It’s the most wonderful time of the year, isn’t it? The guilty pleasure of cheesy Hallmark movies, family and friends come together, sharing thoughtful gifts, and kids are making plans to ambush Santa once again.
But all these are more of a “happy ending,” the glamorous façade of every Holiday Season. Behind it is a seemingly endless shopping spree, hours wasted in traffic and lines at malls, and frustration from sloppy packaging that, let’s be fair, never comes out the way you saw it on Pinterest.
And it all eventually ends in tons of paper and plastic waste, extra energy consumption, and emission from the manufacturers, transportation, malls, and the shoppers themselves.
As joyful as every Holiday Season is, if you are reading this article, you probably cannot help getting concerned about its actual impact on the environment and look for tips and ideas for a “guilt-free” eco-friendly holiday shopping list.
Good news, you came to the right place! Today we will talk about truly sustainable gift ideas for your whole family, your friends, and colleagues and ways to make this Holiday Season a starting point for someone’s healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
So, what is the deal with sustainability during a Holiday Season?
There are several reasons you may get particularly concerned about the environment when the Holidays approach.
As we have already mentioned, the manufacturing volume of different goods skyrockets before holidays, and so does the intensity of transportation, energy consumption, and all the associated environmental impact.
However, recently you may have noticed another issue. Since brands understand that people are becoming more and more environmentally aware, they try to through a sheep’s coat on every wolf they offer, trying to pass off any product under the appearance of “green” and “sustainable.”
Using trendy terms like “zero-waste manufacture,” “recycled materials,” etc., they often, in fact, manipulate us with smart marketing moves, aesthetics, and packaging you would expect from a “sustainable” or “artisanal” product. This practice is called “greenwashing,” and it does even more harm than the blatant consumerism and fast fashion that have put us in the current environmental crisis in the first place.
It is essential to see the difference between genuinely sustainable products and gift ideas and another seasonal greenwashing campaign.
- The manufacturer – a brand that has always been in the “fast fashion” game hardly will magically transform into a sustainable one just before the holiday season.
- The process – sustainability is not only about the product and its packaging. A truly sustainable brand will reveal the information about its manufacture, transportation, and policies that make it eco-friendly.
- The gift – the materials as well as packaging, and even the way you buy and receive the product play a significant role in its sustainability.
- You – yes, you are also part of the gift. To make it sustainable, you need to make sure that the person who receives it will use it or can pass it on,anything to keep another item off the constantly growing landfills.
As you see, there are many factors you may have to consider looking for truly sustainable gifts this year. That is why we came up with this ultimate guide!
Sustainable gift ideas for Her
1.Tentree
A trendy woolen hat is integral to the most stylish looks today. Whether you are a Coachella regular, a boho chic diva, or a suburban mom who wants to create Pinterest-worthy looks effortlessly, this hat has been a must-have for several seasons already!
Tentree make their accessories from high-quality recycled materials. It is a Canadian brand claiming to plant 10 trees for any items you buy. Moreover, on their website, you can find environmental subscription plans for sponsoring monthly tree planting in Canada that cover the average carbon footprint of one person or a whole family.
2.Aya
You may think that activewear cannot be sustainable by definition. All those synthetic materials and aggressive dyes seem justified because these clothes are made to last and survive under extreme conditions.
AYA is a sustainable clothing and lingerie brand that will change how you see active and athleisure wear forever.
These bike shorts and other items from the brand not only provide you excellent support in all the necessary areas, air, and moisture balance even during the most intense workout but also remain safe even for the most sensitive skin as they are manufactured and dyed from organic GOTS, and OEKO-TEX certified Pima Cotton and dyed with 100% natural plant-based dyes.
3.Tiradia
This is the perfect bag you have been looking for your whole life. Capacious yet stylish, it will go perfectly with any outfit and time of the day, whether you go grocery shopping or have a dinner date.
Tiradia is a cruelty-free brand that claims to “never hurt a living being, including a tree.” Their products are made of sustainable, ethically-sourced materials meant to last and serve you for a long time. At the same time, each item is entirely biodegradable and safe for the environment at every stage of its lifecycle.
4.Munjoi
Stylish, versatile gender-neutral footwear that goes with any outfit and occasion? It is all about these shoes, which can be worn as sneakers, sandals, and slip-on by your choice.
Moreover, these may be the only entirely carbon-neutral shoes as the brand Munjoi came up with a perfect manufacturing formula: 5.87 kg CO2 (the carbon footprint from every pair manufactured) + supporting Carbon Offset Project = Climate Neutral!
These shoes are made of natural, sustainable materials that take care of your feet, your style, and the Planet!
5.Allegorie
It is a perfect office bag for your laptop, tablet, and all the necessary documents. It is a stylish gym bag that easily contains a change of clothes, a towel, and a makeup kit. It is a great everyday bag for a student, a working mom, or someone who does not want 1000 bags for every occasion.
But what makes this handbag truly unique are the brand and material that it is made of. Committed to their cruelty-free policies, Allegorie makes their products out of fruits, and other vegetation considered “waste” by food manufacturers and are supposed to go to dumpsters. Not only does it create truly vegan and cruelty-free fashion without harmful chemicals and petroleum-derived materials, but it also plays a significant role in reducing food waste!
6.SVALA
Didi Clutch Mini (4 colors available)
Another classic, timeless accessory that will perfectly fit any style, outfit, or event! Wear it as a formal clutch or a casual handbag that easily contains everything you may need during the day and for a Saturday night out!
