Tips on gifting more sustainably in Kent
From shopping small, crafting, and re-gifting more people across Kent are thinking about how to be greener this merry season. Daisy Page went to Canterbury to talk to local businesses and find out more.
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00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 As Christmas festivities light up
00:04 the Canterbury High Street,
00:05 the search for the right present begins.
00:07 But one in five presents will make their way
00:09 to landfill this holiday season.
00:12 Shopping locally can be a great way to find a unique gift,
00:15 but how does it help the owners?
00:17 I think a lot more people are shopping locally.
00:19 I think they're wanting more handmade,
00:22 something bespoke, something a bit more special.
00:24 And it supports our towns
00:27 because a lot of the towns are dying out a little bit
00:30 where there's boarded up shops.
00:32 And I think if more people shop locally
00:34 and there was more little businesses,
00:36 maybe those shops would be filled.
00:37 Handmade presents and locally sourced ciders
00:40 are just a few gifts you can find
00:41 in Canterbury High Street this December.
00:43 I spoke with local businesses to see
00:45 if shopping locally can be more sustainable.
00:47 Ourselves and the other traders here,
00:49 we try and source as local as possible.
00:51 Our beers that we have on here and our ciders
00:54 are all produced in East Kent and local to Canterbury.
00:56 Same with our spirits that we sell.
00:58 And I think if you shop local,
01:00 not only is there less carbon footprint
01:02 of those products traveling here,
01:04 but you're also supporting individuals like myself
01:06 and my colleagues that actually live here.
01:09 So there is a real opportunity for sustainability
01:11 if you come in our shop.
01:13 If you don't have time to visit
01:14 your local Christmas fair this year,
01:16 why not try a craft yourself?
01:18 This year, I received a beautifully handcrafted set of trees.
01:22 If art is not your style, why not try a regifting?
01:25 Books make a great present that can be passed on each year.
01:29 Now we've visited some local shops,
01:30 how do we wrap our gifts eco-friendly?
01:33 Each year, nearly 2,027 miles of wrapping paper
01:36 will be thrown away.
01:37 Instead, why not try brown paper, a scarf, or a tea towel?
01:41 And for an extra festive touch, add some ribbon.
01:44 But a question still remains.
01:46 Do people like receiving handmade gifts?
01:48 I don't receive as many anymore,
01:50 but I still like to give them.
01:52 I like receiving them.
01:53 I would like to give them,
01:55 but I just don't have time to make them.
01:57 But when I do have time, it's a lovely thing to do.
02:00 Well, it's not something I've done too often,
02:02 but I guess if I started to do something like that,
02:05 to give and to receive,
02:06 I think it's rather a nice gesture, don't you?
02:09 Shopping, crafting, or regifting,
02:11 what will you be doing this Christmas?
02:13 Daisy Page for KMTV.