Great Eco-Friendly Gifts for the Tree Hugger in Your Life
Estimated reading time: 15 minutes
For years, I’ve told my family that I don’t want gifts for my birthday or on holidays. Bless my Mom’s heart, she tries. But it has been so ingrained in all of us to give presents at these times of the year that it is tough to break the tradition. Now that there are grandkids in the picture, there are always far too many gifts under the tree at her house on Christmas. Perhaps all we need is a better road map to lead us to more sustainable gift giving. If you struggle when thinking about gifts for eco-friendly people, this article will help!
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The best gifts for sustainability lovers
The best presents are heartfelt, thoughtful and sustainable gifts, that will actually be used by the recipient. Sustainable presents for tree huggers are no different. Here are some guidelines that will help you decide what to gift to the environmentalist in your life.
1. Non-Physical Gifts
I’ve listed this as the number one option because the best environmentally friendly and sustainable gift is no (physical) gift at all! Some of the best non-physical gifts I like to give and receive are tickets to an event with my recipient. There is nothing better than spending time and making memories with friends and family! You could also purchase an eco-friendly gift card for your giftee from their favorite sustainable store or local restaurant. If you’re feeling creative, gift a fun date with your recipient, where you do all the planning and treat them to a sustainable outdoor adventure!
Since I live nomadically and am a well-established minimalist, there usually isn’t much I need in terms of physical items. If you know that your giftee is indeed in need of a physical gift, try finding the necessity following guidelines #2-5 below.
2. Second-Hand Gifts for eco-warriors
Some might consider giving a used gift as tacky or tasteless, but if your giftee truly is a treehugger, they will not mind! One of the best eco-minded presents for sustainability lovers is to give an item a second life. Whether it’s some home decor or items for a treehugger’s kitchen as a sustainable housewarming gift, second-hand is the next best! An added bonus is that you’ll also be successfully practicing sustainability on a budget.
3. Upcycled or Homemade Creations
Gifts made from recycled materials are an incredible option for environmentalists. There are plenty of clothing brands that use upcycled fabrics in their creations and crafters and makers that put together amazing things using upcycled items.
Homemade goods also make great sustainable gift ideas. Whether it’s your giftee’s favorite cookies or a personalized crafty calendar for their fridge, they are sure to appreciate the time you put in with them in mind!
4. Natural & Organic Gifts for environmentalists
Most people can get on board with a nice-smelling lotion or soap as a lovely gift. But it stands to reason that the sustainable soul you’re buying for wouldn’t appreciate a gift loaded with toxic chemicals! Look for all-natural and organic products that are locally made by small businesses for your eco-friendly gift. When purchasing clothing or accessories as a gift, look for natural fibers such as organic cotton or hemp. Hot tip – most tree huggers actually do love trees, so why not give a houseplant or even a tree as a gift?
5. Plastic Alternatives
If there’s one thing eco-friendly people despise, it’s plastic, especially single-use plastic. Without a doubt, green lifestyle presents should be plastic-free. If you’ve discovered that your gift recipient needs some kitchenware or new camping gear, try finding the items made with FSC-certified wood, stainless steel, or other natural and long-lasting materials.
An excellent green gift idea might be to send your giftee an eco-friendly gift basket or box – one to check out is this one from GreenUp Box.
greenUP box – cratejoy
About this item:
- #1 sustainable box for eco-conscious humans
- Cruelty-free, ethically sourced
- Plastic-free and compostable shipping
- Products made by small U.S. businesses
Don’t Forget About Social Sustainability
If your giftee goes all-out for sustainability, they will care where their gift came from. Items that are responsibly made by people who are paid well and treated fairly are a must. Socially responsible brands are transparent with their efforts, so looking them up online should yield information in this regard. If it seems they are hiding something, they likely are. You can also look for third-party certifications such as FairTrade, B Corporation, and Cradle to Cradle to help guide you to sustainable and ethical gifts. The best eco-gifts are planet and people-positive!
Eco-friendly product recommendations
The following brands and products are excellent green gift ideas for the Earth-lover in your life.
Environmentally friendly Gifts for the Little tree hugger
Smiling Tree Toys
Handmade in Minnesota from three types of sustainably sourced hardwoods grown in the USA, these sustainable toys come with a lifetime guarantee. They are finished with an in-house blend of two simple ingredients: organic jojoba oil and locally sourced beeswax. Some classic wooden toys that spark the imagination are perfect eco-friendly gifts for kids!
Organic cotton clothing from MATE
- GOTS Certified Organic cotton
- Made without any harmful chemicals, such as – pesticides, BPA, PFAS, and formaldehyde
- MATE is B Corp Certified, GOTS certified, and Climate Neutral certified
- And their sets are just adorable!
TIKIRI toys
- 100% pure natural rubber
- GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) accreditation
- Certified plastic free baby toys
- BPA free & phthalate free
- Biodegradable, non-toxic and eco friendly baby toys
- Handmade & hand painted in Sri Lanka
- Use code TIKIRIANDSS for 10% off!
POPPY BABY CO.
- All natural
- Handmade wooden toys
- Environmentally friendly educational toys
- Get 10% off with code PBCANDSS
Waffle Pom-Pom Hat – Lou Lou Lollipop
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly baby gift, why not keep the little one’s head warm (and adorable!) in this waffle pom-pom hat? Made from ultra-soft 68% TENCEL™ Lyocell, 26% organic cotton, and 6% spandex, with a removable pom for easy washing.
Eco-conscious Gifting for a Tree Hugger’s Kitchen
Check out some of these brands to help you find gifts for your friend or family member who practices eco-conscious living!
