Sustainable Gift Guide : Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for 2024
While Christmas is time of joy and happiness, it can also be a time of overconsumption, excess and well, a lot of waste. Gift-giving is such a special way to show someone you care, but let’s be honest—sometimes it feels like a lot of the things we buy end up being wasteful or short-lived. That’s why I love to find the best gifts that are not only meaningful but also kind to the planet.
Whether it’s for the holidays, a birthday, or just because, choosing sustainable gift options is a beautiful way to give something unique and thoughtful while reducing your impact on the environment. From handmade goodies to clever, eco-friendly products, there are so many options that are just as exciting to give as they are to receive.
In this post I'm sharing some of my best tips for sustainable gift giving, along with some carefully curated sustainable gift ideas that you'll love for 2024.
If you’re looking for something in particular, jump ahead by clicking on the heading in the Table of Contents below:
Table of Contents
Tips for Sustainable Gift Giving
1. Buy Secondhand Where You Can
There was a time when giving a secondhand gift might have been frowned upon. But these days, where sales of secondhand clothing are beginning to surpass new clothing sales, it is no surprise that some of the best eco-friendly gifts are secondhand. And secondhand doesn't have to mean second best! Here are a few ideas that feel just as special as buying new
Vintage jewellry is often unique and can be more affordable than new
Small pieces of antique furniture or home decor - I always find jugs, vases, candleholders and baskets useful! Antique art is always wonderful too
Collectible books can make a lovely personal gift - look for a beautiful old copy of your loved one's favourite novel
Vintage clothing, shoes and accessories are perfect for fashion lovers
Just about anything can be bought secondhand on eBay, Vinted or Facebook Marketplace. Try searching out of season for better prices and more options.
2. Make Your Own Gifts
Nothing says personal and heartfelt like handmade holiday gifts. These one-of-a-kind creations avoid the environmental impact of mass production and can be personalised in a way that shop-bought gifts can't. Don't worry - you don't need to be a talented seamstress or painter to make your Christmas gifts! Some of the best handmade gift ideas are also super simple. Using upcycled items or natural materials whenever possible will maximise the sustainability of your gift. Here are a few ideas:
Melt down old candle ends and create new candles in recycled glass jars
Get photos printed and create a personalised album or scrapbook
Make simple beeswax wraps
Knit a cozy scarf
Upcycle old fabric into tote bags
Make a cushion cover
3. Buy from Small Businesses
Supporting small businesses not only helps the local economy, but tends to bring with it a more transparent supply chain and lower carbon footprint. While prices can be higher, you are likely to get excellent service, as well as unique items that can be difficult to find online.
4. Buy Recycled or Refurbished Gifts
Where possible, consider buying recycled items instead of buying new. There are lots of jewellry brands who now make their pieces from recycled precious metals, creating jewellry that is both more ethical and more sustainable. If you're planning to give tech gifts, then refurbished options like those available on Back Market are much better for the environment, with significantly lower carbon emissions than buying new.
5. Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas
Don't stop at buying an eco-friendly gift - wrap it in sustainable wrapping too! Here are some ideas for wrapping your gifts:
Reusable fabric wraps inspired by Furoshiki techniques.
Use newspaper, maps, or brown paper tied with twine. You can even jazz up brown paper with stamps!
Wrap your gifts in reusable bags or fabric that are also part of the gift.
If you are going to use wrapping paper, avoid the kind that is backed in plastic to reduce plastic waste, and try to buy recycled paper where possible
The Sustainable Gift Guide
Gifts for Beauty Lovers
One of my favourite sustainable beauty brands has a beautiful collection of gift bundles that offer amazing discounts. Evolve Beauty use some wonderful natural and organic ingredients to create products that are both effective and lovely to use. Evolve Beauty is a certified B Corp thanks to its sustainability efforts and they are also Leaping Bunny and Vegan Society approved.
Hairy Jayne products are made by Jayne in the UK, from lovely natural, vegan ingredients and essential oils. Her handcrafted soap bars are beautifully made, while the zero waste shampoo and conditioner bars are some of the best I've tried. There is also a selection of gift bundles available for Christmas, including a range of handmade hair and skin products.
My favourite natural deodorant brand have just launched their Christmas case and refill selection, making Christmas the perfect time to give Fussy a go! While you might think gifting deodorant is a little strange, the limited edition pearlescent refillable case is so special it's definitely deserving of being gifted!
Make your own!
Making your own natural beauty products is surprisingly easy, especially when you have help! Kate Jones of My Plastic Free Home has recently released a book - The Natural Skincare Recipe Book - sharing all of her favourite natural beauty recipes, many of which would make wonderful gifts! If you're looking for ingredients, take a look at The Soapery.
