Just because Christmas and Hanukkah are past, it doesn’t mean that you are done with presents for the year. The calendar seems to leap from one holiday to the next, with gift-giving becoming more common for holidays like Valentine’s Day and Easter. Then there are all the birthdays, anniversaries, retiring colleagues, teacher presents, and more. Some people want to break the cycle of purchasing and accumulating - but how?

For a start, choose gifts carefully. Rather than a generic gift certificate, try one from a local environmentally-aware retailer. Some stores pride themselves on sourcing sustainable and fair trade products. Look for local products and independent stores. It may mean paying a little more, but is likely to be satisfying and enduring. Small neighbourhood shops and services are worth supporting, rather than just heading to the nearest mall or chain store.

PlanetFriendly suggests avoiding these items when looking for a conscientious gift:
• Perfume. Yes it smells great, but at what cost? Many chemicals, including phthalates are common ingredients.
• Clothing marked dry-clean only. There’s nothing eco-friendly about that. The chemicals used in dry-cleaning, especially perchloroethylene, carry potential health risks for workers and customers.
• Toys with batteries. Not only will they drive most parents crazy, but batteries are a major source of landfill pollution.
• A car. Okay, maybe it’s not the most common gift, but some lucky high school graduates have received cars as a rite of passage. Given concerns about vehicle emissions and gasoline consumption, purchasing a vehicle is not universally seen as the best choice.
• A television. While ubiquitous, it’s certainly not clear that televisions are the best option. A gift television is likely to be an addition - maybe for another room - or upgrade. Recycle your electronics responsibly.

Consider whether an actual present is necessary. Often there are still-tangible alternatives with a more personal touch. Maybe the recipient has a particular interest - give a ticket to a concert, movie, or workshop. Many people have talents that make welcome gifts - bake a batch of cookies, offer babysitting services, or prepare a meal. The list is endless - a tennis lesson, shoulder massage, window washing, car cleaning, calligraphy demonstration, and so on.

In this day and age, we have exchanged written tokens for e-mail, text messages, and phonecalls. Take a step back and write a letter or poem. While it may seem hokey, it will be more meaningful than a Starbucks card. Items just add up and collect dust. But a special event or activity will build memories. Take the time to do something together - a walk by the beach, play their favourite games, volunteer your time to a chosen cause.

Sometimes it is hard to avoid a physical gift. Some people just can’t see the value in that donation made in their name. Instead, create a collage of relevant photos to hang on the wall. Make something special - knitted slippers, a drawing, a ceramic cat, or spice rack. Let creativity and imagination take the lead.

Photo credit: Gene Han