Thanksgiving is all about family gatherings, eating tons of food, and giving thanks. But, who do we usually forget to show our thanks to? Our planet.
As the holiday season approaches, the amount of waste Americans create goes exponentially up. Let’s give thanks to Mother Nature and change that this year.
To help you start, I’ve compiled some ideas on the best Thanksgiving gifts and a guide on how to celebrate Thanksgiving sustainably. Here’s how to make a change this Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Gifts: Can You Make An Environmental Impact with Your Gifts?
I’ve talked about how much waste is generated on Thanksgiving. While the biggest waste contributor is thrown out food, Thanksgiving gifts are also to blame.
There are 25 million tons of garbage produced in the holiday season, which amounts to one million extra tons per week, compared to the rest of the year.
It’s estimated that tens of millions of people get at least one unwanted gift for Thanksgiving. The worst part is that about 5% of those will be thrown away instead of regifted, sold, or sent to a charity.
Thanksgiving gifts are usually wrapped in wrapping paper. Did you ever wonder what happens with all of the wrapping paper used during the holidays?
According to Stanford University, if every family reused two feet of wrapping paper during the holidays, it would amount to 38,000 miles.
This is enough to tie a bow around our entire planet.
13 million cards are sold every year on Thanksgiving. 714,286 trees are cut down per year to make all these cards, all for those millions of greeting cards to end up in the trash.
But, you don’t have to contribute to all this waste. One of the best ways to have a sustainable Thanksgiving is to use sustainable Thanksgiving gifts.
Here’s my selection of Thanksgiving gift ideas that won’t hurt our planet.
10 Best Thanksgiving Gifts to Celebrate Sustainability
1. Thanksgiving Wooden Spoons
First on the list of Thanksgiving gift ideas are wooden spoons. These are a perfect complement to other kitchen utensils. I once gifted these to a host as a thank you for cooking a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner.
These kitchen utensils fit the season perfectly because they are engraved with fall motives — turkey, pumpkin, pie, and more.
The spoons are also easy to store as they have a hole in the handle, so you can hang them and add some decor to the kitchen.
Why are they eco-friendly? They're made of organic bamboo.
2. Bisenghy 4.4 Oz 100% Natural Soy Wax Scented Candle Gift Set
This set has four scented candles that smell like a rose, jasmine, vanilla, and lavender.
They have ultra-long burning time, and they will last for up to 30 hours each, which amounts to 120 hours.
I used these to add some holiday atmosphere and to relax after all the cooking.
Why are they eco-friendly? They're made of 100% natural soy wax and natural plant essential oil. Wicks are made of cotton and are lead-free. This means there’s no smoke when you burn them and no harm to people or the environment.
3. Thanksgiving Trio A Set of 3 Cloths
What home doesn’t need a dish towel set, especially during Thanksgiving?This set comes with three cloths, all appropriately Thanksgiving-themed — there’s a turkey, leaf, and Happy Thanksgiving painted on the cloths.
The cloths can replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels, so you’ll be sending less paper to the landfill. Also, they're easy to clean — personally I just pop them in the machine.
Why are they eco-friendly? They're naturally biodegradable and made from 100% wood pulp and renewable cotton fibers.
4. Hello Fall Pumpkin Wine Gift Bag For Thanksgiving
Wine is one of the best Thanksgiving gifts. But, to make it more special, why not put it in a wine gift bag?This wine gift bag is designed especially for Thanksgiving and the fall season. It’s a neutral color, and it can hold wine or a champagne bottle.
I guarantee the hostess will be delighted with this one, especially because it can be washed in the machine. I know I was.
Why is it eco-friendly? It’s made of eco-friendly and natural burlap. It’s also very durable and completely reusable.
5. Nespresso Capsules VertuoLine, Medium, and Dark Roast Coffee
If you’ll be spending Thanksgiving with a coffee addict, there’s no better Thanksgiving gift than Nespresso capsules.
You get a pack of three capsules, 30 in total, which is enough for even hardcore coffee lovers like me.
