Summer in Nova Scotia is always jam-packed with events – weddings, anniversaries, garden parties, and other social gatherings – weekends are often quite full! Hospitality is very much alive and well in Nova Scotia, and I like to uphold tradition by arriving with a small gift for the host or guest of honour.

A thank-you-for-having-me gift really doesn’t need to be fancy or fussy. Something edible, seasonal, or homemade is always nice. It becomes an even more thoughtful gesture when you consider the interests and style of the recipient or the theme of the party.

I would like to share with you some of my favourite zero-waste, plastic free gift ideas. A zero waste summer gift guide to make showing your appreciation to someone even easier.  These are perfect for summer gatherings, but most of these gifts could be given year-round.

Locally sourced drinks

Showing up to a party with a nice bottle of something to drink is always appropriate and easy for last-minute invitations. Plus, we have so many great local beverage options in Lunenburg County!

If your host enjoys wine, you could bring a bottle a blueberry, honey, or cherry wine from Lunenburg County Winery. Or maybe a crisp rosé or sparkling fruit wine from Petite Riviere Vineyards? (Take a tour of this gorgeous winery with Jen in this post.)

If your host prefers cocktails, you could always impress them with a bottle of small-batch handcrafted spirits from Ironworks Distillery. We featured Ironworks in our Lunenburg Love Holiday Gift Guide.  Try the organic blackberry liqueur or dry gin infused with Nova Scotia juniper berries and wild rose hips.

If a non-alcoholic gift would be more appropriate, you could fill a growler of Goodmore Kombucha from Fisherman’s Picnic General Store in Lunenburg – they feature a rotation of flavours on tap, like Haskap and Black Lavender Sage.

Fresh flowers or potted plants

I like to take a cutting from one of my favourite houseplants (I have one in particular that everyone admires). For friends who love gardening, I might divide a favourite perennial herb or flower and pot it up in a terra-cotta, ceramic, or bamboo pot. Plants are simple and always appreciated.

Who does love to be treated with fresh flowers? There are new florists popping up all over the place lately. One of my personal favourites is Meguma Meadows. You can find their gorgeous bouquets in plastic-free packaging at West Dublin Market and Hubbards Farmers’ Market. I received a gorgeous terrarium by Meguma Meadows for my birthday from a dear friend and I love it – I bet your friends would too. 😉

Another idea is to pop by Sprig Apothecary in Mahone Bay. In their lovely shop, you can choose from a variety of succulents and air plants and create a unique and beautiful zero-waste gift. Their talented staff will help you out!

Fresh baked bread

Bring a loaf of fresh bread to a dinner party or potluck and I guarantee it will be gobbled up! A few local bakeries sell their fresh bread in paper bags or will pop it in your own cloth bag. Ploughman’s Lunch in West Dublin, Boulangerie La Vendéenne  in Mahone Bay, and the Lunenburg Farmers’ Market are all zero-waste friendly options.

You could bring any tasty treat you think your host might enjoy, just follow my tips for Zero-Waste Food Shopping.

Olive oil & vinegar

What goes better with fresh bread than olive oil and vinegar to dip it in? A bottle of high quality olive oil would also make a lovely gift on its own.

Visit Shop on the Corner in Lunenburg to sample a variety of delicious pure and flavoured olive oils and balsamic vinegars at the Liquid Gold tasting bar. How about Tuscan herb oil with Sicilian Lemon White Balsamic? Yum!

Homemade treats

Honestly, I think the best gifts are homemade. I would be so touched if someone bought me a delicious treat that they made themselves. Foraged berries, a jar of strawberry jam, fresh garden flowers, a fresh-baked pie, or anything you love to make and share.

You could make a batch of granola with dried fruit and nuts and present it in a mason jar with a glass jar of local buffalo yogurt from Ploughman’s Lunch. Wouldn’t this make a nice breakfast for a host the next morning?

For dog owners, you could bake some homemade pet treats. Again, a mason jar is a simple and lovely to keep treats fresh.

Zero Waste Gift Wrapping

Whatever the gift, presentation is everything – and zero waste gift wrapping can be simple and beautiful.

Fresh flowers can be wrapped simply in newspaper, reused wrapping paper, or brown packing paper. Mason jars can hold practically anything, and are easily prettied up with a sprig of lavender and natural twine. A cloth bag or reused gift bag works just fine. A thrifted wicker basket would be very sweet and useful, too.

Another zero waste wrap I love is the Japanese technique of Furoshiki. I like to use a silky scarf (thrift stores are a great source for these), a linen napkin, or even a cotton dishcloth. Learn how to wrap your gifts Furoshiki style here. http://www.canadianliving.com/section/video/1907679901001

I hope you enjoyed this zero waste summer gift guide. What host gift would you love to give or receive this summer? Share them here – we would love to hear your ideas!

Margaret Hoegg is a writer, editor, and sustainability advocate on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. She muses on food, minimalism, homesteading, mental health, family, and more over on her blog dulse and maple and on Instagram @dulseandmaple or @margaretannehoegg.