Christmas
24 Sustainable Secret Santa Ideas For Your Workplace Or Family Gathering
by olivia
December is here and you want to make it one to remember, right? Sometimes it’s as simple as finding the perfect gifts from friends, family and co-workers. While finding a great Secret Santa gift can be a challenge, this year, we encourage you to make a sustainable and thoughtful choice. Your Kris Kringle exchange is an excellent opportunity to show your care for both the recipient and the planet. Here, we present 24 sustainable Secret Santa gifts that will make this Christmas extra special (and level up your gift-giving skills!).
TL;DR: The Complete List of Sustainable Secret Santa Ideas
We all want to be that bit more eco-friendly when it comes to Christmas gifts, and it’s really not as hard as you think to get something valuable and sustainable (oooh!).
This complete list of Secret Santa gift ideas cover:
- Fun Experiences like a paint & sip session at Pinot & Picasso.
- Edibles & Drinkables. Natural and organic foods, of course! Not the edibles you’re thinking…
- Reusable items that will be used beyond Christmas Day.
- Plants for the house and garden to breathe life into your home.
- Organic cosmetics and sustainable apparel for the fashion icons.Â
- Gifts that make a big impact (good for you!).
- Eco-friendly dog gifts for the dog mums or soon-to-be dog parents.
Here are the 24 sustainable gift ideas for every kind of Secret Santa.
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Experiences:
Pinot & Picasso Gift Card
Treat that special someone to a not-so Silent Night at the new paint & sip experience that has hit the UK. We’re talking about Pinot & Picasso (us!). With sip & paint studios in Shoreditch, Brighton and Liverpool, you can buy your Secret Santa an e-gift card that not only gives them a great night out, but the gift card goes straight to their inbox, so you can even buy it on Christmas Eve.
Prices range from £20 to £120, meaning you can choose whatever amount you see fit for your Secret Santa recipient. Either way, they’ll love you for it, trust us.
Movies
A golden oldie gift that is always a great choice for your Secret Santa gifts is a gift voucher to the cinemas. Whether it’s for an office movie buff or for the young ones, there’s always plenty of entertaining films showing all year round at some of the UK’s major and independent cinemas.
Comedy Show
There’s no better gift than laughter, right?! Explore comedy show tickets to find the perfect performance that will tickle your Secret Santa’s funny bone. (Pierre doesn’t do stand-up comedy unfortunately).
Sporting Event
Make your Kris Kringle a part of the action with tickets to a live sporting event. Whether it’s tickets or a voucher, they’ll love that you remembered their favourite football team enough to get them to a game.
Edibles & Drinkables:
Raw and Organic Chocolate
Tired of the same old chocolates and desserts? Treat your eco friendly Secret Santa to delicious and healthy chocolate treats that will leave them feeling fantastic this festive season. Not only can they snack on this treat, they can even use it in a recipe.
Urban Greens
For friends with less-than-green thumbs, consider eco-friendly presents that allow you to grow and enjoy your own produce with help from the natural world. Choose from sprout jars, garden starter kits, or seed balls to kickstart the new year, new you vibe they are going for.
Grow Your Own Tea
Surprise your Secret Santa recipient with a Grow Your Own Tea Kit, featuring flavours like peppermint and chamomile. It’s a delightful addition to any office Christmas celebration and they may even create a tea bag just for you as a thank you.
Homemade Granola
Handmade and delicious, homemade granola is a thoughtful gift that suits all ages and dietary preferences. This Secret Santa gift idea can be vegan friendly too.
Gluten-Free Food
Help your Secret Santa start 2023 on a healthier note with gluten-free food. Whether handmade with love or store-bought, gluten-free treats are a delightful festive surprise.
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Reusable Items:
Bento-Style Lunch Boxes
They are all over TikTok for a good reason. Upgrade your Secret Santa’s lunch game with Bento-style lunch boxes. These dishwasher-safe boxes are perfect for packing tasty meals for work, a picnic or any other day out. With a range of sizes and styles, level up their lunch game with this fun shop.
Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Again, TikTok has made these plastic free gifts a trend in all gift giving guides. Say goodbye to plastic bottles and hello to ethical living with stainless steel water bottles. They’re suitable for water, coffee, beer, wine, and even food. Yes, you read wine and yes, that might be what’s in mine!
Reusable Coffee Cups
Encourage sustainable habits with a stylish and eco-friendly coffee cup. Available in various colours, designs, and sizes, it’s a perfect match for your Secret Santa who loves multiple caffeine hits in a day.
