Christmas gift wrapped in eco-conscious paper packaging

2023 Holiday Gift Guide for the Eco-Conscious Consumer

The holidays always find a way to creep up, and I want you to go into it feeling confident and prepared! Here is a curated list of Sustainable Kay-approved gift ideas and products to give you some inspiration for your holiday shopping. This list is perfect for anyone interested in holistic, eco-friendly, and non-toxic living.

This post contains affiliate links.

The Best Gift Cards to Give for Christmas

Gift cards are great for when you have no clue what to get for someone, but have an idea of where they like to shop. This is always a better option than getting someone a gift you’re unsure of. With a gift card, there’s a higher chance they will get something they like, and they won’t have to return something you bought for them that didn’t work out!

I feel like it goes without saying that the best gift cards you can give are places where the person you’re shopping for likes to shop. Obviously not everyone is into the whole eco-conscious living thing, but there are options you have as a gift giver to give a gift you feel good about, while also exposing your recipient to something new. For example, instead of giving a beauty guru friend a gift card to Sephora, you could give one for a clean beauty store like Credo or Aillea. Or instead of Amazon, gift an EarthHero card. Below is a list of small businesses and stores that offer gift cards.

Eco-Conscious Marketplaces That Offer Gift Cards

Experiences to Gift This Season

  • tickets to a movie, concert, or show – if you’re gifting Taylor Swift concert tickets this season, you’re winning at life.
  • sporting event tickets – great for sports lovers and dads.
  • skydiving or zip-lining – for the adventurous ones.
  • cooking class – great to do with a partner!
  • art class – pottery, painting, etc., for the crafty one.
  • art museum pass – perfect for the artsy friend.
  • candle-making class – a nice date night or GNO (if you’re local, Glassnote Candle Bar is great for this!)
  • spa day – for the luxurious one. great gift for mom!
  • wine tasting – (if you’re near the Milwaukee area, check out Nonfiction Wine!)
  • children’s play date – (if you’re near the Milwaukee area, check out Little Village Play Cafe!)
  • weekend getaway – great for couples.
  • master class subscription – for those who want to learn a new skill
White Textile With Brown String Lights

The Best Handmade Gifts

Handmade gifts don’t have to be this intense DIY project that takes you hours, but if you’re a crafty person, putting the time and love into making something is a great way to use your skills and create a meaningful gift! A lot of times going this route can save you money and waste.

  • candles
  • knitted scarves or hats: a great way to make a personalized gift!
  • paintings or drawings
  • homemade infused liquor kit
  • dessert in a jar: layer your dry ingredients and write instructions on a jar to make your fave cookies!
  • body scrub
  • to-go utensils kit
  • embroidered clothing: a great way to personalize something.
  • hot chocolate mix: pair this with thrifted mugs for the sweetest gift.
  • candied nuts: if you’re not the best at baking, this is an easier option to gift a tasty treat.

Thrifty and Secondhand Gifts

I know not everyone appreciates a good thrift like I do, but finding a great gift secondhand can be just as good or even better than buying something new. This is always a fun way to shop for gifts because you could end up finding something even better than what you had in mind. I posted a reel about this on my Instagram, but here’s a recap of things I covered that make great secondhand gifts:

  • cookie jars: make your fave cookie recipe and gift it with the jar!
  • vintage cocktail and wine glasses: you can even make a cute cocktail kit.
  • thrift glass jars and fill them with homemade candles or body scrub (this is what I’m doing this year!)
  • picture frames: be sure to insert a photo of you and the recipient or a cute drawing.
  • books: this will save you so much money.
  • casserole dishes: when you bring a dish to pass for the holidays, you can let the host keep the dish!
  • jewelry and trinket dishes: pair this with a piece of jewelry.


Sustainable and Non-Toxic Gifts for Men

Many of my gift recommendations can be for anyone! but I thought it would be helpful to have a small section specifically for guys. If you’re someone who has a granola boyfriend like me or wants to expose the men in your life to a little eco-conscious living, these are some great options.

