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We all love Christmas, but not so much the enormous waste the holiday creates. Here’s a list of eco-friendly gifts for every person in your life.

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..."

As the holiday season approaches, it's the perfect time to think about eco-friendly Christmas gifts. Whether you're an early decorator or a mid-December enthusiast, the joy of Christmas is universal. 

But this year, let's add a twist to our celebrations by choosing gifts that are kind to our planet.

Nationwide, there's a rising consciousness about the environmental impact of holiday shopping. From excessive packaging to quickly discarded items, the cost to our planet is significant. 

This Christmas, we can change that.

I've put together an imaginative and helpful list of sustainable gift options for every family member. Think handcrafted, biodegradable toys for the kids, or stylish, sustainable fashion accessories for the trendsetters.

Last year, I gifted my sister a set of reusable bamboo kitchenware. And the sparkle in her eyes was not just for the gift, but for the story it told — one of love, thoughtfulness, and responsibility towards our environment.

This festive season, let's pledge to shop with a conscience. 

Join me in making this Christmas not just merry, but also environmentally mindful.

20 Sustainable Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Loved Ones

1. JM-capricorns Portable Reusable Grocery Bags

Portable Reusable Grocery Bags - sustainable Christmas gifts

I've recently been using the JM-capricorns Portable Reusable Grocery Bags and they're a perfect eco-friendly Christmas gift. Made of pure cotton, these bags are a sustainable substitute for single-use plastic and nylon bags, supporting a zero-waste lifestyle. 

Their design stands out with long handles for easy carrying, whether as a tote or hung up. Lightweight and foldable, they're a breeze to carry around on shopping trips. Impressively durable, they can hold up to 40 pounds and are versatile enough for groceries, beach days, or organizing travel essentials. Available in various colors, they add a stylish touch to your shopping routine. 

I highly recommend these bags for a practical, eco-conscious gift this holiday season, blending sustainability with style in everyday tasks.

2. Bee's Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps

Bees Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps - sustainable Christmas gifts

I've been using Bee's Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps in my kitchen, and they are a game-changer, making them a top pick for eco-friendly Christmas gifts. 

These wraps are a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic wraps and traditional food storage. 

Made in the USA from organic cotton, beeswax, organic plant oil, and tree resin, they're free from harmful toxins and chemicals. What I love most is their versatility – the variety pack comes in three sizes, ideal for wrapping everything from a half lemon to a large salad bowl. 

Using them is a breeze; just warm them in your hands to make them pliable, then wrap your food. They hold their shape as they cool, creating a secure seal that keeps food fresh. After use, a simple hand wash with cool water and mild soap is all it takes to keep them clean. 

With proper care, these wraps can be reused for up to a year. 

At the end of their life, they can be composted or used as a fire starter, embodying true eco-friendliness. Whether it's for a housewarming, a teacher, or simply a thoughtful gift for a loved one, Bee's Wrap is an excellent choice.

3. Ecoroots Organic Body Soap

Ecoroots Facial Soap Bar

Ecoroots Organic Body Soap has transformed my shower routine into a luxurious, eco-friendly experience, making it an ideal Christmas gift. 

This soap, handcrafted from organic ingredients like coconut, sunflower, and palm oils, and blended with lavender essential oil, leaves the skin feeling nourished and soft. 

Its handcrafted, small-batch production guarantees no synthetic fragrances, colorants, parabens, or sulfates. 

The unisex appeal and refreshing feel make it a universally appealing gift. What impresses me most is its commitment to sustainability – one bar can replace up to two plastic body wash bottles, supporting a zero-waste lifestyle. 

Vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged in a recyclable cardboard box with plastic-free shipping, it embodies eco-conscious living.

Additionally, it's travel-friendly, offering practicality for those on the go. Ecoroots Organic Body Soap is not just a gift for the body but also for the planet, ideal for introducing loved ones to sustainable luxury.

4. MexHandcraft Clear Drinking Glasses - Recycled Glass

MexHandcraft Clear Drinking Glasses - sustainable Christmas gifts

MexHandcraft's Clear Drinking Glasses, crafted from recycled glass, have added a unique touch to my dining experience, making them a thoughtful and eco-friendly Christmas gift. 

Each glass, individually handcrafted by artisans in Tonala, Mexico, showcases the beauty of rustic simplicity, inspired by the wabi-sabi philosophy. This artisanal approach means every glass is unique, adding charm to both daily use and special occasions.

What truly impresses me is their commitment to sustainability. These glasses are made from 100% recycled soda bottles, free of lead and toxins, emphasizing environmental responsibility. With a comfortable 14 oz size, they're perfect for everyday beverages or entertaining guests. 

I highly recommend these glasses as a Christmas gift, not only for their aesthetic appeal and artisanal quality but also for their eco-friendly impact. Their production supports traditional crafts and sustainable practices, making them more than just drinkware – they're a statement of environmental and cultural appreciation.

