34 Eco Friendly Gift Ideas for Everyone In Your Life

September feels a bit like the start of holiday season. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are out, Halloween candy is on display, and Costco is already putting out snow globes. While September may feel like an early time to think about holiday presents, I highly recommend thinking about your holiday shopping early. First, you can spread out your holiday spending so that it feels less *ouch* at the end of the year. Second, you can be on the lookout for deals. And third, giving yourself time to reflect on present ideas will help you think of more meaningful present ideas than if you were pressed for time!

I hope this post helps you with those meaningful and (hopefully) eco friendly gift ideas!

Eco Friendly Gift Giving

Indeed, this year, many of us have climate change on the mind. With a record hot Summer and wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters causing death and destruction, it can be hard to know what we can do to help. One way we can contribute to climate change efforts is by rethinking our purchases. Consumerism is especially high over the holidays. However, our gifts don’t have to lead to more waste. Indeed, some of the most thoughtful presents have the smallest carbon footprint. From unforgettable experiences to memorable keepsakes to items made from sustainable and natural materials, you can find the best sustainable gifts for your gift recipient without sacrificing thoughtfulness.

In the list below, I give dozens of ideas for the best eco-friendly gifts to wow your loved ones. I’ve tried to provide a more unique list of gift ideas than many gift guides, including experiences, vintage items, and more. At the bottom, you can find great ideas for stocking stuffers. Whether it’s for a best friend, a partner, or a family member, I hope you’ll find something to wow your loved ones. Or, heck, maybe a gift idea for yourself.

My Gift Giving Experience

I’m obsessed with finding the perfect gift for my loved ones. And I’ve written about finding the perfect gift in another post! In fact, I enjoy giving presents more than I enjoy getting presents. And despite my very frugal nature, the place where I truly splurge is on presents for others. However, like many people, I’m concerned about my impact on the environment. I love buying presents that both make the recipient feel great and that make me feel great that I didn’t produce too much waste.

For example, I love giving experiences that allow the recipient to do something they love. The lasting memories are far more meaningful (and eco-friendly) than a physical item. Moreover, some of the best presents I’ve given have been vintage items—a children’s book from the 1960s that my Mom loved as a child or an original Frisbee pie tin (Frisbee originally involved throwing pie tins!) for my Frisbee loving Dad.

Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas

1.       Massage or spa gift certificate

Aside from giving gifts, the other place that I love to splurge is on massages. We tend to think of massages or spa gift cards as a great gift for women. However, massages and other spa treatments can be appreciated by all of your loved ones. I particularly love giving deep tissue and athletic massages for the sports enthusiasts in my life. Plus, this is a great gift idea for supporting local businesses!

2.       Gift certificate to a local restaurant

This is another great idea for supporting local businesses! Moreover, you can either share a special dinner with the recipient and strengthen your bond with them, or suggest they use it for a date night or night out with friends. If they have kids, I highly recommend offering to babysit while they go out to dinner. Free babysitting is pretty much every parent’s favorite gift after all.

3.       Trip to the movies, zoo, Paint and Sip, or other fun destination

Similar to the gift idea above, you can either gift an experience that you do with the recipient, or that you recommend they do with someone special. In the past, I’ve loved giving tickets to the movies, zoo, theater, and sports games, places that are fun but that we might not always treat ourselves to. I’ve also always wanted to gift an outing to one of those paint and wine places. Though I don’t drink anymore, so maybe that would be less fun… If you’ve tried this, let me know in the comments what you thought of it.

4.       Outdoor excursion like kayaking, ice skating, snowshoeing, or hiking

If your partner, friend, or family member likes the outdoors, then an outdoor excursion can be a great gift. You might rent a kayak, gift a ski lift or sledding ticket, go for a hike, the options are endless and can range in price from free (you just handle the logistics!) to more luxurious (looking at you lift tickets).

5.       Celebrity message

I am a big Lord of the Rings fan. In fact, I have a tattoo, in Elvish, of my favorite line from the books. Nerd alert, I know. For my 30^th birthday (during the height of COVID), one of my best friends gave me a personalized celebrity message from Sean Astin, one of the stars of Lord of the Rings. Needless to say, it was pretty much the best present ever and I still listen to that message on occasion.

