Rethinking Traditional Christmas Gifting
Alternative Gift Ideas
Christmas is a season of giving, and few things bring more joy than sharing thoughtful gifts with the people we love. If you’d like to uphold the tradition of Christmas gifting while avoiding the excess consumerism and waste often associated with it, we have some sustainable and eco-friendly ideas to help make alternative gifting a new norm this holiday season.
1. Pre-loved Items
Have you been given a gift that was not needed? Or you might have a surplus of certain items at home. Don’t just pass them on. Have a think about whether the recipient really needs or would like it.
You could also browse through op shops, thrift shops or second-hand shops for gems at a fraction of the price. Just make sure that the items are in good condition and clean.
2. DIY Gifts
DIY gifts can be inexpensive to create yet priceless to the recipient. Even if you don’t consider yourself particularly crafty or artistic, the internet is brimming with simple, easy-to-follow ideas for heartfelt, handmade presents.
3. Baked Goods
Homemade treats like cookies, brownies, cakes, or seasonal favorites such as gingerbread and fruit mince pies are thoughtful and delicious.
Beautifully packaged in reusable containers, festive tins, or eco-friendly wrapping, these edible gifts reflect the time and care you’ve put into creating something special.
4. Digital Gifts
Instead of physical gifts, why not gift digital ones instead? Audiobooks, personal-development programmes or subscriptions to yoga, meditation, fitness, food and mindfulness apps are fantastic options.
5. Experiences and Memories
This is our personal favourite as nothing beats a great experience which can be cherished forever.
Travel, spa and wellness treatments, activities, entertainment (tickets to shows, concerts or sporting events), F&B vouchers, classes, workshops and trainings (Yoga Teacher Trainings of course!) are some great ideas.
200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Dates for 2025
If you’ve decided to give the gift of experiences, whether for yourself or for someone you know, here are the dates for our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Trainings for 2025.
3 – 21 March 2025
19 May – 6 June 2025
17 Nov – 5 Dec 2025
If you’ve already completed your 200 Hour YTT, why not take the next step and treat yourself to a 300-Hour YTT? This advanced training runs from 13 October to 7 November 2025, and it’s already confirmed with a strong group of students signed up.
Merry Christmas To You!
We can appreciate that trainings are expensive so instead of the full amount, your gift could be their deposit or any contribution towards their training.
If you are a boss or employer, why not support your team’s passions? Offering time off for this training can be a meaningful gift, allowing them to pursue what they love.
Whatever alternative gift you choose to give this Christmas, we hope it brings happiness and joy to the recipient, and to yourself as well, knowing that you have done your part in reducing excessive consumerism this festive season.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and here’s to a fantastic New Year ahead.