5. Conscious Step Men's Fair Trade Organic Cotton Crew Socks

Conscious Step Men's Fair Trade Organic Cotton Crew Socks - sustainable Christmas gifts

My husband recently has started wearing Conscious Step Men's Fair Trade Organic Cotton Crew Socks, and they're not just socks; they're a statement of style and sustainability. 

The comfort they offer is unmatched, thanks to their composition of 75% Fairtrade Organic Cotton, 23% Recycled Polyester, and 2% Elastane. This blend keeps my feet cozy and dry throughout the day, fitting perfectly within the given size range.

What sets these socks apart are their bold, vibrant designs. They add a trendy flair to any outfit, letting you make a fashion statement effortlessly. Durability is another plus – they're designed to endure daily wear, making them suitable for both casual and formal settings.

Their eco-friendly and ethical production is the cherry on top. Crafted sustainably and produced in fair trade facilities in India, these socks promote conscious consumerism. Plus, each purchase supports world-changing nonprofits, adding a layer of goodwill to your gift. 

By choosing these socks, you're not just gifting comfort and style; you're contributing to a positive global impact.

6. Ecoright Aesthetic Canvas Tote Bag for Women

Ecoright Aesthetic Canvas Tote Bag for Women - sustainable Christmas gifts

I've been using the Ecoright Aesthetic Canvas Tote Bag and it's become my go-to for everything. What I love most is its versatility – whether I'm carrying books, lunch, a laptop, or shopping items, it holds everything with ease. 

The bag is not only functional but also fashion-forward with its range of fun and aesthetic prints like flowers, cats, and more, making it a stylish accessory for any occasion.

The eco-friendly aspect of this tote bag is commendable. Made from 100% natural cotton with comfortable handles, it's a sturdy and sustainable alternative to plastic bags. The fact that it's machine washable adds to its practicality, and it's durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear.

Ecoright's commitment to sustainability extends to using organic inks and dyes, ensuring the production process is as environmentally friendly as possible. The bags are ethically made in SEDEX certified facilities, offering fair wages and equal opportunities. 

Plus, the manufacturing is powered by solar energy, minimizing the carbon footprint. 

This tote bag is not just a gift; it's a step towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

7. Drinking Glasses with Bamboo Lids and Glass Straw

Drinking Glasses with Bamboo Lids and Glass Straw - sustainable Christmas gifts

These Drinking Glasses with Bamboo Lids and Glass Straws have become a key part of my daily beverage routine.

Trust me, this is an excellent eco-friendly Christmas gift choice.

Each set comes with eight can-shaped glass cups, bamboo lids, reusable glass straws, and cleaning brushes – a practical and stylish combination.

What I appreciate most about these glasses is their durability and safety. They're made from high-quality, clear glass that's both lead-free and BPA-free, ensuring long-term, safe use. The glasses can handle a wide range of temperatures, making them perfect for both hot and cold beverages, and they're dishwasher safe, which is a huge convenience.

Their versatility is impressive. Whether I'm serving tea, boba milk tea, smoothies, or iced coffee, these glasses are perfect for any drink. The bamboo lids and glass straws add an eco-friendly touch, reducing plastic waste and making these glasses a thoughtful gift for environmentally conscious friends and family.

These drinking glasses aren't just functional; they're also aesthetically pleasing, adding a touch of elegance to any occasion. They make great gifts for a variety of events, from birthdays and weddings to housewarming and Christmas. 

I highly recommend them for anyone looking to upgrade their drinkware with an eco-friendly, stylish, and practical option.

8. Blueland The Clean Suite Kit

Blueland The Clean Suite Kit Christmas gift

Switching to the Blueland Clean Suite Kit has been a game-changer in my home cleaning. And you bet, this is a great Christmas gift, especially for someone who is planning to start a sustainable lifestyle. 

This complete set covers everything – dishes, hands, laundry – and does so without any plastic waste. What's impressive is the use of plant-based, planet-friendly ingredients. These products are independently tested, matching the effectiveness of major brands, which is a significant win for eco-conscious consumers.

The ingredients are not only effective but also safe and gentle, free from harmful chemicals like parabens and phosphates. They're vegan, gluten-free, and soy/nut-free, catering to a wide range of users. The packaging is another area where Blueland shines. The refillable Forever Bottle eliminates the need for disposable plastic bottles, and the refills come in compostable paper packaging. Even the shipping boxes are eco-friendly, being recyclable and made with recycled content.

I recommend the Blueland Clean Suite Kit as a Christmas gift for anyone looking to make their home cleaning routine more sustainable. It’s a thoughtful, practical gift that aligns with a zero-waste lifestyle and demonstrates a commitment to protecting our planet.