The capsules are compatible with Nespresso Vertuoline machines and have different intensities.
Each capsule brews 7.8 ounces of coffee which is perfect for an extended coffee drinking experience.
Why is it eco-friendly? The capsules are fully recyclable and are Climate Pledge Friendly, plus they have a Rainforest Alliance seal.
6. Maison d' Hermine Oak Leaves 100% Cotton Set of 3 Multi-Purpose Kitchen Towel
One can never have enough dish towels, so you’ll get 3 kitchen towels in this set.
These are both decorative and functional. They were an excellent addition to my fall kitchen decor, as they came with plaid, fall branches and leaves patterns.
I use them to clean pots and pans, plates, dry utensils, or wipe down surfaces.
Why are they eco-friendly? The kitchen towels are 100% cotton, and the patterns are drawn with watercolors.
7. HAPPY KIT 30-Piece Rose Gold Flatware Gift Set
These kitchen utensils are a perfect gift choice.
They look high-quality and modern. You’ll get 30 pieces of dinnerware in a box. The set includes 6 dinner spoons, knives, forks, dessert forks, and teaspoons.
The kitchen utensils come in a rose gold color, and they have a smooth curvy body which gives them an elegant look. Also, the curvy body is ergonomically designed for comfort in hand.
Why are they eco-friendly? The kitchen utensils are made of premium stainless steel, so they won’t rust and will last a long time.
8. Onebttl Insulated Stainless Steel Tumblers, Cat Gifts for Cat Lovers
If you have a cat lover in your circle of family or friends, this here is the perfect gift for them.
This tumbler is extremely functional. Its 20 ounces capacity can hold all kinds of drinks. The double-wall keeps the drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours.
Thanks to its leakproof design, it's convenient to use — both inside or outside on the go.
Why is it eco-friendly? It’s made of food-grade seamless stainless steel, and it’s BPA-free.
9. LeafLife Premium Bamboo Thermos with Tea Infuser & Strainer
Another product to help you enjoy your drinks is this bamboo thermos.
The tea tumbler is hyper-insulated and has double walls. The interior is lined with stainless steel that functions as a tea thermos and helps maintain the drink temperature.
It fits up to 12 ounces of drink, and it has a vacuum insulation technology and infuser which keeps the drink hot or cold.
With each tumbler, you’ll get a detachable tea infuser and strainer, which makes it a perfect gift.
Why is it eco-friendly? It's made of 100% organic bamboo and 18/8 food-grade stainless steel.
10. Machika Bamboo Cheese Board Set with Slide-Out Drawer and Stainless Steel Knives
A final gift for a more sustainable Thanksgiving is a bamboo cheese board.
What makes this cheese board stand out is the convenience. It has a hidden sliding tools compartment and an extra-large outer serving rim. The removable drawer comes with a plane knife, coure knife, campana knife, and a cheese fork.
It’s a perfect gift for anyone who likes arranging charcuterie boards. The whole family can sit around, chat and enjoy some good food.
Why is it eco-friendly? It’s made of 100% bamboo material, and it won’t release or absorb odors.
Celebrate with Sustainable Thanksgiving Gifts!
Thanksgiving is an occasion for joy and celebration. We must not ruin this joyous occasion with wasteful gift choices that can harm nature.
Instead, let's share our love using eco-friendly alternatives that would let our friends and family live more happy and sustainable lives.
If possible, try to avoid plastic altogether. Also, check what makes a gift eco-friendly.
With a little effort we can make this world a better place — all we need is a bit of eco-consciousness.
