Mindful Gift Guides

The holidays can bring feelings of overwhelm when it comes to being a consumer. Deals on deals on deals! So many people to shop for! At the end of the day, are we being mindful in the way we shop, gift, and consume? Or are we letting the pull from big corporations drag us into an unhealthy hole of spending money on things people don’t actually need?

Don’t get me wrong, I think gift-giving is absolutely a way to bless others and show them our love. In fact, gift-giving is probably my number one love language! I LOVE love love giving gifts! But I don’t love giving gifts that feel useless, unwanted, or mindless. So this Christmas I have put together a collection of mindful gift guides for your loved ones, to ensure you’re not only putting your money where it matters like small businesses and sustainably owned shops, but to also guarantee that the gift you give will be loved, used, and appreciated by the recipients.

Each of the following items are either products that we personally use and love, or would love to use should they be gifted to us this Christmas (Ben, if you’re reading this…wink-wink). None of the links are affiliates, meaning I am not paid or asked to gives these brands a shout out - I am merely spreading the love for the things and people that make a difference!

F O R T H E K I D S

Cuddle + Kind dolls - the result of a husband and wife on a mission to create meaningful products and give back in the process. These dolls are hand-knit by women artisans in Peru who are given sustainable and fair trade income for their beautiful work. With each doll sold, Cuddle+Kind is able to donate 10 meals to children in need. From manufacturer to post-production, this is a gift that keeps on giving.

Candy Lab Toy Cars - not only are these vintage cars fun and attractive for both children and adults, they are made using biodegradable and renewable materials as much as possible! Candy Lab Toys are dedicated to creating less waste by creating wooden toys from sustainably sourced materials and decrease waste by, in their words “avoiding plastic packaging like it’s the plague.” Isaiah loves his taco truck from Candy Lab Toys, and I think this donut truck is pretty cute, too!

Wool Knit Hat from Sarah J - the cutest wool cap made by the sweetest baby-wearing mama, Sarah. We recently stumbled across Sarah on Instagram and were lucky enough to purchase one of her hand-made bowties for Isaiah! Her handiwork is stunning and I would support a small, mama-owned Etsy shop for Isaiah’s next knit hat any day!

Ikea Kitchenette - toys that inspire creativity and lead to open-ended play for kids is exactly the kind of gift to give this Christmas! This adorable, wooden kitchenette is the perfect activity to keep children curious, learning, and engaged for hours. Any mom could use that kind of time!

Alphabet Puzzle - a colorful, wooden alphabet puzzle will encourage tactile and visual learning of letters for your toddler! This is a gift that can be passed down from kid to kid as they get older, and won’t add to plastic waste when its life is up.

Learning Tower - a learning tower is an excellent addition to any home in which a toddler resides. This tower can help them safely participate in everyday activities with the rest of the family in the kitchen, or learn to do the dishes, too! This company, Franklin + Emily, take special considerations into the manufacturing of their products, choosing materials that are safe as well as sustainable. Just what every mindful parent wants!

Woom Bike - a light-weight, consciously crafted bike perfect for any child who loves speed and being outdoors! This is a great way to help young children participate in outdoor family walks or bike rides, and is a sure way to get their energy out! What parent wouldn’t jump at that opportunity!?

Wobbel Board - a balance board has so many purposes, from physical play learning how to balance to becoming a bridge for cars, a house for stuffed animals, or anything a child’s imagination can come up with! These boards are perfect for toddlers as well as young children, as their play and creativity will increase with age!

Silicone Straws - decreasing plastic isn’t just for adults, kids can participate, too! With reusable silicone straws, you can encourage sustainable habits for your little ones while safely allowing them to drink from a straw. While metal straws are also a sustainable choice, we prefer silicone as it is gentler in case of a trip or fall while holding it.

Wooden Spinning Tops - a fun, skill-developing, and intriguing classic for kids! Not only does this help them develop dexterity, it’s fun to do with the whole family and provides endless entertainment for everyone involved!

F O R H E R

Lisse Safety Razor - plastic razors are notorious for creating waste, causing razor bumps, and keep you spending your money every few weeks. A safety razor is the perfect alternative, and it’s as beautiful as a piece of high-end jewelry! I love my safety razor from Lisse Shave, a woman-owned and operated small business. It not only gets the job done better than my disposable razors ever would, but it keeps me from throwing out unnecessary plastic and running to the drug store for more every month! An investment on the front end that will pay off in the long run, this makes the perfect gift for the conscious lady in your life.

