7 Sustainable Gift Ideas for the Holidays
Shopping for holiday gifts can be a fun but also stressful experience for many people. On top of trying to find the perfect gift for that special person, you may feel guilty about the mass consumption and waste during the holiday season. If you want to make more sustainable shopping choices this holiday season, but need some inspiration, keep reading to make this Christmas the best and most eco-friendly one yet.
Heirloom Jewelry
Who says you have to wait to pass down the jewelry in your will? Do you have a loved one who always remarks on a necklace of yours? Maybe your daughter’s wedding ring could be upgraded, and yours could get the job done. Everyone appreciates jewelry gifts, but the sentiment is stronger when it’s a piece you’re passing on as an heirloom. Save your money and avoid the shopping lines by wrapping pieces you own and leaving them under the tree for your treasured family members.
LUSH Gift Basket
While many brands tout sustainability, few get the game as right as LUSH. Their core values include naked packaging and 100% vegetarian ingredients, though most are vegan and ethical sourcing for everything. If you’re shopping for someone who prioritizes self-care or needs to start, a gift basket with this brand’s products is perfect – not to mention they smell heavenly!
Second Hand Luxury Brands
Perhaps you’re not limited by budget and want to make a statement this holiday season but want to do it sustainably. Buying luxury second-hand is not only smart but easy. You can save money by finding a used Rolex for sale for a man in your life or a gently used Louis Vuitton handbag for your girlfriend. Rolex watches are one of the ultimate status symbols; show your loved one how much you appreciate them with one of the most iconic fashion accessories.
Reusables Starter Pack
If you’re shopping for someone looking to make less of a footprint like you, giving them a starter pack for their zero-waste journey is a fantastic gift. Start with a basket that they can continue to use after the holidays. Fill it with reusable water bottles, stainless steel straws, and a zero-waste kit. These kits contain items like net bags for produce, beeswax for wrapping leftovers, and reusable Ziploc bags. Let’s face it; we’ll all be using these items eventually, so give them a head start.
Bucket List Items
We all have items on our bucket lists that we want to check off. Skip the need for wrapping paper altogether by giving the gift of an experience instead of a physical item. From booking a skydiving adventure, plane tickets to Bali, and everything in between, helping someone check things off their bucket list is sustainable and something they’ll never forget. This holiday season will be their best with a gift like this.
Houseplants
Easily one of the most budget-friendly sustainable gifts on the list, houseplants are still a gift that keeps on giving. The holiday season coincides with dreary weather for most of the country, so a houseplant’s natural vibrance and beauty is a welcomed pop of color and beauty for the recipient. Houseplants have also been shown to be helpful air purifiers, making them a healthy choice too! If you’re shopping for someone who loves collecting and decorating with plants, there are subscriptions for monthly and quarterly plant deliveries – truly a gift that keeps on giving!
Audiobook Credits
We all feel busier than ever, and even the biggest bookworms have difficulty finding time to read how they want to. Make keeping up with their favorite authors or the classics a breeze with credits for audiobooks. Most people would love this gift even if they’re not avid readers but have long commutes. The best part? There is zero waste! You can apply the same concept to any credit, from movie services to cash to spend on their favorite apps and games.
Shopping sustainably can become second nature after some practice. We should all apply this effort to our gift-giving year-round and when we’re shopping for ourselves. There’s something for everyone and most budgets mentioned above, so let it be your guide to a sustainable and indulgent holiday season. Happy Holidays!