There's no denying holidays can be unfairly frustrating for environmentally conscious people thanks to non-reusable gift wrappers and loads of disposable plastic materials.
However, choosing seasonal gifts doesn’t have to cost the earth. Do you know someone who is trying to be less wasteful? If you do, the holiday season is a great time to give them something that could prove useful on their journey. Gift them items that replace wasteful things like single-use bathroom or kitchen items, and try to look for fabrics like cotton, bamboo and hemp.
Before we look at some of these items, let’s get a general view of what we should be getting.
What to Choose From
So, what exactly makes a gift eco-friendly? First of all, you want to be sure you're working with a brand that has transparent practices in sustainability. Any gift that helps your loved ones live a more low-waste lifestyle will be a bonus. Then, if the gift is made with upcycled materials or is a secondhand, pre-loved item, you've got a gift that certainly fits the bill.
Take, for instance, pyjamas which are the most popular holiday gifts. A cotton pyjama set wastes 50% of usable material, 332.6 grams of chemicals, and 1.8kg of carbon dioxide equivalent. Imagine how that is going to harm the environment.
Let's have a roundup of gifts that will give back while giving joy at the same time. Each gift idea is made from sustainable materials and with an earth-friendly purpose that helps reduce impact while increasing enjoyment.
1. Unpaper Towels and Holder
Unpaper towels are the reusable version of paper towels. They are made of eco-friendly fabric so they can be washed and reused, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable paper towels.
Help your loved ones level up their sustainability game by gifting them reusable "unpaper" towels, together with their holder this holiday.
2. A Ceramic Compost Keeper
If your friend is a fan of composting, then they know that the container where you store your food scraps can get a little smelly. But not anymore. The ceramic compost keeper comes with an air-tight lid and filter to help diffuse the odours.
It comes with a stainless steel handle that makes it easier for you to carry to your compost pile. Gardeners and environmentalist friends alike will appreciate this very thoughtful gift. It can also come in a blue and white colourful version.
3. Bamboo Bath Towels
Gifts don’t get more useful than these bamboo bath towels. They are made from 100% viscose from certified organic bamboo and are super soft and usable. They’re a natural antibacterial and three times more absorbent than traditional cotton towels.
The fact that growing bamboo requires less energy and water than other trees used for fibre production makes these bamboo towels an excellent environmental-friendly choice. They’re also fully biodegradable once their lifespan comes to an end, making them safe for municipal composting programs.
4. Beeswax Pinecone Candles
You will have to look hard to find anything that compares to the smell of beeswax. These little festive beeswax candles give out a subtle, honey-like fragrance as they burn. There's no better holiday gift for your environmentally conscious friend.
Share the holiday glow with friends, family, or co-workers by gifting them one of three colours and sizes that burn for around 24 to 50 hours. Add to a gift basket or give alone. Cotton wicks complement this natural, paraffin-free lighting alternative.
5. Zero-waste Soap Dispenser
Even during these unsafe times, you'd want your friend or loved one to feel good about protecting the environment every time they wash their hands, and this low-waste soap dispenser is the perfect gift.
The soap pods also come with refreshing citrus ginger and lemongrass scents for that additional comfort in the handwashing process.
6. Light-wave Watch
For your technology proficient friends, you have a great way to sneak something eco-friendly into their wardrobes. This Light-wave watch from Nixon is solar-powered and it eliminates the need for batteries. It comes in five stylish colourways to choose from and the band and case are made from recycled ocean plastics, according to the brand.
7. Organic Oat Milk Powder
This is highly recommended for your latte lover friends and family. If they're vegan for environmental reasons, they'll seriously appreciate you introducing them to this water-free oat milk powder.
They can use the oat milk powder to get a creamy consistency in tea, lattes, sauces, desserts, and more. And yes, they can add water if they'd like to DIY their own oat milk, too.
8. Organic Eyeshadow Palette
Looking for something for the beauty guru in your life? This eyeshadow palette from Principle beauty could be the perfect organic addition to their beauty kit.
It has natural earthy tones made with organic ingredients like jojoba and coconut oils. The contents can be used as eyeshadow, blush, or highlighter. The palette is made of upcycled cork and is fully backyard compostable.