Sustainable Gift Guide for the Conscious Gift-Giver
As Christmas draws near, there’s often a push for increased consumerism and shopping that comes with it. It feels like every year there are new gadgets and gizmos aplenty that are available just in time for the gift-giving season. But how often do we really use the gifts we are given or give to others? And by use, I mean really use them, more than 30 times at least. What if we spun it around and made the gift-giving a little more practical and sustainable?
I have put together a couple of gift guides full of practical, sustainable, and conscious items. From reusables and recyclables to ethically made and durable, these items not only help the receiver be more sustainable they also support and protect the hands of the person who made it and the earth from being mistreated.
Below are some ideas to get your sustainable gift-giving mind going, and each of the items (or something similar) are linked for easy shopping! Remember to keep your heart on what really matters this Christmas season and enjoy blessing your friends and family with gifts they will use well!
F O R K I D S
Wooden stick horse - https://bit.ly/2NIEVud | Tea party set - https://bit.ly/36Ws0ML
Odin Parker is a small husband and wife owned online shop that creates beautiful and thoughtful toys that are conscious and sustainable. More importantly, with every purchase, they donate meals to children in need around the world. How special would it be to teach your children about the importance of helping others even through gift-giving?
Kids Hydro Flask - https://amzn.to/2qME16B
Instead of resorting to plastic water bottles, gift your child with a one-of-a-kind water bottle that he or she will cherish and feel proud to own! This is a pricier item, but it pays itself off pretty fast when you compare it to how much you might spend on single-use bottles over time.
Fire Truck - https://amzn.to/2NFBbcW
This adorable fire truck is made out of 100% recycled plastic and is made here in the USA! At Green Toys Inc, they prioritize sustainability and safety for our children, which means you’ll never have to worry about BPA or any other harmful chemicals in their toys. Check out their website for a live count of how many milk jugs they have recycled! Last I checked it was 83, 715, 291!
Mustard onesie - https://bit.ly/2CDvHsQ
Wonder and Wander is a clothing boutique for babies and mommas ethically run by a momma in Alaska. She individually hand carves the stamps and custom makes each piece of organic clothing to provide quality pieces. And they are adorable!
“What a Waste” book - https://amzn.to/33E4K3V
This adorable and educational book thoughtfully brings your child along with you on your journey toward sustainability and conscious consumerism!
Solar System blocks - https://amzn.to/34SM5Sd
Uncle Goose is a family-owned business that handcrafts wood toys in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their blocks are not only beautiful, but they are also educational as well! Check them out and support this USA-based shop!
Melissa and Doug broom set - https://amzn.to/33DQmZB
Toys can be more than just fun, they can be tools for teaching as well! I love this set from Melissa and Doug because it stimulates the imagination and allows kids the opportunity to help, which is what they are always asking to do anyways!
Knit beanie - https://bit.ly/33GfSxm
Krochet Kids is an international company that empowers highly vulnerable women by providing a safe and ethical environment for them to harness skills and create an income. Each piece is hand-made by a woman living in poverty-stricken areas around the world. When you receive your item from Krochet Kids, you’ll see her name hand-written on the tag of your product. How incredible is that!
F O R H E R
Madewell gift card - https://bit.ly/2NIoNZL
Sometimes a gift card is all she really wants. Make sure it’s a gift card to a fair-trade and timeless shop like Madewell! She’ll love it, I promise.
“Sustainable Home” book - https://amzn.to/34LZcoa
This book is the perfect guide for any woman who is looking to create a slow, simple, and sustainable atmosphere in her home. Written by blogger Christine Liu, the book explores practical ways you can turn each room into environmentally friendly spaces to lead a low-impact lifestyle.
Keep Cup - https://amzn.to/2qFpt98
A reusable coffee cup for the girl on the go! Cute, trendy, and environmentally friendly. What more could a coffee-loving lady want?
Chelsea boot - https://bit.ly/2XgK289
The perfect pair of stylish boots created by a company that cares about the earth. United by Blue has made a mission to clean up the ocean by removing one pound of trash from waterways for every product purchased. Supporting them supports clean oceans!
Hydro Flask 32oz - https://amzn.to/32zcR0x | Hydro Flask 21oz - https://amzn.to/2q2Bbuo
The perfect way to ditch the plastic water bottle and gift a fashionable accessory all at once! Reusable water bottles are easy, convenient, and cost-effective ways to be more sustainable and mindful of our consumption and waste.
Wooden hairbrush - https://bit.ly/32GmEBT
This is a great opportunity to ditch and switch something plastic in your life for something biodegradable and sustainable. For the girl who is in need of a new brush!
Pela phone case light blue - https://amzn.to/2CyFuQX
How often do you need a new phone case? Probably at least every time you upgrade your phone. Instead of buying another plastic case that will end up in the landfill, gift one of your friends or family with a beautiful and compostable phone case! They have so many cute designs and colors to choose from for every kind of phone.
Market tote - https://amzn.to/34Oo2Uz
Reusable bags are a wonderful alternative to the plastic bags they offer at the grocery stores. Not only are they conscious alternatives, they can also be a whole lot cuter and more practical!
Plastic-free hair ties - https://amzn.to/2rACNvR
These hair ties are the perfect addition as a stocking stuffer. Instead of gifting the usual hair ties which have plastic in them and end up in the ocean where sea life can ingest them, try these instead!
F O R H I M
Reusable chemex filter - https://amzn.to/33GoJzc | Reusable kalita wave filter - https://amzn.to/2NCU6or
Reusable coffee filters decrease the amount of trash going to landfills and are a cost-effective way to live more mindfully and slow. Pour over coffee in general is a great way to incorporate slow and thoughtful living, and using these filters will help you be even more conscious of your routines.
Bamboo toothbrushes - https://amzn.to/2KbsCV2
Did you know that plastic toothbrushes never decompose? Like most plastic, they often find their way into the ocean because of improper disposal and management of high volumes of trash. Try swapping for a bamboo alternative which is biodegradable and aesthetically pleasing.
Bite toothpaste - https://bit.ly/32I3Zpg
This toothpaste alternative is ideal for anyone trying to minimize plastic waste, because toothpaste tubes are not recyclable. The perfect pair with bamboo toothbrushes for the practical and conscious consumer.
Pela phone case, black - https://amzn.to/32Ai5c7
How often do you need a new phone case? Probably at least every time you upgrade your phone. Instead of buying another plastic case that will end up in the landfill, gift one of your friends or family with a beautiful and compostable phone case! They have so many cute designs and colors to choose from for every kind of phone.
Keep Cup - https://amzn.to/2CyfPaV
A reusable coffee cup for the guy on the go! Sleek, trendy, and environmentally friendly. What more could a coffee-loving guy want?
Black beanie - https://bit.ly/2CHf5QF
Another staple from Krochet Kids international, the company that empowers highly vulnerable women by providing a safe and ethical environment for them to harness a skill and create an income. Each piece is hand-made by a woman living in poverty stricken areas around the world. When you receive your item from Krochet Kids, you’ll see her name hand-written on the tag of your product. How incredible is that!
Metal razor - https://amzn.to/36RobIx
Metal razors are a great alternative than the plastic disposable razors that we have gotten used to using and trashing. They are also cost-effective and make a wonderful gift for the gentleman in your life in need of a shave!
Hydro Flask 24oz forest green - https://amzn.to/32DKXAq
The perfect way to ditch the plastic water bottle and gift a fashionable accessory all at once! Reusable water bottles are easy, convenient, and cost-effective ways to be more sustainable and mindful of our consumption and waste.
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I hope this guide is helpful for you on your journey to sustainability and conscious consumerism this holiday season!