  • Leaf Shave Leaf Razor: The gift of a plastic-free and luxuriously close shave.
    • Use code KAY10 for a discount!
  • Utensils Kit: Buy this one or make your own to gift!
  • Stainless Steel Water Bottle: If your man is still drinking out of plastic bottles, do him a favor.
  • Conscious Step Socks Bundle: I know socks can be a cliché gift, but these are super nice and this company gives back!
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!
  • Tentree Treeblend Classic T-Shirt: I LOVE tentree! They make such high-quality clothing and their sustainability score is legit.
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!
  • Ethically Made Backpack: This backpack is fair trade and looks perfect for an adventure or an overnight bag.
    • Use code IMADETHESWITCH for a discount!
  • Vivobarefoot Gobi Boot: This is definitely more of a splurge gift, but these boots are hot. Vivo makes “minimalist” shoes that are actually good for the health of your feet. They also use recycled materials and have a take-back program!


Gifts for Everyone: My Eco-Conscious Favorites

Obviously, thrifted gifts and handmade things are fun, but they’re not for everyone. Here’s a list of great gift options organized by dollar amount. As always, I so appreciate it if you use my referral links! (:

For those wanting to shop my recommendations in more of a “store format”, I have a list on my Amazon storefront with many of these products mentioned here.
Want a broader list of all of my favorite brands? Check out my links and discount codes page!

Gifts for $20 or Less

photos of holiday gifts under 20 dollars
  • Kooshoo Hair Accessories: This brand makes the best hair ties and scrunchies. Plastic-free, made with organic cotton, and super durable.
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!
  • Milwaukee Candle Co Candle: Who doesn’t love a good holiday candle? Made with non-toxic fragrance, wood wicks, and soy wax! My fave cozy scent is Whiskey Old Fashion.
  • Cocokind Ceramide Serum: This product is perfect for winter and works well for all skin types.
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
  • Cocokind Chlorophyll Mask: Pair this with the ceramide serum and you have yourself a cute skincare gift bundle.
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
  • Summer Solace Lucid Dreams Balm: This temple balm is made with regenerative tallow. Perfect for a good night’s sleep. Pair it with this sleep mask for a gift set!
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
  • Boie Shower Scrubby: A plastic-free and non-toxic alternative to a loofah.
  • Stasher Bags: These silicone bags are a great way to eliminate plastic and take things on the go.
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!
  • Axiology Balmies: Versatile low-waste makeup crayons that add a pop of color.
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
  • Plaine Products Travel Set: This is perfect for someone to give Plaine a try or for someone who travels.
    • Use code KAY20 for a discount!
  • Eco Kids Sidewalk Chalk: This chalk comes in plastic-free packaging and is made with non-toxic dyes! Perfect small gift for kids.
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!

Gifts for $20 -$50

  • Ettitude Sleep Eye Mask: Perfect for a good night’s sleep.
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
  • Viren Apothecary Gift Box: Create your own clean home gift box with Viren best sellers! I love everything Morgan makes. My faves are the toilet bombs and dryer ball spray.
  • Leaf Shave Dermaplaner: Perfect for a beauty guru friend (or for yourself hehe).
    • Use code KAY10 for a discount! Pair this with their shave oil for a gift bundle.
  • Leather Wine Bottle Holder: Makes a great gift paired with a bottle of wine or sparking cider! The leather in this product is a by-product of food.
    • Use code IMADETHESWITCH for a discount!
  • Terra Thread Beanie: Made with organic and fair trade cotton.
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!
  • Ceremonia Guava Minis Hair Styling Kit: A nice trio of mini products to give. Clean ingredients and they have a legit recycling program. (I use the rescue spray daily)
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY10 for a discount!
  • Organic Olivia Mood Juice: This one is for holistic health lovers. This tincture is built to calm the mind and put anyone in a good mood.
  • Cork Yoga Block: Made with sustainable cork. I have this and might even get a second one.
    • Use code IMADETHESWITCH for a discount!
  • EMF Protection WiFi Kill Switch: This device helps reduce EMF radiation in our home by turning off the wifi when it’s not in use. This is on my wish list!
  • Beeswax Crayons 12 pack: These crayons are made with responsibly-sourced beeswax and without petroleum or harsh chemicals.
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!

