The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Holiday Gifting

Make the Holidays Greener with Thoughtful, Sustainable Gifting Ideas

I have gathered a list my favorite things! The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on the gifts we give and how they can make a positive impact—on both our loved ones and the planet. This season, embrace sustainable gift giving with choices that are reusable, meaningful, and made to last. From experience-based presents to eco-friendly wrapping, here are my favorite ideas for gifts that truly keep giving.

Experience Gifts for the Hard-to-Buy-For

Sometimes the best gift isn’t something you can wrap—it’s time spent together. For those who seem to have everything, consider giving them an experience they’ll never forget. Memories last!

• Treat them to a day of connection with lunch and a tour of a botanical garden.

• Explore a local place of interest (like a wolf preserve or sculpture park).

• Sign up for a cooking or art class together.

This is one of my favorite things to do with loved ones, I often suggest this as a gift idea for my children, they LOVE the connectedness and personalization of a day together.

Why it matters: It’s not about spending money; it’s about creating memories that last longer than any store-bought gift. An estimated $8.3 billion is spent each year on unwanted gifts, which inevitably end up in the trash or attics and garages. Source 

Sustainable Fashion for the Stylish Friend

For the fashion-forward loved one, gift them the joy of an eco-conscious wardrobe upgrade. A gift card to Green Matters Natural Dye Company lets them refresh old wardrobe favorites or thrift finds with natural dyes. With stunning color-of-the-month options and all-time favorites, this is a one-of-a-kind gift idea. I am obsessed with this company. I love the richness of their natural color dye vats and their unique approach to reducing the impact of fashion.

Why it matters: It’s thoughtful, unique, and promotes sustainability by giving clothing a second life. Textiles can take up to 200+ years to decompose in landfills. Source

The Gift of Entertaining: Cheese + Wine Board Bundle

Perfect for the host or hostess in your life, my Cheese + Wine Board Bundle includes:

• An artisan charcuterie board, sustainable sourced wood.

• A beautifully illustrated guide to wine, cheese, and pairing accoutrements.

• A one-of-a-kind, hand-dyed wine tote made from recycled cotton.

I love a practical and functional gift. This bundle can be given as a hostess gift, or a gift for yourself that makes bringing charcuterie boards and wine your specialty! The illustrated guide will have you being the go to charcuterie person with your mad pairing skills!

Why it matters: This bundle is designed for reuse, making this gift sustainable and practical for years to come. Each bag is completely unique, dyed with materials from my own organic garden. And you are supporting a small sustainable business!

Sustainable Wall Art for the Home Decor Lover

Juli Rae Art offers handcrafted wall hangings that combine hand-dyed materials with stunning, modern simplicity. Thoughtfully made with sustainable practices, these pieces bring artistry and warmth to any space.I am obsessed with Juli’s art and wall hangings. Combining the rich and unique qualities of hand dyed materials with her modern design and sewing ability is simply spectacular. I want her work on all the walls in my home!

Why it matters: You’re supporting an artisan while gifting something uniquely beautiful and enduring. Small businesses and artists create from the heart, you will be gifting a true work of art!

Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas

Green up your gift presentation with these eco-friendly tips:

• Use recyclable wrapping paper and secure it with washi tape.

• Choose fabric furoshiki wraps  for a reusable and stylish option.

• Opt for reusable totes or fabric bags as part of the gift!

  Why it matters: An estimated 2.3 pounds of wrapping paper heads to the landfill during the holiday season. That is roughly enough to cover 227,000 miles - the estimated distance between the earth and moon. Every. Holiday. Season. Source

Normalize Not Buying Gifts: DIY Traditions

Handcrafted gifts hold unmatched value—and making them can become part of your holiday tradition! Host a day with friends or family to bake cookies, craft ornaments, or create heartfelt gifts together.My mom and her best friend have done this for 40+ years. They get together for a full day of baking and bake, bake, bake. Cookies are for everyone! Every season I make my dearest family and friends handmade, often food based, gifts. Be sure to check out my DIY gift guide!

Why it matters: It’s personal, can be focused on sustainable practices, and a wonderful way to bond. Check out my post on DIY gifts to get some ideas!

Let’s make gifting as thoughtful as the gifts themselves. I hope you found some new and interesting ideas here! Happy Holidays