The holidays are almost here and that means it’s time to start thinking about what gifts we want to give our loved ones. It can be challenging to come up with thoughtful gift ideas that are good for the planet and for your recipient. That is why I have put together a holiday gift guide showcasing some of my favorite sustainable, cruelty-free, ethical, fair-trade companies. These are gifts you can feel good about purchasing!
I tried to include a variety of products that are good quality and at a reasonable price point for most budgets. This guide is primarily geared toward gifts for women but some items are unisex. Some of the items recommended below are things I personally own and love; others are items I would like to receive as a gift myself and I think others might, too. I hope you like my gift ideas and that this holiday gift guide serves you well!
1. The Five Minute Journal from Intelligent Change
What better gift than the gift of gratitude! The Five Minute Journal helps those who use it practice gratitude daily and focus on the good in their lives. It is meant to be used in the morning shortly after waking up and at night before going to bed. This way, you start and end your day on a positive note. I’ve used The Five Minute Journal in the past and really loved it. I found that it helped me focus on the blessings in my life rather than whatever not-so-great thing might have happened to me that day. Even if you’ve had a crappy day, there is always something to be grateful for and using this journal can help people put things into perspective. This is why I think The Five Minute Journal would make a great gift for someone.
2. Biodegradable Phone Case from Pela
If you know someone who is getting a new cell phone for the holidays, a great gift could be a phone case. But not just any phone case, one that is eco-friendly. Pela makes durable, compostable phone cases for both iPhone and Android phones. They have several color options and cases that support special causes.
3. Aroma Om Diffuser from Saje Wellness
For your friend who has been wanting to get into the wonderful world of essential oils, get them started by gifting them a diffuser. The Aroma Om is the exact diffuser I have from Saje Wellness and I love mine. Saje has quite a selection of different diffusers to choose from so you can look through their website to find one you like.
4. Good Cheer Diffuser Blend Collection from Saje Wellness
If someone you know already has a diffuser or if you plan on gifting a diffuser and want something to accompany it, a diffuser blend collection would be a nice choice. This one from Saje Wellness contains five blends that are all holiday-themed. A set like this is nice for someone new to essential oils because they can try out different scents and figure out what they like. Saje has a lot of different diffuser blends to choose from in a range of scents. You can check out their other options here.
5. Tote Bag from Samara
Tote bags are such a great accessory to have because you can carry so much inside: a laptop, a water bottle, snacks, and much more. This is a great gift for a woman who is always on the go and needs to take her laptop with her all the time. This one, in particular, comes from a really wonderful company. Samara is a luxury vegan handbag company based in Canada. Their high-quality designs are simple and elegant. Samara uses a more eco-friendly vegan leather than most other companies and is hoping to completely move away from plastics in the future with the advent of plant-based leathers. I would also like to note that Samara is a woman-owned business.
6. Reusable Water Bottle from Hydroflask
I have been using a Hydroflask bottle for about a year and a half now and I love mine so much. I actually have two now, a 32 oz and an 18 oz, but the one I use most often is 32 oz. It keeps my water cold for 12+ hours and I rarely leave the house with it. Hydroflask makes different bottle types in different sizes so you can pick whatever size and shape you like.
The reason I included a reusable bottle on my gift guide is that I still see so many people using plastic water bottles. So, if you know someone who does not use a reusable water bottle or if you know someone who uses a plastic reusable bottle, give them an upgrade. Bring them into the world of insulated reusable bottles. I went from a plastic reusable bottle, which did nothing to keep my water cold, to a Hydroflask and I could never go back.
7. Experience Gift
In my opinion, experience gifts are one of the best gifts you can give a loved one. They lead to fun memories being made and are typically more meaningful and impactful than a material gift might be. An experience gift could be for just one person or for an entire family; it could be something your loved one does on their own or something you can do together. Some ideas:
- Tickets to a concert, sporting event, play, musical, or movie
- Lessons to learn a skill, such as dance, pottery, or archery lessons
- A pass for a fitness class
- Membership to a yoga or pilates studio
- A gift certificate to go indoor rock climbing, skydiving, paddle boarding, etc.
- A gift certificate for a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, or for a full spa day
- A camping trip
- A staycation at an eco-hotel
- A weekend getaway
- A domestic or international trip
These are just a few ideas but the possibilities are endless!
Experience gifts are a preferred gift option within my immediate family. My parents especially love experience gifts because a) they already have everything they need and b) they would prefer to do something with their kids rather than have a material item.
8. Lips and Lashes Kit from Elate Cosmetics
This makeup kit would make a great gift for any sustainable makeup lover. Elate Cosmetics makes vegan, cruelty-free makeup with non-toxic, fair-trade ingredients. What sets Elate apart from most other makeup companies is their packaging and commitment to creating as little waste as possible. I’d recommend checking out their other beauty products as well.
9. Weekly Face Care Kit from Franklin and Whitman
After the stress of the holiday season, everyone’s skin could use some extra TLC. A kit like this Weekly Face Care Kit from Franklin and Whitman could be a great gift for a loved one who values clean skincare products or likes to have at home spa days. This kit comes with a face scrub, botanical steam, and face mask.