Current Events
10 Best Sustainable Thanksgiving Gifts For Your Loved Ones
Written by : Marina Maletic | Last Updated: October 18, 2023
1
Thanksgiving Wooden Spoons
2
Bisenghy 4.4 Oz 100% Natural Soy Wax Scented Candle Gift Set
3
Thanksgiving Trio A Set of 3 Cloths
4
Hello Fall Pumpkin Wine Gift Bag For Thanksgiving
5
Nespresso Capsules VertuoLine, Medium, and Dark Roast Coffee
6
Maison d' Hermine Oak Leaves 100% Cotton Set of 3 Multi-Purpose Kitchen Towel
7
HAPPY KIT 30-Piece Rose Gold Flatware Gift Set
8
Onebttl Insulated Stainless Steel Tumblers, Cat Gifts for Cat Lovers
9
LeafLife Premium Bamboo Thermos with Tea Infuser & Strainer
10
Machika Bamboo Cheese Board Set with Slide-Out Drawer and Stainless Steel Knives
Contents
Let’s celebrate Thanksgiving sustainably this year and thank Mother Nature. This guide discusses all — from eco-friendly Thanksgiving gifts to party planning.
Thanksgiving is all about family gatherings, eating tons of food, and giving thanks. But, who do we usually forget to show our thanks to? Our planet.
As the holiday season approaches, the amount of waste Americans create goes exponentially up. Let’s give thanks to Mother Nature and change that this year.
To help you start, I’ve compiled some ideas on the best Thanksgiving gifts and a guide on how to celebrate Thanksgiving sustainably. Here’s how to make a change this Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Gifts: Can You Make An Environmental Impact with Your Gifts?
I’ve talked about how much waste is generated on Thanksgiving. While the biggest waste contributor is thrown out food, Thanksgiving gifts are also to blame.
There are 25 million tons of garbage produced in the holiday season, which amounts to one million extra tons per week, compared to the rest of the year.
It’s estimated that tens of millions of people get at least one unwanted gift for Thanksgiving. The worst part is that about 5% of those will be thrown away instead of regifted, sold, or sent to a charity.
Thanksgiving gifts are usually wrapped in wrapping paper. Did you ever wonder what happens with all of the wrapping paper used during the holidays?
According to Stanford University, if every family reused two feet of wrapping paper during the holidays, it would amount to 38,000 miles.
This is enough to tie a bow around our entire planet.
13 million cards are sold every year on Thanksgiving. 714,286 trees are cut down per year to make all these cards, all for those millions of greeting cards to end up in the trash.
But, you don’t have to contribute to all this waste. One of the best ways to have a sustainable Thanksgiving is to use sustainable Thanksgiving gifts.
Here’s my selection of Thanksgiving gift ideas that won’t hurt our planet.
10 Best Thanksgiving Gifts to Celebrate Sustainability
1. Thanksgiving Wooden Spoons
I once gifted these to a host as a thank you for cooking a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner.
These kitchen utensils fit the season perfectly because they are engraved with fall motives — turkey, pumpkin, pie, and more.
The spoons are also easy to store as they have a hole in the handle, so you can hang them and add some decor to the kitchen.
Why are they eco-friendly? They're made of organic bamboo.
2. Bisenghy 4.4 Oz 100% Natural Soy Wax Scented Candle Gift Set
This set has four scented candles that smell like a rose, jasmine, vanilla, and lavender.
They have ultra-long burning time, and they will last for up to 30 hours each, which amounts to 120 hours.
I used these to add some holiday atmosphere and to relax after all the cooking.
Why are they eco-friendly? They're made of 100% natural soy wax and natural plant essential oil. Wicks are made of cotton and are lead-free. This means there’s no smoke when you burn them and no harm to people or the environment.
3. Thanksgiving Trio A Set of 3 Cloths
This set comes with three cloths, all appropriately Thanksgiving-themed — there’s a turkey, leaf, and Happy Thanksgiving painted on the cloths.
The cloths can replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels, so you’ll be sending less paper to the landfill. Also, they're easy to clean — personally I just pop them in the machine.
Why are they eco-friendly? They're naturally biodegradable and made from 100% wood pulp and renewable cotton fibers.
4. Hello Fall Pumpkin Wine Gift Bag For Thanksgiving
This wine gift bag is designed especially for Thanksgiving and the fall season. It’s a neutral color, and it can hold wine or a champagne bottle.
I guarantee the hostess will be delighted with this one, especially because it can be washed in the machine. I know I was.
