HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE (and sustainability tips)
Holiday season is back! And we wanted to give you some new sustainable gift ideas. Holiday season is typically a time of extreme excess and waste, but we really believe it can be a beautiful time of meaningful gift giving!
One of the best ways to give sustainably is to give something that will actually go to use rather than a shiny new toy that will be fun for a month and then added to a landfill. That’s why you will find a common theme throughout our gift guide: usability!
HOME
Beeswax Candle - this is the perfect gift because EVERYONE loves candles, but the beeswax candles ensure no toxins are being put into their home. Instead of polluting the home, they actually release negative ions which clean the air! We just came out with our own purely beeswax candles (shameless plug). The jars are even reusable which makes them extra sustainable. But there are plenty of other places you can find beeswax candles too, they’re just a google search away!
Reusable cup - a reusable mug or tumbler is great because they’re so cute now that they’re like an accessory to an outfit! Here is a link to the brand that I love.
Cozy blanket - This is perfect for your just out of college friends that are still trying to elevate their space on a budget, perfect for your friends that just moved and are decorating a new space, and perfect for anyone that just needs some extra comfort! Here is a great cotton throw. Here is a lovely cashmere blanket. Avoid polyester and go with natural materials like cotton or linen!
APPAREL
Earth friendly sweaters - There are a lot of places to get beautiful sweaters that are created by brands that keep the earth in mind. Everlane, Reformation, Naadam, Guest in Residence, and Eileen Fisher are great places to start. P.S. Cashmere is expensive, so you don’t have to go that route, but the benefit of it is that you can keep it for a lifetime and ever pass it down to future generations if you take good care of it!
Sustainable jewelry - Jewelry is always a beautiful holiday gift. Try finding a sustainable brand rather than a mainstream brand! Here are a few we love: Mejuri, Brilliant Earth, ABLE.
Cozy socks - need I say more? The Alo Yoga scrunch socks are a dream, the Guest in Residence socks look divine, as well as these 100% cotton socks on amazon!
MISCELLANEOUS
Nice journal and pens - Mental health has been such a topic of discussion, and it’s incredible that it’s being talked about so openly now! One great mental health tool is a journal. To get your thoughts out on paper is so beneficial to processing what you are going through and the phase of life that you are in. There are so many great blank journals as well as guided journals. Here are a couple of our favorite styles: Blank leather journal, guided journal Dawn and Dusk.
Clean skincare - If you have a friend or girlfriend or wife that loves skin care, try getting them some toxic free luxury skin care! (Or get some for yourself. Switching to nontoxic products does wonders for your health). Some of our favorite brands are Osea, Dime Beauty Co., and Primally Pure.
Vacation starter pack - We think a themed gift is SO fun if you plan to purchase more than one thing! If someone you know has a tropical trip coming up or just loves travel in general, try getting them a vacation starter pack! Maybe a sustainable swimsuit, a cover up, toxin free sunscreen, a beach tote or luggage, etc!
Gift cards - Gift cards may seem less thoughtful, but they truly are a great gift because you are ensuring your loved one can pick out their favorite size and style and doesn’t have to worry about any hurt feelings returning items! A way to add a touch of thoughtfulness is to make sure you get them a gift card to one of their favorite small businesses or brands they obsess over, rather than a generic gift card to target or amazon. P.S. we have gift cards ;)
EXTRA HOLIDAY SUSTAINABILITY TIPS
Invest in reusable packaging. This really only works if you’re celebrating Christmas at home and have the space for storage, but buying cute reusable boxes and just adding a new bow is a great way to cut back on wrapping paper waste!
Only buy quality decorations that you love! There is no sense in buying cheap holiday decor that you toss out and replace with something new each year. Not only is it wasteful, it’s also not the most wallet friendly thing. But decor that you love and is timeless, and store until next holiday season!
Take the time to think of thoughtful gifts - quality is better than quantity. Don’t buy random trinkets just to make the pile under the tree look fuller. And don’t fill stockings with cheap junk. It’s better to gift just one or a few quality items rather than a whole bunch of things that will end up in a landfill!
Gift experiences - Something that has no waste! Think concert tickets, sports games tickets, spa days, horse back or atv riding, boat day, etc. The options are endless and it makes for a lot more memories than an item!
Ask your loved ones what they need. Maybe after a tough year they need a bill paid, or a babysitter for a date night, or something else that’ll make their life easier. It doesn’t make it less thoughtful of a gift just because they know what they’re getting! It may be even more impactful!
I hope this was helpful! Have the BEST holiday season!
xoxo, Cierra