Buying Ethical Wedding Gifts
There used to be a time when cookware and china were considered the ultimate wedding gifts. In a way, they are still popular presents, but gone are the days when the main criteria for choosing gifts are whether they are glitzy, conventional, and expensive. With the clamour for responsible consumerism, many couples are starting to look at wedding gifts in a different light.
The recent years ushered in an era of consumers, newlyweds included, who are mindful of the world we inhabit. Wedding gift registries show an increasing preference for goods and services that promote environmental and social responsibility. The new wish list often includes handmade crafts that preserve traditional techniques, fair-trade items that provide a livelihood to communities, repurposed merchandise, donations to charitable institutions, and experiences that create lifetime memories.
While choosing ethical wedding gifts sounds ideal, the option remains an intimidating task for many people. Most would find themselves overthinking, asking practical but overwhelming questions. Are ethical gifts more expensive? Should I book the newlyweds for a luxury spa or a dinner cruise? What counts as ethical in the first place? Don’t let unfounded doubts faze you. In this article, we will walk you through various choices and considerations so you can come up with the perfect present that aligns with the values and interests of the couple. Here are real-world tips for selecting ethical wedding gifts.
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Give an Experience
Forgo the fancy cutlery or the expensive food processor; the best wedding gift does not have to be a physical object. A growing number of newlyweds are ditching material presents for something more exhilarating, profound, and unforgettable. Think of a sunset sail on the Aegean Sea, a hot-air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan, or an authentic Indian cooking class in New Delhi.
After all, experiences are the spices of life and are a thousand times richer and more fascinating than, let’s say, a coffee maker. Besides, if you’re looking for a genuinely eco-friendly gift, experiences are 100% zero-waste.
It’s a no-brainer, but be sure to consider the newlyweds’ interests and hobbies when deciding what experience gift to give them. Adventurous couples would be thrilled by skydiving or bungee jumping, while history buffs and nature lovers would love a National Trust or English Heritage membership. If you are uncertain about the couple’s preferences, ask close friends and family members for advice and suggestions.
One thing that deters people from giving experience gifts is the cost. Keep in mind that experiences don’t have to be expensive to be memorable. Think of simple but extraordinary activities that the couple would enjoy together, such as foreign language lessons, one month-worth of yoga passes, or a night at the theatre for their favourite musical or play.
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Upcycled Furniture
Furniture is among the traditional wedding gift staples intended to help newlyweds create their love nest. Despite its appeal, not everyone is eager to give bulky tables or chairs as a wedding present. For one, they’re hard to transport; secondly, they could cost an arm and a leg. But what if you can get a valuable piece at a fraction of the price you would pay for a brand-new one while helping save the earth’s resources and reducing waste?
Purchasing second hand furniture does not mean you are poor or a penny-pinching miser. It means you care enough to spend hours scouring vintage shops, auction houses, and yard sales to hunt for the perfect gift. All too often, stores sell high-quality pieces, with some being legit antiques. Chances are you are giving the newlyweds a priceless bedside table. Besides, everyone loves a piece of furniture with a fascinating history.
Understandably, many second hand pieces have minor damages, including scratches and discolourations. Don’t let this worry you. Many shops repair and upcycle old furniture at a reasonable price. With creativity and imagination, you can make the gift extra unique and memorable by adding a personal touch to it.
Have a vintage lampshade repainted with the couple’s favourite colour, or their best-loved quote engraved artfully on a portable wooden bookcase. By purchasing and upscaling second hand furniture, you are supporting not only your community’s business owners but also local artisans who will be refurbishing the old pieces.
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Give Pre-Owned Jewellery
Do you know that approximately 150 million carats of diamonds are mined from the earth every year, excavating over 260 billion tons of soil in the process? One carat of mined diamonds burns up nine litres of fuel, consumes 660 gallons of water, produces 6,000 pounds of mineral waste, and results in half a ton of carbon emissions. Furthermore, miners have blasted entire forests to extract enough gold, diamonds, and other gems to make just one ring, resulting in tons of waste made up of toxic substances like cyanide and mercury. With all the harm-mining causes to the environment, jewellery may seem to be the least eco-friendly and practical gift you can give to newlyweds.