Why is it eco-friendly? It’s made of eco-friendly and natural burlap. It’s also very durable and completely reusable.
5. Nespresso Capsules VertuoLine, Medium, and Dark Roast Coffee
If you’ll be spending Thanksgiving with a coffee addict, there’s no better Thanksgiving gift than Nespresso capsules.
You get a pack of three capsules, 30 in total, which is enough for even hardcore coffee lovers like me.
The capsules are compatible with Nespresso Vertuoline machines and have different intensities.
Each capsule brews 7.8 ounces of coffee which is perfect for an extended coffee drinking experience.
Why is it eco-friendly? The capsules are fully recyclable and are Climate Pledge Friendly, plus they have a Rainforest Alliance seal.
6. Maison d' Hermine Oak Leaves 100% Cotton Set of 3 Multi-Purpose Kitchen Towel
One can never have enough dish towels, so you’ll get 3 kitchen towels in this set.
These are both decorative and functional. They were an excellent addition to my fall kitchen decor, as they came with plaid, fall branches and leaves patterns.
I use them to clean pots and pans, plates, dry utensils, or wipe down surfaces.
Why are they eco-friendly? The kitchen towels are 100% cotton, and the patterns are drawn with watercolors.
7. HAPPY KIT 30-Piece Rose Gold Flatware Gift Set
These kitchen utensils are a perfect gift choice.
They look high-quality and modern. You’ll get 30 pieces of dinnerware in a box. The set includes 6 dinner spoons, knives, forks, dessert forks, and teaspoons.
The kitchen utensils come in a rose gold color, and they have a smooth curvy body which gives them an elegant look. Also, the curvy body is ergonomically designed for comfort in hand.
Why are they eco-friendly? The kitchen utensils are made of premium stainless steel, so they won’t rust and will last a long time.
8. Onebttl Insulated Stainless Steel Tumblers, Cat Gifts for Cat Lovers
If you have a cat lover in your circle of family or friends, this here is the perfect gift for them.
This tumbler is extremely functional. Its 20 ounces capacity can hold all kinds of drinks. The double-wall keeps the drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours.
Thanks to its leakproof design, it's convenient to use — both inside or outside on the go.
Why is it eco-friendly? It’s made of food-grade seamless stainless steel, and it’s BPA-free.
9. LeafLife Premium Bamboo Thermos with Tea Infuser & Strainer
Another product to help you enjoy your drinks is this bamboo thermos.
The tea tumbler is hyper-insulated and has double walls. The interior is lined with stainless steel that functions as a tea thermos and helps maintain the drink temperature.
It fits up to 12 ounces of drink, and it has a vacuum insulation technology and infuser which keeps the drink hot or cold.
With each tumbler, you’ll get a detachable tea infuser and strainer, which makes it a perfect gift.
Why is it eco-friendly? It's made of 100% organic bamboo and 18/8 food-grade stainless steel.
10. Machika Bamboo Cheese Board Set with Slide-Out Drawer and Stainless Steel Knives
A final gift for a more sustainable Thanksgiving is a bamboo cheese board.
What makes this cheese board stand out is the convenience. It has a hidden sliding tools compartment and an extra-large outer serving rim. The removable drawer comes with a plane knife, coure knife, campana knife, and a cheese fork.
It’s a perfect gift for anyone who likes arranging charcuterie boards. The whole family can sit around, chat and enjoy some good food.
Why is it eco-friendly? It’s made of 100% bamboo material, and it won’t release or absorb odors.
Celebrate with Sustainable Thanksgiving Gifts!
Thanksgiving is an occasion for joy and celebration. We must not ruin this joyous occasion with wasteful gift choices that can harm nature.
Instead, let's share our love using eco-friendly alternatives that would let our friends and family live more happy and sustainable lives.
If possible, try to avoid plastic altogether. Also, check what makes a gift eco-friendly.
With a little effort we can make this world a better place — all we need is a bit of eco-consciousness.
Marina Maletic
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. When not writing, she can be found with her nose stuck in a book or trying out new baking recipes.
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