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Thoughtful Gifting – How we can make an impact in more ways this Mother's Day and beyond

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead.

The gifts we purchase can be so much more than just a lovely gesture – they can impact in many other ways.  With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and thank our Mums, as well as carefully consider our choices as consumers.

During the last few years the importance of supporting local has been highlighted over and over again in the media – as well as how important our environmental impact and choices are. In New Zealand we discard 15.5 million tonnes of waste each year.  That is 3,200 kg for every Kiwi!  Right now we only recycle 28% of this waste (via recycle.co.nz).

It can certainly feel overwhelming when thinking about the environment and wondering if anything we do now will actually make a difference in the long term. For the sake of future generations we have to at least try.  There isn't an acceptable Plan B - or Planet B that I know of.  I personally want to leave this earth knowing that I tried my best with the information I have been given to make a difference, however small that may be.  

One way we can make an impact is to research the businesses we purchase from.  Here are just a few questions that should be easy to find from a business/company website:

  • How environmentally friendly are the products?
  • Does the business give back, and if so, how?  Planting trees?  Purchasing carbon credits?  Donating products or time to charities?  
  • Why should we purchase from this company instead of their competition?

Now more than ever we have many choices as consumers.  Imagine the difference we could make collectively if we asked these questions before we made a purchase?  

As a business we are encouraging our current suppliers to make more sustainable decisions regarding their packaging if they haven't already done so.  The majority of the products we stock have packaging that is reusable, recyclable or compostable – and a few are in the process of upgrading their packaging to environmentally friendly options. My hope is one day in the near future we can announce that every product we stock is environmentally friendly, and also gives back in some meaningful way.

I personally love coming across a new product that not only meets my requirements, I know that purchasing it means I will be supporting local, supporting the environment, and a deserving charity. Here are just two examples which can be found in our “Build a GoldieBox” feature.

The PositiviTeas™ range is a beautiful collection of single-serve Tea Bags. Lovingly encased within a printed card, you’ll find a compostable, plastic-free Tea Bag, filled with the finest premium, organic tea from Charity Tea™. This isn’t just a Tea Bag.  It’s a card, it’s a gift, it’s an experience! 

Charity Tea™ is a social enterprise business and use their revenue to address the issues of world hunger. “We exist to make a social, environmental and climatic impact, and we are committed to growing people. Every cup of Charity Tea™ nourishes you and goes toward feeding a hungry child”.

Generositea | The Bestow Sisterhood Tea.  100% lemongrass, peppermint, hibiscus, cinnamon and cardamom.

All of the Bestow profits from the sale of Generositea are donated to the Cambodia Charitable Trust to support their wider projects like developing new schools, gardens and health programmes in rural Cambodia. 

Another example of how businesses can give back is Whale Road.  They’ve developed the best quality handmade organic products - products which are gentle, yet powerful on the skin, and light on our environment.  They’ve checked every ingredient as well as chosen the most environmentally-conscious packaging they could find.  As well as this they’ve created beautiful, individually handcrafted containers from Kauri recovered from the Christchurch Basilica after the 2011 Earthquake. There is limited Kauri available, making these are iconic pieces. 

This Mother’s Day let’s honour our Mums and choose a gift that makes an impact in other ways.  As consumers we hold the power through the choices we make. At a time when prices are rising in many areas of our lives, it is more important than ever to give careful consideration to what we spend our money on. Thoughtful gifting can make a difference.