Folding Fabric Shopping Bags
Make grocery shopping eco-friendly and fun with funky fabric shopping bags. Enjoy guilt-free, plastic-free shopping every time with a tote bag that’s good for the planet and reusable.
Metal Straws
Save the environment one sip at a time with metal straws. Plastic straws are out, so why not make an ethical purchase for your Secret Santa – plus it’s easy for wrapping.
Reusable Bags
Bid farewell to disposable plastic bags and give the gift of reusable bags. With a multitude of designs and patterns, they’re perfect sustainable presents for all your friends.
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Plants:
Pot Plants
Explore a collection of pots and plants to find the perfect eco friendly Secret Santa gift. Help them create their own green oasis with a plant in your living room, kitchen, bedroom – their indoor jungle could be started with your great gift.
Organic Cosmetics:
Coconut Oil
Give the gift of radiant skin with organic coconut oil. This product was created to replenish skin for a youthful radiance and glow. Who knew you could turn back time?
Ethical Beauty
From vegan lip balm to your favourite cosmetics, choose ethically made products with eco-friendly packaging for your beauty-loving Secret Santa. There are now so many beauty brands doing good for the environment making it easier for you to give sustainable Secret Santa gifts to your girlfriends.
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Gifts That Make an Impact:
Bee Saver Kit
Spread the joy of saving bees with a Bee Saver Kit. It includes wildflower seeds, guides, and planners to inspire your recipient to contribute to bee conservation. Highly recommend starting your kit when watching the Bee Movie.
Conscious Step Socks
Support a charity this Christmas with socks that represent different causes, allowing your Secret Santa to do a good deed while staying cosy, especially with this winter weather, you can never have too many socks.
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Eco-Friendly Dog Gifts:
Dog Shampoo
Ensure the puppies are getting the love this Christmas with natural or organic dog shampoos that will leave them feel as fluffy and adorable as ever. We know the dogs at the dog park will be jealous.
Compostable Waste Bags
Say no to wasteful plastics and opt for eco-friendly compostable waste bags to help reduce waste this holiday season, including waste from your furry friends.
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Sustainable Apparel:
Sustainable Clothing
Ditch fast fashion and opt for sustainable clothing this Christmas. Choose ethical clothing options that make for a stylish and environmentally friendly gift. Whether it’s a voucher for a local shop that your receiver can visit in person or for online shopping, they’ll enjoy their retail therapy regardless.
Eco Babywear
Being stylish can start from the little bundles of joy too! If there’s a little one joining the family this Christmas or your office co-worker is heading to maternity leave, consider eco babywear as a Secret Santa gift idea. They’ll be happy that they didn’t have to get it themselves.
With these potential Secret Santa gifts, you can make this holiday season more eco-friendly and thoughtful than ever. Whether you choose arty experiences like Pinot & Picasso or more sustainable presents like reusable coffee cups, your Secret Santa is sure to appreciate the care and consideration behind your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What can I say instead of Secret Santa?
The most common term that is used is “Kris Kringle.” But we do like the sound of Secret Santa better.
What’s a good Secret Santa budget?
Secret Santa gifts typically have a low price cap, often around £10–£15 per gift. However, it’s essential to plan for this in your Christmas budget. If you’re on a tight budget, consider homemade gifts or thoughtful gestures like offering to babysit.
How can I be more sustainable around Christmas?
To be more sustainable during the festive season, consider the materials used in gifts, opt for experiences, food, or decorations as gifts, and look for brands that offer e-gift guides and vouchers to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly practices.
Keep in mind materials like recycled or certified sustainable wood and paper and avoid single-use plastics. Choose organic-certified food and clothing when possible. Got that all down? Good luck with your shopping – we know you’ll find the perfect gift!Â
5 Types of Pinot & Picasso Christmas Parties
by olivia
5 Types of Paint and Sip Christmas Parties
The Christmas season may be hectic, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Get arty while you party this festive season with the studio to yourself with your own Christmas party.
Here are the types of Christmas Parties we host at Pinot & Picasso:
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Family Christmas Party
Create a new tradition this Christmas with your family at Pinot & Picasso. Avoid cleaning up on Christmas Day or having relatives stay longer than they said with a three-hour paint and sip session – it’s better than any present Santa can give you. Perfect for all ages, you can bring the little Picassos (six and up recommended!) to your beloved grandparents to enjoy some wholesome family fun with a side of paint.