I have been using some of Franklin and Whitman’s skin and hair care products for over a year now and love the products I have tried from them. Franklin and Whitman is a completely plant-based, cruelty-free company and their products are all-natural and preservative-free. They are also committed to sustainability prioritizing glass containers over plastic and using 100% biodegradable vegetable starch packing peanuts in their shipments. Another thing to love about Franklin and Whitman is that they donate a percentage of all sales to Dog Rescue Organizations.
10. Crescent Moon Necklace from The Neshama Project
The Neshama Project is a small jewelry company based in California. All of the jewelry is made with opals that are ethically sourced from Israel. I love this crescent moon necklace and have had my eye on it for quite some time. It’s a perfect gift for any soul sister or spiritual enthusiast in your life. The Neshama Project also sells bracelets and earrings and I think any of their jewelry would make a wonderful gift. I own their Mini Leah Necklace and treasure it.
11. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
I read Where the Crawdads Sing earlier this year and absolutely loved it! You can read the synopsis on Goodreads here. It is one of my favorite novels and I think others would enjoy it as well. However, you could gift any of your favorite books to someone you think might enjoy them as much as you did. I’m usually a big advocate for borrowing books from your local library but I also think gifting a book is a thoughtful way to share something you love with a friend or family member.
12. Deliciously Ella The Plant-Based Cookbook
If you want to inspire friends and family to eat more plant-based meals, consider giving them a vegan cookbook like this one from Deliciously Ella. One reason people are turned off from a vegan diet is that they think vegans eat boring foods or that we only eat salads. Showing others that a vegan diet can be full of nourishing, delicious foods is a great way to encourage people to eat less animal products. A vegan cookbook can also be a good gift for someone who is already vegan, of course; just try to get one they don’t already have.
13. Roaming America by Renee and Matthew Hahnel
A perfect gift for any adventurer or nature lover out there, Roaming America is a guide to visiting the U.S. National Parks. Authors Renne and Matthew are travel photographers and bloggers (you can follow them on Instagram here and here) who put together all of their tips and recommendations for visiting the national parks. There are obviously lots of photos throughout the book and they are absolutely stunning! I think this book can inspire anyone to spend more time in the great outdoors.
14. Original Artwork from Luisa Azevedo
I have been a fan of Luisa’s artwork for a while now and think one of her prints would make a lovely gift. You can check out her Instagram page here and scroll through her work. I’m not really sure how to describe her artwork because I’m not well-versed in artistic styles but I believe her style is a form of surrealism. The Moon House poster pictured above is one of my favorites and another favorite of mine is called Autumn Fox.
15. Hoodie from Franc
This hoodie from Franc is a cozy winter basic that would make a nice addition to just about anyone’s closet. Franc is a sustainable clothing company based in Canada. They focus on making quality basics that are produced ethically and are made to last. I really love this company and would recommend checking out their other clothing items, too. You can read up on their ethics and sustainability practices here.
16. Flats from Rothy’s
I own a pair of these Rothy’s flats in black and wear them almost every day to work. They are super comfortable, come in several colors, and pair well with casual and business casual attire. The fabric of these flats are made from recycled plastic water bottles, the insoles are made of recycled foam, and the outsoles are made from carbon-free rubber. Rothy’s is dedicated to sustainable practices and even their shipping process is eco-friendly. They use shoe boxes made from 85% post-consumer recycled materials and offset the carbon emissions created from shipping their products. Any of Rothy’s shoes could make a great gift for your sustainably-minded loved one.
17. Harmony Mat from Jade Yoga
Do you know someone who has been wanting to start a yoga practice but has been reluctant to do so? Gifting them a yoga mat could be a great way to help them get started. A yoga mat can also make a great gift for the yogi in your life whose current mat is falling apart from being used so much. The Harmony Mat from Jade Yoga comes highly recommended and is also one of the more eco-friendly yoga mats out there. It is made from natural rubber that is renewably sourced and it’s made ethically in the United States. Jade also plants a tree for every mat sold.
18. Sunglasses from Blue Planet Eco-Eyewear
Blue Planet Eco-Eyewear make glasses from sustainable materials, such as bamboo and recycled plastic and metal. The company also donates a pair of corrective glasses to a person in need for every pair sold. The glasses pictured above are from the Ash Collection and I personally own a pair from their Amador Collection.
19. Card Pouch from Angela Roi
Angela Roi is another luxury vegan handbag company that designs timeless pieces. I have been a big fan of this company for years now. Not only are all of their products cruelty-free but they are also sweatshop-free and their workers are paid fair wages. This card pouch, which could really function as a small wallet, is a lovely accessory to gift someone. I personally really love using a card holder when I travel because my wallet takes up too much space in my purse.
20. Gift Set from The Little Market
Did you know Lauren Conrad co-owns a fair-trade shop called The Little Market that sells handmade goods and supports female artisans from around the world? The Little Market has a gorgeous selection of products and you can feel good knowing your purchase is going to support a female artisan and her family. They have several curated gift sets to choose from that help make gift-giving a little easier. The gift sets already come packaged nicely, saving you wrapping time, and each set is curated around a theme, such as home decor or kitchenware.
If a gift set isn’t your thing and you’d rather put together your own collection of gifts, definitely look through The Little Market website for some beautifully crafted items.