Eco-Friendly, Low-Waste, Budget-Friendly Holiday Gifts for Any & Everyone! 

The holidays are here and the urge and pressure to buy, buy, buy is...high, high, high. 

OK, that's the last bad rhyme, I promise.

Seriously though, there is non-stop pressure to buy the perfect gifts, and lots of them, for everyone on your list. It's expensive, it's time consuming, and it can be incredibly wasteful. 

Instead of over-spending and over-complicating the holidays, I've got 40 low-waste, eco-friendly gift ideas that come straight from the heart that will cover just about everyone on your list at a variety of price points.

Low-waste doesn't have to cost a lot, you can holiday-on-a-budget too. You can thrift, recycle, upcycle, Buy Nothing, etc., amazing gifts. The best gifts are from the heart, and ideally, something the giver will use and cherish. There are options on this list at all price points, for anyone on your list! 

You do NOT have to spend a lot in order to give a thoughtful gift. 

Gifts are broken down into four categories: 

• Consumable/Edible (things people consume and/or use daily)
• Experiences
• Practical/Helpful
• Outside the (gift-wrapped) Box

Consumable/Edible Holiday Gifts

• Cook someone a meal they can freeze and enjoy. Usually we've got tons of holiday leftovers, but what about something for say, New Year's week? Or that end-of-January slump? Who can be bothered to cook?
  
  
• Homemade sweets, cookies, or candies in a thrifted or upcycled container. There are plenty of super-simple recipes online that only call for a few ingredients (search for ‘3 ingredient desserts,’ for example).
  
  
• Solids/bar versions of personal care essentials, like shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body soap, lotion, perfume, etc. These can be great for frequent travelers! 
  
  
• Let’s be honest, pretty much anything tasty + delicious like specialty salts, vinegars, tea, coffee, cordials, beer, ciders (be mindful of dietary restrictions).
  
  
• Homemade vanilla extract is literally beans + vodka + time in a bottle! Google it, it's super easy. You can thrift tons of cute jars too.
  
  
• Homemade infused alcohols. They're all relatively easy to make with just a few ingredients, if you know someone who loves fancy cocktails!
  
  
• The low-waste version of something someone uses often (like Swedish Dishcloths in fun prints, we've got some in the shop!).
  
  
• A low-waste starter kit for someone interested in the eco-life. I've got some in the shop, just for the holiday season, and pretty much every other low-waste shop has a version too. I'm not picky, pick your favorite where you find it!
  
  
• DIY Cookie or Bread Kits, which can be made by filling a reusable jar with dry ingredients for a favorite recipe and attaching a card with the recipe. This can be especially cute when kids handwrite the recipes, and these gifts can be made in large quantities for teachers, coaches, etc.

Gifts of Experiences

• Annual pass/membership to a local zoo, museum, or amusement park.
  
  
• A gift card to a “rainy day” activity, like an Escape Room, bowling, indoor rock climbing, pottery painting, or other activity. Time spent together is the best gift.
  
  
• A fun class (pottery, paint and sip, forging, woodworking, cooking, anything) The Montgomery County, MD Parks Department has a TON of great options for all ages, families, etc. 
  
  
• A wine, beer, spirits, or cider tasting. Uber included.
  
  
• Spa, salon, float/cold plunge/sauna gift certificate.
  
  
• An hour of personal training, life coaching, therapy, whatever the recipient’s flavor! 
  
  
• State park passes! A little nature across the US.
  
  
• Tickets to an upcoming concert or sporting event!  Some clubs/venues offer yearly memberships! Off-season training tickets can be very affordable too.
  
  
• Movie tickets to the next blockbuster or art house flick. Some small theaters/arthouse theaters have passes as well.
  
  
• A digital class pass to a service like Masterclass or Udemy for someone with a love of learning
  
  
• Pre-pay for someone’s 5K, Spartan Run, etc. if they’re into running or have a running goal.

Gifts That Are Downright Practical

• Pay a monthly bill for someone. Who wouldn't like one less water bill?
  
  
• Offer the gift of babysitting (or hire a sitter) so someone can have a night out!
  
  
• Digital subscription to a magazine, paper, or streaming service. I know you know someone who needs to get off your Netflix account and stop messing with your suggestions.
  
  
• A high-quality, handmade, or bespoke item that will be used often, like a custom wooden cutting board, luxury French press, etc.
  
  
• Subscribe to an app or service the giftee wants but wouldn't purchase for themselves. (Peloton, Headspace, Strava, YouTube Red, etc.)
  
  
• The gift of service- either DIY or hire a pro to help take chores off someone's hands: house cleaning, laundry service, dry cleaning, car detailing...Seriously, I've been chasing the clean of a housecleaner ever since I was gifted a house cleaning!
  
  
• Specific gift cards, like a gas card for a commuter or pet store for devoted pet parents, or a local farmers market, specialty grocery store, or record store. Gift cards aren't the biggest razzle-dazzle, but they can be very thoughtful, relatively low (or no!) waste, and will be used!
  
  
• Compost service subscription or compost starter. I love my service through Compost Crew, it's greatly reduced my landfill waste and I get compost. For another local option, check out Veteran's Compost.

Secondhand, Upcycled, or Other Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything

• A donation to a beloved charity or cause, especially thoughtful for someone who has everything.
  
  
• Products from someone's favorite local shop. Some shops even offer to "build a basket" at a variety of price points. This is a win-win for local businesses and your giftee. 
  
  
• Something thoughtful and handpicked from a second-hand store. You can find amazing hardcover books, LPs/CDs, art, toys, dish sets (even vintage Pyrex!) at great prices. Obviously give any items a thorough cleaning before gifting.
  
  
• Something made by hand with love.
  
  
• Symbolically adopt an animal at a local zoo. Sometimes they send you a plushie or a photo, but money goes to the care of an animal. Surely you know someone who'd like to be part-sponsor of a giraffe. (It's me.)
  
  
• Sponsor an adoptable animal at a nearby shelter. Pretty much every local shelter is filled to the literal brim. Consider helping someone adopt a new friend by covering the cost of an adoption.
  
  
• We rarely print photos anymore, so print out a good one and pop it in a cute secondhand frame.
  
  
• Plants or cuttings in upcycled jars or vases. Plants brighten any space and clean the air. 
  
  
• Art from a local artist or maker, which is more unique and special than a print from a big box store. Plenty of artists do custom commissions too (think pets, kids, etc.).
  
  
• Vintage or thrifted jewelry, scarves, belts, bags. You can find absolutely beautiful, unique pieces, including designer brands, I promise.
  
  
• Professional family photo or headshot session. A headshot session could be a great gift for a recent grad, creative entrepreneur, artist, writer, etc.

Shopping Small is Shopping Eco-Friendly!