13 Zero-Waste Gifts For a Low-Waste Holiday Season
It’s official! Gift-giving season is finally here, and we know that between shopping in person, online, and DIYing as much as possible, this can be the most chaotic time of year. When you’re trying your best to make your way through your gift lists, prioritizing wasting less is not always top of mind. Give yourself a break! This is a crazy season and none of us are perfect. But to help out, we made an extra susty gift guide to make your life easier! We compiled our favorite zero-waste and low-waste brand and gift ideas so that you can shop sustainably without even thinking about it. Even better? We made sure that this list is popping in color and creativity, so it is certainly not your basic zero-waste guide.
1. Scribd Subscription: We know that audible is out, but e-books and audiobooks are still very much in! Gifting a Scribd subscription is one of our favorite sustainable gift ideas. You can gift anyone on your list a 6-month or 12-month subscription to Scribd’s entire library of over a million ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks.
2. Libro Audiobook credits: If you aren’t sure how big of a book lover your recipient is, opt for Libro.fm’s audiobook credit program which allows you to gift credits that can go to the purchase of a few audiobooks (& you get a free audiobook yourself too)! We probably don’t have to explain why this is a great susty gift option, but besides it being completely waste-free, this is a gift option that keeps on giving after the holiday season. Happy reading (or listening)!
3. Axiology is a brand that we love, and they are changing the game of single-use plastic in the makeup industry. Their fun crayon-like makeup sticks are multi use and meant to be applied as blush, lip color, and eye shadow. Both Axiology’s balmies and their hydrating multi sticks are packaged in recycled paper packaging, making them 100% zero-waste. Their products also prioritize eco-friendly and vegan ingredients so they are sustainable from the inside out. This is a great gift idea for any sustainable baddie, whether they are glam-forward or into a more minimal look.
4. Common Heir - We know that when the holiday season begins, so does the extra in-depth skincare routine. Common Heir is WOC-owned and has incredible sustainable skincare products for anyone on your list who takes their skincare routine especially seriously. Give the gift of pampering and self-care with Common Heir’s Gua Shas (Common Heir is partly Asian-owned, so you can consciously support their TCM-inspired beauty products) and serums. All their products are packaged with biodegradable materials, and totally plastic free.
Credit: Supra Endura - Wrap In Block Print- 3 pack
5. Supra Endura - There are tons of amazing sustainable food, kitchenware, and dishware products on the market, and it can be hard to choose the best ones. These wraps, dishcloths, and tea towels from Supra Endura are uniquely designed by artist Gabrielle Mandel and each product looks like a piece of art. When it comes to buying sustainable gifts for the holidays, gifting useful products that are also beautiful is the best way to make your family and friends feel special. Sometimes zero-waste products get a bad rap for being bland or boring, so change the narrative by giving everyone on your list these colorful and unique low-waste home products!
Credit: June - The Hombre Tote
6. Junes bags - If you live in a state with a plastic bag ban like we do, the need for reusable totes and bags is higher than ever! Help everyone on your list save the planet and save some money (those little charges add up!) and gift them some reusable totes. We love these from Junes because not only are they made from recycled materials, but they also have an up-cycling program so they never have to be wasted. Junes is also a female-owned business that works with a sewing co-op in Juarez to support sustainable income for female textile artists and designers along their shared border.
Credit: Cute Roots - Holiday Variety 10-Pack
7. Cute Roots Cards - We know that there are different gifting tiers to everyone’s list. For all those new friends, new partners, coworkers, or neighbors who are maybe just getting a card this year, opt for a zero waste option. These Cute Roots cards are adorable, and can go right into the ground when you’re done reading them! They currently have holiday bundles on sale, so make sure you order them quickly.
8. Ethique - If you are new to the Sustainable Baddie community, you might not know about our obsession with all things Ethique. This amazing zero-waste skincare and haircare brand is a great sustainable option and they make amazing stocking stuffers too! They have tons of plastic-free shampoo, conditioner, soap, and even lip care products for everyone on your list. This is also a great brand to buy online because they prioritize plastic-free shipping!
DIY Gifts
We all have dipped our toes into the DIY world, and some of us uncovered amazing unknown talents, while others of us realized it might not be our thing. Regardless of which side you’re on, making your own gifts is a great way to practice zero waste and low-waste living.
9. Skincare and Hair Care - If you are more of an experimental type, making your own products are always fun options.
10. Hanging Planters, Embroidery Ornaments, and DIY bucket hats - We also love getting crafty around the holidays. There are tons of ideas all over the internet and on tiktok so these are just a few of our favs.
11. Girlfriend Collective - Finding clothes and accessories that are plastic-free and sustainable can be extra hard. We often opt for Girlfriend Collective, a brand that prioritizes recycled and sustainable materials like using recycled plastic to make their products. Girlfriend Collective is a great spot to find pieces for pretty much everyone on your list because of their gender and body diverse selection. Shop everything from loungewear and active wear to amazing accessories like hats and socks too!
12. Cookies, or Sweet Breads, Hot Cocoa - We don’t know about you, but many of us remember gifting jars of baking mixes to neighbors, teachers, and other friendly acquaintances. But honestly, the old baking mix in a decorated mason jar trick? Cute as hell, and is still the OG sustainable offering. Grab all those jam jars you have been hoarding and fill them with the basics to make a delicious holiday treat! Just write a short recipe to include with the gift and you have yourself one of the most low-waste gift options available!
13. Literless - Buying in bulk is a zero-waste must these days, and low-waste grocery stores are popping up all over the country. Use this zero-waste grocery store locator, Literless, to find a low-waste grocery store near you. Once you have located spots in your area, many of them offer gift cards for all the sustainable baddies on your list. If bulk buying is new to people on your list, this might help them try it out and rip off the bandaid (consider going with them, and bringing your own jars in case they forget). If you have some sustainable baddies on your list who are accustomed to this mode of grocery shopping, it will encourage them to keep doing what they're doing, and support amazing small businesses too!
Don’t forget, being low-waste and sustainable happens at home first. Look around at what you already have, and make sure to ask the people on your list what they need before you go shopping. You never want to buy someone something they won’t use or already have. But with a little bit of foresight and our list of ideas, you are sure to have a very very susty holiday season. Happy shopping, baddies!