🎁 2022 Ethical Holiday Gift Guide
Reject quick consumption, fast fashion, and throwaway culture this holiday season!
Image cred: @ratboi
The holidays are such a wonderful opportunity to support small businesses and ethical brands that are focused on building a sustainable future. Our current culture of disposability and quick consumption normalizes buying cheap items (made with exploited labor), and throwing them away as soon as they break. During the holidays, this mindset reaches another level as companies encourage us to consume mindlessly and purchase things we don’t even need. In fact, every holiday season Americans create 6 billion pounds of landfill waste from retail returns alone. Knowing that, we can each make an impact by choosing to gift with intention for our loved ones. I like to call it consciously gifting.
Consciously gifting means that you don’t always need to get someone a material thing - you can gift an experience, rent money, grocery money, gas gift cards or lessons. Or just don’t be afraid to ask them specifically if there’s anything they’re in need of right now.
This gift guide is meant to be a starting place if you are looking for an ethically-made item to gift, and I’m so excited to share some of my favorite slow fashion brands and small businesses with you! It also includes some gift ideas that help you maintain a sustainable lifestyle (think mending kits, etc).
This is not meant to pressure you into buying things for no reason - in fact it’s the complete opposite. Choosing to consciously gift with people and the planet in mind is a beautiful thing. When we slow down and choose to support small businesses, artisans, and handcrafted goods, we are supporting items that are truly made with love. And what better way to show someone that you love them then by gifting them something that was made with the utmost love for people and the planet?
As always, DM me on Instagram @climatediva if you have any questions!
✦
① Slow fashion
Coucou Intimates
Timeless underwear & basics with a cute vintage feel. Made 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. For gifting, I love their multipacks and slip dresses.
Room Shop Vintage Plant-Dyed purse
Hand sewn bags, scrunchies, and hair bows made in Pennsylvania with plant dyes, silks, and upcycled fabrics. The plant-dyed bounce bag (pictured here) is such a cute gift for your fashion-loving friend!
Oddli Clothing
Hand stitched personalized tees, tanks, and more made with leftover fabrics! I love their baby tee - it’s such a unique and original gift!
Open Source Fashion Cookbook
A book full of step-by-step illustrations to make your own clothing upcycled from items that are readily available in your home! Many recipes don’t require sewing, so it’s a great gift for beginners all the way up to seasoned seamstresses!
Patagonia Wornwear Secondhand
If your loved one is outdoorsy - or just loves anything cozy - Patagonia’s secondhand marketplace is a great place to find some of their best-selling pieces in excellent pre-loved condition at a discounted price!
Mending kit for clothes
A perfect gift for the crafty people in your life, and a great kit for practicing slow fashion, repairing your clothes, and making them last.
KOTN turtleneck sweater
A slow fashion gift for the men in your life! Give them an essential piece for their sustainable wardrobe from KOTN - this turtleneck sweater is a timeless staple.
The Sage Vintage Jewelry
Your loved one will never find anything like these one-of-a-kind bracelets and necklaces from The Sage Vintage! Perfect for someone who likes an eclectic style.
Rent The Runway membership
Have a loved one that wants to explore their personal style more in 2023? A clothing rental membership will allow them to try out new styles and formal pieces for special events without making the commitment of buying them!
Outerknown Blanket Shirt
The perfect cozy wardrobe staple for the men in your life. Outerknown’s blanket shirt is a cult classic - it will last forever and its made out of organic cotton with buttons made from palm nuts instead of plastic.
Indigo Luna Yoga/Loungewear
Indigo Luna’s organic hand-dyed pieces are a great slow fashion addition for the yogi in your life - or anyone who loves loungewear! Their pieces are made with plant viscose and provide medium stretchy support for the ever-changing female form.
Comme Si Silk Boxers
For your loved one who appreciates simple luxuries - like these sustainably-sourced silk boxers made with 100% OEKO-TEX certified silk, a high-rise fit, and a relaxed silhouette.
Rat Boi Tencel Bolero Set
This planet-friendly underwear set made out of TENCEL™ (natural fiber) is a sustainable girlie’s dream!
Santos by Monica Cactus Leather Tote Bag
Step up your loved one’s tote bag game with this stylish handmade bag made out of real cactus leather and lined with recycled water bottles.
Girlfriend Collective Unisex Puffer Vest
The perfect timeless recycled puffer for that active person in your life! Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
SAYE Bio-based sneakers
Vintage-style sneakers made out of bio-based vegan Napa, recycled insole, and organic cotton laces. FSC certified and PETA vegan approved.
② Beauty
Kindred Black Rose Dew Face Oil
For the person in your life who is all about luxurious self care - this face oil is made with the highest quality organic ingredients and packaged in the most beautiful, hand-blown glass bottle that they will be able to keep forever.
Axiology Plastic-free Multi-use B
almies
These zero-waste lip, cheek, and eyelid colors blend beautifully in the skin and are the perfect gift for a beauty-lover.
As I Am Hemp Seed Oil Hair Bars
For your curly-haired or thick-haired friend who needs some plastic-free haircare! These shampoo, conditioner, co-wash, and leave-in conditioner bars are only $7 each and work wonders on dry, curly hair.
