Christmas is a time of giving. We give our family a wondrous meal, we give friends the gift of our laughter, but of course come Christmas morning all anyone wants to do is tear into their presents under the Christmas tree.
What do you think if this year we not only gave presents that our family and friends will love, we also gave presents the Earth would love us for?
Yes, we're talking about gifts that are eco-friendly and sustainable!
Hold on a second though, before we go on, let's get one thing straight.
Eco-friendly gifts aren't just about metal straws, bamboo cutlery, and reusable water bottles. They're also not just about recycled cardboard and upcycled yogurt pots. We're all for non-disposables, and arts and crafts the whole year round, but Christmas deserves a little luxury, don't you think?
Can you have something that's eco-friendly AND luxurious AND affordable? Of course you can! Read on for our top sustainable Christmas gift ideas under $30!
Gifts for Her
PACKAGE FREE
At Package Free, they say that they're on a mission to make the world less trashy! Since they aim to make natural and plastic-free products more accessible, affordable, and convenient for all, you can even find zero waste gifts for under $10 on their site! Psst, they even sell vegan condoms, no kidding!
But of course, since we're talking about luxury, our vote for the best Christmas gift idea goes to their Hand & Body Cream from Lovett Sundries ($16).
This fluffy, silky, thick cream is legit made from only 5 ingredients (Filtered water, pure olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, lactobacillus) and can go on your hands, legs, wherever you need a little pampering!
You can get your hands on this product directly from their website, and feel at ease knowing they ship completely plastic free, with 100% recyclable and 100% compostable shipping materials. And when you're all done with it, that metal tin goes straight into metal recycling! Voila! It's so easy to be green.
PIXIE MOOD
Ladies, what are some of your handbag woes? Not having a pen on you, your earphones all over the bottom of your bag, not able to find your phone you need when you need it? Pixie Mood's Bianca Travel Organizer ($25 as of time of writing) is here to solve all that and more.
This gorgeous wallet-pocketbook-clutch will hold #allthethings and is made from 100% vegan leather and PETA certified, so no need to cry over any gone-too-soon calves!
Their goal to create a positive social impact on the globe extends to their packaging as well, which is corn-based, 100% biodegradable, and a great sustainable alternative to plastic. It's currently on sale, so don't miss your chance to purchase this trendy yet totally sustainable fashion accessory today!
SPUN BAMBOO
Christmas is such a fun time when it comes to fashion because you can mix and match your wardrobe to get such amazing and chic looks!
Start with some good quality basic wear, like this long sleeve bamboo viscose shirt ($25.99), which is an absolute must-have in your closet. And simply layer on a short-sleeved sweater, tunic or poncho for an instantly stunning winter look!
Just some ways to pull off a fantastic winter look with a long-sleeved bamboo viscose shirt under!
Bamboo is one of the most sustainable renewable resources on the planet because when you harvest bamboo, new shoots grow in its place. It also grows tremendously well without the need for toxic fertilizers or pesticides.
Bamboo viscose is the perfect choice for apparel because it’s insulating and breathable at the same time, meaning you’ll be warm in winter and cool in summer. Purchasing all-year-round, non-seasonal wear like this also means cutting down on excess clothes in your wardrobe, which is another great way to be eco-friendly!
It's also biodegradable, which is great for our environment in the long run. So when you purchase bamboo viscose clothing, you're not only giving a present that's durable and nature-approved, you're also giving the gift of sustainability.
Gifts for Him
HOUSE OF MARLEY
House of Marley doesn't just sound cool, the Marley name is indeed the one you know and love - the brand was created in collaboration with the Marley family to carry on Bob's legacy of love for music and the planet.
These Smile Jamaica Wired Earbuds ($19.99) are made from FSC® Certified Wood and recyclable aluminum housings, but do all the right things you need a good quality pair of earphones to do, with exceptional audio clarity and maximum bass. Even the cable is made from 99% post-consumer recycled polyester!
