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TriplePundit's Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide for 2024
More than 60 percent of Americans say they plan to consider sustainability when purchasing gifts this year. If you need a hand choosing your last-minute sustainable holiday gifts, we've got you covered. Read on for our favorite 2024 picks.
(Image: sonyachny/Adobe Stock)
It's that time of year again. As people across the U.S. and around the world check the last few items off their holiday gifting lists, a growing number are considering their impact on people and the environment. More than 60 percent of Americans say they plan to consider sustainability when purchasing gifts this year, and more than 80 percent regularly reuse items like wrapping paper to reduce waste, according to the sustainable packaging producer ALPLA's annual holiday survey. If you need a hand choosing your last-minute sustainable holiday gifts, we've got you covered. Read on for our favorite 2024 picks.
Consider buying used for the most sustainable holiday gifts
We love learning more about socially conscious brands and the impact they have around the world, but at the end of the day, the most sustainable holiday gifts you can find are items that already exist and may otherwise go to waste. And before you get hung up on giving your loved ones a dusty item from a thrift store shelf, consider that 93 percent of Americans say they'd be open to receiving a secondhand gift for the holidays, and 78 percent say they plan to give a secondhand gift this holiday season, according to polling from the online secondhand seller Postmark.
The trend toward secondhand gifting is for good reason: Thrift stores are bursting at the seams with lightly-used items that are ready for a second life, and a growing collection of retailers now host their own resale shops featuring pre-owned items that are still of high quality. Head to REI and Patagonia for outdoor gear or brands like The North Face and Eileen Fisher for clothing and outerwear worthy of a second life. Check out more of our favorite re-commerce shops here for sustainable holiday gifts that reduce waste.
Give local gifts for a personal touch
After TriplePundit's big relaunch last year, I wanted to do something special for everyone who made it possible. To walk our walk of going with something lighter impact than a mass-produced trinket, I scoured the internet for curated gift baskets filled with local items from each city our editorial, tech and marketing teams call home. It took a while, but it was actually super fun — and the gifts were a big hit.
"Colorado Crafted is the best gift basket I ever received!" says 3p assistant editor Taylor Haelterman. "I enjoyed every food and drink item, which is rare for someone with allergies, and I still use the other items to this day. Plus, it was a great way to get to know more local businesses in my area. I've continued to buy from the local tea and coffee brands."
Try searching terms like "local gift basket," "local gifts" or "gifts from local businesses" with your city name, and you'll likely be surprised by all of the options available. Austin City Gift Baskets and Frederick Gift Basket Co. are among some of the other favorites I found. Prices vary, but you can usually find something thoughtful and bountiful for $50 to $100.
If gift baskets aren't really your thing, standby apps like Google Maps and Yelp can help you find small businesses in your community that could use your support, and a growing number of apps and websites also catalog small businesses owned by women and minority entrepreneurs — which tend to be hit the hardest during tough economic times. Check out We Buy Black and EatOkra to discover local Black-owned businesses, Sol-Latino for finding Latino-owned businesses, the Pride App for finding LGBTQ-owned businesses, and the Women-Owned Directory to find women-owned businesses.
A barbecue kit for your favorite sports fan from Uncommon Goods
This unique find from B Corp artisan marketplace Uncommon Goods is a surefire hit for grill masters and sports fans alike. The grill kit, including a spatula, tongs, a grilling fork and a bottle opener for those backyard brews, is made from sturdy stainless steel and handles fashioned from repurposed hockey sticks.
It's made by California entrepreneurs John Ufland, Eric Bourgoujian, Brian Damiani and Mike Fitzgerald, all self-described "hockey dads" who hated to see expensive equipment headed to the landfill after its useful life. Inspired by Brian and Mike's special needs children, they launched their company to employ adults with disabilities while partnering with hockey teams, schools and equipment manufacturers to upcycle thousands of sticks into new cool stuff.
