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| This wrapping/photo was created using recycled materials, left-over paper, and a handmade bow from a local artist. |
Dear confused gift-giver,
Chances are you've been linked to this article by someone on your Christmas list. Whether you’re a conscious consumer or purchasing for someone who is, it can be especially frustrating to shop for someone with niche interests related to kawaii culture. Christmas is a stressful time of year for many, but this gift guide should help you find the perfect, budget-friendly gift for the kawaii person in your life.
I have split the list into five categories to help skimmers quickly find suggestions that fit their sustainability priorities. These are:
- Second-hand
- DIY
- Virtual goods
- Reusable replacements for disposals
- Small and/or local businesses
Please note that none of these categories or items are going to be 100% sustainable. I wrote this list hoping to provide suggestions encompassing a variety of values. If there is one take-away message from this list, it’s that the gift doesn’t have to be perfectly sustainable, as long as it’s following a path you believe in.
Second-hand
Buying and gifting second-hand means you are prolonging the usage phase of an item in good condition. This discourages the overproduction of new items, reduces waste going to landfill, and is also a way to enjoy a product from an unsustainable brand without financially supporting them.
- Bag
When purchasing fashion items second-hand, finding something that fits the person you’re buying for is very tricky, especially if you want your gift to be a surprise. Hence why I recommend you find a cute and functional bag second-hand. I recommend browsing vintage stores, visiting second-hand markets, or seeing what’s local on Depop. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the types of bags your kawaii someone likes, but also get them something distinct from the rest of their collection.
- Pre-owned game or DVD
Kawaii culture often includes games, anime, and foreign films. However, the manufacturing of discs and disc boxes does have a negative affect on the environment. Pre-owned discs are a cheaper and more sustainable option, and they’re easily found at your local gaming and/or DVD store. Alternatively, you could gift your recipient a virtual copy of a game, which is just as good as buying secondhand.
- Pre-owned magazine or manga
These can easily be purchased online from stores like Abe Books and Ebay. Everyone in the j-fashion community knows about and loves street snap magazines like Kera and Fruits, and now that they have discontinued (at least in print), they’re a more valuable collector’s item than ever before. Furthermore, kawaii lifestylers often adore magical girl manga like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, so be on the look out for those too.
DIY
Everyone loves a good gift made from the heart. There’s something special about receiving an item made with your individual self in mind. The most sustainable part about DIY is it’s a great opportunity to recycle materials, and by making it yourself, you know that it was made ethically.
- Homemade jam
One of my favourite suggestions on the list. Everyone knows that kawaii fashionistas often like their berries and sweet foods. For this gift you can support a local farmer by purchasing fruit from them, and also recycle an old jar which you can easily cute-ify with a ribbon. Homemade jam is tastier than store-bought, and you can tailor it to your recipient’s tastes too.
- Upcycled jacket/t-shirt
Okay, so you know how kawaii battle jackets are a thing? The most extravagant ones with the pins and patches might be pricey to create, but with a cheap, thrifted denim jacket, some fabric paint, some fabric scraps, and maybe a little embroidery thread, I’m sure you can throw together something special. I recommend you go for an over-sized silhouette to ensure it fits your recipient.
- Jewellery
Plenty of people in the kawaii fashion community love handmade jewellery, and many of them enjoy interacting with and forming a bond with the artist. Jewellery is easy to make and personalise for your special person. As a sustainable bonus, if you or anyone you know has any unwanted jewellery, you could take it apart and up-cycle it into something new.
Virtual Goods
This category best suits those long distance relationships with your loved ones, but is also ideal for niche gifts that don't involve the financial and environmental cost of shipping. While you might not be able to wrap these gifts to hand to someone directly, that shouldn’t make these gifts any less meaningful.
- Art commission
Kawaii people love kawaii art, and there are plenty of independent digital artists on DeviantArt and Tumblr begging for commissions. If you commission someone for a meaningful piece of artwork, not only will you make your recipient’s Christmas, but the artist’s as well. As a bonus tip, you could print out the art and frame it, or even iron-transfer it to a thrifted shirt (but this would use ink and plastic which might be a dealbreaker for some sustainability enthusiasts).
- Photo-editing app
Chances are your kawaii fashionista loves taking pictures of their outfits and posting them to social media. Many of them employ cute photo-editing apps like Snapseed and PrincessCam to achieve an extra-kawaii aesthetic. You can gift someone a paid app from the App Store, or gift them in-app money for them to use. For some app recommendations, check out this blogpost by Victoria Suzanne.
