20 Sustainable Gifts for the Holidays

‘Tis the season to be jolly! With the holidays quickly approaching, the stress of finding that ‘perfect gift’ is surely looming. Whether you’re shopping for someone who already has everything or are just looking to be more intentional about choosing sustainable gifts this year, we’ve put together a list that has something for everyone to love.

Take a look at our favorite sustainable gifts to give (and receive) this holiday season...

Gifts for the Outdoorsy

For friends and family who love the outdoors, fun and functional gear is always a welcome gift. Whether they’re avid campers and climbers, love spending time in the garden, or just enjoy getting out to local trails and parks, you can’t go wrong with these sustainable options:

Portable Solar Panels

For that outdoorsy friend who always jokes about going off-grid, a portable solar panel is just as practical as it is sustainable. Jackery’s on-the-go options convert solar energy into clean power to charge up smartphones and other gadgets for camping, backpacking, and even everyday use!

National Park Pass

Give the gift of adventure with an America The Beautiful Pass. An annual pass is their ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including all national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and more. If you’re lucky, maybe they’ll invite you along for the next adventure!

ENO Hammock

A hammock may not be a camping essential, but it does offer a relaxing way to enjoy an afternoon outdoors – even if it’s just in the backyard or at a local park. Each colorful print of ENO’s “Giving Back Hammock” supports an organization dedicated to protecting and expanding access to the outdoors. Plus, it fits two people, packs down to the size of a grapefruit, and every hammock purchase plants two trees...what’s not to love?!

Lettuce Grow Farm Stand

When you need a gift that truly keeps on giving, look no further than the Lettuce Grow Farmstand! These self-watering, self-fertilizing stands make it easy to grow everything from leafy greens to strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more – indoors or out. Plus, they require 95% less water than traditional gardening...green thumbs just got even greener.

Gifts for the Coffee Lover

If they can’t function until their second cup and have strong opinions about pour-over vs. French press, these sustainably made gifts will help them take their favorite daily ritual to the next level.

Organic Coffee, Roasted by Wonder State Coffee

Located just a few miles up the road from our Wisconsin manufacturing facility, Wonder State Coffee is committed to quality, great taste, sustainability, and its core belief in fairness to farmers. A medium-dark roast with notes of plum, toffee, and cocoa powder, a bag of Organic Driftless is the ideal gift for any coffee aficionado.

MiiR Mug

For a cup that keeps their brew hot and will have everyone asking where they got it, look no further than MiiR. Their design-forward travel cups, tumblers, and brewing tools aren’t just sleek and functional; they’re also sustainably made and support high-impact projects that empower people and protect the planet.

Cold Brew Pitcher

Help them ditch the plastic drive-thru cups and avoid the mess of filters and strainers with an easy-to-use, dishwasher-safe cold brew pitcher. They can caffeinate using their favorite coffee beans and sip delicious cold brew for days with less plastic waste. As a bonus, the pitcher can also be used to brew iced tea and infuse water!

Almond Cow Milk Maker

Help them ditch the plastic drive-thru cups and avoid the mess of filters and strainers with an easy-to-use, dishwasher-safe cold brew pitcher. They can caffeinate using their favorite coffee beans and sip delicious cold brew for days with less plastic waste. As a bonus, the pitcher can also be used to brew iced tea and infuse water!

Gifts For the Foodie

They know all the best restaurants in town, host the best dinner parties, and probably have a spice drawer that would rival most chefs’. For the foodie in your life, eco-friendly kitchen swaps and gourmet goodies are no-fail gift options.

Thrive Market Membership

Whether their local store doesn’t carry their favorite organic foods, or they just want to save on pantry staples, a Thrive Market Membership is the perfect gift. Thrive is a low-cost, online, membership-based market that gives customers access to the best healthy and sustainable products at guaranteed savings. To make things even better, every annual membership also sponsors a free membership for a family in need.

Sustainable Food Storage

From foil and plastic wrap to disposable bags, prepping and storing food can create a lot of waste. Help your loved ones save money and reduce waste with reusable Stasher Bags and silicone food wrap. Grab some reusable produce bags or biodegradable dish sponges to create a zero-waste kitchen gift basket!