On-The-Go 5-Pack from Stasher
Help your eco-friendly pal create sustainable snacktimes and leftovers with these reusable bags. Stasher makes bags and bowls of all sizes from premium food-grade silicone, deemed safe for food use by the FDA. The bags can be recycled when needed at the end of life through Terracycle with a free shipping label (U.S.)
Zero-Waste Dish Brush Kit
This kit can handle every mess any dish throws at it! The kit includes five completely natural eco-friendly dish brushes. The wood and plant fibers parts can be composted at the end of life, while the metal handle is recyclable. Find all kinds of zero-waste presents at the Zero Waste Store!
Explore more ethical gift choices for a treehugger’s kitchen from Done Good here.
Sustainable gifts for organic lovers
The Good Tee
Keep your tree-hugging giftee clothed in comfortable classics made of GOTS-certified organic cotton. Female-founded in 2020 and Fair Trade certified, this Canadian brand is also a Certified B Corporation. You can find joggers, yoga pants, t-shirts, hoodies, accessories -and more that will satisfy your eco-friendly gifting needs.
Use code TGTANDSS for 10% off!
River Organics
Your environmentally friendly giftee will be impressed by the organic and vegan ingredients used by this brand. This Leaping Bunny certified independent beauty company makes vegan products that are 100% soy and palm oil free. Their eco-friendly product packaging has a biodegradable sugarcane label and their mica is conflict-free. Remember River Organics the next time you need an eco-friendly Mother’s Day gift!
Use code ROANDSS for 15% off!
cocoon apothecary
- Natural and organic products
- PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certified
- Effective and eco-friendly
- Committed to reducing waste
- Use code SUCCESSFULLYSUSTAINABLE for 10% off
Environmentally Friendly Gifts for the Outdoor Adventurer
Traverse Recycled Polyester Zip-Up from MPG SPORT
Any outdoor enthusiast needs a good outer layer like this one made from 80% Recycled Polyester. It is moisture-wicking and quick-drying, with 4-way stretch properties and multiple pockets. MPG creates OEKO-TEX® certified products, assuring customers they are safe and free from harmful substances.
CoalaTree
Coalatree offers one of the widest ranges of organic and recycled outdoor gear products in the market. Find eco-friendly nature inspired gifts for men and women who love to be active outdoors made with sustainable materials such as their signature coffee grounds material, first launched in 2015.
Use code ECOGEAR for 15% off.
Green gifts for traveling tree lovers
Everyday Backpack by 8000 Kicks
8000 Kicks is known for its vegan, eco-friendly hemp shoes with ecological soles made from algal blooms. Their sustainable hemp backpacks were designed with the exact measurements to fit below the airplane seat so that you can travel everywhere for free. A perfect green gift for the traveling treehugger!
Use code 8000KICKSANDSS for 10% off.
gospa Travel Bidet by brondell
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, affordable, and transportable bidet for travel or backcountry hiking, this is it! Its collapsible design makes it compact, and the stow-away storage bag keeps it clean and discreet. The 100% silicone body is BPA-free, with a screw-top lid for easy filling. Just aim the angled spray nozzle and use the easy-squeeze technology for a powerful spray on the trail, in your hotel room, or anywhere you need it! Comes with a carrying bag large enough to fit a bidet towel as well. No more need to pack out your dirty toilet paper while exploring outdoors!
Unique eco-friendly Christmas gifts for the environmentalist
Slim Twist Bidet Attachment from BioBidet
Nothing says happy holidays like a sustainable seat, right? All jokes aside, anyone serious about sustainability should have a bidet in their life. This attachment is affordable and has retractable dual nozzle functionality, an ergonomic comfort control knob, and connects simply to your existing fresh water source. Your giftee will enjoy that “fresh out of the shower feeling” after every visit to the loo.
Would your eco-friendly friend prefer to stick to sustainable T.P.? Grab them a subscription to Reel Paper or Cloud Paper instead!
Unless your tree-loving friend already owns some eucalyptus sheets, this gift is sure to impress the organic cotton pants off them. Grab them a sheet set, mattress protector, or throw blanket to help them be more sustainable in bed!
Jewelry has been a classic gift choice forever. The tree hugger in your life is sure to appreciate some sustainably-made earrings or a necklace!
sustainable jewelry from Astor & Orion
Astor & Orion is one of the only jewelry brands to incorporate circular design, 3D sculpting, and third party certified manufacturing. Not only do they use recycled metals to create their stunning jewelry, they design in a way that allows it to be easily recycled again. Orders are shipped in cute and reusable 100% cotton pouches, recycled tissue papers and recycled cardboard mailing boxes with recycled paper labels.
Still can’t decide? Then grab an eco living gift box filled with a variety of sustainable items for your earth-friendly giftee!
Eco Living Gift box from Super Bee
Help your giftee join the zero-waste movement with this green gift box jam-packed with eco-friendly essentials. They are sure to be impressed with the nine indispensable zero-waste products, including bamboo toothbrushes, beeswax food wraps and bag, and reusable glass straws. Sustainable materials include 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, sustainable bamboo, pesticide-free beeswax, and organic coconut oil.
Final thoughts about earth friendly gifts for the tree hugger in your life
Your eco-friendly loved one wouldn’t want you to stress when it comes time to buy them a gift! Follow the guidelines above, and I’m sure you will be successful in finding the perfect green gift for an anniversary, birthday, Valentine’s, or other special day. Remember to wrap your sustainable gift in an eco-friendly gift bag or recycled and recyclable paper!
All products recommended to you on Successfully Sustainable are independently researched in depth. To avoid waste and lead a minimal lifestyle, we test products only when required. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about this here.