While it’s no longer the height of COVID, you can still purchase these messages from celebrities on Cameo. While this can be an expensive gift, it certainly is a memorable one that you could consider splitting with multiple people. Or you might find a great lesser known celebrity your friend/partner/family member will still love. For example, if they’re a Parks and Rec fan, you can get a message from the actor who played Perd Hapley for $69! Or if they love 90s stars, David Arquette will do a message for $100.

6.       Nostalgic toy or clothing item

As I mentioned above, I have a long history of giving nostalgic gifts. If your loved one mentions a book, game, or other item they loved as a kid, see if you can find it on Ebay, Etsy (they have a surprising number of vintage items), online vintage stores, your local thrift store, etc. This makes for an incredibly thoughtful gift. Plus, because these are vintage items, they do not contribute to additional waste.

My Dad wore a Detroit Lions jacket constantly when we were kids. Now, it’s threadbare, but he still has it. For Father’s Day, I found a pristine version of the jacket on a vintage website and bought it for him.

7.       First edition book

Do you have an avid reader in your life? If so, a first or signed edition of one of their favorite books makes for an unforgettable present. Of course, if their favorite book is the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pride and Prejudice, or another big classic, this will be a super expensive suggestion. However, you can find first editions for many slightly less popular books on places like Ebay for $50 or less.

8.       Convert Home Videos to Digital

If you’re a millennial, chances are your parents have stacks of home video VHS tapes. Or maybe they never even got converted to VHS, maybe they’re just sitting in the video camera still. Those home videos could molder forgotten in the attic. Or you could send them off to a video conversion service and get them back as easy to access and save online files or DVDs. These services do a great job of cleaning up the videos and editing out blank footage. I’ve used LegacyBox and loved them. Look out for their big sales where they frequently discount purchases 50% or more.

One of the many good things about this gift idea is that it benefits the whole family. Everyone loves watching adorable videos of themselves from decades ago.

9.       Fix a Beloved Item

This one takes some research on your loved one. Many of us have something that’s broken that we just can’t let go of. It might be a beloved clothing item that’s stained or ripped, a watch that hasn’t worked in years, a candlestick from Grandma that fell off the end table and snapped in half. Just as many of us have broken items, many of us forget that there are people who know how to fix those items. Or we just don’t go through the trouble of fixing them.

The good news is that you can use this to your advantage to give your loved one an incredibly thoughtful, 0 waste gift. See if you can fix that beloved item for them and give them the gift of a good-as-new item. The best part may also be the time you save them trying to get it fixed!

10.   A subscription to an online magazine or newspaper

Nowadays, few magazines are in print. However, many magazines still have an online presence with articles that you can only access behind a firewall. If you have someone in your life with a hobby or topic they’re passionate about, they might benefit from one of these online magazines.

For example, I am passionate about running and frequently try and keep up with the latest in running technology, training, and races. I often get frustrated when I see a cool article from Trail Runner magazine on Instagram but can’t access it because it’s behind a firewall. This is why I’ve asked for subscriptions to Trail Runner’s online magazine in past years. If your friend/family member/partner loves keeping up with current events, a sport, or hobby, a subscription to an online magazine or newspaper can be the perfect gift for furthering their interests.

11.   A subscription to an online gaming platform like Dominion

Is your friend really into games but doesn’t have someone to play with? Or maybe they are part of one of the many online gaming communities? If so, a subscription to an online gaming platform is the perfect way to further their hobby and help them play with far flung friends and family members.

For example, the very popular board game Dominion has an online platform where you can play any of their editions of their games with friends all over the world. Subscriptions are just $50 a year (or $4.60 a month).

12. A subscription service to make their life easier—like LinkedIn, Canva, meal planning service, etc.

Nowadays there are so many great services out there that require a subscription. If they’re on the job hunt, a LinkedIn Premium subscription can be invaluable. Likewise, if they’re a blogger, content creator, or graphic designer, Canva is an incredibly fun resource that is even more fun with a premium subscription. Or they might be a busy individual (who isn’t!?) who would benefit from a meal planning service to help them prepare healthy, delicious meals with little food waste.

