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The holiday season is finally here! I love this time of year because I love to decorate my home, buy gifts, and spend time with my family all while still trying to be sustainable and eco-friendly.
Do you have someone who loves natural ingredients, less plastic, and ditching single-use items? The good news is that finding the perfect gift for them doesn’t have to be difficult!
By using this sustainable gift guide, you can find the perfect gift for them.
What Are Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Gifts?
The definition of sustainable is, “of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.”
Sustainable and eco-friendly gifts do not harm the environment or natural resources to be produced or disposed of. They are made of sustainable materials. They are reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable.
Related Post: A Simple Gift Guide for the Gardener in Your Life
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Gifts
Are you looking for a great gift for the eco-friendly person in your life? Keep reading to find the perfect one!
Reusable Coffee Cup
Reusable coffee cups are the perfect option for someone who loves coffee and loves living a more sustainable lifestyle. This bamboo coffee cup is so cute and the perfect addition to their favorite coffee accessories!
This bamboo coffee cup is so cute and the perfect addition to their favorite coffee accessories!
Reusable Water Bottle
Reusable water bottles are perfect for cutting out plastic bottles. Plastic water bottles are such a huge problem. An eco-friendly advocate is sure to love one of these! It also has a reusable straw.
If you’d like to get them a glass bottle- I recommend these! They are perfect for all kinds of liquids including water.
Reusable Bag
Plastic bags are horrible for the environment and your eco-friendly friend knows that! Reusable bags can be so fun and cute.
Pick out the perfect one to match their personality and surprise them!
Diffuser
A diffuser is a wonderful gift! They are a great addition to any bedroom, bathroom, or home.
There are many benefits to running a diffuser with essential oils in your home.
Essential Oils
Essential oils pair well with a diffuser. They are also great for use around the home.
Natural Bath and Body Care
Most women (and some men, too!) love to use bath bombs, bath salts, and more to make their time in the bath more relaxing. They also love to put on lotion that smells fabulous once they get out to keep their skin soft and smooth.
What better gift than some natural bath and body care items?
Moonglow Minerals magnesium-infused bath bombs and body lotion smell amazing, and have ingredients that aren’t harmful to you! These products are a win-win!
Reusable Straw
Reusable straws with a carrying case are the best! You can take a straw with you everywhere and not have to create more plastic waste!
An eco-friendly lover is sure to enjoy one of these straws.
I prefer silicone straws, but others may prefer metal straws.
Go to a Thrift Store or Shop Secondhand
Thrift stores and consignment stores are full of treasures.
Find the perfect gift for anyone in your life at a thrift store or a secondhand store.
I work at a consignment shop part-time and we get the coolest items that are barely used! Thrift stores and consignment shops are great for finding unique gifts. Shop sustainably this Christmas and give an item a second life!
Swedish Dishcloths
Swedish dishcloths are a very unique gift idea. They make a huge difference in the waste that is created from paper towels. Small changes make big results! They even come in pretty patterns.
Related Post: Simple Gift Guide for Coffee or Tea Lovers
Non-Toxic Perfume
Non-toxic perfume is a great gift for someone who steers away from harsh chemicals in their life. There are several options for non-toxic perfumes.
Essential oils are also a good idea because they can be used on the skin and they smell amazing!
A Handmade Item
Do you like to make things? Are you crafty? If so, handmade gifts are so touching!
It shows that you really care about the person you are making it for. It’s even better for an eco-friendly lover if it’s made out of recycled materials! Sustainable gifting is easy if you like to make items.
Coffee or Tea
A great sustainable gift idea is one that someone can use or consume. Do any of the people on your gift list like coffee or tea? Find their favorites!
Wooden Toys
Wood is a renewable source, it’s biodegradable, and it can be recycled. It’s a great alternative to plastic! I love to buy wooden toys over plastic ones because it is a small step towards cutting down on plastic waste, and they aren’t full of toxins.
High quality wooden toys will last a really long time as well.
A wooden toy is perfect for the kiddo on your Christmas list!
A Sustainable Gift Basket
A sustainable gift basket is filled with plenty of zero-waste items that will help cut down on single-use plastics!
It’s an ideal gift for someone starting on their eco-friendly journey.
Reusable Eye Patches
Reusable eye patches are sure to make anyone feel like they’re at the spa! The best part is that they are reusable and can be used with any kind of skincare product.
Herb Stripping Tool
I love to use my herb-stripping tool. It can be used for fresh or dried herbs and makes a great gift for someone who loves to garden and use their herbs for cooking.
It’s a unique gift that will make someone’s life easier in the kitchen!
A Book
If you need a gift for someone who is trying to make sustainable choices, and you know they love to read, buy them a book!
Getting one at a thrift store would be even better because you are giving it a second life.
Shampoo or Conditioner Bar
Shampoo or conditioner bars are perfect for someone who loves beauty products but wants to have a more positive environmental impact.
They come in plastic-free packaging and create zero-waste! They also come in many different scents and leave your hair feeling soft!
You can learn more about their benefits here.
Konjac Sponge
A Konjac sponge is a very unique gift. They are an all-natural sponge that can be added to any beauty routine.
They have many benefits for the skin and can be used alongside skincare.
Garden Journal
How fun is this garden journal? Do you have someone who loves to garden on your shopping list this year? This journal is the perfect way to show them you know what they like!
They can document and keep track of all their gardening next year.
Beeswax Wraps
Do you know someone who loves to cook? Do you know ANYONE who loves to use plastic wrap? I don’t! Plastic wrap is a pain to use and it’s PLASTIC which is horrible for the environment.
Beeswax wraps are made from natural materials and can be reused many times. It’s a great addition to anyone who loves to cook and wants to cut down on waste.
Related Post: Simple Gift Guide for the Book Lover
Compost Bin
Do you know someone who tries to cut down on food waste or loves to compost? A countertop compost bin is a great gift idea for them!
It’s great so they don’t have to go to the compost bin every time they have something to put in it.
Reusable Make-Up Wipes
These are the best! Reusable make-up wipes are great for taking off make-up and using with your skincare routine. They are soft and much better than cotton balls or cotton pads.
They also create less waste so it’s a win with these!
If you want to know about more alternatives to using cotton balls check out this post.
An Experience
An experience is a great way to spend quality time with someone you love! Whether it’s your best friend, parents, or sibling, an experience is fun for anyone.
Make memories instead of waste that has a negative impact on the environment.
Related Post: The Benefits of Using Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Do you want to make sure your gift is sustainably wrapped? Don’t use any plastic! Make sure to get recyclable wrapping paper or wrapping paper made from eco-friendly materials.
Do you want to be more organized with your gift-giving this year? Grab this free printable gift-giving guide to keep track of your gifts!
These are some of my favorite sustainable gifts. Do you have some sustainable and eco-friendly gift ideas that you like? I would love to hear about them!
Until next time,
Catherine
Sustainable gifts are right up my alley! I love all of these! I actually just started carrying around silicone straws. Before that I had a bamboo one for the house, but not with me at all times.
I love that you carry your straws with you! I do the same. I have some with a carrying case to keep them clean when I throw them in my purse.
There’s nothing I love more than a reusable bottle or cup of some sort. I’ve had my ceramic one for years now and, while it’s due an upgrade, I tend not do so until necessary! Also love a reusable tote!
Cups are my weakness! I have a glass bottle that I’m very fond of right now.