The holidays are upon us and every year, we generate tons of waste that get sent to landfills and release harmful toxins into the atmosphere and the air we breathe. Additionally, a lot of our waste also pollutes the ocean and the creatures which inhabit it, many of which are food sources for humans. Basically, all the waste we generate, finds its way back into our own bodies; we are therefore killing ourselves with each unwrapped gift that generates unnecessary waste.
Now, before crown me 'Ms Grinch', I'm not anti-gift giving. I think it's a lovely demonstration of love. I do however believe that we can absolutely find a way to give well-thought gifts that show how much we care for our loved ones but are also sourced sustainably and keep our one and only planet beautiful. So, without further ado, here are a few suggestions for how to green up your holidays!
Electronics & Accessories
Lifestraw Home 10-Cup water filter $45
This cute countertop water pitcher reduces tap water contaminants such as lead, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. It's small enough to fit in the fridge and cute enough to be left on the counter. Help your loved one improve their health by gifting them this filter.
Handmade Acoustic Speaker & Cellphone Dock/Stand $14
This adorable little device is made from natural Rubberwood that is used only after it has completed its lifecycle, thereby turning waste into a useful product. GUUD also donates a portion of its proceeds to non-profit organizations that are dedicated to carbon reduction and developing green technology.
Health & Wellness
Insulated Bamboo & Stainless Steel tumbler $27
This product promises to keep drinks hot or cold for 12+ hours. It's plastic-free and carbon-neutral.
Household
Handmade Coconut Bowls & Spoons $19
These affordable eco-friendly bowls are made from reclaimed coconut shells which are finished with organic virgin coconut oil polish. These bowls look so daing cute when taking food photography and they always make me wanna cozy up with my boo and eat ice cream (vegan of course). You'd also be supporting sustainable farming and empowering local communities in Vietnam with this purchase.
Luxome Luxury Viscose sheets $150
Instead of having a roll in the hay, have a roll in these sheets instead 😉. I can attest that these sheets are a true delight to lay your weary body on. Luxome makes their sheets from sustainable bamboo products that are cultivated without chemicals or pesticides. With a 400 thread count that feels more like a 1000 thread count, this fabric really does feel like it was crafted with extreme comfort in mind.
Birth Month Flower Vase made from recycled glass $75
This beautiful handmade vase should match the decor of just about any home. It adds a lovely splash of color to the room and stands apart from your average mass-produced vase.
Bamboo Steamer Basket $30
Steamer baskets have been a staple in Asia and I'm so happy they've shared this simple and genius invention with the rest of the world. Instead of frying, you can easily steam dumplings, vegetables, and anything else you want to and reduce the amount of oil in your diet. This product also comes with silicone liners to prevent your food from sticking to the basket.
Silicone Drinking Straws $9
I prefer these to metal straws which tend to reflect the temperature of whatever you're sipping. This comes in a pack of 12 flexible and durable straws which could help plastic waste from disposable plastic straws.
Clothing
Travel Packable Hoodie $110
This hoodie folds down into its own pouch and can be clipped to a backpack. It's made from recycled plastic bottles and coffee grounds. I'm not a huge fan of clothing made from plastic but if I was gonna buy polyester, it might as well be the recycled version.
Oversized Cotton Cardigan $50
I love this sweater so very much. It's my go-to everyday sweater for those long shifts I do in the hospital. It's warm, chic, and made from non-scratchy material. I would really love one in every color but apparently, it's not a good idea to have an entire wardrobe of just this cardigan 😑.
Guppy friend washing bag $35
Whenever we do laundry, microplastics from our synthetic clothing (nylon, polyester, rayon, etc) leech out into our water supply and poison our water supply. This washing bag helps to capture those tiny particles and decrease the number of plastic pollutants released into our fragile ecosystem.
Jewelry
14K Gold Diamond Bezel Necklace $149
This dainty necklace just whispers ''come get me'' to my feminine lil heart. It's ethically sourced and made from solid gold that won't become oxidized or discolored. You can wear this every day and not worry about it looking old and faded. It's perfect to wear alone, or for layering. Your loved one will adore this gift.
Mejuri Organic Pearl Hoops $66
These beautiful pearl earrings have a thick layer of 18k solid gold and are a fraction of the price of earrings from similar brands. Your loved one will gaze at you with love in their eyes when they see this gorgeous set.
Forget-me-nots handmade earrings with pressed flowers $26
This beautiful pair of earrings are the perfect gift for that quirky person in your life who appreciates handmade, unique jewelry. Seriously, how many people can say their jewelry contains actual flowers inside it? It's like taking a little bit of love and light with you everywhere.
Birth month flower necklace $30
Once again, hand-pressed flowers make this unique necklace so eye-catching and lovely. You can't find this in just any Macy's down the street. With a unique flower for each of the 12 months of the year, you can find a gift for every lovely lady in your life.
Beauty
Dossier Ambery Vanilla $29
Made with cruelty-free and clean ingredients, this scent is inspired by YSL's Black Opium. It's sensuous and intoxicating and very affordable.
Metal Safety Razor $20
Reduce plastic waste from disposable razors and choose a metal razor that will last a lifetime. Sure, they take some getting used to but once you do and experience that close shave, you'll want to make this a permanent addition to your sustainable routine.
Children
Natural Teething Comforter $15
Made from organic cotton, this biodegradable and plastic-free teether-blanket combo is a great nontoxic gift for any little ones. The teether is made from natural rubber and is GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certified.
Hape Fix It Kid's Wooden Tool Box Set $23
Made with wood sourced from sustainable forests and coated with child-safe paint, this toy set will help encourage children to develop hand-eye coordination while also having fun.
KidzRobotix Tin Can Robot, DIY Science Kit $11
This robot teaches the value of recycling to children by helping them repurpose a used can into a fun and functional robot. Any curious kid interested in science and robotics would love this very affordable this starter kit.
I hope these were some helpful suggestions. Leave a comment below if you have any other tips for eco-friendly holiday (or any other event) gift-giving!
Remember, the goal is not perfection, just little changes that will later snowball into big changes. Do the very best that you can, whenever you can, and encourage others to do the same; that's how we make positive changes for our planet.
Please leave a comment below if you have any other tips or questions and don't forget to subscribe for more posts on sustainability, travel, and plant-based cooking!
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