Everyone loves the thought behind receiving a gift, especially if that gift happens to be eco-friendly. So if you’re shopping for someone who is passionate about protecting the planet, why not consider gift options that help minimize their impact on the planet? Below, we’ve curated a range of gift ideas that the Earth-lover in your life will love — from experience gifts to sustainable kitchen products.
Want to score extra sustainability points this year with Sustainable Gifts? Wrap one of these gifts in reusable fabric wrap or newspaper. Your Earth-loving pals are going to love these Sustainable Gifts!
1. For the frequent traveler: a travel-friendly shampoo bar
Got a friend who loves to travel? Give them the gift of better hair, easier travels and a cleaner planet with solid shampoo bars. Lightweight and waterless, these trendy hair care products eliminate the need for a plastic bottle and are made from organic, plant-based ingredients that are good for your hair and the planet. And because they’re 100 percent waterless, going through airport security will be quick and easy!
Don’t forget to include a wooden soap dish as part of your gift. On top of adding a natural aesthetic to their bathroom, a wooden soap dish will make their shampoo bar last longer.
2. For the budding chef: cast iron cookware – Sustainable Gifts
There’s a lot to love about cast iron: it’s long-lasting, fully recyclable and doesn’t leach nasty chemicals like Teflon pans. In fact, the only thing cast iron pans leach into your food is trace amounts of iron, which is essential for reducing fatigue, boosting athletic performance and promoting a healthy immune system.
From classic Dutch ovens to trusty cast iron skillets, there are many types of cast iron cookware to help the budding chef in your life cook sustainably. If you want to make your gift more personal, consider throwing in a few of your favorite cast iron recipes.
3. For the beauty buff: refillable beauty products
More and more, it seems the beauty industry is trending towards refillable products. And all we can say is, “It’s about time!” Only nine percent of all plastic waste is ever recycled, and the beauty industry is a huge contributor to the problem. clear plastic packaging Refillable products help reduce the amount of plastic produced and typically come in gorgeous cases that are too pretty to throw away, making them the perfect gift for the beauty lover in your life. For amazing refillable beauty products, check out brands like Kjaer Weis, Charlotte Tilbury and Kate McLeod.
4. For the homebody: loose-leaf tea
Sure, getting dolled up for a night on the town with friends can be fun. But as all homebodies know, nothing beats the feeling of staying in your pajamas and relaxing in the comfort and security of your own home. For a friend who is constantly seeking that Danish hygge feeling, an assortment of loose-leaf teas makes a great sustainable gift. Unlike tea bags, loose-leaf tea is made with minimal packaging materials, which means they’re better for the environment, your body and your taste buds.
5. For the outdoor enthusiast: solar camping lights
When you go camping, you want to make sure that you have a reliable light source to illuminate your surroundings. Solar camping lights come in handy for everything from backpacking trips to car camping. Not only are solar-powered lights compact and lightweight, but they’re also an eco-friendly addition to your camping gear because they’re powered by the sun. Just set them in the sun to charge and your loved ones will never be left fumbling around in the dark ever again.
6. For the bibliophile: an Audible subscription
Flipping through the pages of a book might feel nice, but all that paper contributes to deforestation. If you know someone who loves to read, consider getting them a subscription to Audible so they can listen to their favorite reads on their smartphone. Do they already have Audible? You can also purchase an audiobook as a gift. (Bonus points if it’s an audiobook about sustainability!)
7. For the one who loves a spotless home: an all-natural cleaning kit
Most cleaning products contain a slew of harmful chemicals that can irritate the eyes, throat and skin. Not to mention, these toxic formulas are often housed in a wasteful plastic bottle that will end up in a landfill. To make your loved one’s cleaning routine a little more sustainable, consider giving them the gift of all-natural cleaning products from Blueland Neogen or Cleancult. If you don’t want to splurge on an eco-friendly cleaning kit, you could also make your own eco-friendly cleaning products using ingredients you likely already have at home (e.g., vinegar, lemon and essential oils).
8. For the person who’s always on the go: a bamboo cutlery set
Know someone who is the complete opposite of a homebody in that they’re always away from home? They’ll love receiving a stylish bamboo cutlery set for the holidays. Bamboo is a fast-growing, durable and highly sustainable material, making it perfect for traveling, camping or simply grabbing lunch with coworkers. Toss in a reusable straw, water bottle and collapsible takeout container and they’ll have everything they need for a plastic-free meal.
9. For the self-care enthusiast: a DIY salt scrub
Shopping for someone who loves to pamper themselves occasionally? A homemade body scrub would make a wonderful gift idea. Unlike store-bought body scrubs that often contain parabens and other questionable ingredients, homemade scrubs rely on simple ingredients — like sugar and natural oils — to gently remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. The result is buttery-soft skin that looks great and doesn’t harm the planet.
10. For the plant-lover: propagation kit
Ask any plant-lover what they want for the holidays, and the answer is bound to be “more plants.” But instead of buying plants from a big box store — or worse, from an online store that generates massive amounts of carbon emissions — consider getting your loved one a propagation kit. Propagation kits are a great way to increase the number of plants in your collection without logging more miles or forking over more dough. Plus, your friend can trade the new houseplants with other plant-lovers as a way to grow their collection sustainably.
Don’t let the word “eco-friendly” feel limiting when it comes to gifting! In fact, there are tons of options that don’t require unwrapping multiple layers of plastic packaging and twist-ties. Get creative and give a gift that your Earth-loving recipient will feel good about having.