No matter their interests, there’s probably a subscription service out there that would make their life easier and involve little to no waste.

13.   Artwork or crafts from a local artist

In general, artwork and crafts from an artist on Etsy or another online source is a great, relatively eco-friendly gift. However, there’s a good chance there are plenty of local artists in your area that would love your support and could save you (and the planet) shipping costs. Check out your local Farmer’s Market or craft fair to see if you can find that unique painting or piece of jewelry that is the perfect choice for your loved one. This is also one of the best ways of supporting local businesses and craftspeople. 

14.   A star or moon real estate.

Do we all still remember that scene from A Walk to Remember where Shane West names a star after Mandy Moore? Did we all swoon? Sure, it’s kind of a cheesy gift. But it’s also fun and thoughtful. In addition to naming a star after someone, you can also buy a piece of real estate on the moon. Your purchase comes with fun certificates of citizenship and deed titles.

15. A lordship/ladyship

Similar to the idea above, you can buy a lordship/ladyship in Scotland for as little as $50. Sure it comes with only 1 square foot of land, but being able to sign their emails “Lord” or “Lady” is pretty priceless. 

14.   Plants

Does your loved one have a green thumb? Do they obsess over their plants and constantly offer you the “babies” that have sprouted off their existing plants? You may not think they need more plants. But they probably think they need more plants. Bonus points if you get them a plant that they’ve mentioned wanting! You might even ask them what plant they want to get next or whether there’s a plant they’ve always wanted.

15.   Mason Bee Home

A mason bee home can be a great option for the plant and/or animal lovers out there. Mason bees are non-aggressive and have a positive impact on plants and wildlife. Mason Bee Homes are low maintenance options to encourage these bees to come to your yard and they make for great viewing. You can find mason bee homes in different sizes on Etsy, Amazon, and many other retailers.

16. Indoor Garden  

Indoor gardens are fun, easy options to grow edible plants and flowers, even if you live in a small home or apartment. I recently purchased a salad garden starter kit for my brother from Aerogarden and he loves it. After a few months, he had delicious heirloom lettuces. You can also purchase kits to grow herbs, tomatoes, and more. These gardens take the guesswork out of gardening. They supply plants with optimal light, water, and nutrients to help them grow. Plus, they look beautiful on your countertop or desk.

17. Bird Nester

If you love birds, then there’s a good chance you’ve experimented with bird houses. Often, however, they’re flimsily made, constructed of unsustainable materials, or not the most attractive things in the world. However, these bird nesters are handmade from entirely recycled items and are sturdy and beautifully constructed. Each bird nester is unique, so you’re guaranteed to get a one-of-a-kind eco-friendly item.

18.   Recycled Ski Bottle Opener

This is such a fun idea for the ski enthusiast out there. The artist uses recycled materials including actual recycled skis and bindings to make this bottle opener. It’s the perfect addition to a bar area or rec room.

19.   Sustainable clothing

There are so many great clothing brands that make gorgeous clothes from sustainable materials and whose production processes have a smaller ecological footprint than many other brands. For example, Patagonia has a fair trade factory and many of its clothes are made with a manufacturing process that uses less water, dye, and energy than conventional clothes manufacturers. I love their Capilene tank tops (made from 50% recycled material) and their Better Sweater (made from 100% recycled materials). 

Another great clothing company is Pact. Their clothes, made from organic cotton and a carbon neutral production process, are beautifully simple and elegant. Plus, they’re a Fair Trade company and they limit packaging. So many wins! You can find a list of other great eco-friendly clothing brands here.

20.   Local and Fair Trade Treats

Who doesn’t love delicious, handcrafted chocolates, candies, and other local treats? However, we rarely treat ourselves to these indulgent (and usually somewhat expensive) snacks. For my birthday, I almost always ask for a customized box of See’s candies—insanely delicious chocolates that are now available nationally and online but used to be an entirely West Coast company. It’s a great way to treat myself far beyond the day of my birthday. Plus it’s one of my favorite gifts to receive because I know I’ll use all of it.

