A Guide to Zero Waste Gift Giving 2023

Written By Emma Dendler

Happy Holidays! It’s time for my annual gift guide where I once again came up with 150 eco-friendly gift ideas for you this holiday season so you don’t have to resort to meaningless, junky gifts. You can get a gift that will save the planet, maybe save the recipient some money, and just overall be a lot of fun!

Now, before we get into it, remember who you are getting gifts for. If you know someone doesn’t want or won’t use a zero-waste swap, don’t get it for them, it will go to waste. Sometimes, even a seemingly wasteful gift can be put to great use and actually be less wasteful than an unwanted zero-waste gift.

My advice is to ask people what they want for the holidays. You can ask them to give you a list of 5-15 items so that way you can still surprise them without it being something wasteful or unwanted. You can also give people a list of your wants so you don’t have to deal with unwanted gifts either. Then, once you get their list, check out one of these eco options or check secondhand before buying new if possible.

Alright, now that we know how to have a little bit of a less wasteful gifting season, let’s get into it. The gifts will be broken into categories and they will also have a dollar symbol next to them so you can shop within your budget.

$ - $30 or less

$$ - $75 or less

$$$ - $100 or less

$$$$ - Over $100

ZERO WASTE SWAPS

Klean Kanteen ($$) is the most popular zero-waste option for a reusable water bottle and rightfully so. Some models are 100% plastic-free, they are all BPA-free, and they are durable and stylish. You can’t go wrong with this classic zero-waste swap that will help the recipient save money, too!

Hold On ($) is my favorite option for single-use (but can be reused) sandwich bags and other kitchen bags. I love this compostable option for busy people who don’t have time to wash reusables or whatever other reason they may have to not use reusables. And, these bioplastic bags actually decompose!

Misto ($) is a super underrated zero-waste swap is the Misto. It is a zero-waste kitchen spray option that replaces aerosol cans from brands like the popular Pam.

Package Free Shop ($-$$): want to help someone start their zero waste journey but you don’t know where to start? Check out Package Free Shop for all your zero waste needs or you can even get them a gift card so they can pick the swaps themselves.

Earth Hero ($-$$$): Earth Hero is your one-stop shop for EVERYTHING zero waste. Unlike Package Free Shop, they also have zero-waste office supplies, zero-waste toys for kids (we will talk more about this later), and anything else you may need in your entire home. It’s another great option to get a gift card for someone or browse until you feel inspired.

Ecoternatives ($-$$) is your go-to for affordable eco swaps. They built the world’s most affordable zero-waste store by taking out all the fluff that comes with most brands. Check them out for budget low waste swaps!

Pela ($) is my go-to phone case for literal YEARS. They actually decompose, they actually protect my phone, and they’re stylish. Mine also are quite durable and last a long long time. Check them out!

Repurpose ($) is a GREAT swap maybe not as a gift, but for your zero-waste party needs this holiday season. If you’re hosting a lot of people and don’t have enough reusables, opt for bioplastic instead of oil-based plastic. Learn more about bioplastics in this video.

Silicone Baking Mat ($) HAS to be my favorite zero-waste kitchen swap. This is great for the bakers, chefs, and parents in your lives. It eliminated the need for parchment paper AND oil and can save so much money along with waste.

Stojo ($-$$): Stojo may be my most used zero waste swap of the year once we moved into the RV. They are multi-purpose, reusable, take up very little space, dishwasher safe, non-breakable (great for kids, too), and we use them all the time from home to hiking to work. I cannot recommend them enough.

Whisper ($$$): trying to get into the bidet game? Whisper has been my recommendation for over two years. It’s affordable, easy to install and use, and works the best out of all the bidets I’ve tried so far.

Simple Alchemy ($) is a queer/disabled plant-based soap and deodorant small business for all your natural home goods needs

Stasher ($): want to help someone reduce their single-use plastic usage? Look no further than Stasher bag. They are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe making it easier than ever to eliminate waste.

CLOTHING

Shorts by Sav ($$) is my favorite small business, not even joking. Sav takes blemished thrifted items from shorts to jeans to tees and sweatshirts and customizes them to make them like new and totally unique! She is single-handedly saving so much from the landfill and it’s all so cute, too!

