The holiday season is a time when people express their joys, values, and aspirations with the people they care about most. But with an increasing awareness of the environmental damages caused by our consumerist culture, it can be hard to know the balance when fulfilling everyone’s holiday wishlist. If you want to be more consumer-conscious this year, here are some eco-friendly gift ideas for the holidays ahead.
Gifts for Creative People
Creative individuals look for ways to add beauty and meaning to life. Practical gifts include artistic tools, repurposed goods, and essential learning materials to support an effort to do less harm.
Homemade Gifts
Give a homemade gift such as a knit blanket, baked goods, or artisan body care products. Nothing excites a creative person more than a one-of-a-kind item that they know came directly from someone’s heart and hands.
The Organic Artist Book
For the crafty DIY-er in your life, self-sufficiency is a core aspect of living. In the book The Organic Artist: Make Your Own Paint, Paper, Pigments, Prints and More from Nature, they’ll learn lifelong methods of supplying their own art materials— all while reducing their commercial carbon footprint.
Natural Earth Paint
Fine arts creators may rely on products that emit harmful chemicals or use synthetic dyes. Over time, this use can take a toll on the environment and ping an art lover’s conscience. Fortunately, there are nontoxic options, like this Natural Earth Paint Eco-Friendly Oil Paint Set.
Gifts for Cooks and Food Lovers
Good food is an integral part of a community, and definitely plays a central role in holiday celebrations. People who love to cook will value quality ingredients, excellent meal presentations, and innovative kitchen tools.
Quality Local Ingredients
A great eco-friendly gift for any food lover is local ingredients. Shopping locally supports farmers, decreases the carbon emissions from transport, and is a vote in favor of small businesses. Discover local food directories near the person you’re shopping for. Gift their favorite ingredients, such as honey, olive oil, spices, or flour.
Subscription Boxes
Meal subscription boxes are a convenient way to give the aspiring chef in your life a fun, alternative meal routine for the holidays. Sunbasket Subscription Boxes cater to those who favor fresh, organic, responsibly-harvested produce.
Herb Grow Kit
Nothing compliments a home cooked meal like fresh herbs from a garden. A hydroponic growing kit is an excellent gift to help anyone grow herbs directly in their kitchen, minimizing food waste and encouraging greener living.
Reusable Kitchen Storage
Eco-conscious consumers want to do away with plastic, and rightly so. Clever plastic storage alternatives include Stasher Reusable Seal Baggies and Bee’s Wrap Reusable Kitchen Wrap, beneficial for any kitchen.
Gifts for Fitness Gurus
People who love to work out have plenty of opportunities to go green in the hustle. Incorporating eco-friendly fitness tools, activewear, and body care products will be much appreciated by fitness-minded friends.
Sustainable Yoga Mats
Many yoga mats on the market are made from synthetic materials that don’t biodegrade properly, if at all. Natural materials are a better option, like the Corc Yoga Sustainable Cork Yoga Mat.
Ocean-Cleaning Beach Towels
For people who frequent the beach, the FiveADRIFT sustainable beach towel is a soft, Turkish-style towel that comes in beautiful bohemian patterns. Each purchase you make from us helps clean up plastic from the oceans.
Handmade Water Bottle Holder
If you know someone who never leaves the house without their water bottle, get them a crochet water bottle holder with a pocket. This gift is handmade, reusable, durable, and a must-have fitness asset.
Recycled Activewear
Some companies are not only preventing excess waste, but creating activewear from recycled materials. The Organic Basics Recycled & Sustainable Activewear line is a comfortable, eco-friendly gift for the fitness guru in your life.
Gifts for Outdoorsy Adventurers
Anyone who loves the outdoors understands the importance of making eco-friendly choices. Buy sustainably sourced gifts that support a passion for camping, hiking, relaxing, and respecting nature in all its glory.
Solar-Powered Battery Charger
A solar-powered portable phone charger allows someone off-grid to charge their phone or small device using the power of the sun. No electrical outlet or WiFi connection is necessary.
Camping Tools
Reusable camping tools, like the BioLite Camp Stove KettlePot and the Rakau Outdoor Camping Knife Set are popular travel additions for campers and backpackers.
Personal Hammock
People who enjoy the outdoors don’t always want to rough it. Sometimes, it’s catching a few rays or time to rest under the trees. Give nature lovers a versatile REI SingleNest Hammock so they can read, sleep, and reflect in solitary moments.
Gifts for Homebodies
People who care for their home and family are a gift to the world, so an extra thoughtful surprise is great during the holidays. Consider clean self-care items and eco-friendly home accessories for the homebody who cares about the environment.