- Anime streaming subscription
Plenty of people interested in kawaii culture were introduced to it through anime, so naturally an anime streaming subscription seems like an awesome gift idea. If they already have a streaming service, you could get them a different one with a different catalogue, or you could pay for the next month or two of their preferred subscription. Alternatively, you could purchase a digital copy of a show they expressed interest in watching or one you think they’d like.
Reusable Replacements for Disposables
We are constantly surrounded by disposable items that don't have to be disposable. Reusable replacements are not only inexpensive, but they’re often more aesthetic. Make your recipient excited about their reusable items, and it they’ll be unlikely to forget them when they go out and about. The planet will thank you both if you gift one of the following.
- Straw and cup
While I believe that the anti-straw movement has its flaws (especially regarding disability inclusion), no doubt disposable straws aren’t a necessity for everyone, and neither are disposable cups. There are plenty of cute and aesthetic reusable cup and straw designs, like my beloved Pusheen one (that I bought second hand).
- Portable cutlery set
Whether eating out or having a homemade lunch at work or uni, it’s always handy to have a portable cutlery set on one’s person at all times. Your special someone deserves a cute cutlery set that not only has a fork and spoon (and maybe a knife), but also a pair of chopsticks, given how popular and integral Asian cuisine is to kawaii culture.
- Reusable shopping bag
Perhaps a more obvious suggestion but definitely a favourite that cannot go unmentioned. Disposable plastic shopping bags are hardly aesthetic, but reusable shopping bags come in so many cute varieties. You could buy one, make one, thrift one, or upcycle one, and you can get them from small businesses too. While this list is about inexpensive gifts, if you’re willing to splurge on your special someone, might I recommend the adorable totes from Clean The Label’s zero waste collection?
Small and/or Local Businesses
’Tis the season to be giving, so why not give to a small, local business too? These businesses will appreciate your patronage far more than any larger corporation would, so why not support them? Small, local businesses are often more invested in their local community and boy do they treasure their regulars. Gifting someone something from a local business is like gifting them a piece of the community, and there isn't much more meaningful than that.
- Handmade accessories
There are so many accessory-focused small brands now-a-days, and your recipient is bound to have a few local favourites. Handmade accessories from these brands are great because you can be sure that they’re made with love and care. And if a crafter knows your recipient, they might help you pick something out. Ask a few of your recipient’s kawaii friends what the best small businesses are and purchase something sweet.
- Cat cafe cuddle session
These fun places are definitely not exclusive to Japan, and most kawaii culture lovers adore the iconic concept of the cat cafe. With a quick online search, you could either book a session at a local cat cafe for your recipient or the both of you. Alternatively, you could get them a coupon for a free session, paid for by you. If they don’t offer the latter option on their website, you could email the cafe and arrange something. Best of all, most cat cafes function as rescues, so you’ll also be supporting a great cause.
- Donation to charity
I’ll admit, I’m using the term “business” very loosely here. Kindness is a kawaii trait, and like most people, kawaii people often have causes they believe in. It might be cat rescue, queer rights, sustainable fashion, or feminism. What ever it is, imagine how flattered your loved one would be to know that they inspired you to donate to a cause in their name.
I hope you found at least one of these suggestions helpful. For more kawaii gift-giving inspiration, check out these links:
- ‘The Ultimate Lolita-Meets-Holidays Gift Guide’ by Victoria Suzanne (blogpost)
- ’70 Gift Ideas for a Sweet Lolita’ by Princess Peachie (YouTube video)
- ‘Finding the right sustainable gift’ by CLEANAWAY (blogpost)
If you're a hopeful recipient of kawaii and sustainable gifts, be sure to share this list with anyone whom you think might be at a loss for what to get you for Christmas (or any other occasion).
Did you like what you read? You might also enjoy '6 Tips for Alternative Fashionistas to Shop Smarter'.
For blogpost alerts and other kawaii content, be sure to follow me on Instagram.
Question of the Week: Do you have something to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below or tell me on social media.
Did you like what you read? You might also enjoy '6 Tips for Alternative Fashionistas to Shop Smarter'.
For blogpost alerts and other kawaii content, be sure to follow me on Instagram.
Question of the Week: Do you have something to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below or tell me on social media.
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