Friendsmas
Looking for ways to get elfed up with your friends this Christmas? Maybe not that hard, but Pinot & Picasso is the perfect host for Friendsmas. With a fun artist, a delicious variety of drinks, including Black Lines Oatnog, and a funky & festive playlist, a Christmas party with your mates at Pinot & Picasso will have everyone leaving happier than when they arrived.
Work Christmas Parties
Say goodbye to traditional sit-down dinners and enjoy a unique Christmas party with your co-workers. Celebrate, create and sip on cocktails while paying with the work card – nothing sweeter! Create a new piece of art for your office space or enjoy the company of your colleagues before the holiday break.
Chixmas
Isn’t it fun to learn new words? Chixmas, a.k.a. Christmas with your girlfriends, is a fun reason to get together with your girl group during the busy festive period. Create a masterpiece while sipping back on cocktails and talking about the year that was, bad dates and your New Year Resolutions.
End-Of-Year Celebrations
Speaking of New Year Resolutions, if you have friends or family who don’t celebrate, host a more inclusive private party at Pinot & Picasso and say goodbye to the year with an arty twist. With a gallery of over 50 artworks and concepts, including Neon Nights, you’ll find something that will suit everyone.
Make it a December to remember. Book your Christmas party or end-of-year celebrations at Pinot & Picasso today.
Learn How To Hang A Canvas On A Wall With Ease
by lola
Your canvas is complete, your masterpiece is perfection, so naturally you are ready to show it off! But how do you hang your wall art in an easy, no fuss way?
Follow our step by step guide to display your Picasso worthy creations with ease.
What to Consider Before Hanging Your Canvas Art:
Lighting:
You want to show off the beautiful textures, details and colours of your masterpiece, so choosing an area with soft natural lighting is a must! However, direct sunlight hitting the canvas should be avoided as it may fade or discolour artworks over time.
Canvas weight:
Smaller canvas prints (up to 16 x 16 inches) can be easily supported on the wall with a saw tooth bracket attached to the top of the timber frame.
For a larger canvas, wire or string attached to the sides is the way to go as it can bear more weight and offer hanging stability.
Most importantly when choosing your hanging method, purchase hangers that are rated for the weight of your canvas, these are typically easily identified on the packaging!
Wall material:
It is essential to consider your wall material in preparation for hanging your canvas print and clean the surface before you start!
Brick or Concrete
If you are comfortable using a drill, hanging your canvas print will come with relative ease! Some important factors to consider:
- You may need to drill holes in the wall for additional support.
- Measure twice, drill once!
- Both the brick and the mortar which holds the bricks together are suitable to drill into with the right tools, mortar tends to be easier to work with.
- You will need a 1/8 inch masonry drill bit and a masonry screw of the same thickness (or slightly thicker) to screw into the hole.
- A masonry anchor or sleeve may come in handy, these anchoring systems expand when the screw is tightened, providing a stronger hold.
Plaster
Plaster tends to be brittle and is more susceptible to cracking or breaking so drilling a small hole in the and using a plaster screw reduces the risk of damage to your wall.
You will also want to locate a wall stud, this is a piece of timber behind the plaster that you can anchor your screw to. You can pick up an electronic stud finder at the hardware store or try gently knocking along the wall, listen closely and you will hear where the cavity is hollow where there is a stud there will be a higher tone and more solid sound.
Drywall
Drywall is a user friendly surface to hang canvas art and luckily the majority of walls are constructed with this material!
There are a range of quick and straightforward drywall hanging methods that can be tackled with a few simple tools.
The best part is, unless you’re hanging something really heavy, like the weight of a baby Hippo heavy, you don’t even need to find the wall stud to hang your canvas print.
Protecting your wall:
Avoid using too much force when hammering, be careful not to scratch or dent your walls when measuring and mark out pencil lines with a light touch.
You can protect your walls from being scratched or marked by the wooden frame by applying stick on wall protection pads to the back of your canvas print.
What You Will Need to Hang Your Canvas Print:
You have read over all the basic tips on how to hang a canvas, now it’s time to collect your kit.
Head to your local hardware store and get ready to feel like Bob the Builder as you fill your trolley with these essential tools:
- Measuring tape
- Hammer
- Steel wire or art wire/cord
- D rings or sawtooth hanger
- Spirit level
Different Ways to Hang Canvas on a Wall:
Your canvas is ready for its spotlight moment, prepare it for hanging with one of these methods.
Sawtooth hangers:
Sawtooth brackets are perfect for small, lightweight canvas prints and art, easily attached with two small screws to the wooden frame of your artwork.