Madistitches $$-$$$: Madi makes embroidered National Parks sweatshirts. It’s great to shop small but I also love this added eco bonus of this brand. Any sweatshirts that are blemished, Madi covers up with thrifted parks and other public lands t-shirt scraps for an eco upcycle!

Solmate $: this has to be my favorite eco sock. They use upcycled materials to make their funky yet comfy and stylish socks that are also super warm!

Boody Eco Wear $-$$$: specializing in undergarments, Boody also makes some activewear as well and most of their clothing is made out of sustainable Bamboo!

Moe Sews ($$) makes cute and funny (sometimes with double meanings) bird pun shirts, I’m obsessed!

Darn Tough $: this has to be my favorite sock in general. They use recycled nylon and wool to make their socks that are extremely durable and extremely warm! You also get the most bang for your buck with this gift since they have a lifetime warranty.

Tentree $$-$$$$: Made from plant-based materials, mostly trees in the form of Tencel, Tentree actually plants Ten Trees per purchase! Not to mention, they are extremely durable and comfortable eco active and loungewear

Girlfriend ($$-$$$$): using recycled materials, Girlfriend Collective makes comfortable eco active-wear. It’s all very comfortable and durable, too!

Allbirds ($$-$$$$) slippers are the best, but they also have a great selection of shoes, too. Made from recycled mate)rials, you’ll never have to feel guilt about keeping your toes warm or going on a run again!

Scrubba ($$-$$$) is the perfect swap for people who want to handwash their laundry or folks who travel and NEED to handwash their laundry. Cut down on water usage and laundromat fees with this clothes-washing bag

Lovera Clothing ($-$$) makes cute, stylish apparel with feminist phrases. Fight for women’s rights with their shirts!

The New Norm Fabric ($$) is recycling hard-to-recycle plastic party cups and turning them into eco-friendly fabrics. So, it’s not clothes…yet! But you could make some yourself ;)

Cotopaxi ($$-$$$$) is easily my favorite outdoor brand because of what they do for the environment with their clothing. They often use deadstock fabric from other outdoor brands to make their accessories and clothing zero waste.

FOOD/DRINK

Grounds for Change Coffee $: Looking for a small brand to support for the coffee-lover in your life? Look no further than Ground for Change! Not only are they 1% for the planet AND a certified B Corp, but they also work with Fair Trade organizations throughout the world to source their (soon to be your) beans.

Remark glass $-$$$$: Ever wondered what may happen to your wine glasses or kombucha bottles? One option is Remark Glass, which turns them into beautiful dishes

Tierra Farm ($) makes tasty organic treats in easy-to-recycle, reuse, or compost materials. This small brand is perfect for meals, drinks, and snacking! Use code Emma20 = 20% off order and code ShipIt! = Free Shipping on Orders $35+

Year and Day ($$-$$$$) is your place for classy dishware with the environment in mind. I’ve also been loving their bioplastic set which is perfect for kids or, like me, mobile living so that these lovely pieces don’t break. Check them out!

Eco Lunch Box ($-$$$) makes plastic-free lunch boxes, mostly out of metal. These are great for snacks and cold foods for lunch, hikes, and traveling.

BEAUTY

Plaine Products ($) is your go-to for refillable bathroom essentials from shampoo to lotion to facial toner. Their metal packaging gets sent back to their distribution center, refilled, and resent to customers! I love their model and you can learn more about how it works here.

Up Circle Beauty ($-$$) is changing the beauty game with their refill system. All of their packaging is not only easy to reuse or recycle, but they make it easy to send back. You can even shop their refills for a 20% discount on new packaging

A Wild Soap Bar ($) makes organic soaps made from nature-inspired scents like sagebrush, sassafras, oak moss, and more! Their packaging is also minimal and recyclable.

Cherapy ($) is a brand I discovered while traveling through Lake Tahoe and I’ve been obsessed ever since! This hot/cold pack is hand-made with upcycled cherry pits, so it also prevents food waste from landfills! I use it all the time from menstrual cramps to arthritis to just warming up on a cold day.

