Get notified every time a new article comes out and
keep up with the latest plant care or plant trend.
It’s understandable that you may want your holiday gifts to be a bit more sustainable this year, especially to avoid adding to the past generated by all those post-Thanksgiving sales. Maybe you have a very eco-friendly friend or family member that would appreciate something with a smaller carbon footprint too. We have a few great gift ideas that won’t break your budget or harm the planet!
As climate crisis concerns increase, so do the demands for products that won’t make the situation worse. Consumers often use words like ‘sustainable,’ ‘net zero,’ ‘carbon-neutral’ and ‘earth-friendly’ interchangeably, but they have very different meanings. Eco-friendly is a general phrase that claims the product or service, at the very least, doesn’t harm the environment.
Whether your friend is down-to-earth and practical, artistic, or has a more refined taste, there’s something here for everyone!
1. Locally-Made Decor and Household Items
Most cities have holiday markets where you can buy gifts made by local artisans, such as unique coffee mugs made by local potters, hand-knit beanies made from local wool, wooden ornaments created from reclaimed wood and more. When you buy local, you support your community and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.
2. Indoor Plants
Houseplants purify the air, are low-maintenance and longlasting. You’re sure to delight your giftee with a Just Add Ice® indoor plant! Whether it’s a stunning white orchid or a gorgeous red anthurium, you’ll have a hard time choosing just one! Just Add Ice® offers houseplants in various sizes and colors that your friends and family will love, regardless of the size or style of their indoor spaces.
3. Zero Waste Kits
Help your friend reduce their single-use plastic use by replacing these items with reusable products. You can find many ‘Zero Waste Kits’ with fun, cute household necessities made from recycled and renewable materials versus the ‘one-and-done’ plastic products that hurt our planet. From storage bags to beeswax sandwich wraps, these kits make it so much easier to go green!
4. Solar Powered Phone Charger
Does your friend feel like an untethered kite when their cell phone dies and they have nowhere to charge it? A solar-powered phone charger may be the perfect eco-friendly stocking stuffer! Outdoorsy, adventurous types will also appreciate this gift, especially if they visit remote places without access to electricity. Available online and in stores, such as Target and Best Buy, you can buy one of these gadgets for as little as $10.
5. Stainless Steel Straws
Ok, while it’s not the most glamorous item on our list, if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer your earth-friendly friend will appreciate, this is a great one: Plastic straws and disposable silverware add to the pollution generated from plastic manufacturing, harming crucial marine life and more. Replacing plastic with stainless steel or glass is stylish and makes a sustainable gift they can put in their handbag or backpack wherever they go.
Purchase glass or metal straws and cutlery that is dishwasher safe, giving your loved one an item with hundreds of uses instead of just one.
6. Gift Cards from Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Brands
Many holiday gifts end up in the trash – and landfills – because people end up with items they don’t want or need. Unless you know someone’s taste, consider a gift card from an eco-friendly brand.
If your friend loves plants, but you just aren’t sure which one is perfect for them, consider a Just Add Ice® digital gift card. Since it’s delivered digitally, there’s no plastic or carbon involved!
Shopping for sustainable and earth-friendly gifts can feel overwhelming but let go of trying to be perfect. If you follow a few guidelines, your climate-conscious friend will appreciate your efforts.
Pro Tip: If you have a plain brown box, you can convert it into a gift box by making your own DIY paper orchid gift box decorations for a truly eco-friendly gift! Feel like time is running out and you want something easy, long-lasting and earth-friendly? Have one of our beautiful plants delivered directly to your friend’s doorstep!
