Climate-friendly Christmas guide

Looking for the perfect way to eco-treat yourself, family, friends, or kids this holiday season? Call off your search, we’ve put together the perfect climate-friendly Christmas guide right here.

Alright, let’s be honest. 2020 wasn’t great. It’s not much we can do with the year that has passed, but at least it’s not too late to make the future a bit better.

Tracking down the must-haves from brands with sustainable practices can be a time-consuming job. With the holiday season coming up, we’ve done the work for you by collecting the ultimate eco-gift-guide for Christmas. Hopefully, it will make 2021 into a smash hit for your and your folks.

Here are a few ideas that hopefully check the gift boxes for you!

1) Byu used gifts

Yes, you heard right. The circular economy is on the rise, giving birth to new brands putting their pride into offering used quality products that deserve a second life. We all know that buying new things is expensive, especially electronics like mobile phones. But did you know that it also comes with a big carbon footprint? The footprint of producing a new phone is somewhere between 50 and 100 kilos of CO2-emissions (depending on the model). This is why a slightly used phone or other electronics is the perfect gift for everyone who needs a phone AND cares for the planet!

2) Gift Cards are golden!

Yep, they are golden. Not for things, but for unforgettable memories. It can be a zipline-ride, alpaca hiking (yes, that’s actually a thing), a weekend in the mountains, a massage, a three-course dinner, amusement parks, Bungy jump, cinema night with a proper portion of popcorn. Whatever rocks their boat.

Your new alpaca friend?

Nothing has a higher value than spending time with the folks you like and creating new memories together (or to boost your social media game - hey, not being judgemental here! But a selfie with you and an alpaca couldn’t hurt, right?)

3) What time is it?

Being on time never goes out of fashion. If you want to invest in something that lasts, finding a timeless watch is a brilliant option. It can be pretty pricey, but a watch is something you can use every single day and be passed onto the next generations.

With earned acclaim from The New York Times, MOMA, Highsnobiety, Vogue, GQ and many more, globally acknowledged Larsen & Eriksen is no doubt a great alternative if you’re looking for minimalist danish design wrist, watches for men or women.

The Danish design studio Larsen & Eriksen was founded by two childhood friends passionate about design and watches - and passionate about creating the world's best workplace. Back in 2015, they felt watches were getting way too similar and way too overpriced. So, they decided to go ahead and design their own. You can get them online, with prices starting from € 120. Needless to say, their design- and production processes are fully CO2 neutral.

Pro tip: We are also a big fan of the budget versions from About Vintage, which is also quality watches designed in Copenhagen. They combine classic vintage details with small modern elements and you even get free engraving. All their watches compensate for 125 kilos of CO2 with CHOOOSE when you buy them. Prices starting from €225.

About Vintage

4) Life essentials by TISE Basics

Essentials by Tise Basics

Everything can’t be bought second hand. Like underwear, kitchenware, or disposable products like detergents or toiletries. It’s not always easy to find sustainable alternatives to these necessities, but luckily someone already did the job for us! Check out TISE Basics, a webshop where you can find everything from food huggers and glass straws to GOTS-certified t-shirts. But what about the shipping? Each and every order is climate compensated with CHOOOSE, reducing 50 kilos per order ✅​

A Guppyfriend keeps the micro waste away

5) The green getaway!

Pan tree top huts

Nothing is like a little getaway! Bring your loved one(s) to a unique stay where you can pamper yourself with big pillows, yummy breakfast and create and collect unique experiences. If you book a hotel, we recommend looking out for the eco-friendly certifications; for instance, TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders Program was created to recognize hotels and B&Bs that implement environmentally friendly practices. The list includes initiatives like:

• Have linen and towel reuse plans
• Track energy usage on a regular basis
• Recycle
• Use energy-efficient light bulbs
• Educate staff and guests on green practices
• Properly treat wastewater (either using on-site or municipal sewage system)

You’ll find a great overview of eco-friendly certifications here.​

Some of our dream destinations right now include places like Pan tree top cabin in Norway, Stedsans in the woods in Sweden, Brimnes Cabins in Iceland and Birkedal in Denmark. If you can’t cross borders (which you shouldn’t atm), we highly recommend staying a night at a hotel in your own city and exploring it like a proper tourist. Most hotels now offer great discounts due to lack of international visitors.

Birkedal Holiday Cottage

Do you find it difficult to plan trips - personalized for you and your needs? Do you love the hidden gems and to explore the most unique destinations, but get lost in the planning? Do you also want to take responsibility for the environmental footprint of travelling? Then here’s a pro tip: Up Norway is Norway's number one travel curator that provides authentic experiences to discerning global travellers with sustainability on top of their agenda. They have built a system for understanding what each of their travellers wants. By using technology to enhance personalized service, they save you from frustrating internet searches and travel logistics. Additionally, Their local expertise, sustainable approach, digital itineraries and passion for Norway provides a journey like no other. Up Norway collaborates with CHOOOSE, and supports high impact climate projects for each and every trip they arrange. A win for you, a win for our playgrounds.

