Local makers are shaking up the gift-giving season with their low-impact products
Are you looking to lower the environmental impact of your holiday gift giving? The GreenUP Store has you covered with unique, eco-friendly gifts and stocking stuffers ranging from $2 to $25 (or more if you’re looking for special gifts under the tree). Your stockings and your gift boxes can hold all the best gifts, including what’s best for the planet.
Shopping locally is great for you and your community. It supports the growth of your local economy, reduces the number of kilometres that your gift travels before arriving in your home, and limits the waste created from the production of your gift. It is convenient, oftentimes more affordable, and a great way to find quality products that will last for years.
By shopping at GreenUP, a not-for-profit charity, you know your gift will support the local community. The GreenUP Store at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough carries a curated selection of sustainable products as well as handcrafted goods from over 40 local makers.
Read onward to check out our selection of locally produced gifts for all different occasions and audiences. Shopping at GreenUP this holiday season will directly support these local makers and our proceeds support environmental initiatives in the community.
Sending wishes
GreenUP carries cards and gift packaging that keep local makers and the environment in mind.
Anita Clifford is a local photographer who captures stunning photos of flowers turned into art on cards.
Yuko Miki of the Three Tree Cottage Craft Shop in Toronto creates greeting cards to spread awareness of bird-window collisions in cities like Peterborough.
GreenUP also creates greeting cards with photos of local flora and fauna. By purchasing and sending a GreenUP Ecology Park greeting card, you will directly be supporting climate action programming.
Going loco for local stocking stuffers
GreenUP stocks stocking stuffers from many local makers.
Rena Retallick is the talented maker of RDR Handmade Creations and Pocket Pals — adorable knitted animals that, yes, fit perfectly in your pocket! At under $10, these hand-crafted Peterborough pets are a popular addition to your holiday gift-giving. But hurry, because Rena’s critters (along with her zero-waste mittens) are going quickly.
Based in Curve Lake, Indigenously Infused creates candles that raise awareness of plants used traditionally in Indigenous communities. Plants that have been harvested for these candles — such as Bashkodejiibik (sage), and Wiingashk (sweetgrass) — are described and labelled in Anishinaabemowan. These candles remind us that, this giving season, we can give thanks to the land as well.
GreenUP also carries beeswax candles from local makers, such as from Swift Acres, an apiary based in Apsley. Their jar candles come in delicious scents of pumpkin spice, coffee, and cran-apple crumble. Yes, you will be craving treats.
East City Jewellery in, you guessed it, East City in Peterborough creates gorgeous earrings using copper wire, colourful beads, and gems — it will be difficult to decide which pair to choose.
Pair them with earrings repurposed from beer cans or “Beerings” from local craftswoman Keeterella. Adorn yourself in either option for a holiday party.
Toys and books for the young and young at heart
A love for giving back starts at a young age.
The GreenUP Store carries a wide variety of affordable toys, including puzzles, games, books, and even kid-sized garden tools. These are quality toys that you know will last for years on end.
A must-have book is “The Big Book of Nature Activities” by Peterborough-based environmental advocates, naturalist Drew Monkman and Jacob Rodenburg of Camp Kawartha. This book promotes exploration, appreciation, and connection through hands-on nature activities for kids and their families.
Gifting a sustainable home
GreenUP is currently carrying a selection of ceramic bowls of various sizes and mugs by maker Kristina Albright. The mugs pair nicely with a bag of locally roasted, ethically sourced Rapids End Coffee or locally grown teas from The Medicine Garden.
We also carry gorgeous wood pieces made by local woodworkers Friends of Hope Mill and A New Leaf.
Both artisans hand-make practical and beautiful household items including cutting boards, bowls, and wooden cutlery.
That holiday feeling of giving
With so many amazing products to choose from at the GreenUP Store, you can also purchase gift certificates and give the gift of choice.
What better way to support local than by supporting GreenUP’s holiday giving campaign? Add a donation to your gift. With the funds raised this holiday season, we plan to support safe and accessible programming at Ecology Park.
Visit our friendly staff at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre at 378 Aylmer Street North in downtown Peterborough, who can help you choose the perfect green gift. You can view our selection before shopping in person at shop.greenup.on.ca.
This story was published in partnership with Peterborough GreenUP.
