With the holidays coming up, I know many of us are scrambling to look for gifts to give our loved ones. Unless that's just me, haha! My favorite gift (or rather, gifts) to give to others is a stocking stuffed with different gifts. This is my favorite gift to give to others because I don't just get to give one gift; I get to give several small gifts and treats that are all individual to the person!
Aside from how much fun and adorable stocking stuffers can be, these items can be pretty wasteful. This is because oftentimes the items gifted are small items that are either gag gifts, or gifts full of plastic and waste that often end up in the landfill. However, there isn't any need to worry or avoid giving a stocking full of gifts! Rather than giving stuff like gag gifts or quick to waste, gift the gift of sustainability! Gift those you love a stocking full of sustainable gifts that they're sure to enjoy! Here are some of my favorite sustainable stocking stuffer gifts that I hope will bring some inspiration this holiday season!
Fruit and Nuts
I don't know about y'all but I grew up with stockings full of fruit and nuts. I know it's odd but I loved getting oranges and walnuts (still in their shell!) in my stocking. Plus, it was nice to snack on something while opening gifts! This is such an easy item to include! I suggest picking fruits like apples or oranges that are pretty counter stable for long periods of time, and nuts that are still in their shells like pecans and walnuts. This limits the waste from packaging, plus they also get something to enjoy while opening their gifts or throughout Christmas day!
In keeping with the idea of snacks as stocking stuffer gifts, consider the gift of Regrained. Regrained makes superfood puffs in fun flavors like Mexican street corn, aged sharp cheddar, and BBQ. These aren't just any puffs though. These puffs are upcycled food! They're made from the grain that is left over during the process of beer making! The remaining grain from this process is not only useful for creating food from what might otherwise be wasted, but it's also full of plant protein, micronutrients, and prebiotic fiber! Also, Regrained puffs come in biodegradable packaging! Sustainable and tasty!
Alter Eco Chocolate
It isn't Christmas without something sweet! Look no further than Alter Eco. Alter Eco is one of my personal favorite chocolate brands! Whether you're looking for chocolate bars or truffles, they have you covered. All of their products are eco-friendly and made using sustainable and organic ingredients. Additionally, Alter Eco is a certified B Corporation with a mission to aid reforestation efforts. My personal favorite is the Dark Salted Burnt Caramel flavor!
Travel-Sized Products from Plaine
Travel-sized personal care products are some of my favorite gifts to give. They're perfect for those friends who love to travel or if you're like me and you're looking to convince them of how great a certain brand is *wink, wink*. A brand that I highly recommend gifting is Plaine. They are a STAPLE product in my line of personal care items that I use. Plaine's products come in refillable aluminum bottles, effectively eliminating the need for single-use plastics. Plaine is a member of 1% for the Planet and makes a donation with each purchase. Also, have I mentioned how great and AMAZING they smell? It literally feels like a spa experience every time I use these products.
This is the easiest sustainable gift to give that is certain to get tons of use! Not to mention how fantastic it is to gift to someone in your life who might also be the least sustainable. These straws by Klean Kanteen come with silicone tips to prevent knocking your teeth out with the metal straw. It also comes with a cleaning brush made of natural fibers to also ensure a clean and fresh straw for each use!
Stasher bags are another easy sustainable gift, especially for those who are still making their way to a sustainable lifestyle. While all the bags are great, the snack size is the perfect size to fit into a stocking! These bags are made of 100% pure platinum grade silicone, which is better than food-grade silicone! Stasher is also a certified B-Corp company and they have a take-back program that repurposes the used silicone bags into soft, safe playground pebbles.
Bath Bombs
For the bath lover in your life, plastic-free bath bombs or bubble bars are a great treat! My personal favorite place to purchase these is at Lush where they have a HUGE variety! Also, pro-trip: purchase the bubble bar. They're similar to bath bombs in that they're primarily for baths, but they bubble more, and you only need a small piece to create a good experience. Regardless, both are perfect for a cost-efficient luxurious experience.
Another quick and easy stocking stuffer is lip balm and given the colder weather, everyone is sure to appreciate it! This lip balm by Badger is cruelty-free and made from Fair-Trade ingredients. It's also non-toxic and made without petroleum. When the tube is finished, it can be sent back to Earth Hero to be recycled through TerraCycle.
Give the gift of reusable cutlery! This set is the perfect size to fit into a stocking that ends up having a large impact in the long run! Additionally, this set from To-Go Ware comes with a fork, knife, spoon, and chopsticks. They're also lightweight due to the bamboo and recycled water bottle makeup. Easy to use, lightweight, and environmentally friendly!
Know someone who is obsessed with hair ties? Don't buy them elastics from the grocery store made of unsustainable materials; get them Terra Ties, instead! Terra Ties are made from natural rubber harvested from rubber trees, and organic cotton. This makes them the perfect alternative to the ones sold at the grocery stores made from synthetic rubber and polyester. These hair ties are also biodegradable and colored using only natural dyes.
Growing up, I was not a fan of receiving socks as gifts; now I love it! I love socks! These socks by Solmate Socks are seriously one of my favorites! They're cozy and comfy and made from 100% pre-consumer recycled yarn. The brand itself is zero waste, and they are Global Recycling Standard Approved and approved by the American Sustainable Business Council.
Help start your loved one's morning on a sustainable footprint by gifting them a bamboo toothbrush! This toothbrush by Brush with Bamboo is made from 100% Certified Organic Giant Moso bamboo that is harvested from the mountain ranges of South China. The bristles are also made from 100% Castor Bean Oil. Once it comes time to change brushes, simply remove the bristles and compost the handle!
For the candle-obsessed or the ones who love to have a home filled with comforting scents, gift them a candle! These candles from P. F. Candle Co. are 100% vegan and made with non-toxic soy wax in a variety of natural scents. All of these jars come in apothecary-inspired amber glass jars that make them perfectly decorative and reusable!
Prior to beginning my sustainability journey, I was a phone case hoarder. I just HAD to have a case that matched all of my outfits. Thankfully, I've grown past that and have seen the waste traditional cases create in the environment. Pela Case has revolutionized the cellphone case industry. All of their cases are made of sustainable materials like compostable bioplastic and flax straw. Not to mention, they're biodegradable and VERY durable! Pela Case is also a member of 1% for the Planet.
PS: I recently collaborated with Pela Case where we created a phone case with my quote on it. Check it out here!
A small but extremely useful gift, this reusable swab is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional swabs. This reusable swab comes in a biodegradable carrying case, and the swab is lab-tested to last 1,000+ uses!
Perfect for all ages, these pencils by Onyx and Green are a fantastic gift! These colored pencils come in 24 colors and are made from recycled newspaper. Additionally, the pencil itself is plant-based, renewable, and sustainably harvested.
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