It's the season of giving. As the Grinch put it, "the avarice never ends", which is a fair point from someone who lives next to a garbage dump. We love presents too, so let's meet him halfway: this year, give gifts with purpose that go a little easier on the planet. Here's what to look for, a few of our favorite ideas, and how to wrap it all without a mountain of paper.
What makes a gift eco-friendly?
No gift is impact-free, but some are much better than others. A few questions help:
- Will it replace something disposable? A reusable item that gets used every day can stand in for hundreds of single-use ones.
- Is it built to last? Durable materials and repairable designs beat cheap things that break by spring.
- What's it made of? Look for recycled, organic or responsibly sourced materials, and as little packaging as possible.
- Who made it? Small makers, local shops and companies that are open about their supply chains are worth supporting.
- Will they actually use it? The greenest gift is one that doesn't end up in a drawer. When in doubt, give an experience.
Our favorite sustainable gift ideas
1. Reusable bags
For the farmers' market regular, the eco-conscious shopaholic, or anyone who buys groceries. Sturdy cotton totes and produce bags from brands like Ecobags, or reusable silicone storage bags like Stasher, cut down on plastic bags for produce and snacks. Team bring-your-own-bag, all day.
2. A reusable coffee cup
Know someone who's never without a coffee? A good reusable cup, ideally one that collapses or fits in a bag, saves a disposable cup every time they use it.
3. A water filter
For anyone still buying bottled water, a countertop filter pitcher or a filter bottle turns tap water into something they'll actually want to drink.
4. Durable outdoor gear
For the outdoorsy person in your life, warm layers built to last are a gift that keeps on giving. Patagonia is a long-time favorite of ours for well-made outdoor layers.
5. A reusable straw
Single-use straws are an easy habit to break with a collapsible, washable straw in a pocket-size case, such as the FinalStraw.
6. Handmade home goods
For the friend who loves interiors, handmade pieces support artisans and last for years. The Little Market sells handmade home goods from artisan groups around the world.
7. Clean, low-waste self-care
For the friend who says "treat yourself" at least once a week: solid shampoo bars, refillable skincare or small-batch products with short ingredient lists. Check the label if they're vegan, since beeswax and honey are common in natural skincare.
8. The gift of wellness
We're a little biased, but we think health makes a great gift. Shopping for the fitness fan, a busy parent or your best friend? Our plant-based supplements are an easy pick: try a cozy mug of Good as Gold golden milk with turmeric, adaptogens and organic coconut milk. Not sure what they'd like? An Ora digital gift card is sent by email, has no fees, never expires and works on any order, so there's nothing to wrap or ship.
9. Gifts you can't wrap
Some of the best gifts aren't things at all:
- A homemade dinner, or a voucher for a massage
- A spa day, or a DIY one at home
- Tickets to see their favorite artist or team
- A class, a workshop or an activity on their next trip
How can you shrink your holiday shopping footprint?
How you shop matters as well as what you buy. Driving is a big one: burning a single gallon of gasoline produces 8,887 grams of carbon dioxide. A few easy swaps:
- Walk, bike, take public transit or share a ride when you shop.
- Combine errands into one trip, and bring your own bags.
- Shop local and support small businesses.
- Order online in fewer, bigger orders rather than lots of small ones.
What are some sustainable gift wrapping ideas?
Reuse and recycle
Open presents gently and you can save the paper, bags and ribbon for next year. Or make your own wrap from plain brown kraft paper and a few stamps.
Wrap in what you have
Newspaper, old maps, magazine pages and fabric scraps all make charming wrapping. Tie it up with twine instead of plastic ribbon. Many shiny and glittery papers can't be recycled, so skipping them helps.
Use nature's bows
Swap the big plastic bow for a sprig of dried lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary or pine to spruce up your presents (pun intended).
What matters most?
Presents are lovely, but there's no better gift than time together. Grandma might love a new water filter, but she'll be just as happy with a hug and your smiling face. For more ideas, see our guide to nailing the holiday gift game, our healthy holiday tips, and how we approach sustainability at Ora.
Nothing in this post is sponsored. We just like companies that are trying to make the world a better place.
