If you’re on the lookout for some sustainable gifts to give your beloved friends and family, but are wondering what the heck you get someone who is more focused on being environmentally-friendly this year, don’t fret! I’ve got just the list for you. Check out these awesome 20 affordable eco-friendly gift ideas to give to your earth-lovin’ pals (all are under $25!).
Psst. This post contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure.
Man, oh man. My favorite time of the year is coming up!
Summer just flew by this year (doesn’t is always?) — the leaves are changing color and blanketing the ground with an array of oranges, reds, and yellows! It’s time to zip up those tall fall boots and take the winter jackets outta the closet!
I am so ready for this.
Hands down, fall and winter are my favorite seasons in the year. I love watching glistening snowflakes pile up and turn the world into one big white snowglobe.
And sure, this may sound weird and some of you might not even know what I’m blabbering on about but I love the smell of cold. (If you’re from somewhere in the world where it snows and gets below freezing, you know exactly what smell I’m talking about!)
But I digress. With the winter season comes along the holiday season and as you might have seen, there’s been a big wave of sustainability and eco-friendliness recently.
Due to this spur of doing good for the world, you might have a few friends and family members on your gift list who aren’t so easy to shop for this year…
But don’t fret! It’s easier (and maybe even cheaper!) to find super duper awesome sustainable gifts for them that they’ll absolutely love.
As a sustainable traveler and eco-friendly lifestyle gal, here’s my personal recommendations on what to get for your earth-loving pals.
Psst, looking for some luxury eco-friendly gift ideas? Check out this post on stuffing the stockings with 5 unique, luxurious gifts!
ECO-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS FOR UNDER $25
1. Stainless-Steel Water Bottle
An essential for any sustainable person, a stainless-steel water bottle is an awesome (and cheap!) eco-friendly gift idea for those wanting to reduce their plastic usage!
I personally have this one and love it (so does my mom, who has now stolen it from me for her summer drinks because OMG, the ice does not melt in it)!
Additionally, Klean Kantean is also another great brand that people love. Check them out here!
2. Reusable Straws
With the recent collective ban on using plastic straws (because hey, #SaveTheTurtles), give the gift of eco-friendly reusable straws!
I like this pack of 8 stainless-steel straws but if your glorious green gift is for someone who isn’t a fan of metal, how about these silicone ones?
Alternatively, shop reusable straws on Eartheasy, which is a great small, sustainable business to support!
3. Reusable Cutlery Set
Eliminate the use for plastic cutlery and get your gift buddy a reusable bamboo cutlery set! Not only is this set extremely convenient and practical, it’s super cute!
Get it here on Amazon OR find one on Etsy!
4. Stainless-Steel Razor
As a personal user of a quality stainless-steel razor, I can attest to their durability and practicality! This is a must for anyone wanting to embrace a more eco-friendly lifestyle and no doubt whoever you get this for will love it.
(And yes, this may be a super weird — or a super cool depending on who you are — environmentally-friendly gift idea, but I for one think it’s unique and thoughtful! Especially if you’re gift receiver is cutting down on their personal waste.)
Get one here on Amazon OR shop eco-friendly safety razors on Etsy!
Psst, interested in checking out my favorite zero waste things I always travel with? Read the post here!
5. Sustainable Wooden Cutting Board
Is it just me, or is there something about a high-quality wooden cutting board that brings a sense of warmth and coziness to a kitchen? (It’s probably just me…)
If you’re gift receiver is a fan of cooking and making culinary creations in the kitchen, they’ll no doubt appreciate a sustainable wooden cutting board as an eco-friendly gift! Especially if you get it from a small business, such as this one from Minnesota on Etsy.
Alternatively, this organic wooden cutting board from Amazon is nice! Or view all the wooden cutting boards on Etsy here.
6. KeepCup
Ridiculously tough, durable, BPA-free, non-toxic, and an easy way to avoid those plastic-y coffee cups? It’s obvious any sustainability lover would go nuts for a quality KeepCup.
Get one here on Amazon OR shop an alternative reusable coffee cup on Eartheasy.
7. Beeswax Food Wraps
I recently purchased some reusable food wraps and they are seriously the best thing ever.
If you have someone you’re getting a gift for and they frequently cook or have leftovers, definitely stuff their stocking with some reusable beeswax food wraps! They will hands down love them.
Get a pack here on Amazon OR find one on Eartheasy.
8. 3-Pack of Bento Boxes
Let’s be honest… who doesn’t love some good leftovers? Help your friends reduce their waste by gifting them an eco-friendly bento box!
Get a cool pack of bento boxes here on Amazon OR stainless steel containers on Eartheasy!
9. Natural Wood Hair Brush Set
Perfect for your female friends or family members (or males with long luscious locks!), a natural wooden hair brush is good for the scalp and good for the earth.
10. Packable Tote Bags
These packable tote bags are perfect for grocery shopping or just carrying around when you need an extra bag here and there. (Which is SO handy when reducing plastic usage!).