Not only is House of Marley turning trash into tech, but they're also using sales proceeds to support global reforestation and can proudly say that they've planted more than 200,000 trees thus far! So for any music lovers in your life - or even people who love listening to audiobooks or podcasts - these Marley music machines will be the perfect fit.
SPUN BAMBOO
Okay let's face it, it's not so easy to buy gifts for men. Has your dad been receiving the same old tie/socks/cologne for the last couple of decades? Time to shake it up a little! Psst, we have the secret formula for you. Here's what men like: Comfort, quality, and never having to wonder what to wear. It's easy, right?
You can get all of that right here with The Original Spun Bamboo Men's Bamboo Viscose and Organic Cotton T-shirt ($28.99). What can we say, if your gift recipient has only worn cotton, nylon, polyester all their life, boy, are they in for a change!
Bamboo viscose is not only cashmere-soft on the skin, it's also moisture absorbing and wicking, breathable, hypoallergenic, insulating and UV protective. And the folks behind Spun Bamboo are so enthusiastic about spreading bamboo love, all the clothes on the site are super affordable. It's luxury meets everyday functionality, because why shouldn't every day be luxurious?
Gifts for Kids
GREEN TOYS
Now, I know we said no recycled cardboard... but how about recycled plastic milk containers? Because that is exactly what went into creating this amazing Green Toys seacopter!
This California-based company has turned more than a 100 million milk jugs into imaginative toys for babies, toddlers and little kids, that are all BFA free and completely safe for kids, even with them putting everything in their mouths!
If you know a kid who loves having a tea party with their dollies, or who loves to pretend to build stuff, then you already have the perfect gifts for them right here. And knowing that when you purchase these you're saving more trash from hitting the landfills, that's a gift to yourself right there.
ONCE-KIDS
Building blocks have always been made from plastic as far as we can remember, right? Once-Kids flipped the script by creating the world's first ever 100% compostable wooden building blocks - that are even compatible with the plastic ones we already have at home!
Just check out this Eco-bricks™ 3 in 1 Builds - Ocean set ($29.99) - which allows you to create a shark, swordfish or stingray from the same 66 bricks. Of course, the real limit to what you can build would only be a child's imagination!
Once-Kids have swapped plastic for FSC certified wood and bamboo instead, so these building blocks will thankfully biodegrade on their own when they end up in trash one day. The company hopes that this will help keep more plastic from entering our oceans, so that our grandkids' grandkids will also be able to enjoy nature and wildlife the way we do today.
We are also in love with their Wanderlust series, especially these adorable Chalkboard Monsters ($30) and this iconic New York City set ($30)!
Other Sustainable Christmas Gift Ideas
Don't forget that ecological gifts don't just have to be purchased, they can also come directly from you. If you like crafting at home, you can think about gifting a jar of your own homemade jam, or a bundle of handmade soap.
For something with an extra personal touch, think about creating a special painting or poem specially for your recipient.
Or, you can always give the gift of an experience - tickets to the zoo, a gift certificate for an online course, or even coupons for your time and services!
3 Tips for Choosing An Ecological Gift
- Think about what they would really want and love
Buying presents that your recipients will love means they will be treasured for years to come, and not tossed into the trash before next Christmas even comes along. Not only will Mother Nature thank you for that, your recipient will thank you too for getting them something extra thoughtful that they'll use!
- Think about quality over quantity
Rather than get them 3 different journals, invest that money into getting a beautiful, well-made, quality journal printed on FSC certified paper, which is paper that has been sustainably harvested.
- Think about what will last the test of time
You don't want to get them something they absolutely love that is going to fall apart on them in a matter of months. So always look for durability and good workmanship, and try not to settle for something that is mass produced and not quality checked. As we've already seen, a gift that is sustainable, durable, and of good quality doesn't have to break the bank! You just need a good eye for a good standard!
Christmas is almost here, are you ready with all your eco-pressies? We hope that this guide has been useful for you, and a reminder that eco-friendly can also be luxurious and wonderful! Besides peace and cheer, perhaps you'll also be spreading a little sustainability this Christmas. ;)
