Eco-Friendly Gift Guide

‘Tis the season friends! The Holiday shopping season has begun, and eco-friendly gifts are trending. When it comes to the actual items, the qualities of an eco-friendly gift are no different than that of the eco-friendly products we use every day. Look for plastic free, Fair Trade certified, chemical free, Organic, and high quality items. While all of these qualities are still important, sustainable gift giving is also largely dependent on shifting the mindset around how we give.

Our consumer driven culture encourages us to “buy, buy, buy” during the holiday season. So much so in fact - it often becomes overwhelming, and we find ourselves buying gifts simply to check a name off of our list rather than making a connection to the recipient. When this happens it’s likely that the recipient will not keep or use the item, and the item will make its way to the landfill. This not only increases the already excessive amounts of garbage in the landfill, it’s a huge waste of money! 

Shift your mindset.

As you begin shopping for friends and loved ones this holiday season, I ask you to consider quality over quantity and embrace a less is more mindset. As you’re doing this, challenge yourself to find gifts the recipient will actually use! 

Use the questions below to help you determine if an item is something that will actually be put to use.

1) Does it serve a function? While it may not sound glamorous, functional gifts are trending. Especially in today’s economic climate, people will happily accept high-quality functional gifts like toiletries and home goods in a time when they might be passing on the “good stuff” to make ends meet. 

IDEAS

Put together an eco-friendly cleaning kit for a new home owner or friend who is transitioning to chemical free items at home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Dishwashing Block
• Kitchen Scrubber 
• Reusable Sponge 
• Multipurpose Cleaner 
• Cleaning Cloth 
• Air Purifying Natural Incense
• Toilet Bomb Cleaning Tabs 
• Natural Home Cleaning book 

Create a toiletry kit filled with eco-friendly and chemical free items that can be used every single day! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Deodorant Cream
• Deodorant Applicator 
• Armpit Detox
• Lip Balm
• Body Lotion
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• All Natural Soap
• Soap Dish

A winter survival kit is a sweet way to show you care and share your favorite items for cold weather self care. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Immune Boosting Salve
• Cold Comfort Tea
• Congestion Relief Inhaler
• Hand Sanitizer
• Shower Steamers
• Natural Chest Rub
• Cough Drop Tincture

A plastic free shave kit is not only an eco-friendly gift, the nourishing ingredients in the organic skincare will soothe and comfort dry, winter skin! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Plastic Free Razor
• Replacement Razor Blades
• Razor Bank
• Shave Cream
• Beard Balm
• Beard Brush
• After Shave Skin Oil
• Doppler Kit

2) Does it provide an experience? Gift cards or memberships are great for this, but it doesn’t have to end there! Experiential gifts provide you with an opportunity to put your creativity to work and add a personal touch.

IDEAS

Put together a self care experience for a loved one that is tired, overworked, or in need of some extra TLC (this just might be all of us this year!). Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Calming Aromatherapy Inhaler
• Soothing Neck Wrap
• Bath Salts
• Essential Oil Candle
• Migraine Mask
• Exfoliating Bath Scrub
• Nourishing Body Oil
• Calming Aromatherapy Roller

Adults are not the only ones experiencing extra stress these days! A self care experience for the little loves in your life is a fun and thoughtful gift. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Calming Aromatherapy Spray
• Yoga how-to for littles
• Natural bubble bath
• Something snuggly to cuddle
• A sweet book that brings joy

Do you know someone who loves to cook? Send them some fun items to spark some inspiration in the kitchen. Better yet, take a copy of a recipe and cook together over a Zoom date! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Zero Waste Cookbook
• Slow Cooker Cookbook
• Comfort Food Cookbook
• Pizza Cutter
• Apron
• Trivet
• Pot Holder

3) Does it inspire? This category is wonderful for individuals you are especially close to. These items become keepsakes and well loved items because they are so personal. Ideas could include a journal, jewelry, book, or even a card with a thoughtful note. Here are a few specific ideas to get you started:

• Journals are a wonderful way to process emotions and practice gratitude.
• A custom necklace is a unique way to honor mothers, grandmothers, and yourself.
• Books are an amazing idea for a personalized gift.
• A simple quote can say just the right thing at the exact right time. A book, wall hanging, or a personalized greeting card can all bring a beloved quote to life.
• Ornaments can help capture special moments and memories. Plus, Fair Trade and handmade ornaments are all the more special.

Are you still stumped? Go the gift card route. They are not thoughtless or impersonal, I promise! They are something the recipient will actually use and appreciate, and that makes it an amazing gift.