‘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 also a huge waste of money!
Shift your mindset.
As you begin shopping for 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 or zero waste at home. Bonus - many of these items can be refilled right in our shop!
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Dishwashing Block
- Zero Waste Dishwasher Pods
- Kitchen Scrubber
- Reusable Sponge
- Multipurpose Cleaner
- Cleaning Cloth
- Air Purifying Natural Incense and holder
- Natural Antibac Toilet Cleaner
- Natural Home Cleaning book
- Laundry Powder
- Dryer Balls
- UNpaper Towels
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 Bar
- Lip Balm
- Body Lotion
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- All Natural Soap
- Soap Dish
- Plastic Free Safety Razor
- Shave Soap
- Bamboo Toothbrush
- Toothpaste Tablets and refill
- Toiletry Bag
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:
- Cold Comfort Tea
- Congestion Relief Inhaler
- Hand Sanitizer
- Shower Steamers
- Natural Chest Rub (Try this for children under age 2.)
- Cough Drop Tincture
- Neck Wrap
- Bath Salts
- Cozy Socks
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
- Preshave Oil
- Shave Soap
- Beard Balm
- Beard Oil
- Beard Brush
- Beard Comb
- After Shave Spray
- Doppler Kit
2) Does it provide an experience? Gift cards, subscriptions, 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 in need of some extra TLC (this just might be all of us this year!).
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Massage or Spa Gift Card
- Subscription for a meditation app
- Calming Aromatherapy Inhaler
- Soothing Neck Wrap
- Migraine Mask
- Bath Salts
- Essential Oil Candle
- Exfoliating Bath Scrub
- Nourishing Body Oil
- Calming Aromatherapy Roller
- Gratitude Calendar
- Positive Affirmation Sticker
- Meal delivery
- Offer to babysit!
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:
- Plan an outdoor adventure or scavenger hunt to do together!
- Calming Aromatherapy Spray
- Aromatherapy Roller
- A children's journal
- Natural bubble bath
- Something snuggly to cuddle
- A sweet book to read together
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:
- Cooking class
- Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies cookbook
- Recipe box preloaded with handwritten recipes
- Sheet Pan Supper cookbook (check out the meatless version here)
- Pizza Cutter
- Silicone Baking Mat
- Rolling Pin
- Oven Mitt
3) Does it inspire? This category is wonderful for individuals you are especially close to. These items are sentimental in nature and become keepsakes, because they are so personal. Ideas could include a journal, jewelry, ornament, book, or even a card with a thoughtful note.
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 my friend!
Hi, I'm Sara!
If you are new around these parts, let me first say welcome! I am so happy you are here. Secondly, you may be wondering who exactly is Terra Shepherd. Terra Shepherd is actually not a person - it is a business name, a place, a way of thinking, and a community.
It is my goal to connect you with your clothing on a deeper level than you likely ever have by telling the stories of the makers, fabrics, production practices, and brands I have selected to carry in the store. I hope to help you realize the incredible value of investing in garments you truly love and are excited to cherish for years to come.
This space is intended to be one in which we learn and grow together. I welcome and encourage your feedback - it will serve as my guide with this journal.
Welcome to Terra Shepherd friends.