Stasher Bags - reusable silicone storage bags are a great gift to give! They not only decrease plastic bag waste, but they save money, too! These bags have endless uses from snacking on-the-go, food storage, freezer abilities, carrying toiletries, and even cooking food - they can be reused again and again for whatever needs you have. Instead of buying plastic ziplock bags which end up in landfills or waterways, help someone invest in reusable bags that will be forever useful for them!

Menstrual Cup - a menstrual cup is another way you can help a special woman in your life safe money and save from creating waste. These replace tampons and can be reused for up to 10 years, which is a lot of tampons and money! Dot Cup is also conscious about giving back, and with each menstrual cup purchased they give one to a women in need across the world who doesn’t have access to the same sanitation supplies we have for our monthly cycles. Such a meaningful and useful present!

Tinted Lip Balm - makeup is such a great gift to give, but makeup that is plastic-free is next level! I have been using and loving this tinted lip balm from Sustain Yourself Shop and plan on getting them as stocking stuffer presents for my loved ones (HJK, if you’re reading this, pretend you didn’t see that part ;).

Fabric Shaver - a gift to keep the good clothes lookin’ good! I recently invested in a fabric shaver and it has given new life to clothes of mine that I thought were well past their use! This gift can help someone re-wear their favorite articles without fear of pilling ruining their look. Turn your bestie into an outfit repeater with a fabric shaver this Christmas!

Plastic-Free Scrunchies - yes, even hair accessories can contain plastic. But they don’t have to! Kooshoo offers organic cotton plastic-free scrunchies that are made fair trade and to last. They come in a variety of colors and are a perfect, easy gift for the girls in your life!

Bees Wax Wraps - another sustainable kitchen swap that any woman would love to use and reuse! Plastic wrap is a huge waste contributor, as it is nearly impossible to recycle or reuse for anything after it has been used. Bees wax wraps can be washed off, dried, and reused for years! Plus, they are super cute!

Compost Bin - compost bins are an easy way to decrease food waste, and when they look this nice they aren’t a bad addition to the kitchen counter! Help a friend learn how to save food scraps for composting by gifting this. You can also help link them up with a local composter using Share Waste - a website that connects locals who can compost together! We have loved being on our compost journey with a local farm who turns our food scraps into soil - it’s been so fun to do!

Handmade Earrings - for the woman in your life who loves uniquely crafted statement jewelry, give the gift of handmade earrings! I myself don’t have my ears pierced, but I am all about supporting small shops when it comes to buying unique gifts like this. Plus, I know the shop owner and I think she’s pretty awesome :)

F O R H I M

Denim Apron - don’t know about your man, but my man loves to get cooking in the kitchen. Ok, only when it comes to making hearty steaks for dinner! But it still counts! Gifting a durable apron for the man in your life can help keep his clothes clean while he grills away preparing delicious and savory meats for the whole family!

Bamboo Cutlery Set - bamboo utensils are the perfect gift for the working man who wants to decrease waste! Easy to pack with a lunch on-the-go, this set makes it easy to avoid using plastic utensils when eating lunch at the office or wherever the adventures take him!

Matte Black Safety Razor - safety razors aren’t just for women! They make an excellent accessory for the shaving man in your life, too. Plus, the matte black is a classy look! Help your bearded man stay smooth and ditch the disposables with this fancy razor!

Best Made Wool Beanie - for guys who want to keep it warm this winter, gift them a beanie that is sustainably made right here in the USA! Made from lambswool, they are amazing quality and will last your man for several winters!

Bidet - this may seem like a weird one, but hear me out! I gifted one of these to my husband last Christmas after he fell in love with bidets on a trip to Japan a couple years ago. It truly does elevate the toileting experience! And not only that, but it can save on toilet paper. It’s a unique way to bring sustainability and extra cleanliness to the bathroom!

Wooden Shaving Brush - these wooden brushes are not only beautifully designed but are also biodegradable and compostable! They would also pair excellently with a safety razor as an eco-friendly gift for the bearded man in your life!

