by Eoghan Daltun

8.    The Turning of the Year by Eithne Massey

9.    Ebb and Flow: How to Connect with the Patterns and Power of Water by Dr. Easkey Britton (available on pre-order and due for release Apr 23)

10. Anything by Sally Rooney (I’m addicted!)

Try to support independant, local bookshops first of course.

And if you’re writing your own book – check out a gorgeous range of recycled notebooks from Badly Mad Books Co. Cork. Pick up a recycled pen from Ode to Earth or a stunning handcrafted pen from Killarney Pens

12. On the Move

• There’s a cool Irish company called Sundrift making backpacks from recycled water bottles

• Upcycle Movement - Bags and accessories made from upcycled wetsuits and made for everyday adventures. 

• Say no to take-away cups and get a beautiful handmade keep cup from Grounded Pottery

13. 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 destroy 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! Take them for walks, spend time with them - that’s their favourite present of all :)

Still not sure?

If you still want more ideas, check out this great list from RTE or this list from Lovin’

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

Nollaig shona dhuit,

Maeve x

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