40+ Non-Gift Ideas For An Anti-Consumerist Christmas

Looking for some non-gift ideas this Christmas time? I’ve come up with a load of ideas for a more anti-consumerist Christmas, for both kids and adults.

Christmas can always easily turn into a consumerism fest, but as an alternative to the eco gift guides that I have shared on the blog, I also wanted to share some non-gift Christmas ideas.

I hadn’t really understood the excesses of Christmas until we had our daughter. Prior to having her, our Christmases were always quite modest. Our budgets for Christmas have always been small. We didn’t spend a great deal on each other – typically less than £50 – and for us Christmas Day had mostly been about spending it together. And the food – all the food!

Then we celebrated my daughter’s first Christmas and then her first birthday a couple of days later. Our tiny house was like an explosion in a toy factory, packed to the rafters with thoughtful gifts from well-meaning friends and relatives. My one-year-old was completely overwhelmed and my partner and I fretted about where to store all of the stuff in our tiny flat.

What Can I Get For Kids & Adults That Aren’t Stuff?

Since then I’ve started to think about non-Christmas gift ideas for both kids and adults that are still full of thought and love and will be seriously useful without taking up space or that will eventually contribute to landfill. Some of the ideas won’t even cost you any money!

Here are my ideas but I’d love to hear yours, and add them to the list!

• Free Non-Gift Ideas For Kids
• £ Non-Gift Ideas For Kids
• Free Non-Gift Ideas For Adults
• £ Non-Gift Ideas For Adults

Free Non-Gift Ideas For Kids

• Pass along a skill day – e.g. teaching a musical instrument, sharing a craft, teaching a kid to bake cakes, teaching a kid to sew/knit. Whatever your skill is it’s always fun to pass on. Some of my very best memories are of my gran teaching me to knit, sew, bake and play cards. My gran is no longer with us, but every time I make scones or sew anything I think of her, and there really is no gift greater than that.
• A “memory box” of family photos or keepsakes they can explore. My mum put together a photo album of old family photos one year for my birthday. It’s one of my most treasured possessions – more so since we lost my mum last year.
• A playlist of their favourite songs or a recording of you reading their favourite bedtime story.
• A box of craft supplies gathered from around your home – think old beads and buttons, bits of broken jewellery, recycled paper or card… The possibilities are endless!
• A special hand-me-down toy or book from your own childhood, with a story about why it was meaningful to you.
• A “ticket” to a camping evening in your garden (in the warmer months!).
• A day at ______’s house
• A trip out to feed the ducks
• A trip to the park
• A blanket den-building session with stories, snacks, and a whole day of play inside their homemade hideout.
• A handmade coupon book with easy redeemable activities like “one extra bedtime story,” or “movie night with popcorn.”

£ Non-Gift Ideas For Kids

• A trip to the zoo
• A trip to the cinema
• A picnic
• A trip to the swimming pool
• A trip to soft play
• A day out at the local museum
• An afternoon out bowling
• Contribute to an after-school activity they do – swimming, dancing, football, karate, or whatever they enjoy doing. These things cost a surprising amount of money so a small contribution towards their cost would probably be well appreciated.
• Zoo membership
• Cinema membership
• Money for savings accounts
• A magazine subscription (I’ve always liked the idea of Okido Magazine!) – kids will appreciate this every month!

The ideas are all about sharing experiences and making memories that will hopefully last longer than some toys!

Anti-Consumerist Christmas Ideas For Adults

Of course, we shouldn’t forget the adults. I’ve got some anti-consumerist ideas if you’re wondering what can you do instead of physical gifts for Christmas, or what you can give for Christmas without spending any money.

Completely Free Non-Gift Ideas

• A card offering your babysitting services for a few nights over the course of a year
• A card offering your pet-sitting services for a few days over the course of a year
• Home maintenance help. Got some friends who have just moved into a new place? A card offering to help strip wallpaper, paint, put up shelves, tile, or whatever fits your skillset will be warmly appreciated!
• Access to your skills – whether it’s photography, web design, gardening, or whatever you’re great at, why not offer a day of your skills?
• Pass on one of your favourite books with a handwritten note explaining why you love it, and why you think they’ll love it too.
• Write out some family recipes or your go-to dishes, written out with care for them to enjoy.
• If you’re in any way artistic, you could create a poem, short story, or piece of art inspired by them.

£ Ideas

If you’d like to spend money, then here are some gift ideas for experiences, not things:

• Voucher for their favourite restaurant, café or coffee shop (this is hands down my usual failsafe!)
• A spa treat – e.g. a voucher to get their nails or hair done, or for a massage or beauty treatment.
• Pay for a few sessions of their favourite fitness class.
• Pay for a few months of their favourite streaming service, such as Netflix or Apple TV. Many of these services offer gift cards to make that an easy option.
• Make a meal for their freezer
• Cinema tickets/membership
• Concert/theatre/comedy tickets – this is something we do and it’s always highly appreciated.
• National Trust/English Heritage/RSPB memberships – allowing access to properties around the UK for a year.
• National Art Pass – giving free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK as well as 50% off major exhibitions.
• A charity donation in their name to an organisation close to their heart.
• Alternatively, a charity shop gift card is a great sustainable choice, and can be used in multiple charity shops nationwide.
• If they want to learn a new skill, considering paying towards a workshop. Whether that’s pottery, sewing, photography, cookery, foraging or something else there’s probably a workshop for it!
• A subscription box for a treat they would love. Whether it’s consumables like gin, craft beer, brownies, or niche snacks, or for crafting kits, there are so many choices that would well received.

 Any you want to add? Let me know in the comments below!

If non-gift Christmas ideas aren’t up your street, and you’d rather go down the traditional Christmas gift route then don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Check out my ethical Christmas gift ideas on the blog. And here are some zero-waste Christmas decorations you can make. Top tip, they’re more fun if you make them with a friend!