Where would be without friends? They keep us sane. Especially during life changing moments. Getting married is one of the most exciting, and stressful, occasions in life. Bridesmaids (and groomsmen) are the people closest to us, who support us and send us off on the new chapter. So it’s only fitting to let them know how much they mean with a gift.

Bridesmaid proposals are becoming increasingly popular, and when I was getting married, I really wanted to let my friends know how much they meant. But I also didn’t want to create excess waste or give them things they wouldn’t use or enjoy. So here are six easy ways that you can make your bridesmaid or groomsmen proposal boxes more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Ethical candles

A common gift is candles, but most of the candles we can buy are made with paraffin wax which is really bad for you and the environment. A better alternative is soya wax, coconut wax or beeswax. It’s even better to buy candles from a local or small business owner – they may be slightly more expensive, but they’re definitely worth it. I got candles from Brownstone London which are with natural soya and rapeseed wax, and hand poured in the UK – so the carbon emissions are fewer and the wax is safer to burn.

Sustainable chocolate

No gift is complete without something sweet, but instead of going for the usual plastic wrapped chocolates, look for an alternative! There are lots of vegan chocolates and sweets in reusable packaging (like Candy Kittens, which I’m obsessed with). And there are lots of chocolate brands that use fairtrade, sustainable cocoa. I gave my friends Tony’s Chocolonely bars because their chocolate tastes amazing, is fairtrade, and they fight hard to end slave trade in cocoa farming.

Biodegradable cards and notes

Of course, you have to include a note with your gift! Tell the people you care about, just how much you care! And also include any details for the wedding day and lead up to it. A handwritten, personalised note is something that your friends will probably keep for a long time. But if they aren’t sentimental, and if we remember that everything we purchase comes to end, then biodegradable or plantable cards are the perfect choice. I can’t find the exact same ones that I bought, but here are some on Etsy that are extremely similar!

Handmade and items to reuse

If you’re crafty, then why not make something that they’ll love? Hair scrunchies, jewellery, ceramics and bags can be relatively straightforward to make. They don’t need to be overly complicated; simple is often best. I made small jewellery pouches in gold that were really easy to make. These bags can be used to store jewellery (which is what I put in them!) and matched the gold/red theme for the wedding too.

Neutral accessories

If you do want to get something for your friends to wear, then consider something neutral rather than colourful. We all have different tastes when it comes to accessories and clothing, but you can’t go wrong with something plain. More neutral jewellery for the wedding day, for example, can easily be worn again with a different outfit. I opted for a jewellery set that’s gold, which most of my friends will wear again or can resell! This wasn’t the most sustainable item of the bunch, but that’s fine; not everything we do and want is eco friendly!

Avoid ‘bridesmaid’ labels

It’s really unlikely anyone would wear something that says ‘bride’, ‘maid of honour’ or ‘bridesmaid’ again (unless they’re PJs!). So try not to be tempted by readymade bridesmaid boxes that are filled with glasses, flip flops and gowns that say ‘bridesmaid’ or ‘maid of honour’. Items like these are basically suitable for a day and then end up in the back of a cupboard or a charity shop! I really wanted to get my friends something wedding related, so I opted for brass bangles with their names engraved, and on the underside, the date of the wedding. They all still wear them!

But remember, not everything can be sustainable! That’s totally okay, it’s all about doing our best as much as we can. If you want some more inspiration for bridesmaid boxes, check out my Instagram for all the details of what I used.