Gifts for $50-$100

  • Plaine Products Day at The Spa Bundle: The best liquid refillable hair and body care on the market. You get shampoo, conditioner, hair repair, and beauty oil in this bundle.
    • Use code KAY20 for a discount!
  • Summer Solace Tallow Candle Trio: These candles are made with regenerative tallow and non-toxic scents. Also comes in two sizes.
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
  • Solar Charging Panel: This solar panel from REI is one of the most affordable solar options I’ve seen. This is great for charging devices and small things on the go. Perfect for those who like camping or travel!
  • Pela Phone Case: Ever heard of a compostable phone case? Now you have. Pela has options for every phone model in tons of colors and designs.
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
  • Rishi Botanical Tea Gift Set: This tea gift box is the perfect relaxation gift. I personally love Rishi matcha, which they also have a gift set for here!
  • Leaf Shave Leaf Razor: This is my favorite zero-waste razor of all time.
    • Use code KAY10 for a discount!
  • Clearly Filtered Water Bottle: This company and Berkey have some of the best water filtration systems I’ve seen. This stainless steel water bottle is great for clean-tasting water on the go.
  • Vivobarefoot Pulma Knit Toddler Booties: These boots are great for toddlers. Made with recycled materials. Vivo also has a take-back program!
  • Sozy Jumpsuit: This jumpsuit is made with soft cotton and comes from a conscious small business.
    • Use code IMADETHESWITCH for a discount!

Gifts for $100 or More

  • Air Doctor Home Air Purifier: Give the gift of clean filtered air. We have the 1000 and 3000 and love them.
  • Ettitude Bamboo Sheet Set: The softest bamboo sheets you will ever own. I’ve had my eyes on the Saffron set for myself. We have Moss on our master bed and Almond on our guest bed!
    • Use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
  • Portable Red Light Therapy Panel: This red light panel is one of the more affordable ones that I’ve seen. It’s also a smaller option that can be taken on the go. How convenient!
  • Solawave Red Light Skincare Wand: This wand is such a nice skincare tool to have, with the added benefits of red light therapy. They will also have a BOGO deal going on Black Friday if you want to get one for yourself!
  • Berkey Water Filter System: I’m obsessed with our Berkey. This makes a great gift for a new home owner.
    • Use code SERVICE10 for a discount!
  • Jolie Filtered Shower Head: Another great gift for a homeowner! These shower heads help with hair and skin health by removing hard minerals from water.
  • Almond Cow Plant Milk Maker: We got one of these as a gift a few years ago! Makes all different kinds of nut milk.
  • Subpod In-Garden Compost System: This compost system is perfect for your friend with a green thumb. This is on my wish list!
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!
  • Recycled Toddler Bicycle: This makes a great gift for toddlers and young kids. Made sustainably with recycled materials. It also had a 5-year warranty!
    • Use code KAYLA10 for a discount!
  • 360 Cookware Sauté Pan with Cover: This 3.5-quart pan is made with stainless steel and no harmful chemicals. Love that this company is local to me.
    • Use code KAY for a discount!

How to Sustainably Wrap Your Gifts

Are you wondering about the best way to wrap your gifts that doesn’t include a bunch of waste? I got you! Head over to this blog post for tips on how to wrap your gifts:

How to Master Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping: 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for the Eco-Conscious Consumer

I hope this blog post gives you the inspiration and motivation to select some amazing gifts for your friends and fam that fit your values and their needs. It’s tough being an eco-conscious girly in a hyper-consumerist world! This time of year is a great time to introduce your loved ones to new brands and products that are better for them and the planet. Remember that if you don’t know what exactly to get someone, you can always get a gift card! In my experience, it’s one of the best ways to reduce waste around the holidays.

– Kayla

Similar Posts