The Rebrand ($-$$) is another refillable beauty company but their model is a little different. Instead of sending back your bottles, to reduce emissions, they sell large quantity refills that you add to your pump bottles at home. These empty refill bottles can be recycled, but they are working on a take-back program, too

Enough Soap Co ($) is a small soap brand that makes all their soaps in small batches with unique and lovely scents

Living Simply Soap ($) makes more than just soap. They make deodorant, lip balm, serums, lotions, scrubs, and more! This small business uses a majority of recyclable and compostable packaging and it is all made in a small town in Ohio

Ewe So Dirty ($) mustache wax is perfect for the mustachioed folks in your life. This small business uses eco-friendly packaging and creates lovely scents.

Medicine of the People ($-$$) is a Native American-made product designed to make products from the land for its people. Everything is also packaged in reusable or recyclable tins

The Tart Peach ($) clean beauty is made from plant-based ingredients and packaged mindfully. They offer lip products, nail polish, and eye shadow

Flourish Botanicals ($-$$) from soap to dog shampoo to body scrubs and everything in between, their products are made mindfully with the people and planet in mind

Verdant Wild Apothecary ($) is made from the earth for the people of the earth. Everything is beautifully hand-crafted and mindfully packaged in recyclable or reusable packaging

Brave Soaps ($) is a great option for folks who don’t like bar soaps and is made with natural ingredients in recyclable bottles

Axiology ($) is my very first taste of zero-waste makeup. They make everything 100% plastic-free and even compostable/recyclable. I love their multi-purpose use, too. Their colors can be used on your eyelids, cheeks, and lips!

Greencastle Soap and Supply ($) is perfect for your outdoorsy friends and families as this soap is 100% plant-based and biodegradable making it safe for hiking and camping. Of course, that means it’s good for us, too!

Rhyme and Reason shampoo ($) is changing the hair care game by making eco-friendly liquid shampoo in 100% recycled plastic bottles. A bonus, for folks like me, they offer a color-treated hair formula which is very hard to find in the eco space!

Looking for eco-friendly tattoo aftercare? Look no further than Ohana Organics, Lovett Sundries, and Nova Scotia Fishermen ($)

Tweakit ($) makes refillable beauty products, cosmetics, and personal care items. It’s a powder that you add water to at home and it comes in fully recyclable or compostable cardboard!

ACCESSORIES

Kind Bag ($-$$$) is made from 100% recycled materials and is super fashionable. They have everything from reusable grocery bags to backpacks to lunch boxes

Cotopaxi ($$-$$$$): I know, I already mentioned them in the clothing section, but their accessories are just so cute I couldn’t help but mention Cotopaxi again! I am obsessed with their Del Dia collection made from deadstock fabric and I’ve been using this fanny pack for about two years!

Scenery Bags ($-$$$$) helps reduce waste from the theater world by turning old backdrops into stylish bags. Now you can get a bag and support your favorite musical! They also make home goods and jewelry, too

Moon Recycles ($-$$), handmade in Colorado, they repurpose innertubes into beautiful jewelry to prevent these items from going to the landfill

Petal Connections ($$) makes jewelry from real items found in nature from butterfly wings to flower petals to leaves. Support this small business and connect to nature!

Merchants of the Sun ($$$$) creates high-end, high-quality jewelry pieces out of recycled metals. These bold statement pieces are worth every penny and are also gender-inclusive

Flourish and Charm ($-$$) is a small jeweler I found on TikTok and knew I had to have some of their pieces. They are custom-made in small batches and are just so unique and charming (pun not intended). I’ve been wearing their rings ever since!

Lackadazee ($-$$$$) has been a long-time favorite of mine, I’ve been wearing their body jewelry for over 4 years! They make dainty, everyday-wear jewelry out of recycled metals and even have a recycling program for your broken jewelry

Jess May Studio ($$-$$$$) is another long-time favorite of mine. I discovered her work when I lived in Okinawa, Japan, and bought locally at the cafe she runs with her wife (Cafe Halcyon, the first vegan crepes on the island). Her jewelry is inspired by nature and made in small batches with love and care.

Ha Thi ($$) linen bags are a new brand to me this year but I’ve been obsessed ever since. The soft linen is great for daily use or special occasions from grocery shopping to date night. They even make bandanas now!

Mountain Glow Co ($-$$) makes dog leashes, lanyards, and more out of retired climbing rope that otherwise would be sent to the landfill. They will even take YOUR old ropes for reuse.