The Uncommon Goods marketplace features plenty of, well, uncommon goods and sustainable holiday gifts made from upcycled materials. Bowls made from old records, cufflinks made from seats that once sat in Yankee Stadium or Wrigley field, and cocktail sets made from used bourbon barrels are just some of the unique gift options you'll find there.
A heartwarming gift box from Korissa
This assortment from fair trade seller Korissa is perfect for hosts, Great British Bakeoff addicts and everyone on your list who finds their happy place in the kitchen. It includes a terracotta bread warming stone, bread basket, heart-shaped wooden spoon, cutting board, natural coaster set and decorative tea towel — all handmade by women artisans being paid a living wage.
Founded by women entrepreneurs, Korissa brings the natural materials, crafting techniques and unique patterns of Bangladesh to a variety of home and garden products, from baskets and planters to tableware and handbags, that make for unique sustainable holiday gifts. The company partners with four artisan collectives in the country that follow fair trade principles, and it also prioritizes recyclable and plastic-free packaging when it ships.
A rainy-day activity from Dr. Seuss x Parks Project
Parks Project is a social enterprise that works with U.S. National Parks to support projects like wildlife conservation, research and educational youth experiences, donating more than $2.7 million since 2014. You may remember the hugely successful Peanuts x Parks Project collab last holiday season, which brought the iconic duo of Snoopy and Woodstock to apparel and camping gear that supports public lands (and is still available in Parks Project's shop).
This year, they're at it again, bringing childhood memories to life with beloved characters dreamed up by author and cartoonist Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss). Along with this 500-piece puzzle, the Dr. Seuss x Parks Project lineup includes throw blankets, hats, pajamas, and camping gear for kids and adults featuring characters and phrases from "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!"
If cartoons aren't your bag, you'll also find a bunch of other cool sustainable holiday gifts like outdoor gear, housewares, apparel and a seasonal calendar featuring the work of up-and-coming artists in Parks Project's shop.
Price: $26.95 (usually $32)
Signature sauce collection from EssieSpice
For the foodie in your life who loves trying new things, this tasting set from EssieSpice is just the ticket. The Black-owned brand is inspired by founder Essie's upbringing in Ghana, and this set includes her full lineup of sauces and spice blends, from a tangy tamarind and ginger barbecue sauce to a sweet and spicy mango-chili medley. The set also comes in a mini version for a fun stocking stuffer that lets your favorite foodie test the waters.
Along with selling premade sauces, Essie offers cooking classes and seminars to teach people about Ghanaian cuisine, and the brand sources its ingredients from farmers in Ghana and supports schools and other social initiatives in the country.
Pine needle baskets from Mayan Hands
Mayan Hands is a fair trade nonprofit providing economic and educational opportunities to Maya women and girls. It works with 200 women artisans in the rural Guatemalan highlands, who create housewares, bags, toys and other gifts using traditional methods of weaving, crochet, macrame and basketry.
These traditional baskets are made from sustainably sourced pine needles and pajón, a native wild grass, so they have a subtle scent of the forest along with a unique look.
Cause coffees from Thanksgiving Coffee
This B Corp coffee brand is a longtime favorite of 3p assistant editor Taylor Haelterman, who learned about it in college when one of her professors was studying the impact of the brand's work to support the health and wellbeing of coffee farmers and their communities. "I interviewed the founder for the podcast I used to host and ended up trying the coffee on my own a few months later as I slowly looked to make sustainable swaps in my life. Turns out, the coffee is delicious!" she says. "Its motto is, 'Not just a cup, but a just cup,' which I think is fun."
The family-owned company prioritizes sustainable sourcing and fair trade principles, and its lineup of "cause coffees" include specialized certifications and support various environmental efforts. "Its SongBird Coffees, for example, support the American Birding Association and are grown on Bird-Friendly certified farms, an initiative run by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute," Haelterman says. The collection also includes coffees benefiting efforts like elephant, rhino and wild horse conservation, as well as preserving pollinator habitats and historic California redwoods.