Personally, I think a packable tote bag is one of the best eco-friendly gifts you can give to someone who is trying to reduce their environmental impact, as they come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and often last a lifetime.
Get a pack of 5 here on Amazon OR find unique reusable tote bags on Etsy.
1. Organic Herb Garden Starter Kit
If you’re gift receiver is someone with a green thumb or you know they’ve been itching to grow something of their own, an organic herb garden kit that makes it easy to plant and grow fresh, yummy herbs might just be the best sustainable gift!
Personally, I absolutely adore this Garden Seed Starter Kit from Etsy! It comes with 3 organic and non-GMO herbs, an eco-friendly wooden box to plant them in, and a helpful step-by-step guide on how to easily grow the plants.
For more options on herb garden starter kits, click here to check out some on Amazon OR find sustainable options here on Etsy.
2. Vegan Soy Candle
Whether its wild lemongrass, jasmine infused bergamot, fresh linen, or tobacco, spice, and lemon, grab your eco-friendly do-gooder a vegan soy candle to sustainable scent their home with!
Chemical-, paraben-, and cruelty-free, you can’t go wrong opting for one of these candles as a sustainable, and often organic, gift idea.
Check them out here and find the right scent for your pal. Or grab a zero waste candle on Etsy to support a small business!
3. Plant-Based Cleaning Brush Set
Perfect for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, or anything else — reducing the use of nasty throw-away, non-biodegradable cleaning items!
Grab a zero waste brush set from Etsy or get the set here on Amazon.
4. Cotton Bulk Bags
Again, another thing I actually have on hand and love! These simple reusable cotton bulk bags are perfect for stocking up on bulk foods like rice, oats, nuts, and more.
They’re also great for keeping bread fresh, holding various items, and more. A perfect eco-friendly gift idea for someone who loves to shop in bulk!
Additionally, this is also a great organic gift that’s certified good for the earth.
Get some here on Amazon or shop organic cotton bags on Etsy.
5. Reusable Produce Bags
Easy to carry, small enough to stick in a bag, and great for packing up fresh produce… these are perfect for taking along to a farmers’ market or the grocery store!
When it comes to reusable produce bags, who wouldn’t want a few, right?
6. Book on Sustainability
Is your giftee more of a reader, rather than someone who wants more “things”? Get him or her a book on sustainability they can read over and over!
I like these books: 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and Zero Waste Home.
7. Reusable Cotton Rounds
This is the perfect eco-friendly gift for that special her in your life! Or for a female friend/family member who like to wash their face (as many of us do!). These reusable cotton rounds are lightweight, portable, super soft, and help to reduce one’s waste! Win.
Grab a pack here for your beautiful giftee.
8. prAna Clothing
A crazy awesome company with a mission to do good in the world, prAna creates high-quality, eco-friendly clothing and will no doubt become a favorite sustainable brand of your gift receiver.
Check out prAna on Amazon here.
9. Grayl Filtering Water Bottle
Okay, okay, now hear me out… while the Grayl is more than double $25, if you want to get your sustainable someone something super special, this is it.
THIS is the top-notch sustainable gift for both him or her that will blow all the others outta the water!
Hands down, the Grayl is the BEST way to reduce one’s plastic usage, as it completely eliminate the need for buying plastic water bottles (no matter where you are in the world).
So, whether your eco-friendly gift receiver is heading to Mexico, Greece, or Southeast Asia, they can have access to fresh, clean drinking water 24/7! Cool, right?
If this sounds like something your sustainable someone would like, get it here on Amazon OR buy it directly from GRAYL (and get 15% off if you’re a new subscriber to their email list!).
10. Donate to a Carbon Offset Program
Likely the most unique sustainable gift idea on this list, donating to a carbon offset program in honor of an eco-friendly pal or family member is a great way to show your love and your support for your sustainability-loving friend.
Personally, I LOVE this idea! As you can donate as much or as little as you want to the program and you don’t actually have to go out and buy them anything physical (which is great if your receiver doesn’t want a “real” gift but you still want to get them something).
Check out the best carbon offset programs here.
With this super awesome list of the best eco-friendly gift ideas, you can get your earth-loving pals something they’ll actually use and love!
It’s pretty cool when you get to support something in their sustainable mission and with these gifts, it’s easy.
Do you have someone on your list who’d like one of these sustainable gifts? Have anything else to add? Share in the comments below!
Sophie xx
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- Plastic-free travel tips: 8 easy ways to ditch plastic whilst wandering
- 20 simple ways to practice ecotourism & be a more green traveler
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As mentioned earlier, this post contains affiliate links. Which means if you make a purchase through the links, this site receives a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us to continue bringing you wanderful inspiration! Read our full disclosure here.
Brooke V.
May 25, 2020 2:47 pmGreat list! Definitely keeping this list on my radar so family members know what to buy me for future holiday gifts. Thanks for sharing all of your excellent recommendations.