So, you’ve just pulled out a name from your office’s Secret Santa hat. Or, more likely, clicked a link from the automated Secret Santa website your workplace is using. All good, nothing to worry about. Aside from the fact you have absolutely no idea what to get that lady in HR you’ve only spoken to once. But fear not — we’ve got you.
This handy list of sustainable Secret Santa ideas will give you some inspiration to find a Secret Santa gift that’s fun, thoughtful and in budget. So whether it’s a bee hotel or eco babywear, our roundup has enough Secret Santa gift ideas to please even the most mysterious of IT technicians you avoid eye contact with in the lift every morning.
One less thing to worry about.
Bee saver kit
Whoever you need to buy for in your office, we’re sure they will appreciate a gift that allows them to help save the bees. These quirky kits usually include garden planners, wildflower seeds and instructions on how to make a ‘bee hotel’ (for those new to the bee world, a bee hotel is a makeshift bee shelter you can keep in your yard to encourage our little buzzy friends to stick around). Get your bee saver kit now by donating to UK charity, Friends of the Earth.
Custom seed packet
Who says size matters? Small things can have a big impact, which is why seed packets can actually make great Secret Santa gift ideas. No, we’re not talking about a cheap pack from your local dollar store (although, they could be fine if you’re making up a hamper). These days there are heaps of speciality companies online that allow you to print a special message on the outside. Aussie-based TheSeedCompany is a great place to start. Custom seed packets make the perfect gifts that grow — by next Christmas your colleague will thank you for it!
Pot plant
If you’d rather give a more fully-formed Secret Santa gift than seeds, why not opt for a pot plant? You could even get your colleague a herb that they can use in cooking (or cocktails) such as mint. Cheers! Or perhaps a succulent they can add to their desk to brighten things up a bit and add a touch of nature to the office. They’ll get to look at it all year round and remember what a great Secret Santa gift you bought them. Just maybe steer clear from cacti if you don’t know your colleague that well... you don’t want them to think you’re calling them prickly!
Adopted animal
Sound crazy? Maybe. But what better way to give back to the environment than adopting an animal through the WWF? Your colleague will receive a special adoption gift pack including a cuddly plush toy, adoption certificate, animal fact book and more. Plus, you can choose for the gift pack to be sent directly to your Secret Santa recipient, or to receive it yourself to give to them personally (although, that might take away the mystery of Secret Santa a bit!).
Only catch? The small payment is actually a monthly payment. So, unless your colleague is happy to take over the subscription, your Secret Santa will cost you as long as your colleague wants to keep their adopted animal!
Raw and organic chocolate
Everyone likes chocolate. And everyone will LOVE Loving Earth chocolate (if they don’t already). Raw, organic, vegan, fair trade… and most importantly — delicious! What’s not to love? Want to make your gift a little bigger but want to stick to the budget? No worries — here at Boody we’re offering you the chance to WIN a $250 Loving Earth chocolate hamper! If you win, we're sure you’d also win the prize for best Secret Santa gift (and hopefully get to share the delicious chocolate).
Every online order between 29th November and 24th December will automatically enter you in for the chance of winning one of two $250 hampers. Good luck!
Coconut oil soap
There’s been a bit of debate recently about how good eating coconut oil actually is for your health (we’re hoping they find out it is because it’s delicious!). What we do know, though, is that coconut oil is great for your skin, which is what makes coconut oil soap such a great Secret Santa gift idea. Plus, it smells great. Coconut has once again proven it can do anything — and do it better.
Reusable straws
It’s pretty much common knowledge now as to how bad plastic is for the environment. But still, every day many people choose to use pointless plastic straws. Reusable straws come in all sorts of cool colours and materials such as rose gold stainless steel and are perfect for taking with you wherever you go. So, whether your colleague is sipping a smoothie, iced coffee or cocktail, they can rest assured with this Secret Santa gift that they’re making a better choice for the environment (and it looks way cooler in their glass).
Homemade snacks
We all love a homemade gift, so how about surprising your colleague this Christmas by getting creative in the kitchen? Don’t worry, we’re not talking about anything complicated (although, if you happen to be a talented chef, it’s a no-brainer what your Secret Santa gift should be, right?) Homemade granola or sauerkraut would make a tasty, thoughtful and easy gift. We’d suggest giving it in a big glass jar with a ribbon tied around it. Easy! Here are some recipe ideas for both homemade granola and sauerkraut.
Organic makeup
Possibly not one for the guys in your office (although we wouldn’t judge, it’s 2018 after all!), organic makeup is an ideal gift that your colleague will actually use. Look for anything without toxic ingredients — manuka honey is always a winner. If you’re looking for a Secret Santa gift for a male in your office, why not get him organic cosmetics for men? Be careful with anything anti-ageing though… it might not be one your MD will appreciate after the extra lines his stressful year has given him!
