Our thinking

A sustainable secret santa

8 November, 2024

As the Halloween decorations come down, retailers are quick to urge us to start the Christmas shopping. And, like clockwork, the annual work Secret Santa email has probably already hit your inbox, sparking the usual dilemma of finding a gift for that hard-to-shop-for colleague. The pressure to buy things people might not need (or want) can feel a little un-festive—not to mention the toll it takes on the environment. So why not try something new this year and make Secret Santa less wasteful and more fun? 

To provide you with some inspiration, Today Do This has released a practical 10-point guide for a sustainable Secret Santa this year. It’s full of clever tips for making gift exchanges thoughtful, memorable, and planet-friendly. Ideas include gifting only pre-loved or upcycled items, starting a book swap that turns into a year-round office library, organising a ‘reverse advent calendar’ to collect items for a local food bank, or donating to a charity in your recipient’s name. The UK environmental charity Hubbub is also advocating for a “Second-Hand Santa” policy, encouraging companies to swap brand-new buys for pre-loved treasures.  

At Good Business, we’ve embraced “handmade or preloved” Secret Santas for years, and the results have been fantastic. Some of the most cherished gifts include a retro Arsenal top from Oxfam, a handcrafted magnetic bottle opener, and a tin mug that’s become a desk staple. 

This year, let’s make our gifts kinder to the planet and kinder on the wallet. Second-Hand Santa isn’t just a thoughtful gesture— it’s a small yet impactful step toward a more sustainable holiday season. 

By Charlotte Pounder