This article on sustainable Christmas gifts contains affiliate links from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases which help us grow Clever Girl Finance! Please see our disclosures for more information.
Are you tired of giving gifts that add to clutter in the home and harm the environment? If so, wouldn’t it be nice if you could give sustainable Christmas gifts? Something you know is useful and helps the planet?
It sounds too good to be true. But there are many gifts you can give your friends and family that have a purpose. And there are products that are easy on the environment and promote sustainable living.
We’ve rounded up our favorite best sustainable gifts below so that you can give the best presents this year!
Why have sustainable Christmas gifts become so popular?
As Americans, we accumulate about 43% more waste during the holiday season. Not to mention the concerns presented by carbon emissions and non-eco friendly manufacturing.
Why contribute to that nonsense when there are sustainable Christmas gift ideas?
If you’re concerned about the environment and our future, sustainable Christmas gifts help lighten your load on the environment.
To be sustainable, an item must positively impact future generations and also help the current generation while conserving our resources.
Whether they are made from recycled products, the material itself is recyclable, or the product is minimalist and not adding to the recipient’s clutter, you’re doing your part to save the planet.
Fortunately, there are many ways to give cheap earth-conscious gifts to everyone on your list and not look like you sacrificed. Our sustainable gift guide is proof!
And remember, a gift isn't less special because it costs less. In fact, some of the best gifts are cost-efficient and can be great gifts for someone who has everything!
20 sustainable Christmas gifts everyone on your list will love
Whether your recipient is an environmentalist living a sustainable lifestyle, is someone who tries to be carbon neutral, or you want to share the love and do your part even when you’re giving gifts to others, here’s a list of the best sustainable Christmas gifts for everyone on your list.
1. Living composter
Help your loved ones reuse their waste with a living composter. It’s pretty enough to leave on the kitchen counter and powerful enough to process the food waste of 1 to 3 people.
The living composter is easy to use, and it requires little upkeep (minus regular watering and ensuring there’s enough sunlight).
It's one of the best eco-friendly gifts because they can repurpose their waste and use it for other plants to make an environmental impact!
2. Produce bags
Help your friends and family stop using plastic bags with one of the best sustainable Christmas gift ideas. These reusable produce bags come in three sizes and replace almost any shopping bag your loved ones need.
The food-grade bags are great for grocery shopping, storing food, or even storing personal items. It's one of the most practical Christmas gifts you can give because it is something everyone can use. Plus there's less concern about recyclable plastic this way, and less plastic waste is better for the planet.
3. Stainless steel water bottles
Help everyone stop using plastic water bottles with stainless steel reusable water bottles from Amazon that are cute and functional. This insulated sports water bottle keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 hours.
There’s no sweating and, most importantly, no waste or harmful plastic bottles polluting the environment. And since it's stainless steel, it's bpa-free.
4. Solar-powered phone charger
Give the gift of charging with a solar-powered phone charger. Getting caught out in the open without an electrical source can be frustrating or even dangerous.
A solar-powered phone charger can be a backup source for powering up your loved one’s phones. It's a nice novelty that someone likely wouldn’t buy themselves, but they make great sustainable Christmas gifts.
5. Reusable sandwich bags
Families with kids, adults who pack a lunch for work, or anyone who likes to bring food along with them can benefit from reusable sandwich bags.
The amount of plastic bags we use per year is in the trillions —think of all of the pollution you could prevent just by gifting sustainable bags that are cute, leakproof, and of course, reusable.
6. Audiobook subscription
If you have an avid reader on your Christmas list, give the gift of endless reading without worrying about damaging the environment.
With an Audible subscription, your recipient can listen to an unlimited number of books in the Audible catalog as well as one premium selection per month.
An Audio subscription is also one of the best eco friendly Christmas gifts because it limits the number of paper books used by opting for the sustainable option.
7. At-home spa treatment
If you want to give your loved one a spa gift but don’t have the money for expensive spa treatments and want to get gifts with natural ingredients, give the gift of an at-home spa treatment. Your recipient can pamper herself as much as she wants on her time.
There aren’t any chemicals used, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving since your loved one will get multiple uses from the products.
8. House plant (one of our favorite sustainable Christmas gifts)
Anyone could use a mood and productivity booster, right? Even if the gift recipient doesn’t have a ‘green thumb,’ a succulent plant is easy to take care of and brings a sense of calm to the home and is the perfect gift for anyone.