Cactus to Pine Goods ($-$$$) does something similar but with its own twist. They also recycle climbing rope destined for landfills but they make other products like cup cozies, over-the-shoulder bags, and water bottle holders to name a few. They even upcycle old climbing holds into home decor.

HOBBIES

Thriftbooks ($) has got to be my number one pick for books, physical books that is. You can get high-quality, like-new books at a discount since they are used! This is the perfect place to save money and the planet for shopping for the bookworms in your life

Eco Sports ($-$$) is your one-stop shop for, you guessed it, eco sporting goods! From recyclable to recycled equipment as well as heavy-duty gear made to last, this is a great stop for the sports folks in your life

Boston Bats makes custom-designed handmade bats that are great for collection, trophies, or for use in the game

REI ($-$$$$) is hands down the best place to get all your outdoorsy needs. Not everything is eco, so you will have to sift through that but they carry a lot of eco-products online and in stores. At the end of the day, though, getting someone exactly what they want at a high-quality IS eco since it is made to last and they will use it for a long time.

Shop the used section of the camera store for the photographers in your life. That is where we get most of our second-hand camera gear, that or eBay. This can save you so much money and, of course, reduce waste

Shop the used section at game stores as well for the gamers you’re shopping for this season. Places like Game Stop have used sections in store but you can probably find second-hand games and gaming devices online too. This will again save lots of money when it comes to giving gifts

Lion Brand ($) makes 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn. I know it’s polyester, but as a crocheter, this is often the cheapest option so I love to see a more eco-friendly version of the plastic-based yarn AND it’s a great way to support the recycling industry

Or, you can opt for natural fiber yarns from Knit Picks ($). They have lots of lovely wool, cotton, linen, and they also have a recycled polyester line!

Or this 100% cotton yarn from Sugar and Cream

Darn Good Yarns ($) is amazing! I first discovered them at a local yarn shop in South Dakota, but they strive to use plant-based materials OR recycled materials in all of their yarn. I made these coasters out of their recycled-silk yarn and it’s just so lovely. A great yarn option instead of plastic-based yarns (code EMMA15 for 15% off)

Arcane Fibre Works ($) makes hand-dyed artisan yarns, something a little more pricey, but oh so worth it!

Book a camping stay with Hip Camp ($$-$$$$) to avoid wasteful hotel giants and other entities like AirBnb that destroy the environment and local economies

Buy someone a Wild Fire Water natural dyes course (I would love to take this one day!) They also sell their own pieces available on their website soon (as of Nov 2023).

Aventon ($$$$) is expensive but oh-so worth it. We have been using their bikes for two years now and we go everywhere with them: groceries, exploring downtown, date nights, and even road trips. They work amazingly and their customer service is great too. If you or someone you’re shopping for is in the market for an e-bike, Aventon is the way to go!

HOME GOODS

Paddywax ($-$$) is great if you’re not looking to make your own candles but want some pre-made. They are soy-based and are poured into vessels designed to be reused as cocktail glasses, serving dishes, and home decor

My Weekend is Booked candles ($) focuses on our health and the planet by offering soy-based candles with natural scents in packaging that can be reused or composted. Another great pre-made candle option!

Ctoan ($-$$) candles are not your average candles. They are often jar-less and are made to celebrate all body types, colors, and textures. Shop Ctoan to support a small, black woman-owned business

Everly ($-$$) is my favorite low-waste candle option that you can make yourself at home! They encourage the reuse of old jars and candle vessels instead of buying new and it’s a fun DIY for anyone of any age. Their scents are so lovely without being overpowering and their packaging is 100% plants and so are their candles. You can use my code THESIMPLE for a discount (may not apply during their regular sales)

Science Ceramics ($-$$) are small-batch pottery items inspired by science and nature. Marissa even does commissions!

I discovered A Mano Woodworks ($-$$) when my arthritis was at its worst and I found their eco-friendly accessibility aid for holding books open! On top of that, they also hand-make other wooden goods from cutting boards to decor

Angler Artisan Works ($$$-$$$$) makes stunning artisan jewelry inspired by and including pieces of nature from pinecones to rocks and bark and more

B&I Metal Design ($$-$$$$) is your go-to for eco-friendly and high-quality metal signs. We got one made for our RV site but they also do logos for businesses, family signs, pet portraits, metal flags, and so much more! It’s 100% metal and they use a lot of repurposed cardboard for shipping

Dendler Photography ($-$$$$): that’s right, it’s me! Well, it’s mostly Dan’s business, but it’s some of my work as well. If you’d like to support our photography from our travels, you can buy our prints to frame or hang in your home

Verdi ($$-$$$$) refurbished tech is your one-stop-shop for your tech needs this holiday season but make it eco-friendly. They make refurbished tech that is certified AND looks and works as good as new. I got an immersion blender from them and I love that I can still use tech without the environmental guilt of buying it new. Use code “ED10” for $10 off!

