
Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide 2022
This week, I began to write my Christmas list for my family.
Every year, we tend to keep it fairly minimal, but since we do have kids, we naturally try to buy things they ask for and although most of our gifts are either experiences or secondhand gifts,we do also buy new gifts sometimes.
As you look for fun, unique gifts for everyone on your list, why not consider more sustainable, eco-friendly options?
Here are my sustainable holiday gift guide 2022:
Eco-Friendly Jewelry
Washed Ashore
Washed Ashore only uses 100% recycled metals, reused gemstones from vintage jewelry, and Keshi pearls–a byproduct of the pearl industry.
Astor and Orion
Astor and Orion designs all of their jewelry using recycled materials that are safe for their customers, workers, and the planet. With no extra processing, their pieces can easily be recycled again.
Ten Thousand Villages
Each Ten Thousand Villages product celebrates both culture and the planet, so you’re never compromising one for the other. In addition, they have an extensive collection of jewelry suitable for anyone’s taste.
Plastic-Free Phone Cases
Pela
Perfect for husbands or teenagers, Pela makes trendy phone cases that are compostable and plastic-free.
All-Natural Cosmetics & Personal Care
Whether you’re buying for your wife, girlfriend, or teenaged daughter, give the gift of sustainable self-care this holiday season.
Makeup
When it comes to sustainable makeup brands, here are my top picks:
Elate Cosmetics are my personal favorite.
Although not all of their makeup is zero waste, their products are toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and packed in bamboo containers. They also offer refills to reduce their waste.
Glow Organic
Glow Organic products are all-natural and organic. They also use recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable materials for their packaging and displays.
Bath & Body
Lush Cosmetics – Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
Lush hand-makes all of their organic, all-natural body products and are committed to “naked packaging” to reduce their environmental impact. These concentrated shampoo and conditioner bars can last up to 80 washes!
Who doesn’t love a nice scented soap bar? (Zero waste and chemical-free, of course!)
Plaine Products
Plaine Products sell refillable, vegan bath and body products– shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, and more. (I gifted my daughter a face wash and moisturizer from Plaine last year, and she loved them!)
Sustainable gifts for athletes
Adidas
My husband loves running shoes, and since Adidas has a whole line of shoes made with recycled materials, they’ve become one of our favorite athletic brands.
In addition, they have great-quality jackets, pants, and more for men and women alike.
Earth-friendly gifts for fashion lovers
Rothy’s
Rothy’s upcycles single-use plastic bottles to make super fashionable, sustainable shoes and bags for men, women, and kids.
Engage Green
Engage Green makes backpacks, makeup bags, tote bags, purses, and even yoga mats from recycled, post-consumer materials.
Holiday gifts for any home
Clean Burning Candles
Clean burning candles are candles that don’t release harmful chemicals into your home. They are lovely to enjoy during the darker months and make great Christmas gifts.
Here are some of my favorite candle brands:
Slow North
Brooklyn Candle Studio
Pure Plant Home
Kitchen Essentials
Eco Living makes beautiful drinking glasses with heavy-duty, 100% recycled materials.
Ladelle – Wine Glasses
These unique Ladelle wine glasses are made from 100% recycled glass and add an eco-friendly touch to your table.
Two Days Off – Zero-Waste Bento Bag
Two Days Off uses excess material from their clothing production to produce these stylish linen bento bags. Use them to pack your lunch, wrap gifts, and more.
Life Without Plastic – Reusable Food Wraps
A sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, these plastic-free, beeswax-coated reusable food wraps can be used to cover leftovers or pack a snack.
Life Without Plastic – On-The-Go Starter Kit
For those looking to live with less plastic on the go, this nifty kit has everything you need to get started–spork, stainless steel straw, double-wall glass coffee mug, food container, reusable bags, and more.
Zero Waste – Beauty & Bathroom Kit
This starter kit is perfect for those looking to reduce their bathroom waste and includes a bamboo toothbrush, shampoo bar, vegan floss, toothpaste, deodorant bar, and more.
Sustainable gift ideas for older kids & teenagers
- Tickets to see their favorite sports team
- Pre-loved games or toys
For specific items on their wish list, look for ways to buy second-hand.
- Audiobooks
A subscription to Audible is excellent for listening to audiobooks at bedtime or in the car.
- eBooks
- Music streaming service subscription
A subscription to a streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music makes a great gift for music lovers.
- thredUP gift card
Let them pick out fashionable second-hand clothes and shoes while shopping sustainably.
Sustainable gift ideas for kids
Kids’ Clothes
Hanna Andersson
Pact
Primary
Jackalo
Colored Organics
Petit Tembo
Borobabi
Puzzles
My two younger boys love laying puzzles, and these are great because they are made from recycled cardboard.
Arts & Crafts
Natural Earth Paint – Art Supplies
My kids love all things art. Natural Earth Paint makes plant-based, chemical-free paint kits, and they have so many fun options. My kids especially love the face paint kit.
Stubby Pencil Studio – Eco Colored Pencils
Family-friendly gifts
Petit Collage – Charades for Kids
Who doesn’t love charades? This game is made with recycled materials, printed with vegetable inks, and fun for the whole family to play together.
Sustainable Toys
Here are some other sustainable toy brands my family loves:
Hape
Maple Landmark
Tegu
If you’re looking for ideas for wrapping the sustainable way check out my post on that here.