Sustainable clothing
Whether you’ve picked a man or woman to buy your Secret Santa gift for, sustainable clothing is always a great choice. We’d suggest opting for basics, as it’s easy to go wrong when it comes to more trend-focused pieces. Our everyday essentials made from organically-grown bamboo will make the perfect gifts for both your colleague’s wardrobe and the planet. Whether you opt for a crew-neck tee for women or men or a unisex accessory such as a beanie or scarf, Boody has got what they didn’t even know they needed.
Eco babywear
Finally, if you know who you’re buying for has a little one (or will do soon), eco babywear makes a useful and thoughtful Secret Santa gift idea. Our adorable baby onesies, baby socks and muslin wraps all make fantastic presents — especially when your colleague finds out they’re made from organically-grown bamboo for maximum comfort, breathability and sustainability. If finding a Secret Santa gift has left you stumped, little humans always save the day!
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Eco
What is Plastic Free July and why is it important?
Plastic Free July is here again. But what exactly is the global movement and what makes it so important? Well, anyone who tries to live even the slightest bit of a sustainable life, will know the importance of cutting down single-use plastics. So, what better time to cut down or cut out plastic altogether? We take a look at what Plastic Free July is, why it’s important and how you can get involved. Why not get into the habit of reducing single-use plastic waste every day, whether it’s at home, work or your favourite place to go for lunch. By taking part in Plastic Free July, you’ll be doing something that challenges people and yourself, but gets others to take part in slowing down and ultimately ending the process of plastic production. What is Plastic Free July? Plastic Free July is a global movement that allows millions of people across the world to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. From cleaner oceans to streets, Plastic Free July is the perfect opportunity to commit to refusing single-use plastics. Plastic Free July is an important initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organisation working towards a world free from plastic waste. From humble beginnings in 2011, the award-winning Plastic Free July campaign has been born from years of hard work and dedication. Why is Plastic Free July important? We produce an estimated 300 million tonnes of plastic each year. Let that sink in for a few moments. Once it has… process the next part: roughly half of it is disposable! Sadly, only 10-13% of plastic items are actually recycled. And, because of the nature of petroleum-based disposable plastic, it is almost impossible to recycle it and chemicals have to be added in order to do so. These same degrading chemicals make their way into our food and water supply. And this is just some of the terrible impacts plastic has on us. When it comes to the environment, we’ve all seen devastating images of sea creatures tangled in plastic. We’ve also seen what climate change does to the planet, a concept that plastic waste contributes to. How you can get involved Whether you’re an eco newbie on the hunt for a few single-use plastics to avoid or are a more seasoned sustainable warrior, there are many ways you can feel inspired to live a plastic-free life. Here are just a few to get you started. Switch to reusable coffee cups If you haven’t already, it’s time to ditch those disposable cups and opting for reusable versions. Ours is the perfect option for your favourite morning beverage. Refuse pre-packed fruit and vegetables Buying fruits and veggies wrapped in plastic packaging is convenient but bad for the environment. Avoid single-use plastics and refuse pre-packed groceries. Get some reusable straws Sometimes a straw is the perfect accompaniment to a nice, cool drink. But if the straw’s plastic, you’re better off going without. The solution? Carry a reusable straw with you so you can refuse plastic. Replace plastic bags with a tote Choosing to refuse single-use plastics is a bold and effective step to a better planet. Plastic shopping bags should be instantly cut from your life. Always carry a reusable tote with you. Say no to plastic water bottles Single-use plastic water bottles have no place in today’s world. A simple and sustainable solution is carrying a reusable flask with you. Easy. Effortless. Eco. Head to the Plastic Free July website to find out more ways you can help.
Eco
What is World Environment Day and how can you get involved?