But this is not always the case. As recent as 30 years ago, it seemed only collectors and vintage lovers appreciate pre-owned jewellery. But because of the rise of ethical consumerism, buyers are shifting towards choosing repurposed products, radically changing the stigma of purchasing previously owned jewellery. Pre-owned jewellery shops are sprouting everywhere as more consumers become aware of the benefits of buying second-hand pieces.
So, is it okay to give second-hand jewellery as a wedding gift? The answer is a resounding yes. Opting for pre-owned jewellery does not only help save the environment but also helps save money. Contrary to what some people think, most second-hand pieces are exceptionally high quality, the majority of them made of high-grade authentic raw materials that passed an experienced appraiser’s meticulous scrutiny. Some can be considered classical pieces, crafted with methods no longer used. Additionally, pre-owned jewellery has character and tells a story of its own. And when the time comes, the couple can pass along the jewellery to the next generation, preserving a moment in history.
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Adopt and Save an Endangered Animal
According to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, up to 150 species are lost every day. The fact that approximately one-half of all species around the world could become extinct by 2050 is not only disheartening but also frightening. What better way to celebrate love for the planet and its creatures than by gifting an animal-loving couple with a symbolic adoption of an endangered species? After all, weddings are a celebration of love.
In addition to getting an adoption certificate and regular updates on the status of the adopted animal. The couple will receive a kit with photos of the chosen animal, a factsheet on how to help save endangered species and the environment, and keepsakes, such as a plush toy, thank you card, and gift bag. Some packages include the opportunity to visit the animal in its sanctuary or witness it released into the wild after rehabilitation. Most importantly, the kind act of saving a creature’s life affords the couple with a warm, fulfilling feeling that comes only from doing something noble for the world.
Not sure which animal to adopt? Don’t hesitate to ask the couple. You can browse websites of various wildlife conservation organizations to decide which animal to adopt. There is a wide array of fauna that needs aid, from penguins to gorillas to whale sharks to butterflies to turtles and tigers. It seems a simple gesture, but this one-time gift will go a long way to ensure the future of endangered species. What could be more ethical than that?
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Something towards the Honeymoon
A honeymoon is the one time in a newlyweds’ life when they splurge on a holiday. It is also the only time when etiquette permits them to ask other people to pay for their dream vacation. Why not? After the stress and drama of preparing for a wedding, any couple would need to relax, recharge, reconnect, and re-solidify their bond. However, with weddings being expensive, most newlyweds barely have enough money left for a honeymoon.
Because of this, a growing number of soon-to-be-married couples have ditched the traditional gift registry for a holiday fund. By donating towards their honeymoon, you become part of something the newlyweds will cherish for years to come. Be sure to check the couple’s bucket list, so you will know which specific experience to pitch in. For instance, you can contribute to a romantic dinner on the beach, a guided tour to a winery in Provence, kayaking in the Maldives, or a gondola ride in Venice.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, many newlyweds are opting to have their vacation in the UK rather than travelling abroad. Some prefer to postpone their honeymoon to a later date and spend time together on a weekend minimoon instead. Luckily, newlyweds do not need to go overseas to make their first holiday as a married couple unforgettable. The country has countless luxurious and unique accommodations that would impress and amaze even the pickiest of travellers.
Those longing for the French Riviera would soon discover that what they crave for are found in the picturesque harbour villages of Devon: sandy beaches, elegant seaside villas, and world-class restaurants. And who wouldn’t fall in love with the fairytale charm of The Cotswolds? Here, the newlyweds can have a romantic picnic by the brook in Castle Combe, stroll the gardens of Sudeley Castle, bathe in a hot spring in Bath, or escape to a cosy cottage in the Cotswolds Bibury, England’s most beautiful village.
Many thanks to Penny Martinelli for this article
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