Why trees are the perfect sustainable Christmas gift for businesses
It’s that time again “the most wonderful time of the year,” as Andy Williams sang. Offices smell like cinnamon, inboxes are full of Secret Santa emails, and suddenly everyone’s a wrapping expert.
But let’s be honest, Christmas gifting can get out of hand.
Every year, Europe spends billions on corporate and personal gifts, around €5.3 billion, to be exact (Cognitive Market Research). From bottles of wine to branded notebooks and tech gadgets, it’s a flurry of generosity that keeps warehouses, trucks, and printers busy for months.
The problem? Not all those gifts actually bring joy.
Studies show that 40–50 % of gifts go unused, re-gifted, or simply tossed aside. And when you add up all the boxes, paper, tape, and packaging, it’s no surprise that the EU generated 83.4 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2022, that’s 186 kg per person, every year (Eurostat). The holidays give those numbers a not-so-merry boost.
We love gifting. It builds connection, appreciation, and joy. But there’s something special about rethinking what we gift, and how it can go beyond that short-lived “thank you” moment.
The gifting paradox
Think about it: your company spends months preparing end-of-year packages, designing boxes, picking items, shipping everything out, only for many gifts to be forgotten by January. It’s effort without long-term meaning.
Now imagine if a small part of that same budget could literally take root.
This isn’t about replacing your company’s gifts. Keep the chocolates, keep the branded water bottles (we know they look good). But adding a digital tree gift changes everything.
Each tree you gift supports real-world regreening, restoring degraded land, improving soil, and bringing biodiversity back. It’s not abstract or symbolic. Every tree is part of a verified project run by trusted partners working directly with local communities.
And the best part? It’s digital. No packaging, no transport, no waste, just a link that connects your recipient to their living tree, complete with updates and photos over time. It’s a gift that keeps growing, quite literally.
Why this matters more than ever
The gifting industry is evolving fast. Clients and employees are more eco-aware than ever, and HR teams are being asked: “Can we do something greener this year?”
Tree gifting answers that question beautifully. It fits neatly into existing traditions while adding genuine impact. Imagine your company’s Christmas package arriving with a small card or QR code saying:
“We planted a tree in your name. Because good gifts grow.”
It’s simple, heartfelt, and sustainable, everything modern gifting should be.
Plus, it sparks curiosity. Recipients love tracking their trees, learning about the ecosystems they’re helping to restore, and sharing their impact with others. It’s not just a gift; it’s a conversation starter that lasts.
Let’s face it: the world doesn’t need another branded power bank or novelty mug. But it does need more green spaces, fertile soil, and thriving biodiversity.
Trees cool the planet, restore water cycles, and provide shelter and resources for countless species. And because digital tree gifts don’t require manufacturing or shipping, their carbon footprint is close to zero, while their impact on the ground is measurable and long-lasting.
When your company adds trees to its gift list, you’re not just giving something nice, you’re joining a global movement to bring life back to degraded land.
So this year, do the classic gifts but add a twist.
Include a digital tree in your employee or client package. Make it part of your brand’s story of care.
Because in the end, Christmas is about connection, not clutter.
The best gifts don’t end up under a tree.
They become one.
One click, one tree. It’s that simple.
Discover our latest news
