Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide: For a More Mindful (& Less Wasteful) Season
UPDATE 11/26/19: This guide was originally posted in 2018, but has since been updated to reflect the 2019 season. Luckily, not much had to be changed, because many of these products are evergreen and can be purchased any time of the year!
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I love the holidays - the cheery music, the cozy vibes, the family time, the amplified feelings of joy and community (although, I would push for us to channel this ALL the time). With the holidays also comes some level anxiety about gift-giving, money, excessive waste, clutter, and quite frankly it can be overwhelming. As a conscious consumer who embraces a minimalist mindset, I want to remind you that gift giving is all about the thought, and it doesn’t have to always be something tangible.
This season, I’ve put together a sustainable holiday gift guide filled with both tangible and intangible gifts that support a more mindful holiday for you and your loved ones. My guide also supports forward-thinking businesses ranging from woman-owned brands to eco-friendly products that give back.
Sustainable Home
Plant Clipping + Ceramic Pot $ - One of my favorite clean and minimal planters! I bought this for my cousin’s wife and re-potted it with clippings from my own plant. It’s a lovely gift straight from your own garden.
Year & Day Infinite Candle $$ - It’s made with non-toxic soy wax and is free of phthalates and phenols. The vessel can be reused with Year & Day wax refills or it can be emptied and repurposed!
Glass Reusable Travel Mug $ - Help your peers reduce waste and get their caffeine fix with one simple swap.
Ceramic Mug $$ - One of my favorite gifts to give is ceramic work from a local artist. Check out Settle Ceramics, which is locally made here in Austin, TX. Also, peep the selection from Apt. F in East Austin.
Matchaful Ritual Kit $$ - A beautiful preparation kit from one of my all-time favorite matcha brands. It comes with everything you need to whisk up the perfect matcha. For some additional inspo check out my matcha latte recipe.
Meditation Cushion $$ - This is the meditation cushion that I own. Each cushion contains buckwheat & millet hulls, as well as dried lavender to up the relaxation factor. Pure bliss.
Clean Beauty
BioClarity Stocking Stuffer $ - For the friend who wants clear, glowy skin. Use the code ‘OMCITY’ for 15% off. This healed my acne when I got off of the pill.
Cocokind Matcha Stick $ - The perfect stocking stuffer. It’s a natural, organic coconut oil-based moisturizing stick that can be used as everyday lip balm, under-eye balm, and facial highlighter.
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Rose Gold Palette $$ - Made with vibrant fruits and veggies. This is one of the best clean beauty brands out there. I love all of their eye shadow palettes, mascara, and lipsticks. So much good stuff.
Skylar Non-Toxic Perfume $$$ - For perfume you actually want to breath in. It’s made without icky parabens and chemicals that are found in most fragrances and it smells so lovely. I personally love Arrow & Meadow.
Plastic-Free Native Deodorant $$ - Gone are the days when deodorant was a strange gift to give. Gifting a non-toxic deodorant that will have a lasting impact on a loved one’s overall health is a win in my book. Buy a few or bundle it with more clean beauty favorites!
Conscious Fashion
Allbirds Wool Runners $$ - For a comfy, low carbon footprint. Both Andrew and I wear them.
Asha Patel Designs $-$$$ - You always see me wearing the Nazar Gemstone Necklace. Asha is kindly giving y’all 15% off any purchase with the code ‘OMANDTHECITY’.
Athleta Powervita Salutation Tights $$ -THE best yoga tights made with recycled Powervita fabric. It’s very flattering and has side pockets.
Everlane ReNew Fleece Sweater $$ - Made from 35 recycled plastic bottles. Yes, this is the sweater I have in three different colors.
For Days T-Shirt $-$$ - It’s a zero waste, closed loop system revolutionizing the way we buy t-shirts. Check ‘em out!
Mejuri $$-$$$ - Handcrafted ethical fine jewelry that is actually affordable thanks to their fair pricing model. I own the Stacker Ring, Diamonds Line Ring, and Mini Signet Ring.
Patagonia Pullover $$ - A quality kind of cozy that actually keeps you super warm. For men’s styles, go here.
Fjall Raven Backpack $$ - Rad backpack that’s unisex. Best for hiking, day trips, and adventuring about. You can also fit a laptop in it!
My Favorite Conscious Fashion Brands:
Allbirds, Alternative Apparel, Athleta, Baldwin, Everlane, Hill City, Fame & Partners, Fjall Raven, Patagonia, Poshmark, Reformation, Richer Poorer, Whimsy & Row
Experiences / Digital Products
Plant a tree in their name with My Tree Planet for a life long, no-clutter gift that also helps the planet.
Subscription to a mindfulness app like Kait Hurley’s Move + Meditate, Headspace Meditation, Calm Meditation, Happy Not Perfect.
Membership to a fitness studio (i.e. yoga, barre, spin, the gym, etc).
Digital Gift Card to Whole Foods or any other food shoppin’ retailer you love! This is what I request from my parents every year.
One-year membership to Thrive Market for wholesale prices on healthy food brands.
My Simplify & Thrive Guidebook (shameless plug) to wipe the slate clean for the new year. Learn surefire tools, tips, and tricks to declutter your life, reduce stress, amplify happiness, and boost productivity.
(Almost) Free Gifts
Homemade nut mylk in a glass jar. Peep my recipe here for cashew mylk. Not only do consumable presents cut back on waste but putting it in a sweet glass jar means the container can be either repurposed or recycled once they’ve enjoyed the goodies inside.
Plan a hike together for some good ole one-on-one time in nature.
Stasher bag filled with homemade snacks!
Homemade raw vegan cheesecake for your sweet loved one! Check out my recipe here.
Make a Manifestation Board together for the new year by recycling old magazines, catalogues, and flyers that have previously clogged yours (or your friend’s) mailbox. Then, be sure to unsubscribe if you no longer want these sent to you. I recommend using Catalog Choice to stop unwanted junk mail.
Create a personalized Spotify playlist for your music-lovin’ friend. Music is a universal language that everyone can vibe with.
Shoutout to my tree! It’s made of 100% recycled non-toxic PVC plastic and can be used for up to 30 years. This brand also donates 1% of their gross profits to 1 % For The Planet.
Zero-Waste Gift Wrapping Ideas:
No need to purchase rolls of Santa-covered wrapping paper when you’ve most likely got everything you need at home. Get creative, make it special, and reduce your waste with the below zero-waste gift wrapping ideas!
Mason jars
Wooden boxes
Upcycled paper (newspaper, catalogs, paper bags)
Cloth napkins or scarves
LOVE this idea of garnishing your wrapped gift with dried oranges and a cinnamon stick tied up with biodegradable twine!
I hope this gift guide sparks a sustainable present idea for everyone on your shopping list. When it comes to gift-giving, remember to consider what that person will truly use and enjoy. The holidays certainly don’t have to be a stressful and wasteful time of year, and by being mindful you can show your loved ones how much you care without simply giving people more ‘stuff’. Use the holiday season as an opportunity to have a positive impact by shopping consciously and supporting the wonderful eco-friendly and sustainable brands out there that are making a difference.
There is so much to celebrate! Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with joy, presence, and gratitude.
Love,
Jules x