9. Ecotric Vortex Electric City Bike

Ecotrik Christmas gift

Are you or your loved ones tired of spending hours in traffic jams every day? Change it next year. Ecotric Vortex electric bicycle will help you avoid crowded buses, traffic jams, and search for parking spaces. 

This e-bike comes with a high efficiency, quiet motor, a seven-speed gear, and a removable lithium battery. The battery can be recharged in the office or at home in as little as six to eight hours.

The security is top-notch — there’s an outage and a mechanical braking system, which work along both lines, so you can stop in seconds if needed. Check it out, never waste time in traffic jams again, and give your loved ones the gift of time.

10. Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Growing Kit

Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Growing Kit Christmas gift

If your loved one has always wanted to grow shrooms but didn’t know where to start, here’s an organic mushroom-growing kit.

You don’t have to worry about intoxicants with this kit. It’s 100% organic and non-GMO. The best part is you can grow plants year-round. All you have to do is place the box close to a window, mist the plants, and you’ll have beautiful mushrooms.

Each crop grows up to four servings of mushrooms, and each box has two crops. Try out the mushroom growing kit and start your own mini garden, or gift it to a fellow shroom enthusiast.

11. Plushbeds The Luxury Bliss Organic Latex Mattress

Plushbeds The Luxury Bliss Organic Hybrid Latex Mattress Christmas gift

We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so you should invest in a quality mattress. Luxury Bliss is, like the name says, luxurious. 

This mattress is made with organic and sustainable materials, such as natural latex, organic wool and cotton, and fabric-encased coils, which provide a supportive core. The mattress has 12 certifications and two awards, so you can’t doubt its quality. 

The cotton used for the cover is grown without any pesticides or herbicides, it helps with moisture absorption, so you can say goodbye to sweaty nights.

This mattress will help your body keep a comfortable temperature, and you and your significant other will sleep perfectly every night.

12. Pela: Phone Cases - Eco-Friendly - Made from Plants

Pela Phone Cases - sustainable Christmas gifts

Your phone deserves to be treated with care, but we’re all clumsy from time to time. Luckily, Pela phone cases provide top-notch protection. 

These cases are made from flax plants, so once you no longer need your case, you can send it back to the manufacturer and they’ll turn it into a new product or compost.

A flax case protects against drops and scratches because flax creates natural shock absorption. 

The manufacturer uses 100% plastic-free packaging, so a Pela case is a great way to protect both your phone and the planet. The attractive design makes this phone case a perfect Christmas gift.

13. Imperfect Foods Subscription

Imperfect Foods Subscription Christmas gift

Imperfect foods is a grocery delivery service whose mission is to reduce food waste.

The service will assign you a shopping window and a delivery day based on your location. Moreover, they will pre-fill your cart with the food they think you like based on your preference. You can take out as many items as you want.

Once you’re happy with your order, it’ll arrive in 100% recycled boxes.

Imperfect delivers to the entire neighborhood in one trip and one van, which avoids releasing tons of CO2. Moreover, they take back the packaging and take care of recycling, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone. Gift your friends and family a more sustainable way of getting groceries.

14. A Symbolic Marine Animal Adoption

A Symbolic Marine Animal Adoption

Oceana is an international organization that focuses on oceans. They have a marine animal adoption program.

Some of the animals you can adopt include dolphins, harp seals, penguins, polar bears, rays, sea otters, and many more.

By adopting a marine animal, you’re helping Oceana’s campaigns that prevent the expansion of offshore drilling, oil spills, animal deaths, and more. 

You can choose between four tiers when adopting an animal, and each tier comes with a gift — you can get a certificate, a cookie cutter, a gift pack, a plush animal, and more. Each of these is a creative and meaningful gift that makes our oceans healthier and safer for future generations.

15. Acer Aspire Vero (The Green Laptop)

Acer Aspire Vero

Acer Aspire Vero is Acer’s contribution to a cleaner, greener Earth. This green laptop cuts CO2 emissions by 21%. Moreover, it’s easily recyclable or upgradeable, so it suits your and the planet's needs.

Aspire Vero is made with Post-Consumer Recycled plastics (PCR). These are plastics that were recycled and repurposed to reduce global waste as a reminder that the time to act is now.

The top and bottom cover, screen bezel, and operating surface are made of 30% PCR materials, and keycaps are made of 50% PCR for a light carbon impact.

Gift your friend or a family member a more sustainable way of being productive this Christmas.

16. Tree-Free Greetings Recledcled Christmas Cards

Tree-Free Greetings Recledcled Christmas Cards

One of the earliest signs that holidays are coming is Christmas cards in the mail. But, it’s estimated that 1 billion Christmas cards are thrown into the trash every year, with 300,000 tons of card packaging.

The cards are made of high-quality extra-thick card stock, so they are sturdy and feel durable. Both the card and the envelope are made of 100% recycled paper and ecologically printed in the USA. 