Fun fair trade planters from Ten Thousand Villages
Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages is one of the longest running fair trade marketplaces out there. It sources from more than 20,000 makers around the world and ensures they are paid a living wage for the housewares, jewelry and apparel they create. "Our average buying relationship with artisan groups is 20 years," the company's website reads. "That’s enough time to see their children grow into adulthood and to see the impact this maker-to-market movement has created." The company says it has invested more than $110 million with international artisans over the past 19 years.
The marketplace's collection of fun planters and garden accessories are among our faves for sustainable holiday gifts. Choose from a cheery llama, a handsome hedgehog, a crouching cat and more — all handmade by women artisans.
Portable solar power bank from Keutek
Whether you're hitting the trails or saving energy at home, this portable solar power bank is one of the highest rated on the web for charging all of your devices with the power of the sun. Maker Keutek says it can hold up to eight days of power on a single charge. It can charge three devices at once, and it's compatible with both Apple and Android phones and tablets.
Along with helping customers save energy and charge on the go, Keutek also prioritizes American manufacturing. All of its products are made in the United States with U.S.-sourced components.
Price: $139.99 (usually $149.99)
Beginner pottery kit from Pottery with a Purpose
DIY-lover Sam Hoff founded Pottery with a Purpose to provide a "hands-on, tech-free 'pause' button" to people struggling with the same overstimulation and burnout she felt when working in the corporate world. The brand's curated pottery kits also prioritize sustainability: They include locally-sourced clay and tools handmade in the United States, along with natural paints and recyclable and plastic-free packaging, and the company gives back to mental health nonprofits with every purchase.
This beginner kit is great for kids and craft-lovers alike, and it's tailor-made to help learners of any age get started. It includes air-dry clay that sets without a kiln, along with tools, paints and a beginner-friendly instruction guide.
Her Favorite Studs set from the Starfish Project
So demure, so mindful. The internet may have moved on from the demure meme, but a simple stud earring never goes out of style — and these lovely handmade studs in reds, blues and lavenders support a good cause.
The Starfish Project helps women escaping human trafficking and exploitation, serving thousands with its community outreach programs in East Asia and helping hundreds build new careers through its Survivor Leadership program. Women starting the program get jobs making jewelry, which funds the nonprofit's work, and then go through training programs to skill up in fields like accounting, design, photography, management and technology. The Starfish Project's social enterprise arm now employs many of them. You can learn more about some of their stories here.
Price: $100 (usually $144.97)
Reindeer plush from iHeartDogs
With a soft feel and squeaky sound, this plush toy is perfect for four-legged friends. Even better: iHeartDogs donates food, toys, veterinary services and other essentials to animal shelters for every product purchased. The brand also offers rope toys for tougher chewers, as well as beds, treats and other pet essentials that give back for sustainable holiday gifts for every furry friend on your list.
Price: $6.50 (usually $12.99)
Waste-free shampoo and conditioner bars from Kitsch
Personally, I've always been iffy about shampoo and conditioner bars, assuming my dry, breakage-prone hair could never, but after this rave review from 3p assistant editor Taylor Haelterman, I think I'll finally give them a try — and many on your holiday list may feel the same.
"I apprehensively made the switch to these shampoo and conditioner bars this year in an attempt to reduce my plastic waste, and haven't looked back," she says. "My hair is on the oily side, so I was concerned whether they would apply enough product to really clean my hair. That hasn't been a problem. Plus, they smell amazing and last me a long time. I liked them so much I bought some for my mom to try. She has dry hair and said: 'I like these better than the bottled shampoo and conditioner I used. My hair feels softer now than it did before.'"
Taylor uses this combo for oily hair, while her mom opts for this one for dry hair. Kitsch's lineup also includes fragrance-free options for sensitive skin, along with other waste-free personal care essentials like soaps and shave butters that make great stocking stuffers and sustainable holiday gifts.
Price: $19.60 (usually $28)
Mary has reported on sustainability and social impact for over a decade and now serves as executive editor of TriplePundit. She is also the general manager of TriplePundit's Brand Studio, which has worked with dozens of organizations on sustainability storytelling, and VP of content for TriplePundit's parent company 3BL.