Relaxation Gift Set
Homemakers and stay-at-home moms work hard, so it’s only appropriate to encourage them to get the rest they need. A relax and unwind gift set promotes tranquility and much-needed moments of peace and quiet.
Kitchen Compost Bin
Anyone can compost in the comfort of their own home, and composting habits have compounding benefits in our gardens. Give a kitchen compost bin, for a simple yet sophisticated way to support someone making eco-friendly lifestyle choices.
The Sustainable Home Book
The Sustainable Home: Tips for an Eco-Friendly Household shares wisdom on how to make a household more eco-conscious as a whole. Plus, it’s aesthetically pleasing on any coffee table or nightstand.
Eco-Friendly Gifts for Kids and Teens
There are plenty of gifts suitable for children that still encourage a greener lifestyle. Instead of buying an array of disposable or electronics-based toys this holiday season, consider giving the kids in your life eco-friendly items they’ll enjoy for years to come.
Green Toys
Toys that minimize plastic waste and promote the developmental process are worth investing in. Plan Toys: Green Toys for Child Development is on a mission to do just that.
Zero-Waste Paints
Beam Paints: Zero-Waste, Eco-Friendly Pigment Sets are ideal for older children and teens who want to create more art. These paints are zero-waste, non-toxic, and long-lasting.
Eco-Friendly Kids’ Kitchenware
Perhaps it doesn’t seem like much to give children an EKOBO Kids’ Recycled Bamboo Bowl Set or a FiveADRIFT Eco-Friendly Water Bottle, but these are mealtime essentials that remain durable with age.
Gifts for Fashion Lovers
People who love fashion and pampering can indulge while still following eco-friendly principles. When shopping for clothing, beauty products, or makeup, select brands that promote sustainability and avoid greenwashing.
Rent the Runway Membership
It’s easier than ever to get professional, designer-level attire without breaking the bank — or a commitment to reduce retail waste. Rent the Runway is a designer clothing rental service that allows people to borrow high-end outfits and return them, which results in less fast fashion turnover.
Nontoxic, Eco-Friendly Makeup
Makeup can be environmentally friendly. Nailtopia’s Vegan, Non-Toxic Nail Polish or Elate Beauty’s Conscious, Low-Waste Makeup Brush Set are trustworthy, beauty gifts.
Patagonia Beanie
Patagonia, the brand that was “eco-friendly” before the term itself went mainstream, curates a wide variety of gift-worthy streetwear, like this Patagonia Brodeo Beanie.
Gifts for Social Drinkers
Even the adult beverage industry is getting on board with environmentalist ideals. If you’re buying a gift for someone who’s an alcohol connoisseur, here are some satisfying options.
Koskenkorva Vodka
The Koskenkorva Vodka: Climate Action line is fighting climate change in southern Finland. Buy smooth, tasty vodka that has an impact.
Whiskey Ice Molds
For the whiskey buff you know and love: these Silicone Whiskey Ice Molds hold up.
FAIR Drinks
If fair trade is important to someone you’re gifting, FAIR Drinks: Organic, Eco-Friendly, Fair-Trade Spirits are an excellent choice.
Recycled Coaster Set
From occasional drinkers to weekend parties, everyone needs good coasters. The Slash Objects’ Recycled Rubber Coaster Sets are a sustainably sourced favorite.
Gifts for Gadget Nerds
Some people love tech and the environment, after all, you aren’t reading this in a book. It’s possible to enjoy electronics while still aiming to do less harm. Here are some handy gadgets to give as a gift.
Reusable Notebook
Save paper and give a Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook, which lets you wipe away the old and start new, using the power of digital integration.
Waterproof Sustainable Bluetooth Speaker
The House of Marley Portable Waterproof Sustainable Bluetooth Speaker is made from sustainably sourced materials. It’s also waterproof, providing longer-lasting usage, which keeps its nonrecyclable parts out of landfills longer.
NorthFace Recycled Tech Gloves
Another timeless environmental brand, NorthFace Women’s Recycled Tech Gloves allow touch screen use while keeping hands toasty and warm. They’re made from high quality, recycled materials.
Going Green for the Holidays
Whether you’re hoping to reduce your plastic waste, make smarter purchases, or step away from excessive consumerism this holiday, we hope these gift ideas inspire better practices this year and for years to come.
At FiveADRIFT, we care about the impact our consumer decisions have on the environment. This is why we commit 100% of our profits to charities that clean the oceans. We hope that your shared commitment to responsible buying will speak for itself this season.