You get a variety assortment pack in which each card has vibrantly printed designs. 

Send your loved ones holiday greetings with these Christmas cards, and you don’t have to worry about them ending up in the waste stream.

17. BUZIO Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

BUZIO Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

86% of disposable water bottles end up in landfills, or in other words, over 30 billion bottles. A reusable water bottle helps this problem.

Buzio bottle is vacuum insulated, so it keeps the drink cold for up to an impressive 48 hours or hot for up to 24. 

You get two caps — a straw lid and a flex cap. The flex cap is perfect for hiking or camping, and you can use the straw lid on a cycling or road trip.

The bottle is made of 100% non-toxic BPA-free plastics, so there’s zero chance of oxidation. This is a great way to gift someone a healthier and more eco-friendly way of staying hydrated. 

18. Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle

Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle

Here’s another water bottle that you can reuse for months to come. This bottle is made of double-walled insulated stainless steel and holds 20 oz of water. 

It has a Brita filter that fits in the straw and makes water taste great. Your water will be cool for up to a day. Moreover, the filter reduces chlorine, so you’ll have healthier and better tasting-water. You can also order Brita replacement filters to ensure you always have fresh water.

Finally, the manufacturer says that using this bottle will save 1,800 plastic bottles from ending up in landfills a year.

19. Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 for Composting

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 for Composting

There’s no need to throw away food scraps. Now, you can compost them and fertilize your garden.

This food composter has a capacity of 2l. It works by placing the food scraps inside and pressing the button. That’s all. The composter breaks down food waste into a tenth of the original volume, and you get a fertilizer you can mix with soil.

Most importantly, a carbon filtration system eliminates odors, so it’s perfectly safe to use indoors. Simply place it anywhere with power, and you’ll get fertilizer in record time. A composting enthusiast will love this gift.

20. AeroGarden Hydroponic Indoor Garden

AeroGarden Hydroponic Indoor Garden

The last best eco-friendly Christmas gift is an indoor garden. The kit includes gourmet herbs such as basil, parsley, dill, thyme, and more, plus a bottle of plant nutrients.

You can grow up to six plants at a time. Most importantly, the plants grow in water, not soil, which means less mess.

The kit has a control panel that tells when it’s time to add water or plant food and  automatically turns the lights on and off. 

This is a perfect Christmas gift for anyone who loves having fresh herbs.

How to Choose Eco-Friendly Christmas Gifts

What Makes a Gift Eco-Friendly

In the past, I didn’t pay much attention to buying sustainable gifts for my loved ones. Only when my friend became a zero-waster did I start thinking, what can I get her?

I started looking into gifts for earth lovers, and I was blown away by the offer.

I also learned what makes a gift eco-friendly.

Go Plastic-Free

Opt for gifts made of natural, repurposed, or compostable materials like glass, bamboo, or stainless steel. Steering clear of plastic is a significant first step in choosing eco-friendly Christmas gifts.

Avoid Hazardous Materials

Select gifts that are free from harmful substances. This includes avoiding items with certain paints, cleaners, batteries, and more. It's not just about the gift itself but ensuring it’s safe for the environment and your loved ones.

Support Eco-Conscious Brands

When searching for eco-friendly Christmas gifts, look for companies that prioritize sustainability. This includes those offering carbon-neutral shipping and implementing sustainable practices. While some large corporations are making strides in sustainability, supporting smaller, independent makers can have a greater positive impact.

Encourage Sustainable Living

Choose gifts that help your loved ones lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Avoid duplicate items or those likely to end up in the trash within a few weeks.

Recycled and Upcycled Gifts

Products made from recycled or upcycled materials are perfect for eco-friendly Christmas gifts. These can range from clothing and accessories to home decor.

Reusable and Recyclable Options

The best eco-friendly gifts are those that can be reused, recycled, or composted. Consider items like reusable packaging or recyclable daily-use products.

This holiday season, let’s make a conscious effort to choose eco-friendly Christmas gifts. Not only will these gifts bring joy to your loved ones, but they'll also contribute positively to our planet’s well-being. 

Remember, every sustainable choice counts!

Let’s Go For Eco-Friendly Christmas Gifts This Season

No matter if you’re looking for parent gifts for Christmas, Christmas gifts for friends, Christmas gifts for sister, child, friend — you can go eco-friendly. 

I hope this list inspired you and gave you some ideas for sustainable gifts for people in your life.

Christmas is one of the biggest and happiest holidays of the year. But, we should still be mindful of the waste it creates.

Eco-friendly gifts are one way in which you can make a difference. Best of all, your close ones will love them as well, so next year they can go for eco-friendly Christmas gifts as well.

Marina is passionate about sustainability and works to help ensure our planet stays as our home for a long time. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and not buying single-use plastic.

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