Your nephew has three gaming consoles. Your sister’s kitchen gadget drawer won’t close. Your best mate recently had a big declutter and donated half their possessions to Vinnies.

More families across Ginninderry are discovering that the most meaningful presents aren’t bought off shelves, they’re created through experiences, crafted by local hands, or offered through your time and care. This Christmas, here’s how to give gifts that build connection, support our community, and lighten our environmental footprint.

Choosing experiences over physical gifts 

Can you remember what you got for Christmas five years ago? Probably not. But that amazing concert you went to? The cooking class where everything went hilariously wrong? Those moments stick with you forever. When we gift experiences, we’re giving memories, stories, and genuine moments of joy that last far longer than any gadget ever could.

Right on our doorstep, Strathnairn Arts is an absolute treasure trove of workshop experiences. Picture gifting your mum a pottery class where she’ll get her hands delightfully muddy, shaping clay, or treating your teenage niece to a jewellery-making session where she creates something she’ll actually want to wear. These aren’t just activities, they’re afternoons of discovery, new skills, and that brilliant satisfaction that comes from making something beautiful with your own hands.

For the nature lovers in your life, perhaps a guided nature walk through the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor. Our 10-kilometre network of walking tracks is stunning in every season, and experiencing it with a knowledgeable guide transforms a simple stroll into a fascinating journey through local flora, fauna, and the rich cultural significance of this remarkable landscape.

Memberships are another thoughtful gift idea. A membership to the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra Museum and Gallery, or local conservation groups means your gift keeps on giving all year round. 

Supporting local makers and artists

Here’s something special about buying from local artists and makers – you’re not just purchasing a product, you’re supporting someone’s dream, keeping traditional crafts alive, and doing your bit for the environment by skipping all that overseas shipping.

Strathnairn Arts is home to incredibly talented local artists working in studios where you can actually watch the magic happen. Handmade ceramics, original paintings, unique jewellery, gorgeous textile art – each piece carries the story of its maker and the countless hours of skill and love poured into it. These aren’t mass-produced items you’ll spot in everyone’s homes; they’re individual works of art that become genuine family heirlooms.

The most precious gift: your time

Let’s talk about something that might just revolutionise your gift-giving: time vouchers. In our crazy-busy lives, time has become our most valuable commodity. That’s what makes time-based gifts so incredibly meaningful – you’re offering something genuinely precious.

Think about creating vouchers for services that would genuinely help someone:

• An afternoon of gardening help for elderly neighbours or those frazzled parents juggling toddlers
• Babysitting vouchers that give exhausted parents a proper date night (they’ll love you forever)
• Home-cooked meals delivered when life gets hectic
• Patient tech support for family members wrestling with devices
• Pet-sitting for neighbours planning trips away
• Finally tackling that household project that keeps getting pushed to “next weekend”.

The presentation matters too

Sustainable gift-giving extends to how you wrap things up (see what we did there?). Instead of single-use wrapping paper that mostly ends up in landfill, why not try:

• Reusable fabric wraps using the Japanese furoshiki technique (it’s easier than it sounds, honestly)
• Brown paper decorated with natural bits like gum leaves or dried flowers
• Beautiful gift bags that can be passed around for years
• For experience gifts, create gorgeous handmade vouchers or cards that become keepsakes themselves.

Your presents will look unique and thoughtful, rather than identical to everyone else’s under the tree.

This Christmas, let’s give gifts that build connection, support our community, and tread lightly on the environment. It’s a tradition worth starting – and we reckon it’ll make the festive season feel more meaningful for everyone involved.

Ready to give it a go?

For information about workshops and locally made art, visit Strathnairn Arts or drop by their studios. To explore the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor and learn about guided walk opportunities, visit the Ginninderry Conservation Trust website or pop into The Link for a chat.