Looking to help people start composting this year? Look no further than the Lomi ($$$$) home composting machine. This is great for winter composting, composting in small spaces, and beginner composters. Follow me on Instagram where I frequently share their really good sales!

Trejayne ($-$$) is a small glass-blowing business that makes fun accessories, trinkets, and home goods

Banish ($-$$) is an Australian brand on a mission to eliminate plastic from landfills by recycling hard-to-recycle items themselves to turn into unique pieces

KIDS

Eco Kins ($) stuffed animals are each made from 16 recycled plastic water bottles offering you and your kids a more eco-friendly style plush animal. They also have another plant-based toy line that can be composted!

Wipebook ($$) is a great option for the kids in your life who like to draw. They can draw endlessly, erase, and draw some more with less paper waste involved. You can even scan their drawing on the Wipe Book app to save it for later digitally. This is also a great option for kids in school as a replacement for traditional notebooks

Green Kids Crafts ($-$$$$) is just what it sounds like, eco crafts for kids! They offer monthly craft and science boxes that offer 4 to 6 activities each. This would be a great gift to give your child, grandchild, niece/nephew for a few months or even a whole year

Looking to get them general craft supplies but don’t know where to start? Opt for eco-friendly materials at your local craft store such as recycled paper, recycled yarn, bioplastic stickers, bioplastic glitter, and more

Coloring book from a local artist and colored pencils from a Free Little Library!

Eco-friendly finger paint from Ten Little ($) is made with 100% plants that are kid-safe and food-safe so you don’t have to worry about them sticking their hands in their mouths. Plus, this makes it better for the planet, too

Beeswax crayons from Hopscotch ($) are naturally derived, easy for young children to hold and use, and of course, are better for the planet than oil-based crayons

Eco Dough from Earth Hero ($) is just like your average Playdough but make it eco. It is primarily made of soy, but it is entirely plant-based and packaged in easy-to-reuse packaging making playtime healthier and more eco

Natural watercolor paints from Earth Hero ($) are also plant-based and made with recycled materials making painting less impactful on the planet. This is a great gift for all ages, too!

Apple Park plush toys from Earth Hero ($) are made from 100% on the outside and stuffed with bioplastic corn-based filling making playtime fun and eco-friendly

Old art supplies my mom saved for my nieces and nephews

Eco Bricks wooden “Lego” style blocks from Earth Hero ($) are not only made out of wood but FSC-certified wood which protects forests from deforestation. It is less pollutive to create and can even be composted if they break

Plantoys wooden toys from Earth Hero ($-$$) make traditional baby and kids toys from wooden blocks to kid rollers/walkers, and toys they can push and pull around. They come in neutral or fun colors, too

Wooden toys from wishbone design on Earth Hero ($$$$) are a more eco-friendly alternative to kids bikes, wagons, scooters, and more. They are less pollutive to create as well as dispose of and look very elegant

Conscious Stories children’s books on Earth Hero ($) are made from FSC-certified paper as well and are lovely stories for children of all ages about honoring nature, life lessons, and other environmental issues in a digestible story

Green Kids Club children’s books on Earth Hero ($) offer more children’s stories made with plant-based inks and FSC-certified paper. This collection educates children of all ages about environmental issues worldwide

Mother Moon ($) body positivity singing books teach children to love their bodies as they are

Books found second hand, as well

PETS

The Kind Pet ($-$$$) is your one-stop-shop for all your pet needs from compostable toys, bioplastic poop bags, natural fiber pet beds, and recycled leashes. Everything you could possibly want or need for your pet (including treats) you can find here

Keikis Collection ($$-$$$) makes handmade pet collars that are 100% customizable. You can even get a matching bracelet so you can match your pet. Support this small business if you’re in the market for pet collars!

