Sustainable Christmas Gift Ideas
With the holiday season right around the corner, you have probably already started searching for gifts for your loved ones. This time of year can sometimes feel plagued by a constant pressure to buy, but even with that pressure, it's important to remember not only the true meaning of the holiday season, but also how your purchases impact the earth. While it may be hard or even impossible to completely eliminate any unnecessary spending this season, you can still consume smarter. This list compiles a large variety of ethical brands and products to give to all the important people in your life.
Elate cosmetics offers a wide variety of beauty products, all in reusable and sustainable packaging. All of their products are 100% vegan and cruelty free. Elate is officially a B-Corporation, and is committed to putting the planet and people before profits. Learn more about their ethics here.
Patagonia is a designer of outdoor clothing and gear that offers products suitable for anyone on your shopping list. They boast a large variety and selection of products that all adhere to the company’s strong morals. Their entire line is 83% Fair Trade Certified sewn, and they are aiming to be completely carbon neutral by 2025. Learn more about Patagonia’s environmental and social footprint here.
Etsy makes supporting small businesses easier than ever. Their website boasts a broad range of independent sellers, many of whom promote sustainability in their products. Below are a few examples of sustainable sellers on Etsy:
The Soap Cauldron sells zero waste personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and more.
Scrap Paper Goods offers notebooks made entirely of junk mail and recycled paper (except the binding wire). Each handmade book contains 60 double-sided pages of lined paper.
Earth Hero is your one stop shop for all things sustainable and zero waste. They carry products from brands that put the earth first and are actively working to break the status quo of consumerism. Earth Hero carries everything from dog toys to beauty products, making it the perfect website to finish all your Christmas shopping. Below are products you can find on Earth Hero:
Fat and the Moon carries handcrafted herbal
body care products that come in zero waste packaging. Their line ranges from makeup and skincare, to toothpaste and deodorant. The company uses all natural ingredients to innovatively create simple products that are good for the body and the earth.Find out more about their mission here.
Organic basics makes closet staples from 100% organic cotton. The company is firmly founded on ideals of sustainability, and actively works to better the fashion industry. They offer simple, high quality clothing pieces for both men and women. Find out more about Organic basics here.
Pact Coffee is a coffee subscription service dedicated to better the lives of the farmers they source from. Their business model promises customers high quality coffee delivered to their door that is made with the wellbeing of farm workers in mind. Their Direct Trade model pays farmers directly, at 25-125% over Fairtrade rates. Learn more about Direct Trade at Pact Coffee here.
Give the gift of an experience. The best way to promote sustainability is to consume less. By taking someone out to dinner, a concert, a museum, a trampoline park, etc. you are not only reducing how much you consume this holiday season, but also giving your loved ones memories to cherish.