Theo’s is another great chocolate company that uses natural ingredients and is Fair Trade certified. They partner directly with small farms in places like Ecuador and Ethiopia to ensure that small farmers are fairly treated. And they have tons of fun, unique flavors.

You can also support small businesses that make candies, baked goods, and other treats in your own area. Local small businesses are far less polluting than big companies like Nestle and generally treat their employees better as well. And you save on shipping costs/emissions!

21. Bamboo Adjustable Lap Desk

No one likes burnt legs. But if you have a laptop, there’s a good chance you’ve spent a little too long browsing on the couch and suddenly noticed your legs were red hot. This adjustable lap desk is made from recycled materials and bamboo, a renewable, eco-friendly resource. It even has USB ports, space for a drink or your phone, and a built-in fan. Not to mention it looks beautiful. 

22.   Solar charger

If your friend or family member is always on the go, loves camping or a good road trip, or is just looking for a more eco-friendly way to charge their phone or other gadgets, a solar charger can be a great gift. Solar chargers come in a variety of sizes, from larger chargers that are perfect for car campers, to small foldable ones the size of your cell phone. They are an easy way of charging gadgets even when you’re miles from an outlet and many of them do well with cloud cover.

With 0 carbon emissions, solar chargers are the future of sustainable living. See this list from CNN ranking their favorite solar chargers.

23.    Reusable water bottles

One of my favorite sustainable practices is using my reusable water bottle every day. Not only do I drink way more water when I have it on hand, it’s also great for the environment. Indeed, it’s estimated that each reusable water bottle eliminates 156 plastic water bottles a year! Because plastic bottles are made up of oil (each 19 oz plastic bottle is made of 4.75 oz of oil), switching to a stainless steel or BPA free plastic bottle is a major boon for the planet.

Moreover, if your gift recipient loves hot beverages, you might consider getting them an insulated water bottle or travel mug. Yeti makes reusable coffee cups that will fit even a Venti sized beverage.

To up the excitement of this present even more, you might consider adding in a bonus gift of metal straws. We all probably know at this point that plastic straws cause tons of waste and are harmful to sea life. Reusable straws, on the other hands, help dramatically reduce plastic waste and they’re pretty dang classy to boot. Who wouldn’t love a gorgeous rose gold straw?

24. Reusable tote bag

One of my favorite gifts that I’ve ever gotten was a sturdy reusable tote bag with the Hobbit cover on the front (again, big Lord of the Rings fan here). I accidentally left it at a friend’s house a couple of months ago and I have been eagerly awaiting its return. A high quality, reusable bag is an incredible asset. I use mine for grocery shopping, bringing books to and from the library, transporting gym gear, and more. 

Each reusable bag can replace 500 plastic bags per year. And you can find reusable grocery bags and tote bags in a number of fun designs. I’d argue that a reusable tote bag is the new mug. It’s one of the best gift ideas for when you want to get someone something fun and a little personal, but also don’t want to spend too much money.

25. Reusable notebook

This reusable notebook from Rocketbook is the perfect eco-friendly gift for the writer or student in your life. It cuts down on paper, which is awesome. However, the best thing about it (in my opinion) is that you can then scan your notes onto the cloud via the Rocketbook app (available at no extra cost) and easily access them. You then just wipe down the pages when you’re done and use them again.

26. Compost waste bin

I know, this sounds like a lame and kind of gross gift. However, this living compost bin from Uncommon Goods is gorgeous and fun. It sits on your countertop and you feed food scraps to worms living inside (don’t worry, you don’t really see the worms if you don’t want to). The worms can process 2-3 pounds of food waste scraps a week! And they produce incredible fertilizer that you can then scoop from your compost bin and use in your yard.

If you have a gardener in your family or anyone science-minded, this is a really cool and functional present.