From last summer’s devastating bushfires to our increasingly polluted seas, there’s no denying the impact our actions have on the planet. That’s why we all need to take steps to reduce our footprint and live a more sustainable life this World Environment Day and beyond. From choosing bamboo as our hero fabric to giving back to an array of causes, we always keep sustainability at the forefront of our minds. But before we look at everything we’re doing to be greener here at Boody, we thought we’d take a look at what World Environment Day is and how it's being celebrated this year. What is World Environment Day? One of the most important days across the globe for environmental action, World Environment Day engages citizens, businesses, the government and celebrities to turn their attention to pressing environmental issues. Since 1974, World Environment Day has been celebrated annually on the 5th of June. World Environment Day recognises glocal change requires a global community and it offers a platform for positive change. It pushes us to rethink the way we consume, for businesses to develop greener models, for governments to protect wild spaces and so much more. It needs all of our support. World Environment Day is hosted by a different country each year, in which official celebrations occur. This year’s host is Colombia in partnership with Germany. But in a time when so many of us are physically distancing and staying inside, even more people will be celebrating digitally across the world. Sign up to stay in the loop. This year, the theme for World Environment Day is biodiversity – an urgent concern for our planet. Following the devastating bushfires in Australia, the US and Brazil, locusts infestations across East Africa and the current global pandemic we’re facing, the interdependence we as humans have on the webs of life has never been clearer. What is biodiversity? Biodiversity speaks to the variety of life on Earth, including the 8 million plant and animal species that roam our beautiful planet. It also speaks to the ecosystems that house them, and the genetic diversity among them. Biodiversity is an intricate and interdependent web, in which each member plays a significant role, drawing and contributing in ways that may not even be visible to the eye. The bountiful foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the weather that makes our planet habitable all come from nature. How you can get involved We all have a role to play in ending biodiversity loss and preserving nature. We must reconsider what and how we consume to be the change we want to see in the world. To do this, there are three ways we can all participate – even if we’re socially-distancing or self-isolating at home. Learn While we’re all spending more time at home, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the Earth’s wild species and habitats. Use the time to reflect on the role that natures plays in our lives and the ways in which we can champion positive change. Share In the run-up to World Environment Day, UNEP opened conversation threads in eight languages across its social media channels. They want you to tell them why it’s time #ForNature. This is the perfect opportunity for all of us to share what we love about our world and spread the word. Act Following World Environment Day and in the run-up to the 5th UN Environment Assembly in 2021 – when the world’s environment ministers will set global priorities – we are all being asked to act on the knowledge we have gained to help end biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. Here are some resources for you to learn about how you can protect nature. Join Earth School and take part in the 30 environmental lessons hosted by TED-Ed and curated by some of the best nature teachers in the world. Learn about how you can help fight climate change through the United Nations’ Act Now campaign. Learn about plastic pollution and how it affects marine species through UNEP’s Clean Seas campaign Find out about the Anatomy of Action, which maps out actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint. Sign up to iNaturalist, an online community of naturalists, where you can record your observations of plants and animals and meet other nature lovers. How we do our bit, all year round If we had our way, every day would be World Environment Day. But today it’s official, so what better opportunity to give you an update on what we’re doing to keep our planet Boodyful. 1. Choosing sustainable fabrics By choosing Boody, you’re making a positive impact on the planet. The below stats show the difference we’ve made to the environment since 2016 by manufacturing with organically-grown bamboo over conventional non-organic cotton. 2. Giving back We donate 1% of all online sales to non-profit organisations that work to protect the environment. Last year alone, we raised $125,000 in donations to various environmental not-for-profits through our partnership with 1% for the Planet. 3. Reducing waste By giving excess stock from the fashion industry to people in our community doing it tough, Thread Together has diverted tonnes of new clothing from landfill to date. In 2019, we gave 2,500 items of clothing to those in need via our partnership. Join the conversation on Instagram with #WorldEnvironmentDay #ForNature and #EveryBoody.
Eco
How to create a sustainable home one room at a time
It’s April. Which means it’s nearly Earth Day again. Except, this year we’d hardly notice because we have so much else going on. Social distancing. Self-isolating. Trying to keep our spirits high during a time filled with so much uncertainty. But there are some positives that have come from this unprecedented time. You might have seen the satellite photos displaying how the COVID-19-led lockdowns across the world have lowered global emissions and giving Mother Nature a well-earned rest. What better way to celebrate Earth Day later this month? And, while we spend more time at home than ever before, we find ourselves finding time to focus on things we rarely have time for. Our physical and mental wellbeing. Creative hobbies and outlets. Spending time with loved ones we live with, albeit at a distance. Another thing we might find we have extra time for at home is catching up with some bits around the home we’ve put off. And, seeing as it’s Earth Day later this month, what better time to figure out how to create a sustainable home one room at a time? Sarah Pelham, the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell, offers