BY ANNA DORL
No matter whom you’re shopping for this holiday season, chances are your loved ones would appreciate a gift that’s thoughtful for them and kind to the planet. Most people appreciate a gift that’s both fun and practical, and it’s even better when your purchase benefits not just the recipient but also the world we share. This winter, choose gifts that keep on giving by making eco-conscious choices. From green thumbs to homebodies and beyond, there’s something sustainable and meaningful for everyone on your list.
Socks That Plant Trees by Conscious Step
Conscious Step’s Socks That Plant Trees are crafted with GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. These soft green ankle socks are also vegan, Fairtrade certified, and part of 1% for the Planet, a global certification that donates towards preserving our Earth. Seventy-five percent of these socks’ composition comes from fair trade organic cotton, with the rest made from recycled polyester and elastane. The brand proclaims that “every step feels like walking on freshly mowed grass.” As of April 2024, the company had planted 703,194 trees in partnership with nonprofit organization Trees for the Future. www.consciousstep.com
Bluebird House in Recycled Blue Plastic by Birds Choice
As winter continues, our outdoor feathered friends will be looking for more warm places to hunker down and having a home like this from Birds Choice would most certainly be helpful. From the company’s Green Solutions line, this Bluebird House is built from 95% recycled poly lumber (repurposed plastic) material. Its round entrance hole allows birds to enter, and its side door opens for convenient cleaning and to let humans see what’s going on in there. If blue isn’t your favorite, these simple and chic bird houses are available in a multitude of colors. www.birdschoice.com
Beige Organic Cotton Couple’s Ugly Christmas Sweater
While one of the most sustainable options for an ugly holiday sweater would be to thrift it, sometimes making an eco- conscious choice for a new item can be nearly as good. As a company, Ugly Christmas Sweaters focuses on sustainability through the use of organic materials. This unisex sweater, a creamy beige decorated with a wintry pattern, is woven with 100% organic cotton. This aspect allows it to meet the rigors of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which recognizes ethically sourced and 100% organic fibers. The turtleneck boasts a true-to-size fit, with sizes from XS through 4XL, allowing you to find the perfect one for anyone on your list. www.uglychristmassweater.shop
The Growing Candle by Hyggelight
The Growing Candle from Hyggelight serves as two presents in one — a decadent soy candle with an eventual second life as a planter, with seeds included! Available in a myriad of different scent varieties and even an unscented option, The Growing Candle’s unique styles are known by different first names, like Edith, a speckled cream terracotta pot with a green stripe, or Clara, a simple and chic white ceramic pot with thick metallic gold rim. Each candle’s label is made with seeds inside it, so when you burn the last of it, bury the label inside the pot and watch your new plant come to life. Growing Candles are made from soy wax and use cotton wicks and non-toxic fragrance oils. www.thegrowingcandle.com
Quick Recovery Face Mask Sampler by FarmHouse Fresh
While winter can be a beautiful time of year, that isn’t always the case for our skin. Thankfully, the Quick Recovery Face Mask Sampler from FarmHouse Fresh is here to save the day, no matter what your countenance may need. This unique trio includes the hydrating Guac Star Avocado Mask, the nourishing Splendid Dirt Organic Pumpkin Mud Mask, and the exfoliating Pudding Apeel Tapioca Glycolic Mask. Each mask is cruelty free, over 95% naturally derived, and free from gluten, parabens, and sulfates. Besides being a skincare powerhouse, FarmHouse Fresh is also a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary. You can even get to know the animals that you help save through your purchase by tracking your batch code through the company’s website. www.farmhousefreshgoods.com