D-ring hangers:
D rings come in various sizes and shapes with screw holes and screws to attach to your canvas frame. Like sawtooth hangers, these are attached with a screw to the wooden frame and string or wire is added. Take the wire or string and thread it through both D-rings, tie a knot to fasten each end, pulling taut.
Wire or string hanging:
An alternative to D rings is simply stapling wire or string to the wooden frame and tying knots firmly on each end. Standard staple guns can be purchased at your local hardware or craft store and are easy to use, just mind your fingers and make sure to double staple for a firm hold!
Picture hanging adhesive strips:
This invention is perfect for those wanting to hang a smaller canvas print who are more reluctant to grab that drill, change their minds often or are living in a rental property.
Adhesive strips for wall mounting allow you to hang smaller canvases without making holes or leaving sticky residue. They are affordable, super easy to put up and can hold up to 16 pounds.
- Measure and cut strips for all four sides of the canvas.
- Remove the backing and carefully place strips on all four sides.
- Position and firmly stick it to the wall.
FAQ:
How can I maintain my canvas and keep it clean?
Enhance the lifespan of your artworks with a regular Spring clean! The best part is, you don’t need to purchase any special cleaning products to keep those canvas prints looking fine and dandy!
For dust and surface dirt a clean, dry cloth will do the trick. If you have some more heavy residue to take care of, take a slightly damp cloth (using distilled water) and gently wipe over the canvas.
Over time temperature changes may cause your canvas print to sag a little inside of its frame and we have a simple fix!
Fill a clean spray bottle with distilled water and spray a fine mist over the back of the canvas. Leave to dry and notice how it slowly tightens up and pulls itself back into position like magic! Once fully dry, you can hang your clean, newly stretched masterpiece back on the wall.
How can I make sure my canvas art is level without using a spirit level?
A wonky picture on a slight angle is quite distracting but have no fear, there are two surefire hacks to achieving perfectly level picture placement without a spirit level!
#1 Smartphone apps – Bubble level and Spirit Level are free and easy to use, acting as a digital version of a spirit level tool.
#2 Measuring tape – Start from the ceiling and measure down the wall to the top corners of the canvas, adjust your canvas print until both corners are the exact same measurement.
What is the ideal height for hanging canvas prints on the wall?
A general rule is to hang your canvas print on the wall at eye-level, especially if you are planning to hang your masterpiece above a sofa or bed frame.
If you are ready to get fancy and follow Museum guidelines to accurately hang your canvas at eye level follow these basic tips:
- Lay the canvas print on a flat surface and measure from the top left corner to the bottom corner.
- Divide this number by two to find the canvas height centre.
- Add 57 inches (140cm) to this number.
- Measure your total number on the wall starting from the floor up mark with a pencil. This is how high the top of the canvas print needs to be from the floor.
How do I measure out a set of canvas art to hang together?
Hanging a set of wall art doesn’t need to be daunting! Consider these few basic hints to ensure a gallery worthy display:
- Lay out your canvas prints on the floor and decide on the placement. This is where you can get creative ideas flowing, consider which one will be central, do the colours or patterns of each canvas look more complimentary in a particular order?
- Measure out a distance of 2-4 inches between each canvas print.
- Mark each spot on the wall with a pencil.
- The first artwork you hang will be the central focal point of the complete layout and should be hung first, working outwards to hang the remaining canvas prints.
Are there places I should not hang canvas art?
Avoid direct sunlight so those harsh UV rays can’t infiltrate your art!
Rooms that are humid like bathrooms or kitchens tend to have a lot of moisture build up so take this into consideration when choosing the perfect location to hang your canvas.
If you absolutely need to display some awesome canvas art in your bathroom or kitchen, it’s important to apply a protective coating to your canvas to keep out moisture and clean it regularly.
Explore the Different Functions Offered by Pinot & Picasso’s Here!
Pierre Presents… The Christmas Collection
by olivia
Introducing our Christmas Collection!
Pinot & Picasso is going to make it a December to remember with an impressive collection of SIX festive artworks launched exclusively to celebrate Christmas in the UK.
As the newest Christmas party idea and hosting weekly Christmas sip and paint classes to get people into the festive mood, there will be plenty of opportunity for Londoners, Brightonians and Liverpudlians to find their cheer.Â
The collection includes an EXCLUSIVE release of two round canvas designs that will become a part of the Christmas decorations for sure – it’ll look stunning on the mantelpiece.Â
With cheeky and iconic holiday characters too, Pinot & Picasso will introduce family-friendly paint and sip classes where the little Picassos can join in on the festive fun.Â
See our Christmas Collection below!Â