Sustainable Fashion and Accessories
There has been a boom in sustainable clothing brands in recent years, such that the choice available now can be a little overwhelming! Greenwashing is also rife, so do your research to make sure brands have a sustainable ethos in all aspects of their business. Support brands using organic fabrics, recycled materials, and ethical practices. And remember to check how many styles they’re offering - fewer styles and less turnover of garments usually signifies a business that cares about the environment. Here are some of my favourites:
Sustainable living is all about getting the most use out of the things you own, and Beyond Nine clothing is designed to work through all stages of a woman's life - through pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond. Their beautiful, simple designs work year round and in all sorts of circumstances, making them the perfect basics for your loved one's wardrobe. All their pieces are made with an ethical supply chain from sustainable fabrics like organic cotton.
Joyn bags are handmade by artisans in-house, so they know that their production is ethical and seek to have a positive impact on their makers. Their bags are made in small batches, so that there is minimal wastage and a sustainable supply chain. Plus, since every bag is handmade, they're wonderfully unique!
Experiential Gifts & Digital Gifts
Experiences often create lasting memories without leaving a material footprint. Consider giving some of these experiences or memberships:
The Art Fund Pass starts at just £36 a year and gives the holder discounted entry to over 850 locations in the UK
National Trust membership starts at £45.60 a year and gives the holder free entry into the National Trust's many historic properties and parks
There are hundreds of workshops available now, offering an introduction to all sorts of different skills. Some popular options include cooking classes, sourdough bread making, pottery, painting and embroidery
Buy tickets to a concert or play to enjoy some quality time with a family member or loved one
Purchase a subscription to an online app, audiobook subscription or streaming service. Disney+ is an excellent option for children.
Sustainable Homeware
It’s more possible than ever to decorate your home with eco-friendly pieces! Alongside searching antique markets and secondhand sites, here are some beautiful products from homeware brands that care about sustainability.
TBCo had their start making beautiful tartan blankets from sustainably sourced wool and have since branched out into all sorts of homeware and clothing.Their products are made in mills with excellent ethical standards. As a certified B Corp, TBCo is a great place to find the perfect gift for the sustainably-minded person in your life.
Created by the lovely Kate in her little ‘candle shed’ in Lancashire, Wick candles are the perfect treat for people who love to buy local and eco-friendly. Made from a sustainable mix of coconut and rapeseed wax that burns cleanly and beautifully, these candles come in a range of gorgeous scents. For Christmas, try Spiced Orange or for a year round favourite, try Wild Bluebell.
Bath House, artisans of natural beauty, make a wonderful array of home fragrance products from naturally and ethically sourced ingredients. They're scents are lovely and will fill a room in a way that cheaper candles and diffusers won't. Bath House also make body and skin care that are equally wonderful!
For the chef in your life, ProCook products are the perfect ethical and eco-friendly choice for their kitchen. Their range of cookware and tableware are built to last so you know you're investing in quality products, and their ethical and transparent supply chain means you can buy with peace of mind.
Food Gifts
I’m a huge fan of putting together handmade food gift baskets during the festive season. Food is something that’s always welcome during the holidays, and a thoughtful gift of homemade goodies is sure to be enjoyed! Here are a few options for things you could include:
Jams, pickles, chutney or compote
Homemade crackers for cheese
Baked goods - for Christmas time my favourites include mince pies, gingerbread and stollen
Locally sourced or fair trade treats like chocolates, tea or coffee.
Package your hamper in a reusable basket or cloth bag which can be reused.
Gifts for Children
Some of the best sustainable gifts for children are the ones that will get the most use and play! Here is a selection of things that are used plenty in our house:
I will always put these at the top of gift recommendations for children! You can read my full review of the Yoto Mini (the one I recommend) here. Designed with sustainable principles in mind, Yoto players are designed to last for many years and delivered in sustainable packaging. While the cards are made of plastic, the plastic is food safe and allows the cards to survive well against even the most energetic children.
If you have babies in your life, it's worth thinking about buying practical gifts that will get plenty of use! Pure Earth Collection creates beautiful sleeping bags that would make a great gift. Made entirely of natural materials, these sleeping bags are wonderfully soft whilst also being safe and plastic-free.
The wonderful Story Orchestra books are a beautiful introduction to classical music for children. With a button to press on each page, the books play excerpts of each piece, accompanying the story of whichever ballet, opera or symphony the book is about. I credit these books for my children being so interested in classical music!
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