Presents with a lower carbon footprint? Sign us up! These sustainable gift ideas contribute to a better planet and — bonus — there’s none of that Grinchy plastic shrink wrap to contend with. You know the type: where you’re forever wondering if it goes in the garbage or the recycling bin. Spoiler alert, it goes in the garbage, then ends up in the landfill only to possibly choke out a marine mammal or linger forever. And so, from the eco-warrior kitchen queen to the person on your list who just wants to chill out by a softly glowing light, we’ve got you covered on the earth-friendly gift-giving domain. Check out our top picks for green gift ideas that’ll please everyone on your list.
Related: Secrets of an Eco-Conscious Homeowner We Should All Adopt
Basket Case
Canadian retailer Ardent Earth sells a ton of stylish and sustainable home gifts that are vegan and earth-friendly. These lovely baskets, for instance, are fashioned out of upcycled coffee sacks. Stash cleaning goods in them, a plant or even rolled up face cloths.
Upcycled Coffee Sack Basket (Small) Ardent Earth, $40.
Small and Mighty Food-Waste Queen
Behold the Eco 5! The most impressive food-waste recycler in town, this compact device turns mountains of food scraps (in abundance during the holidays) into nutrient-rich soil amendment for potted plants or the garden. One of its best features — apart from its modern looks — is that there’s no smelly aftermath.
Vitamix FoodCycler Eco 5, Vitamix, $700.
Glow for It
This neutral little charmer has a lattice design made of bamboo that looks fabulous on a nightstand or side table. Best of all it has a minimal environmental imprint as it’s made of bamboo strips that would otherwise have been discarded.
KNIXHULT Table Lamp, IKEA, $47.
Hanging Around
When shopping for green goods, wool is always a safe choice, since the biodegradable material is easy to recycle — but this adorable mouse isn’t being tossed to the curb anytime soon. It’s sure to be a memorable family keepsake for years to come.
Winter Green Winnie Mouse Ornament, Helen + Hildegard, $16.
Nothing to Sneeze At
How gorgeous are these tissue boxes? We love the simplistic design and earthy hues, especially that mustard stunner that beautifully blends into modern interiors. And you’d think unbleached bamboo facial towels are about as soft as a porcupine’s backside, but these tissues by Mouche have been tried and tested by our team. Verdict: They’re soft and gentle!
Mouche Unbleached Facial Tissues, Well.ca, Fortinos.ca, Amazon.ca, Goodnessme.ca, $4 each.
Sweet Dreams
Far too many pillows on the market are filled with synthetic polyester fluff. Give your loved ones the gift of a good night’s rest with a luxury pillow crafted from only the finest materials, thanks to Vancouver-based pillow brand Henrie. Its outer shell is 450-thread-count organic cotton and inside is fluffy kapok (a renewable resource from Indonesia), so loved ones can rest easy knowing they’re saving the planet as they doze off.
The Henrie Adjustable Pillow, Henrie, $199.
Paging Boho Types
Made in the south of France and printed on fine-art matte paper from responsible and forest-friendly sources, this vintage camper bus art is sure to satisfy the cool kid on your Christmas list. Plus, the olive green tones in interiors are trending.
Vert Art Print, 30X40, Socco Living, $49.
Mind Your Beeswax
Tell your host or hostess to step away from the cling wrap. This multipurpose beeswax wrap is a much more sustainable solution. Scrunch it around a charcuterie board until you’re ready to serve, use it as a makeshift bowl for vegetable scraps or simply as a seal for that half a lemon in the fridge.
Abeego Medium Rectangle Beeswax Food Wrap, allthingsbeingeco.ca, $10.
Earthy Charmers
Naturally dyed, organic cotton and double glazed. How exciting are those magic words? The eco-friendly kitchen maven on your gift list will go ga-ga over these lovely kitchen towels. Wrap a bottle of wine in one and you’re all set. By the way, this Montreal-based Etsy seller crafts similarly gorgeous dyed pillowcases. Just sayin’.
Tea Towel, La Petite Leonne, Etsy, $28.
These Rocks Rock
Bye-bye mushy soap! Wetness doesn’t pool on this craggy stone soap dish made of the prettiest pebbles. Keep it sink side or in the shower. Pair it with the brand’s cute, eco-friendly cubed soap.
Soap Dish, Two Sisters Naturals, $24.
Care for a Cuppa?
There’s something warm and inviting about a teapot, like this beauty. The glass vessel sports a tight-fitting, earth-friendly bamboo lid. It has a drip-proof spout and coiled filter that prevents loose-leaf tea from falling into your cuppa.
Large Glass Teapot and Kettle, Socco Living, $42.
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