Gift Guide: Sustainable Gift Ideas

Some of my favorite sustainable gift ideas for the holiday season!

*click on the images above or links below to shop*

1. Allbirds Mizzles | 2. Our Place Glasses *** | 3. Outdoor Voices 1/4 Zip Sweatshirt ** | 4. Madewell Jeans | 5. Reusable Dish Covers | 6. Stasher Bags ** | 7. Sezane Jumper | 8. Kotn Sweatshirt | 9. Athleta Joggers | 10. Nisolo Booties | 11. Rothys Loafers | 12. Reusable Metal Straws | 13. Three-Pack Face Masks | 14. Girlfriend Sports Bra & High Rise Legging **

*chicago business/from a chicago shop
**woman owned business
***bipoc owned business

Now that my post all about the best gifts by Chicago artists, companies, and shops is up, gift guide season is officially ON! While sifting through the polls I did last month, the most requested categories were small (& local!) businesses and sustainable gifts. So why not start with those two, right?!

I’ll admit – I’m nowhere near perfect when it comes to sustainability. But I am constantly inspired to do better, and these gifts are an amazing way to share that inspiration with other people in your life, too! Whether your gift recipients already live a really green life, or they’re totally new to eco-friendly brands, these ideas are useful and environmentally friendly. In other words, if you’ve been looking for a thoughtful gift you can feel good about giving this holiday season, keep reading!

Sustainable Gift Ideas That I Own

Allbirds Sneakers

I have their Tree Skippers and they are hands down the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. I also love their Mizzles, which are thicker and weather repellent to keep your feet warm and dry in the winter. All of their shoes are made from sustainable materials, they arrive in recycled packaging, they treat the environment like a stakeholder in their company. AND, they’re machine washable! The best.

Our Place Glasses

Since you’ve heard about their Always Pan a bunch already (and you KNOW it will be in other gift guides ?), I thought I’d highlight another product in this post! These drinking glasses are sustainably made from recycled glass and natural sand, without any artificial dyes or colors. Instead, they use elements from the earth… how cool is that?! The Always Pan is also made from a portion of recycled materials, and all of their packaging is 100% free of plastics, fully recyclable and biodegradable, and designed to eliminate the need for a shipper box. Use code YUMMY for $30 and if that doesn’t work, use LSL10 for $10 off!

Nisolo Boots

I finally got my first pair of Nisolo booties (pictured here), and they are definitely worth the hype. Beautifully crafted, comfortable, and timeless. In addition to selling pretty shoes, Nisolo also offsets their carbon emissions with every product sold. They help protect trees from being uprooted in the Peruvian Amazon, and their products are made in ethical factories where all workers are paid a living wage.  You can read their whole Impact Report right on their website!

Vrai Necklace

I haven’t talked about this necklace in a while, but I wear it pretty much every day. Vrai uses 14k solid gold, so their pieces won’t change in appearance over time like some plated or filled options might. Plus, over 90% of their gold is recycled, with a goal for 100% in the future. You can read more about them in this post, too!

Abby Alley Bags & Jewelry

You might remember Abby Alley from my Chicago Gift Guide, but she also fits into this one, too! All of her materials, from brass hardware to leather, are locally and ethically sourced in Kenya and Tanzania. No animals are harmed or killed for fashion either – they only use leather that is a byproduct of the meat industry. I have this bag and I also helped her design this necklace! (Also, how pretty is this crossbody?! SWOON.)

Madewell Jeans

If someone on your list is in the market for new jeans, Madewell uses TENCEL™ lyocell fibers that are derived from sustainable wood sources in a closed-loop process. It’s also really nice that they have regular, petite, and tall sizing!

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Other Sustainable Gift Ideas

Girlfriend Collective Set

I don’t personally own anything from Girlfriend yet, but they’ve been on my radar for a while because they’re size inclusive and made from recycled plastic bottles. Plus, their sets are really freaking cute – and the Paloma Bra is back in stock! Now, which color to get…

Rothy’s Loafers

Both my friend Kate and my Mom swear by their Rothy’s! Not only is their signature thread made out of recycled plastic water bottles (who knew a water bottle could help make such cute shoes?!), but their merino wool is also humanely harvested from an Australian farm. Their outsoles are made with carbon-free rubber or vegan leather. And their washable insoles are made with bio-based castor oil and recycled materials.

Sezane Sweater

Sezane is a French brand that works with environmental experts to identify and test the latest alternative production methods and find new sustainable materials to use. Plus, everything is SO PRETTY. In terms of gifts, I think sweaters are your best bet, but they also have cute hats, scarves, dresses, and more!

Athleta Joggers

Did you know that 60% of Athleta’s materials are made with sustainable fibers?! These joggers also come in regular, petite, tall, AND plus. Love the inclusivity!

Kotn Sweatshirt

Kotn has tons of affordable basics made from soft and breathable Egyptian cotton. They also work directly with farmers and pay fair prices for cotton, as well as helping their suppliers switch to organic. I love love love this easy puff sleeve sweatshirt – so cute, right?!

Outdoor Voices 1/4 Zip

Outdoor Voices sources sustainable textiles, including sustainably sourced merino wool and recycled polyester made from water bottles. They also prioritize fair working conditions and ethical labor practices, too! I have and love their sports bras and leggings (size up, they run small), but I think this 1/4 zip would make such a great gift for so many different people on your list. They also have a cozy hoodie for men, too!

Veja Sneakers

Veja is a French brand that believes in sustainability and ethical decision making throughout its manufacturing process. They use fair trade, organic, raw materials and they don’t contain any toxic elements that could end up polluting the environment. Plus, Meghan Markle has them!

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Sustainable Stocking Stuffers

Stasher Bags

Honestly, every person on your list could use a Stasher Bag or two! We’ve slowly started accumulating them and they’re the easiest sustainable swap EVER. I know they might not be the most exciting thing ever, but they’re such a useful eco friendly gift! (Also, I’ve tried knockoff brands and they do not compare. It’s not worth saving a few bucks – get the real ones!)

Reusable Makeup Pads

I got these makeup pads for myself last year and I love them. They’re super soft and they come with a bag so you won’t loose them in your laundry. Another easy sustainable swap!

Reusable Straws

I got reusable straws very similar to these in a press package last year and I love them. I’ll bring one on the go or use them at home for smoothies, iced coffee, you name it. Bring one of these and a to-go mug with you in the morning, and you’ve got a plastic-free trip to the coffee shop!

Bowl Covers

If you don’t have a bunch of pyrex containers with lids, I like the idea of using these bowl covers instead of plastic wrap or tin foil to cover your leftovers!

Reusable Masks

If you know someone who is still using disposable masks, get them reusable ones NOW! This 3-pack of masks are made from leftover fabric scraps so nothing is wasted. They’ve also donated 75,000 single-use face masks to Montefiore Medical Center of New York!

Did I miss any of your favorite sustainable gift ideas?

Let me know in the comments!

PS. You might also like Gifts By Chicago Artists, Companies, and Shops + Affordable Sustainable and Ethical Brands!