Is gifting time a more solarpunk way to Christmas?

We explore the pros and cons of this approach

[Solarpunk snowglobe? IMAGE: @GoodWivesAndWarriors for @xrwordsmiths]

“So can I volunteer you to work in a salt mine?” My cousin said when I proposed my alternative Christmas idea of gifting time instead of socks. I didn’t feel he’d quite taken on the spirit of what I was suggesting.

It highlighted one of the challenges of trying to do Christmas differently. To make it less an orgy of over consumption and more about quality experiences that tread more lightly on the earth.

[Crap you don’t want - not just for Christmas - it’s for landfill IMAGE: The Simpsons]

Is it more solarpunk to cut down on presents at Christmas time? Let’s take a look.

No time like the present, no present like time

Research has shown most people value enjoyable experiences with friends and family more than physical presents. Especially if those ‘gifts’ are just some rubbish you’ve bought at the supermarket checkout on Christmas Eve.

Experiences like cooking food, visiting a quirky local heritage site, doing a pickling class or accompanying them to that movie no one else wants to watch – the possibilities are endless.

[You could team up for some food growing as your Xmas gift IMAGE: May Project Gardens]

An alternative is to sign a pre-NUPP. This stands for No Unnecessary Present Pact. Nell Frizzell has written in the Guardian that her family don’t do Christmas gifts at all (with some minor exceptions) and how much better it’s been for them.

There are obvious benefits to the planet from this approach in terms of polluting less. Other upsides include saving each other the time of getting a physical gift. As Frizell says there’s no need to spend December enduring the muzak and crowds at shopping centres, or wrapping gifts.

[Saving carbon as well as time IMAGE: Katie Rodriguez via Unsplash]

There are some things to bear in mind before going for this approach;

Time is Relative

Not everyone has time to burn like it's going out of style. Make sure your giftee is on board for an adventure and not secretly dreaming of a cozy night in with a tub of popcorn.

Time Machine Equality

Some people might see time gifts as a privilege. Keep it real and make sure your time shenanigans are inclusive, accessible, and free of any weird time-traveling elitism.

Cultural "Presence"

Before you ditch the stockings, make sure your family isn't too attached to the idea of tangible gifts. Respect traditions, unless you want Great-Aunt Mildred to give you the side-eye all through Christmas dinner.

[Yo ho ho for re-usable Christmas decorations IMAGE: Libby Penner via Unsplash]

Ultimately it’s up to you and whoever your midwinter crew are to decide what works. As long as you don’t end up getting sent down a salt mine.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever tried doing anything like this for Christmas? Would you be up for trying one of these alternatives? Or something else? Let us know in the comments below.

See you in 2024

We’re going to take a little break for Christmas. We look forward to resuming our usual fortnightly updates with you in the new year. Have a great holiday season however you celebrate it :)

[A merry solarpunk Christmas to you! IMAGE: Popongo Etsy Store]

Until Next Time

That's all for this update. If you like what we’re trying to do here and know someone else who might do too then please like, comment and share. 

See you in the sunshine,

Alex Holland

Founder, SolarPunk Stories