The hanging pot is adorable enough to hang in just about any room, and it only needs watering every ten days, so it’s easy to care for and enjoy.
9. Handmade scented candle
Skip the expensive and toxic candles sold at big-name stores, and instead, buy someone special on your list a handmade scented candle made from eco-friendly soy wax.
The beautiful scent from the candle is like the gift that keeps on giving, reminding your loved one how special they are without harming the environment. Handmade scented candles are fabulous sustainable Christmas gift ideas.
10. Bamboo toothbrush
While toothbrushes don’t seem like a gift, they can be a great option in your choice of sustainable Christmas gifts either on their own or with something else.
Bamboo toothbrushes last as long as plastic toothbrushes without harming the environment. Bundle them in pretty recyclable packaging, and it's one of the best earth-friendly gift ideas.
11. Natural yoga mat
Do you have a yoga lover on your Christmas list? Give the gift of a natural yoga mat and watch their face light up!
Typical yoga mats are slippery and don’t last long. Some also smell like chemicals.
However, a natural yoga mat lasts much longer, is better for the environment, and doesn’t slip. It's one of the best sustainable gifts for the fitness guru in your life.
12. Reusable beeswax food wraps
Many people don’t realize how harmful plastic wrap is to the environment and their food. If you’re looking for cheap eco friendly gifts, give the gift of reusable beeswax food wrap.
It’s sustainable, easy to use, and even comes with more beeswax to repair wraps that are wearing out. You’ll help your loved ones save money and their health with this gift.
13. Reusable makeup remover pads
Any woman on your list who wears makeup needs these reusable makeup removal pads. Rather than throwing out cotton or tissue every day, your loved ones can use eco-friendly pads that last for many years.
Just throw them in the wash with your towels and reuse them over and over again.
14. Zero waste year planner and journal
Do you have an eco-friendly friend or family member or know someone who wants to start reducing their waste?
Help them by giving the Zero Waste Year Planner and Journal. It's one of the best sustainable Christmas gift ideas.
While writing, they may get ideas on how to reduce waste, declutter their lives, and even zero in on certain goals like paying off their mortgage early or getting out of debt.
15. Bamboo travel utensil set
For the person on your list that has everything, give the bamboo travel utensil set. It eliminates the need for plastic silverware and reduces waste.
In addition, the durable kit comes in an attractive carrying case that’s easy to throw in a purse or keep in the car’s glove box.
16. Recycled glass dishware
Our sustainable gift guide wouldn't be complete without a product that is made of recycled materials! Glass dishware is the perfect upscale sustainability gift.
It's both a decoration and a practical item for meal time.
17. Stainless steel straws
To cut back on the amount of plastic straws ending up in landfills, purchase stainless steel alternatives as some of your sustainable Christmas gifts.
Help your family and friends reduce their carbon footprint and go plastic-free also.
18. Herbs or seeds for a garden (one of the best sustainable Christmas gifts for nature lovers)
Give back to the earth with purchases of herbs or garden seeds for those on your gift list.
Buying a plant-based gift for someone may help them discover a new hobby of gardening, or will at least be a fun project!
19. Sustainable clothing
For friends and family who are fashion and eco-conscious, look for sustainable clothing. You can find great gifts made of sustainable fabric like organic cotton and recyclable materials.
This shirt is made of eco-friendly materials and is comfy, too! Or purchase these bamboo socks.
20. Beauty products
Find sustainable makeup that is cruelty-free and natural (look for something made by a certified B corporation).
It's one of the best sustainable gifts for those on your gift list that love beauty and fashion products.
Sustainable Christmas gifts are the best gifts to give!
Don’t give up and give the ‘usual’ Christmas presents because you can’t think of anything else. Think outside the box with our sustainable gift guide and give the people on your list sustainable Christmas gifts this year.
Not only will it be better for the environment, but your loved ones will appreciate the gifts even more because they are thoughtful, useful, and gentle on the world.
Also, be sure to create a Christmas budget, so you don't overspend and rack up debt. It's easy to get carried away when you are in the spirit of giving, so have limits set for your spending to keep your finances in check.
To avoid going over budget, set up a Christmas Club Account to keep your gift money separate. And we've got plenty of other Christmas budgeting suggestions that are fun and creative!