some of these handy tips which we hope help to take your mind off the never-ending stream of news right now. Over to you, Sarah. Make your home eco-friendly Sustainable living is something that’s becoming more and more important to a lot of us, and we might have already started to make simple lifestyle changes such as walking more rather than using the car, or taking our own reusable shopping bags with us when we head out. And that’s great! But it’s time we all went a little bit further; it’s time we start shifting from a sustainable lifestyle to a sustainable house. Eco homes can massively minimise our impact on the environment. And don’t worry – creating eco-friendly homes isn’t quite as daunting as it sounds! There are lots of ‘basic’ changes you can make instantly, such as swapping out incandescent bulbs for LED lighting or getting a recycling bin, for example. But if you’re keen to delve into the world of eco-homes, even more, there are lots more ways that you can make a difference, making positive changes around your home, one room at a time. Here’s a bit of room-by-room inspiration to get you started: Bathroom National Geographic estimates that 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. This is why to have a truly sustainable bathroom, it’s best to try and avoid products that are made of, or are packaged in, plastic. Here are some great plastic-free bathroom alternatives to get you started. With bathrooms often being warm and steamy from a hot bath or shower, they’re the perfect environment for germs to thrive. Cleaning a bathroom is never a pleasant job, and many of us automatically choose the strongest cleaning solutions to make sure we kill any nasties lying around. Unfortunately, these chemical-filled cleaners get flushed away, filtered, and are back in the water supply… even if some chemicals still remain. Instead, try to use natural cleaning products. You can even make some yourself using white vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. Kitchen One of the best ways to get the ball rolling on an eco kitchen is to invest. Invest in high-quality cookware and durable plates and bowls, rather than always selecting the cheapest options. Why? Because investing in quality means investing in sustainability. High-quality cookware and dishes are more likely to withstand frequent use and washing, and less likely to deteriorate or break from everyday use. Cookware that lasts for years can significantly reduce demand for manufacturing, and all the byproducts of manufacturing such as energy, water, and fuel. If you’re not quite a dab hand in the kitchen, you may want to look away now. Believe it or not, cooking at home is actually one of the best ways to create a sustainable kitchen! Pre-packaged ready meals have probably done more travelling than you and me combined. Each step of the process will usually be handled at a different facility, really clocking up those food miles. Cooking from scratch not only means you can reduce your carbon footprint, but you can also be sure that the ingredients have been sourced sustainably. Don’t forget to use green kitchen appliances, too. Bedroom Could your bedroom do with a lick of paint? If you’re redecorating, try to use eco-friendly paint that’s much better for the environment (and for your own health, too!). Look for ‘low VOC’ or ‘zero VOC’ paints, which have fewer volatile organic compounds that can be released into the air. Low VOC paints typically have less than 50g per litre, while zero VOC paints have less than 5g per litre. It’s always best to check the labels to know for sure, but as a general rule of thumb, flat latex paints that are light in colour usually have lower VOCs than glossy, oil-based paints. If you’ve chosen cotton sheets for your bedroom, good for you. You probably know that cotton is a pretty good choice for a sustainable bedroom. But it’s not the best choice. The problem with cotton is that fertilisers and pesticides are often used in the farming processes, which aren’t great for the planet. If you’re looking to make a quick and simple swap, switch to organic bamboo sheets, which look and feel really similar. Bamboo holds the world record for the fastest-growing plant at a rate of 91cm per day, so there’s always a constant, renewable source. Here’s some more benefits of bamboo. Living Room Think the perfect couch doesn’t exist? Think again. Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell once said that it took the Apple Co-Founder eight years to decide on a couch, but we think it’s much easier to find the right one… especially if you look at sustainable options. A sustainable couch really can be whatever you make it. You could choose second-hand furniture, with absolutely no new resources used, or you could buy new. When buying new, look for couches made using sustainable wood (with FSC or AFS certification), or try to buy from a local manufacturer. Need new furniture for your living room? Here’s a bit of a crazy idea, but it’s one that could help you create a unique space and the sustainable living room of your dreams. Instead of buying new, how about trying to build new furniture from items already in your home? This is also ideal now it’s hard to get out much! For example, you could create a side table by stacking books, or a box shelf from an old desk drawer. Upcycling is a fantastic way to minimise the amount we send to landfill and create one-of-a-kind spaces. And best of all, you’ll be reducing the piles of clutter that you just don’t know what to do with! There’s no rush The thought of what could happen if we all carry on as we are is terrifying, but the truth is that the world isn’t going to implode tomorrow. Don’t try and implement all these changes at once, or you may end up feeling overwhelmed and wanting to give up. And that’s not doing the planet any good! Instead, approach sustainable living from a ‘one room at a time’ perspective. By working in bite-sized, manageable chunks, you’ll soon find that you’ve created an eco-home that really makes a difference. And right now, this could be time well-spent indeed. Sarah Pelham is the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell.com.au, an online platform for instant bookings for hair, nails, beauty & massage appointments. For nearly four years Sarah has worked closely with hundreds of salon owners within the beauty and wellness industries. She has her finger on the pulse of new trends in this growing market.