Osea Malibu Undaria Algae Body Oil
A crowd favorite in the eco-friendly beauty world! You won’t disappoint by gifting this luxurious, plastic-free, seaweed-infused body oil that quickly absorbs into the skin and leaves one glowing.
La Bouche Rouge Refillable Plastic-free Lipstick
The ultimate gift for a beauty lover! La Bouche Rouge is a French brand that makes the most beautiful plastic-free makeup. You can even personalize these refillable lipsticks by having your loved ones’ initials engraved on the outside of the leather case.
Plastic-free razor and shaving cream bar from Package Free Shop
A practical sustainable gift for any men or women in your life!
hanahana beauty Lavender Vanilla Shea Body Butter
*The* body butter to gift! These are handmade in small batches and support economic, environmental, and self-sustainability for women within the shea trade in Ghana.
Gilded Fox Silk Pillowcase
My hairstylist makes these pillowcases made out of 100% mulberry silk - silk pillowcases help your hair retain its moisture, strengthen your hair strands, and add shine. They also help keep your skin hydrated and smooth as you sleep. A wonderful gift for anyone interested in having healthy skin & hair!
Yay For Earth Sensitive Skin Face Lotion
Handmade all-in-one lotion made from ingredients sourced from farmers that support local ecosystems - you can use it on your face, body, hair, and more! A great gift for that minimal person in your life that likes using one product for everything!
Saie Glowy Super Gel
This clean beauty gel is like a soft glow for the face - perfect for that friend that loves that golden hour look! It’s also packaged in recyclable glass for an easy low-waste disposal.
The Body Shop Wooden Curl Comb
Surprise your curly-haired friends with the natural hair pick of dreams! Perfect for volumizing curly and afro hair.
Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser
For your loved one that wants to up their skincare routine! This is a classic for all skin types - gentle on the skin but still cleanses thoroughly, and made with the best natural ingredients for people + planet. Plus it’s made with glass and refillable!
Room Shop Vintage Cloud Scrunchies
For that friend that always has a scrunchie on their wrist.
Herbivore Radical Retinalts Set
For your friend that loves retinols and keeping their skin juicy + plump! Herbivore packages mostly in recyclable glass and is made in Seattle with certified organic ingredients.
Kindred Black Lip & Cheek Flush
A natural cheek & lip flush in a hand-blown glass bottle with a cork lid that your loved one can keep and re-use forever.
③ Household
Mala The Brand Candles
A no-brainer gift for anyone in your life! These candles are made in small batches with natural coconut and soy wax, FSC-certified wood wicks, phthalate-free fragrance, and fully recyclable tin cans.
Yana Sleep Body Pillow
The coziest + snuggliest gift. Yana Sleep pillows are like a cocoon, supporting your joints and reducing stress and tension. These pillows are OEKO-TEX certified and free of harmful chemicals.
Ettitude Bamboo Sheet Set
The softest bed set made out of 100% bamboo lyocell for your friend that needs a bedroom upgrade. These sheets use 500x less water and use 52% less CO2 than cotton sheets!
Areaware serving spoons
Wooden serving spoons in funky shapes for your friend who loves to cook!
Chemex Pour Over Coffee Maker
Forget about wasteful Keurig and Nespresso pods, a pour over coffee maker is a much lower-waste option that your coffee-drinking friend will love.
Lomi Home Composter
For your friend that wants to start composting at home! This composter magically turns all your food waste and organic materials into nutrient-rich soil for your houseplants, lawn, or garden! Perfect for small apartments or places where you don’t have space to compost outside.
Organic loose-leaf womb support tea
Organic loose-leaf tea made by a dear friend of mine! A great gift for any woman in your life to support a healthy moon cycle.
Package Free Shop Stainless Steel Food Containers
For your friend who’s always on the go! These plastic-free food containers will last forever and are a staple in anyone’s kitchen.
Reusable Cutlery Set
A low-waste essential - comes in a set of 4 so your friend can always have one handy!
Blueland zero-waste refillable cleaning kit
An essential cleaning kit free from single-use plastic so your loved one can reduce their waste at home!
Fable handmade dinnerware set
A wonderful gift for a loved one who just moved and doesn’t have any plates yet. Handmade dinnerware set made from recycled clay in Portugal.
④ Miscellaneous
Sustainable gardening course with Poppy Okotcha
There’s nothing like the gift of knowledge! If you have any loved ones who enjoy gardening, this online course will teach you how to garden in harmony with nature, and receive expert guidance on how to garden for healthier soil with fewer pests. Learn how to forage, prepare, and preserve wild and homegrown produce!
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
One of the most beautifully written books about environmentalism written in the last few decades - an amazing gift for anyone!
Consumed by Aja Barber
An introduction and and call to action for consumers to examine our wasteful system, unlearn what we’ve been taught about consumption, and ignite change across the fashion industry.
All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson
Gift your loved one some climate optimism with this book full of beautiful essays by women at the forefront of the climate movement.
Masterclass Membership
Gift your loved one access to online classes taught by top experts from a variety of fields on Masterclass!