The holidays are here, and if you’re like a lot of people, coming up with a thoughtful gift that your loved ones will not only enjoy but use can feel difficult. Add to that the importance of trying to shop sustainably whenever possible, and it can feel overwhelming. Whether sustainability is important to you or the person you’re shopping for; there are plenty of sustainable gifts that anyone would love. Keep reading for the best sustainable holiday gift ideas for the people on your nice (not naughty) list.
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Rare Houseplants
Most households have at least one house plant; in fact, reports show that over 75% of Americans do. If you’re shopping for someone who boasts of being a plant lover, add to their collection in a meaningful way with a rare house plant. While rare houseplants aren’t going to be as easy to find as others, any avid plant lover would appreciate the time you took to find them. If you don’t have a local nursery that sells rare houseplants, many online businesses do, making this gift just a few clicks away.
Seed Starter Tray
Speaking of green thumbs – the person you’re shopping for doesn’t have to be a plant lover to appreciate the gift of a seed starter tray. Perhaps they’re a home chef who enjoys cooking with the finest and freshest ingredients; then a seed starter tray makes growing herbs and small vegetable plants indoors a breeze. You can customize the trays or opt for ready-made sets that complement each other. If you want a truly splurge-worthy present, getting them started with a hydroponics set-up for an indoor garden to produce their own food would make an amazing presence.
Solar Charger
We all spend a ton of time on our devices, from smartphones to tablets, which means we constantly charge them. The gift of a window solar charger can be a game-changer to living more sustainably. These solar panels are attached to the window using a suction cup, and it stores the energy it absorbs into a battery. They don’t have to be a techie to appreciate this present.
Electric Toothbrush
With dentists recommending that you switch out your toothbrush every three months, it’s easy to contribute to landfills in the name of dental hygiene. Of course, we’re not going to stop taking care of our teeth, but instead of using a new toothbrush every month, give them the gift of a toothbrush for their entire life with a new electric toothbrush. Source out a brand that uses plant-based heads and bristles and aluminum batteries over plastic.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Christmas day is one of the most popular days to get engaged, and even if you’re not popping the question this holiday season, you may want to give your significant other fine jewelry. Regarding diamonds, go with the sustainable option of lab-grown diamonds over the controversial Earth-mined ones. Not only can you feel better about this choice, but lab-grown diamonds are also more affordable than their Earth-mind counterparts, making this gift an easy win-win, and these diamonds really are a girl’s best friend.
Zero-Waste Kit
One way to encourage our friends and loved ones to live more sustainably is to give a gift that makes that more feasible for them. A zero-waste kit has everything they need to live a zero-waste lifestyle. Aluminum straws instead of plastic, net bags for produce, bamboo cutlery, and more. These kits are a great gift for someone who has mentioned wanting to live a more intentional lifestyle, but perhaps they need help knowing where to start.
Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Show the person you’re shopping for that you care about their health as well as the health of the planet with a beautiful stainless steel water bottle. We’re supposed to drink eight glasses of water daily, but most people don’t, which can negatively impact their health. Reusable water bottles can actually be an indulgent gift, depending on the brand and quality that you purchase.
Shopping sustainably should come second nature, but it doesn’t for everyone. By giving one of the sustainable gift ideas mentioned above, you’ll be doing your part for the environment, and you’ll also be encouraging others to follow in your footsteps. Happy holidays!