27. Nontoxic candles

So big bummer, regular candles (made from paraffin wax) are super bad for the environment. Another big bummer, essential oils are also bad for the environment. Both paraffin wax and essential oils rely on… big surprise, oil for production. Their production process involves tons of carbon emissions. And it takes tons of plants to eke out those scents for essential oils.

However, many of us love the smell and ambience of candles. So what’s a hygge loving girl to do? Beeswax candles are a great sustainable alternative. Beeswax has a delightful, mildly sweet smell and you can buy candles in a wide variety of gorgeous shapes. The smoke from beeswax candles is also cleaner and more allergen-friendly than the smoke from traditional candles, win-win. For more non-toxic candle ideas, check out this post from Simple n’ Delight.

28. Eco-Friendly Puzzles

Brands like Blue Kazoo and Le Puzz source their puzzle materials from sustainable forests and minimize packaging waste. Their puzzles also have fun, unique designs that make them a great eco-friendly item for the puzzle fiend in your life.

29. Repurposed Robe

Who doesn’t love a cozy robe? This robe from Uncommon Goods is repurposed from saris and handmade in India by women who are paid fairly for their labor. Each robe is gorgeous, colorful, and one-of-a-kind.

30. Reusable plastic bags, reusable produce bags, and beeswax wraps

If you’re looking for stocking stuffers or small Hanukkah gifts, reusable plastic and produce bags and beeswax food wraps can be inexpensive, practical gift ideas. Each reusable plastic bag can replace 500 plastic bags over its lifetime, leading to way less waste in the landfills. I use my reusable plastic bags and produce bags weekly and absolutely love them.

Not only do they cut down dramatically on my use of single-use plastics, they’re way sturdier and (in my opinion) easy to use than those flimsy plastic produce bags that are so hard to get open at the grocery store. Plus you can put these reusable produce bags in the wash!

31. Bamboo toothbrush

Another lovely stocking stuffer/last day of Hanukkah gift is a bamboo toothbrush. You could even add in some eco-friendly toothpaste tablets. Bamboo is super renewable. And many bamboo toothbrush companies use clean materials for packaging and bristles. Check out this list from New York Magazine on some of the most highly-rated brands.

32. Soap and cleaning tablets

Hand soaps and cleaning products require tons of water. Plus they’re heavy to transport. Think about how heavy a container of laundry detergent is, for example. That’s mostly water. The good news is that some companies now take the water out of those soaps and cleaning products and turn them into tablets and sheets.

By using less water, they’re lightweight and easy to ship. And they don’t require wasteful plastic containers. All you have to do is put the tablets in your favorite reusable container, add water, and voila, you have just as effective soap and cleaning products with a fraction of the carbon emissions.

We’ve been using Earthbreeze laundry detergent sheets for months now and absolutely loving them. They do just as good a job as the name brand detergents we used to buy. And they’re better for my sensitive skin. You can find a wide variety of eco-friendly soaps and cleaning products from companies like Blueland as well.

33. Reusable dryer balls

Did you know that dryer sheets actually damage your clothes? They make your clothes seem less staticky by coating them in a lotion-y substance that damages the fabric and makes it degrade faster. If you want your clothes to actually be softer and last longer, you should be using wool dryer balls. Made from sustainable materials, wool dryer balls can last for hundreds of cycles. This doesn’t sound like a fun present, but what if I told you you could buy wool dryer balls that look like penguins and seals? They’re so cute that doing laundry might actually become kind of delightful.

34. A donation

I know, I know, this can feel like a lame present. But a donation is the best way to make your money go as far as possible to a good cause. I personally love donating to my local animal shelter and getting to see the adorable animals that benefit from my donation. You can use the Charity Navigator to find out which charities are legit and which have the lowest overhead (so you know your dollars are going to the cause).

Final Thoughts

We all want to create a better world for future generations. After all, part of adulting is caring about others! By considering the environmental impact of our purchasing decisions and choosing eco-friendly gifts, we can make a meaningful contribution. 

I hope the gift guide above gave you some sustainable gift ideas for the eco-conscious friend or family member in your life. Have other eco-friendly gift ideas? Let me know in the comments!

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