Sustainable gift ideas for everyone on your list
Gifting during the holiday season can feel really overwhelming, stressful, and expensive. Not to mention, the fear of your gift being sent to the landfill can lead to decision paralysis. “What do I get them that won’t just create more waste or take up space in their home?”
If you feel like checking a gift off for everyone on your list feels like a chore you just want to get over with, I might suggest that you are looking at gifting all wrong. Gifting should be something fun for both the giver and receiver. Personally, I would much rather receive no gift than a gift that stressed my friend out to procure!
Regardless, sometimes gift giving is unavoidable as expectations are high around this time of the year. That’s why this blog is here to help you generate some gift ideas that are as thoughtful and intentional as they are sustainable.
Thrifted gifts
When the holidays roll around, I always head to the thrift store first. Is there a lovely, unique trinket that the whimsical eclectic friend in your life would be honored to receive? Is there some well-loved and well-made cookware that could elevate your Aunt’s baking routine? You get the idea! The key here is to look for high-quality, timeless pieces. I would recommend avoiding shoes, clothes, and more personal items (with sweaters and outerwear being the exception if you know their size) and instead head to check out the throw pillows, vases, glassware, frames, baskets, silk scarves, gloves, jewelry, and music and records.
Imagine thrifting a frame, pop a photo of the two of you in it (or paint something!), and pair it with a thrifted digital camera to keep capturing more memories? I would die to receive that gift!
Orrr, picture this: You find the perfect silk scarf, small wooden jewelry box, and a precious bolo tie or ring (again, make sure you know their size!). Pop the jewelry in the box, then tie the silk scarf around the box for a gorgeous, unique, and sustainable wrapping that acts as part of the gift itself.
You could also opt for a partially thrifted gift! Such as:
- Antique vase + dried flower bouquet
- Adorable mug + new tea strainer + loose leaf tea from a local maker
- Thrifted wool sweater + hand sewn tote bag
By shopping second hand first, we are helping to divert these items from the landfill and giving them a second life.
Handmade gifts
If you’re feeling crafty, you could always try your hand at making some gifts! Get some air dry clay and paint and create unique coasters. If textile arts are more your speed, I’ve never met anyone who would turn down a hand-knit beanie! Plus, they’re quick to make compared to more involved projects like sweaters.
Or if you’re a sewist or have been wanting to learn, maybe you can try your hand at sewing and hand embroidering and custom dog bandana for the pet parent in your life.
Shop local small businesses
If you do need to buy new items, it’s important to shop small! This keeps more money circulating in your community, often 2-3 times more than if you were to shop at a large corporation or big box store! That adds up. Plus, it means so much to local shops which add to the charm and character of your town.
At Vessel, there are a variety of great sustainable gifts for you to choose from no matter what your budget is. We even have curated gift bundles and zero waste starter kits if you want a no-brainer crowd pleaser. We’ve got refillable candles, beautiful glass straws, hand crafted artisan soaps, plastic-free kitchen essentials, and more!
Remember the giftwrap
A lot of people wrap gifts in seasonal paper giftwrap because they think it’s the more sustainable choice, but it’s often not actually recyclable. This is because they can be coated in plastic or glitter. Not to mention, it usually is sealed with plastic tape! (Paper washi tape is a better option.)
The embossed foil and bright colors may be gorgeous and eyecatching, but it would be better to opt for plain brown craft paper and dress it up by stamping it yourself. Even better, go for brown paper and wrap it in reusable twine and slide in a fresh evergreen or eucalyptus clipping.
There is also the reusable gift wrap option! This is great for opening gifts with your family on Christmas day where you can retain the fabric giftwrap. Otherwise, reusable gift wrap can be a generous part of your present to someone.
Gifts that don’t need to be wrapped
In my opinion, these are the best gifts! They don’t take up space on a shelf, they won’t end up in a landfill, and you can never have too many of them! What the heck could this magical item be? Experiences, of course! You can gift anything from a trip to the aquarium or a movie theater gift card to a national parks pass (my personal recommendation!). For example, you can offer to take your friend or loved one on a trip to any of your local public lands or national parks and offer to pay the entrance fee or gift them a membership when you get there.
Want other ideas for your less outdoorsy loved ones?
- Cooking class
- Ceramics class (or any other local craft workshop, like candle-making!)
- Tickets to a comedy show or concert
- Tattoo giftcard
- Pre-pay for a museum pass
- Treat them to dinner at their favorite restaurant
- Homemade coupon booklet of acts of service you can offer (If a friend offered to make a grocery run for me, I’d drop to my knees in relief and gratitude, lol.)
As a bonus, all these gifts help support your local economy and help get us all back out into public, connecting with the real world. And that’s a gift that keeps on giving. :)
When in doubt, think big by shopping small this holiday season. Your local small businesses thank you!