How do you choose a sustainable Christmas gift for a child?

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important as raw materials become scarcer. But what does "sustainable" actually mean? If you Google it, you'll find the following:

Sustainable means, among other things, 'produced or obtained in a way that has the least possible impact on the environment and nature', 'relatively environmentally friendly', 'resource-saving'.

This means you can make a sustainable choice in many ways when looking for a Christmas gift for your child this year. Here are my tips for a sustainable Christmas gift.

Choose toys that last a long time

Choose an item made of durable materials that will last a long time (10+ years). This means that as long as your child plays with it, it's unlikely to break. And when your child outgrows it, you can still pass it on or sell it to another child. Sustainable because the product doesn't need to be remanufactured, yet it can be used by multiple children.

Toys can also last a long time because they grow with your child. Sometimes you have ready-made toys. You click a button, and lights flash and music plays. But that's all your child can do with them. Chances are your child will quickly get tired of them or outgrow them, as the possibilities are limited. It's better to choose toys that grow with your child, such as open-ended toys. These are toys that leave room for your child's imagination. Think of play silk, a Wobbel, beanbags, wooden blocks, etc.

Or choose toys that are produced in an environmentally friendly way

What are the toys made of? Plastic is generally not very environmentally friendly. But these days, there are more and more alternatives to plastic. Or is it plastic like Lego or Duplo? If you've saved those from your own childhood, they still look great. But a trinket from Action is a different story. The demand for wooden toys is also growing, but what kind of wood is used? These days, there are many brands that produce wooden toys and are committed to forest conservation. Check the manufacturer's website. If they're environmentally conscious, they'll certainly mention this on their products.

Where are the toys produced?

Many toys are imported from outside Europe, which is very harmful to the environment. Choose toys produced within Europe, or even better, in the Netherlands. The shorter the distance, the better for the environment.

Buy local

If you've found a toy that would be perfect for your child, see if anyone in your area sells it. There are plenty of online stores and smaller toy shops these days. This might take a little more time, but you'll be doing the environment and a small business a world of good. And if you pick it up yourself, the mail carriers won't have to make one less trip to your house.

Or buy second hand
This might also take a little more time, but you get so much more for your money. Our children always get a few secondhand gifts for Sinterklaas or Christmas. I also like to keep an eye on Marktplaats or Vinted for things my children need. I buy a lot of clothes and toys through these websites. If I have something specific in mind, I create a search alert on Marktplaats. This way, I get notified when someone nearby posts an ad with my search term. For example, I really wanted to buy and paint an Ikea kitchen. But instead of buying a new one, I searched Marktplaats for an affordable secondhand one. My daughter got a super nice kitchen for a third of the retail price. Don't forget the Kringloop (thrift store). You can find some great thrift store finds there too.

Or buy a toy-free gift

A toy-free gift? I think every parent agrees that their children have too many toys. So why not buy them something they need that isn't a toy? We sometimes give them new pajamas, a great book, or rain boots for Christmas. Trust me, the kids are just as happy with these. And they don't disappear into the stackable toys they already have.

Now you can choose a gift that meets all these criteria. But if you consider one of these sustainable choices, the world will already be a little cleaner. A better world starts with you, and take small steps.

In my webshop, I sell handmade open-ended toys. I prefer to source the materials I need for this in the Benelux region. I make toys that children will play with for years, like the fun sensory beanbags . They offer countless possibilities.
Plus, they're made in the Netherlands, filled with natural materials, and made of eco-friendly fabric. Because they can be used in so many ways , they'll grow with your little one. Check, check, double-check! A perfect sustainable Christmas gift for your child.