6) Wear the change you want to see! Do you have a friend that’s always dressing up in fast fashion items? Maybe it’s time to nudge him or her to discover some better alternatives - both for them and for the planet.

A good place to start is by introducing them to premium fashion brand like Designers Remix (each item bundled with climate action), Organic Basics (there are no skeletons in that closet), Reformation (ok, the #1 option is to be naked, but Reformation is probably the second-best option), Allbirds sneakers (just joined forces to launch the world’s most sustainable shoe in partnership with Adidas), Elliott sustainable footwear, and Lounge Nine for sustainable loungewear.

What all of these fashion brands have in common is that they produce fashion clothing created to last. The producers do everything they can to reduce the emissions involved in the production, they operate in a fair manner, and the unavoidable footprint of their operations is taken care of.

Walk the talk - each pair reduce 1 tonne of CO2 with CHOOOSE

Pro tip: We absolutely love the Good on You app, which provides ethical fashion brand ratings (yes there’s an app for that!). Their fanbase list includes Emma Watson, so we’re sold.

7. The tasty joy of eatables

Everyone needs food. But organic delicacies are rarely a priority amongst many. Get your friend some tasty cheese, homemade raspberry jam, locally brewed beer or some other everyday luxury for the fridge. You can also buy a meal delivery subscription gift card from services like Simple Feast, Daily Harvest, Sun Basket or Green Chef (check out the local providers in your market!).

The Christmas gift basket

8. Find some vintage treasures

Go treasure hunting for second-hand items - then you’ll know your gift is one of a kind.

It can be furniture, a painting, a collectors sneakers item, clothes and accessories. For fashion and shoes, we highly recommend TISE and Asos Marketplace; Tise even offers gift cards.

Give a gift card for second-hand treasures from Tise

Pro tip: If you want to find a unique vintage poster, Comrade Kiev offers a great selection of genuine original vintage posters and they work closely with their suppliers to ensure that all packaging is made from sustainably sourced 90% recycled & 100% recyclable or compostable materials. They also acknowledge that sending posters do have a carbon footprint and they offset their unavoidable emissions with CHOOOSE. And oh! Good news! The founder created an exclusive discount code for us - Just add CHOOOSE15 in the checkout, it gives CHOOOSE readers 15% off any purchase through the website.

Comrade Kiev

9. Digital consumerism for the win

Alright, while we’re more or less locked in due to Covid-19, many of us turn to digital streaming services to rewind our heads and keep ourselves busy. There are plenty of options out there, so why not give a digital subscription gift card to a climate champ that doesn't harm the planet as much as a physical item?

Here are our top of the pops list:

Spotify or Tidal

the audio quality is better with Tidal, but we don’t know if you can trust their streaming numbers...)

Netflix or HBO (Documentary-decision: Michael Jordan vs Tiger Woods?)

Netflix and HBO are both on-demand services, so that's where the bulk of the goodies are at. The main difference is that HBO does offer a semi-live TV experience, since new episodes are generally available to stream right when they air on the cable channel.) Netflix compensates for its CO2-emissions.

Audiobooks subscription

Genius when you’ve been in front of a screen all day and just want someone else to do than reading.

Meditation app Headspace

Try for yourself, the free version works like wonders for everyone who needs to rewind.

The world's cutest meditation app

Fitness

Streaming workout subscriptions got a major rise this year due to global lockdown and gyms behind bars.

Disney+

Hello! They have all the classics from your childhood!

Trip down memory lane with Mr. Walt Disney

10. The gift card that fights climate change Saving the best for last! Ok, we couldn’t resist. We had to add the CHOOOSE Gift Cards for climate action. But seriously, name a better gift than making someone help to fight climate change by eliminating their carbon footprint to beyond zero? This achievement should even be a badge for Tinder, to make it easier to match with climate-cool partners (hello Tinder!).

The gift card from CHOOOSE does not only help reduce more than the average person leaves behind making them climate positive (you can choose either 6 or 12 months). The gift card supports impactful climate projects that help reduce global CO2 emissions and support several of the Sustainable Development Goals as they create better living conditions for people in developing countries. The Gift Card allows your receiver to claim and track their impact in real-time. You can buy your Gift Card and create your personal gift certificate here.

Are you a company?

We got you covered with gift cards and certificates for your employees​ here! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1 year gift card - you can also personalize the gift card with the receiver's name.1/2 year gift card to reduce your friends CO2-footprint, reduce global emissions and create better living conditions. This Christmas gift is approved by the Gold Standard and The United Nations.

Do you have any good tips on sustainable presents that are perfect for your planet-loving pals or climate-friendly family members?

Share your ideas by tagging us on Instagram! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​