SVALA is an accessories brand that makes its products out of vegan PVC-free leather, Pinatex, a material derived from pineapples, and sustainably sourced cork. It is a women-owned business that supports American artisanal craft shops and makes sure to donate at least 10% of its profits annually to a chosen charity fund.
7.Hernest
Lucille Midweight Crewneck Sweatshirt
What gift can express your love and care better than warm, cozy, stylish loungewear? This soft crewneck sweatshirt is made of TENCEL and an organic cotton blend. A wide range of colors and matching sweatpants will help to create a casual, effortless everyday look.
Hernest is a carbon-neutral cruelty-free brand that manufactures all its products ethically in Portugal, supporting local farmers and designers. Above everything else, the brand is inclusive, with a size range from XXS to 4XL.
8.Simple Self
It is the time for new chapters, new hopes, and New Year’s resolutions. This stylish Self-Care Planner will be a perfect gift for anyone! It provides excellent motivation and all the necessary tools to set goals and achieve them most healthily.
This Self-Care Planner helps you control your diet and water consumption, establish a healthy sleeping routine, and much more. The planner also contains self-assessments, monthly challenges, and many other great tools and ideas to keep you motivated.
Simple Self is a small women-owned brand of stationery goods that stands behind its sustainability claims. All the products are made from responsibly sourced materials and don’t contain plastic or toxic colorings and add-ons.
9.Bursera
This stylish minimalistic essential oil diffuser will easily fit into any interior and help to create a unique atmosphere in the house with the blend of essential oils of your choice. The 1 to 5-hour run time and various diffusion regiments will help you discover the benefits of aromatherapy and enjoy a new level of healthy and harmonic living.
Bursera is an essential oil and aromatherapy accessories brand that designs and creates all products ethically and supports independent designers and artisanal craftsmanship. The brand also plants a tree for every purchase made on its website.
10.Activist Skincare
This potent yet gentle cleansing gel will become a healthy addition to anyone’s skincare routine. It removes makeup, dead skin cells, and contaminants, leaving your skin clean and preserving its natural oil balance.
Activist Skincare is a 100% cruelty-free brand and a member of the “1% for the Planet” project. All their products are sold in multi-use stylish glass packages and low-impact refills, making your skincare routine healthy for you and the Planet as well.
11.Zambeezi
Give and share the sweetest kisses with this 6-pack lip-balm kit made of all-natural ingredients with great care and responsibility towards bees’ preservation.
Founded by a professional beekeeper, Zambeezi is a cruelty-free brand that supports Zambian farmers and beekeepers willing to work according to ethical standards. The brand supports fair trade principles, ensures that every supplier and employee get paid fairly, and conducts its own educational program for Zambian farmers to help them become financially independent and conduct sustainable business.
12.Sunrise Bliss
These unique hair towels are an integral part of any healthy haircare routine! Ethically made in the United States from organic GOTS-Certified cotton, they keep the natural moisture balance of hair, preventing frizz and overtrying.
Sunrise Bliss is a family-owned business that supports local shops and craftspeople and minimizes its carbon footprint by sourcing, manufacturing, and delivering its goods exclusively in the United States.
13.Affina
Gloriamaris White 3-Pc Organic Towel Set
This luxurious towel set will turn every morning shower into a self-care ritual for body and soul. Made out of Certified OEKO-TEX organic cotton, these towels are not only entirely safe and hypoallergenic but also incredibly soft and absorbent. Inspired by the Ocean, its patterns, textures, colors, and odours, Affina is a brand that donates at least 10% of its profit to funds dedicated to World Ocean preservation.
14.Prosperity Candle
These candles will become a perfect accent for any interior, creating a whimsical atmosphere in the room, making it truly warm and cozy even during the coldest winter nights.
And the best part is, these stylish bowls can be used after the way is gone!
Owned by a former refugee woman who has built her new life and business in the United States, Prosperity Candle is a sustainable brand that does not use synthetic paraffine, toxic dyes, and artificial scents in its candles.
15.Wearwell
Wearwell is a marketplace that makes sustainable living easy and accessible for everyone. Here you can find hundreds of ethical brands of all kinds, from fashion and makeup to home goods. It is also one of the biggest second-hand clothing marketplaces that support and promote the principles of a circular economy.
A $96 Gift Card gives access to a 1-year membership and personal styling sessions, as well as a 10% discount for all goods, free shipment, and returns.
16.Laura Elisabeth
These earrings are not only inspired but based on plants! Cast out of real Star Anise, each item is unique and ethically made with sustainable 100% recycled brass, gold, and silver.
All Laura Elisabeth jewelry is made of ethically sourced recycled materials and is free from toxic and potentially harmful metals like nickel, cadmium, or lead.
17.Obakki
Made of cow horn, the material that is considered a byproduct and normally ends up in the dumpster, this stylish bangle set will be a perfect final touch for any outfit.
Obakki is a jewelry brand that promotes the idea of upcycling and recycling materials for their stylish accessories and offers an unconventional zero-waste approach to jewelry making. They support artisans or Nairobi and make sure that every craftsperson and designer get fairly paid and independent. Recently the brand has extended its product line and introduced organic skin care products, home décor items, and apparel.
18.YEWOO
‘Zovu’ means ‘Elephant ‘in Tumbuka, the language of Northern Malawi. These elegant stud earrings are inspired by African Nature itself. Made of recycled brass, all Yewoo jewellery is free from nickel and other potentially dangerous metals. Every item is ethically made by artisanal at a solar-powered workshop.
The brand itself is committed to principles of fair trade and provides full-time employment for craftspeople of rural Malawi.
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