For Mew ($) is my go-to for catnip that comes in cardboard and is organically grown in the US. But, they also make other handmade and low-waste cat products!

DIYS, all low-to-no cost

Food

Make DIY spice blends with a dehydrator or just an oven. You can look up tutorials for this on YouTube or Google. Then, you can gift them to people in upcycled jars for extra low-waste-ness

Hot Cocoa mixes in upcycled jars are another great and easy option. You can even make fun flavors like peppermint, gingerbread, pumpkin spice, or dark chocolate

Cake, muffin, and cookie mixes in upcycled jars are for all the bakers in your life and another great way to eliminate your jar hoard (hey, I have one, too). Find recipes on Google or Pinterest, print out the directions, or handwrite them, and voila, you have a lovely handmade gift

Homemade baked goods are never a bad option! No edible gift could go wrong. And how mindful and meaningful it is to take time out of your day to bake someone something fresh

A family recipe book is always a hit! I received one for our wedding and I love and cherish it so much. This could be your direct family or extended family and this could essentially be given to every single person in your family. It is also very easy to find second-hand binders and sheet protectors for an extra eco-twist

Propagating plants is not only free for you but it is very low waste AND quite a nice and meaningful gift. It’s also very easy to find potting plants second-hand

Kombucha, Sourdough, and Friendship Bread Starter are lovely gifts to help someone start their fermentation journey and learn a new skill. You can also buy them materials to get started and offer lessons, too

Seeds from your garden are a great gift to give someone who wants to start a garden or who has a garden already. This is low cost and low waste for you and gives you guys a special connection through the food you will grow in the spring.

Crafts

Crochet or knit something: hat, sweater, blanket, potholders, rugs, bags, etc

Paint something: wall hanging, welcome signs, furniture, ornaments, portraits of people or pets, landscapes, etc

Sew something: hand warmers, hot/cold packs, clothing, quilts, bags, etc

Draw something: family portrait, wall hanging, handmade cards, etc

Build them something if you’re a wood/metal worker

Services

Servicing/washing someone’s car is always a great gift if this is your specialty. This is meaningful and can save someone lots of time and money and it’s free for you to do!

Clean their house for them! This is an especially great gift for people who work a lot and/or have lots of kids and they may not have time to do it themselves

Babysit for a family this holiday season or give them a babysitting coupon to use later in the year. Pair this with a gift card to their favorite restaurant or winery to make it the ultimate date night gift

Pet-sit for them if they are child-free. This can still allow them to take a weekend trip, vacation, or just an extra-long date night without having to rush home

Do a photoshoot for them if you’re a photographer. This is what I gifted my sister this holiday season. She hasn’t had family photos since her youngest boys were born and Dan is a talented photographer/editor so what a great gift we could give them for low waste AND it’s super meaningful

Family photos we did for my sister and her family for Christmas

Buy groceries for someone this year. This is especially great for busy folks who may not have time or folks in school who may not be able to afford some special grocery items

Buy gas for them once, once a month, or more depending on how much you’d like to spend. As the gas gets more expensive and we get more reliant on it for appointments, work, school, and so forth, it can be a lot for some folks. What a meaningful gift that can really help someone out

Cook some meals for busy people in your life. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal but it can be time-consuming. So, offer to cook for someone this holiday season or other times throughout the year

Mow their lawn or do landscaping work to help them out, especially if this is your area of expertise. For example, my mom’s neighbor wants new landscaping, if I knew how, I could offer this up as a gift this year to make it more meaningful and also save her a lot of money

Accomplish some chores that they may not like to do: clean the gutter, weed the garden, etc. Chores that can be difficult or time-consuming or may get overlooked due to other responsibilities. Help them take care of their home to avoid maintenance issues and costs down the road

Hire a housecleaner instead of doing it yourself if you are also busy but want to help someone out this holiday season

Homemade kombucha would make a lovely homemade gift, too ;)

EXPERIENCE GIFTS

A National Parks Pass ($$$) is the PERFECT gift for the outdoorsy folks in your life. If you didn’t know, it’s not just for National Parks, but also National Parks sites, Bureau of Land Management Land, sometimes Forest Service Land, and also Army Corps of Engineer Land so the recipient will easily get your money’s worth out of their adventures

