Affordable and Sustainable Christmas Gifts
Can you believe it’s already the Christmas season? I know I can’t. As you begin (or finish) your gift shopping, consider affordable and sustainable Christmas gifts. Not only do many sustainable gift ideas keep you under budget, but there’s often a personal aspect to these gifts that makes the receivers treasure them long after the Christmas season ends.
I’ve compiled a list of great, affordable, sustainable Christmas gifts for everyone on your list. Whether you’re giving gifts to fellow homesteaders or those who don’t understand your lifestyle choices, these gifts will surely wow them.
Stainless Steel Water Bottles
One of the most popular gifts right now is stainless steel water bottles and cups. This gift item will help your loved ones say goodbye to unnecessary plastic use. Not only are stainless steel water bottles non-polluting, but they’re also better at keeping your water cold than plastic bottles. You can choose from various colors, shapes, styles, and functions to pick a stainless-steel water bottle that matches the recipient’s preference.
House Plants
There’s not much better than having living plants in your home. Not only do these plants add a little bit of color to the room, but house plants boost your mood, as well. You can choose from a seemingly endless variety of house plants to find one perfect for any home. Even your friend who swears they can’t keep a plant alive can enjoy a house succulent due to their low maintenance. Potted plants elevate the room they’re in, boost your mood, and look great everywhere.
Reusable Produce Bags
If you have someone on your list who is always buying their produce at traditional grocery stores instead of growing their own, this gift is great for them. Reusable produce bags let shoppers avoid using store-provided, single-use plastic bags to bag up their selected produce. This simple, affordable gift will significantly impact the amount of plastic the recipient will use. Reusable produce bags come in various sizes and can be used in the grocery store, at the farmer’s market, or wherever you shop.
Audiobook Subscription
Do you have a book lover on your Christmas list? An audiobook subscription is an excellent option for readers who want to reduce their environmental impact. Audiobooks reduce the paper use from traditional books, which lowers your favorite reader’s environmental impact. Services like Audible allow the subscriber to listen to an unlimited number of standard books and one premium book per month.
Buying for a reader who doesn’t enjoy audiobooks? Consider gifting them an e-reader to allow them to read books with less paper usage.
Handmade Scented Candles
Everyone loves making their home smell great, but no one likes the toxic ingredients in many store-bought candles. Consider purchasing handmade soy candles for the people on your list or even making them yourself if you have the supplies. Handmade candles are more sustainable than mass-produced candles and better for everyone’s health in the home. Plus, you can support a local business when you purchase handmade candles from someone near you.
Sustainable Clothing
If you know the person’s style well, you can purchase them some sustainable clothing they’ll love. The great part of this gift option is that you can buy new, eco-friendly items, or you can explore your local thrift shops and find a one-of-a-kind treasure. Consider bamboo socks or shirts made of eco-friendly material for those who want a new item. Vintage or thrifted clothing items are a great way to lower the environmental impact of clothing and stay under budget at the same time.
Beauty Products
There’s been a significant push for beauty products to become better for the environment, so it’s becoming easier to find sustainable options in stores. Look for makeup or skincare made by a certified B corporation to get your favorite makeup-lover a sustainable gift they’re sure to love. Certified B products are cruelty-free and natural, so you can feel good supporting the companies that make them.
Stainless Steel Straws
Plastic straws are notorious for being bad for sea life or ending up in landfills after only one use. While some people choose to stop using straws to reduce their environmental impact, other people love straws and need a sustainable option. Stainless steel straws are an excellent gift for those people on your list. You can find them straight or curved straws to fit their preference. You can even find collapsible straws that are easy to throw into a purse or bag for sustainability on the go.
Seeds for a Garden
If you’re purchasing for someone with a green thumb, consider buying them some garden seeds or herbs for their garden. Not only do these gifts give back to the Earth, but they will give the recipient a gift that keeps on giving when they harvest the plant. Plant-based gifts are a great way to reduce the environmental impact of the gifts you’re choosing and can even help the recipient find a new hobby if they’ve never gardened before.
Something from Stoney Creek Farm
If you want a unique gift to give, consider the options in the Stoney Creek Farm store. You can choose from our many books and online courses, a selection of local honey, or even gift a stay at our farm. Not sure what to get someone? Grab them one of our gift certificates, and they can choose a sustainable gift that speaks to them.
Final Thoughts
Christmas is a perfect opportunity to share your favorite sustainable products and experiences with your loved ones. Don’t think you shouldn’t give sustainable gifts to those who live a more commercial lifestyle than you. As you can tell by the list above, you can find sustainable gifts for everyone. You may even surprise your more skeptical loved ones with your ability to gift sustainably without breaking the bank! Have fun shopping in an environmentally friendly way this holiday season.
If you are local to middle Tennessee, we would love for you to come to our Holiday Craft Fair on December 3rd, 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Not only do the vendors have sustainable gifts, they also are local small businesses! This is a great opportunity to support your community.