Favorite Cookbooks

A cookbook is a practical and thoughtful way to share the joy of plant-based cooking. Pick one of your favorites and bookmark your go-to recipes to add a personal touch. Not sure which to grab? Try a bestseller like Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking, Unbelievably Vegan, Provecho, or Ottolenghi’s Plenty.

GoMacro MacroBars®

Give them a delicious way to snack at home or on the go with a 12-count tray of your favorite MacroBar flavor – or gift them a Variety Pack so they can discover their own favorites! MacroBars are made with high-quality, sustainably sourced, plant-based ingredients, making them the perfect gift for ingredient-conscious foodies. Because they’re Certified Organic, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Kosher, Non-GMO, C.L.E.A.N., FODMAP Friendly, and Soy-Free, they’re also an inclusive option for friends with special dietary needs. For a gift that keeps on giving, consider GoMacro’s Subscribe & Save program!

Gifts For the Homebody

If they’re always down for a night in and love those special touches that make the house cozy, these gifts are perfect for creating a relaxing, homey space.

Acupressure Mat

Help them take their relaxation, sleep, or pain-relief routine to the next level with a sustainably made acupressure mat and pillow. WTHN’s linen and coconut fiber mats are covered with gentle stimulator points that use the traditional principles of acupressure to foster deep relaxation and stress relief. After use, they can be easily rolled up and packed away!

Eco-Friendly Candles

Candles are a go-to gift for a reason, but many are made with petroleum waxes and toxic fragrances. Treat your favorite homebody to a sustainable upgrade. Simple Ritual is an eco-friendly, cruelty-free, toxin-free candle company founded by a cancer survivor. You can even include a rechargeable lighter so they don’t have to toss out a plastic one!

Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Cleaning products as a gift?! Hear us out... For anyone who loves a clean house or is just beginning their non-toxic journey, a starter set from Branch Basics or Blueland can be an incredible gift. Refillable bottles create less waste, while safe, non-toxic ingredients keep their home and our waterways healthier. For something slightly more luxe, L’AVANT makes plant-based, eco-friendly cleaning supplies that also happen to be incredibly beautiful!

Portable Laptop Desk

Whether they work from home or just love a cozy night on the couch, this handmade, environmentally conscious cooling desk has USB fans that keep laptops from overheating on their lap. The adjustable bamboo tray tilts so they can work at a comfortable angle, and it has side compartments for their headphones, drink, or other work essentials.

Gifts For the Adventurer

Every time you text them, they’re jetting off to a new destination, and you know you can always count on these friends for the best travel recommendations. Here are some gifts for the sustainable explorer in your life.

Lifestraw Water Bottle

We all know it’s best to avoid disposable plastic water bottles but, when traveling, drinking from the tap can be risky. A Lifestraw Water Filter Bottle can remove bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and chemicals for safe and fresh water no matter where their journey takes them – no single-use bottles needed!

Cadence Travel Containers

Help them resist the call of the tiny travel toiletry aisle with a set of Cadence’s reusable modular travel containers. These magnetic, leakproof, TSA-compliant containers hold toiletries, supplements, medications, and more, and their sleek, durable design means your favorite traveler will never have to toss out another single-use toiletry.

Bamboo Cutlery Set

When you’re at the airport or on the road frequently, it can be tough to avoid the plastic cutlery that comes with most takeout food options. Patagonia’s reusable set includes a bamboo fork, knife, spoon, and chopsticks nestled in a recycled plastic holder. Complete with a handy carabiner, it’s never been easier to reduce waste while eating on the move.

Passport Memory Books

From National Parks and restaurants to new states and countries, these little books give travelers a fun way to commemorate each new journey. With quick prompts and space to tuck away photos or ticket stubs, Letterfolk’s memory books are more special than a blank journal and small enough to tuck in a carry-on.

Why It Matters

By choosing intentional, sustainable gifts, you can help reduce the waste associated with holiday gift-giving while keeping all the joy. Whether you gift a homemade treat, share an experience, or support sustainable businesses throughout the holiday season, thoughtful gifting is a simple step towards making positive changes in your life and the lives of those around you!