Extreme sports: skiing, snowboarding, sky diving, go-kart racing, etc

Lessons: piano or other music lesson, swim, dance, gymnastics, cheer, other sports

Classes: pottery, painting, sewing, crochet, silversmithing, woodworking, etc

Museums: art museum, children’s museum, science museum, history museum, etc

Sports and Rec: trampoline park, laser tag, mini golf, golf, batting cages, tickets to a local game, ice skating, roller skating, etc

Beverages: winery tour, brewery tour, pub crawl, distillery tour, etc

A Road trip or vacation is always a fun idea for anyone of all ages. You can design it for you and your family or design and pay for it for someone else

Gym memberships are great ideas for the gym rats in your life. I suggest paying for someone’s membership that you know already goes to the gym instead of suggesting someone START their gym journey, which might not end well

Theme Park Passes are great ideas for the thrill seekers you're giving gifts to this year

Arcade tokens are fun for all ages and provide a fun indoor gift opportunity

Buy them things to start their new hobby/interest: crochet supplies, garden supplies, baking supplies, etc. Even if the supplies themselves are not the most eco, getting them high-quality (potentially second-hand) items that they truly WANT can be eco

College classes for anyone! I would love if someone bought me a college ASL or Japanese class for example but this can also be a great way to support the students in your life this year

Teach them a skill yourself instead of buying them a class. For example, I could try to teach someone to crochet, take photos, or bake

Gift cards to their favorite restaurant, store, etc. is never a bad idea. If it’s somewhere they already frequent, I’m sure they’d love if you bought them a gift card to it

SECOND HAND

Basically, take their wishlist and look second hand: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Mom and Pop thrift shops or online via Facebook Marketplace, eBay, OfferUp, ThreadUp, etc

Some things I’ve gotten and given as second-hand gifts: books, camera gear, iPad, film camera, crocs, juicer, jewelry, yarn, kitchenwares, etc

Always check second-hand before buying new to save the most waste AND save you the most money. Here are some things I love and cherish that I’ve found or received as a second-hand gift

GIFT WRAPPING/CARDS

Sure, you could get these items are gifts or you can get them to help you have a more eco-friendly Christmas!

Wrappily recyclable wrapping paper is great! Their wrapping paper is made of 100% paper newsprint making it 100% recyclable unlike plastic or plastic-coated paper wrapping paper. Just remember to take the tape off before recycling!

Wrappily recyclable ribbons are a great gift topper, too! I used to think I could never enjoy ribbons and bows on gifts again but Wrappily is here to save the day with 100% paper recyclable ribbons this year

100% recycled (and recyclable) brown craft paper from Office Depot is great, too for neutral wrapping

Shiki Wrap reusable Japanese-style furoshiki wrapping paper

Ever Wrap is a women-owned reusable wrapping paper company that is more of a bag or box style of traditional wrapping paper instead of furoshiki-style

Darn Good Yarn makes reusable wrapping paper out of 100% recycled sari material (code EMMA15 for 15% off)

Just Honest Living makes bows out of 100% cotton so they can be reused and composted at the end of their lives and are less pollutive to create than plastic ones

Small Victories ($) seed cards and eco-friendly stickers are perfect for gift-giving if you don’t want to boycott cards entirely

We made it! Another gift guide complete with 150 ideas for an eco-friendly gift-giving season. Again, be sure to check out my gift guides from years past (2019-2022) for over 600 more ideas for gifts this holiday season if these don’t suit your needs.

At the end of the day, there really isn’t an excuse to get someone something wasteful this year. Avoid impulse purchases, avoid buying someone something they will not enjoy or use, and avoid as much packaging as possible.

If you can afford it, PLEASE shop local or the small businesses I shout out. It’s so much more meaningful, especially this time of year, to support a person, not a corporation. Let’s help our neighbors make ends meet instead of helping billionaires pollute the earth.

And remember, that as long as the person wants and will use the gift, it’s eco-friendly. It won’t go to waste. It doesn’t have to be compostable or made with solar energy to count as eco-friendly. Just be mindful about the gifts you give this holiday season and all year long.

Thank you so much for reading along, I appreciate your time and supporting MY business too :)

Happy Holidays! I hope you have a happy and healthy season with your friends and families

Remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run

Emma :)

Emma Dendler
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