Leather Cast Iron Handle Cover - these beautifully handmade leather handle covers are perfect for the man who is handy with a cast iron skillet. There are so many unique and customizable options found on Etsy! A great way to support a small shop while bringing safety to the kitchen.

Cinnamon Flavored Toothpicks - a great stocking stuffer, I don’t think Ben will go a single Christmas without receiving some of these! He loves to keep a toothpick handy for picking his teeth after meals, but these have an added flare thanks to their cinnamon oil infused taste! They not only cleanse teeth, they freshen breath, too!

Huskee To-Go Mug - these takeaway cups are a classy way to take your favorite hot drink on-the-go. And they are created with durability and sustainability in mind! The materials are strong enough to withstand use and reuse over a long period of time, yet can be broken down and recycled as well.

Styling Pomade - a nontoxic and plastic-free packaged alternative to an everyday product! Ben uses styling pomade for his hair pretty much each morning, so he goes through them fairly quick! Finding one that is made with safe, nontoxic ingredients but also packaged in something reusable or recyclable is clutch!

F O R M A M A + B A B Y

Silicone Pacifier Case - I’m embarrassed to say that I never considered the idea of a pacifier case with Isaiah, maybe that just helped build his immune system? Either way, with germs and other such things being such a hot topic, having a pacifier case for baby number 2 doesn’t sound so crazy! These are made of silicone which is an easy to clean material, a thoughtful and simple gift for a new mama!

Glass Baby Bottles - for the mama who is adventurous and wants to avoid plastic, these glass baby bottles are made of all natural materials which make them safe and sustainable to use. They are a great alternative to the plastic bottles which don’t always last as long and are hard to dispose of without being wasteful when their time is up. We are excited to give these a shot for our next little one!

Bear Rattle - the cutest, handmade bear for the minimal mama and baby. These are mindfully crafted stuffed animal friends from Canada and would be an adorable stocking stuffer for a baby’s first Christmas!

Rubber Pacifier - avoiding plastic for newborn babies can feel hard to do, but these natural rubber pacifiers take care of at least one crucial aspect of baby life! One reason I am particularly excited about these is they do not pose as a choking hazard since they are all one piece. Plastic pacifiers have two parts to them, and it the baby bites through they can choke on the rubber bit. They are also easy to clean and won’t trap any hidden mold since they are solid through. Another simple but meaningful gift for a mindful mama!

Love to Dream Swaddle - without a doubt the number one must-have for us with newborns! This was the only swaddle that Isaiah would sleep in starting from day one! Even as a newborn he would unravel himself from traditional swaddles and lift his arms above his head, so when I saw the design for Love to Dream swaddles I knew we had to give it a try! And I’m so glad I did. This is my go-to gift for new mamas and their babies :)

Lavender and Linen Heirloom Dolls - these sweet handmade dolls are a beautiful gift for a new mama and baby as a way to welcome the little one into the world with a precious figure that looks just like them, or doesn’t! Be creative and choose from a collection of various dolls with different unique features. Her new doll collection launches December 11th so keep your eyes peeled!

Reusable Breast Milk Storage Bags - the very first eco-friendly breastmilk storage bag, these pouches are made from FDA approved food-grade silicone, are shatter proof, easy to clean, and have a high heat tolerance. They are the perfect gift for a new mom who is hoping to make some sustainable choices in her mothering. Not only are they a great eco-friendly alternative to disposable breast milk bags, they will also save money in the long run!

Bottle Brush - what new mom doesn’t ask for a bottle brush for endless bottles to be cleaned? Instead of gifting one that is made from plastic and won’t break down over time, give one that is made of sustainable materials instead! It’s an easy swap to make, and will be one less thing that your mom friend has to think of.

Reusable Nursing Pads - these ultra soft, organic bamboo nursing pads are another excellent reusable option for the breastfeeding mom. Made sustainably from organic bamboo, they can be washed and reused over and over again while keeping you nice and dry during those breastfeeding days. I still have the nursing pads I used for Isaiah and plan to use them again this time around!

I hope you were able to find something that is worth gifting this Christmas season! At the very least, I hope you are inspired to seek out gifts that are mindful and purposeful this year. Enjoy your holiday shopping and gift-giving, friends!!