We're Dreaming of a Green Christmas 2019

'Tis the season for holiday gift wrapping, tape, plastic toys, too much food...well you get it.  The holidays can be pretty hard on the planet but this year, we're encouraging you to give gifts you can feel good about.  The gifts on this list are not only going to be hits, they're sustainble, reusable and well, pretty darn awesome if you ask us. 

1. Refillable Goodness

Where to Get it: Various spots around Oxford County 

From soothing facial serums and hand soap that will make you say 'mmmm' to fresh craft beer and tasty coffee, there are loads of businesses that are embracing the refill-model on their businesses and we LOVE it. At Wild Comfort Body Care, visit their shop to refill a variety of their products including hand soaps and facial serums as well as body butter and more. Head to Upper Thames Brewing Company where you can buy a growler (or bring in one you have from another brewery) and refill it again and again each time you visit. Both Early Bird Coffee and Nerd Teas in Woodstock allow you to bring in your own container to refill with their beans and loose leaf tea again and again PLUS bring your own travel mug in to get it filled with that caffeinated (or not!) goodness. Of course, what would our environment bee without honey? At Oxford Honey & Supplies, reuse their honey jars over and over and support your local hive at the same time!

2. Zero Waste Goods

Where to Get it: Living Stiches (available at The Woodstock Fairgrounds Farmers Market or Wild Comfort Body Care)

For the environmental warrior on your list, you can't go wrong with a couple of the awesome produts from Living Stiches, a small business out of Woodstock. From reusable sanitary products to face swabs and home made beeswax wraps to replace all that plastic stuff, Living Stiches creates high quality and oh-so-adorable designs you'll want to show off. 

3. Coolest Produce Bags at the Market

Where to Get it: Beantown Coffee, 9 Reeve St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)

You'll be the envy of everyone at your local farmers market when you show up with one of these bad boys! Pop in everything from fresh red peppers to kale and orchard-ripened apples and skip those nasty plastic bags you find in the produce section in the grocery store. Better yet? These ones are nice and easy to open. 

4. Give a Giftless Gift

Check out our 2019 Giftless Gift Guide

Rather than giving out more stuff this year, why not give the gift of time well spent together? Here is Oxford, loads of small businesses are rolling out one of a kind travel experiences that bring you into the heart of local culture and traditoin in a myriad of ways.  Wash big wheels of cheese or craft your own artisan charcuterie board. Check out our blog on giftless gift giving for the 411. 

5. An Upcycled Tote Bag

Where to get it: Habitual Chocolate, 389 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)

We know you probably have a bunch of tote bags already and hopefully you've ditched the habit of picking up plastic bags at the grocery store.  That being said, we're obsessing over these totes from Habitual Chocolate that are made of upcycled cacoa bean bags. This product is a partnershp between Habitual Chocolate and Ardent Earth, a company that produces uber cool products with the main goal of reducing reliance on single use plastics, harsh chemicals  and more. 

6. Plants!

Where to get it: Floral Occassions,134 Thames St. South, Ingersoll (View Map); Floral Buds & Design, 507 Dundas St. Woodstock (View Map)

Did you know having house plants can help keep the air in your house clean and reduce dust levels? That's just one of the many perks the person on your list will receive if you get them an awesome house plant this Christmas.  Choose from beautiful, flowering plants to spiky cacti, quirky succulents and everything in between. Whether the person on your list has a completely green thumb or can barely remember to drink water themselves, there's a plant soul mate to be found in Oxford.

7. Giftcard for Dinner at a Plastic-Free Dining Spot

Where: Charles Dickens Pub, 505 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map) or SixThirtyNine, 639 Peel St. Woodstock, ON (View Map)

Woodstock is home to two incredible dining establishments that focus on delicious local food.  Both Charles Dickens Pub and SixThirtyNine are home to amazing menus that change with the seasons and reflect the unique terroir of Oxford County. Better yet? They've taken it one step further by eliminating all small plastics from their restaurants at the table which include creamers, straws and other small plastic items you may normally find on your plate. Now that's a meal you can feel good about!

8. Support Your Local Artist

Where to Get it: At one of Oxford's Holiday Art Sales! 

Beautiful potteries, sculptures, paintings large and paintings small, there is a perfect piece of art just waiting to be found for the person on your list.  Oxford is home to four great holiday art events where you can shop wares from a variety of artists and bring some cheer into the holiday season. Check out this blog all about them! 

9. Give the Gift of Live Theatre

Where: Theatre Woodstock, Theatre Tillsonburg, Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts, Thistle Theatre or Walters Music Venue

There's nothing quite like community theatre to really let people into the heart of an area. Oxford is home to four theatres just like this that perform everything from classic Christmas tales to musicals, Halloween ghost stories, comedies, dramas and everything in between.  Make a day trip out of it by treating the ones you love to dinner and a show!  

Outside the realm of community theatre, Walter's Dinner Theatre is nestled on property and boasts an amazing barn theatre where they bring in professional musical and theatrical acts in to dazzle their audiences. Enjoy dinner and a show under the lights of the theatre as you're inspired by the talent that comes through. Tickets sell out incredibly fast so get yours quick! 

Want more green gift ideas? Check out our list from 2018.