Ethical and Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide 2021
The holiday season is here and for many of us, this will be the first time in two years when we can celebrate with others! And although 2021 might not have been the snafu that 2020 was, it came with its fair share of challenges. Let’s make this time of year all about decompressing, relaxing with friends and family, and focusing on our collective well-being (and maybe a dash of self-care too). For many of us, holiday gift-giving provides us with the opportunity to express love and appreciation for our family and friends, and it makes us feel good too. However, holiday shopping can also be a little stressful if we’re trying to maintain a commitment to sustainable living. But don’t worry, there’s no need to compromise your values! We’ve compiled a list of companies, products, and more to help you gift with intention and integrity.
Tasty Treats - Edible Gifts
Birch Bark Coffee
Birch Bark Coffee Co. is a small social enterprise making big waves in the coffee industry with its purpose-driven initiatives. The company was founded in 2018 by Mark Marsolais-Nahwegahbow. Mark is Ojibwe and a member of the Whitefish River Nation, and he’s on a mission to change Indigenous lives across Canada. The coffee they produce is delicious, and you can feel great about brewing up a cup because it’s fair trade, organic, and SPP (small producer certified). Birch Bark has a clear purpose: “Our primary existence is to improve on-going social issues for Indigenous families with a focus on creating a positive community change”. In Canada, there are over 270,000 Indigenous people suffering from lack of clean drinking water. Birch Bark Coffee Co. is currently working towards ensuring that every Indigenous home has clean drinking water by providing and installing certified water purification systems for free. Gift some delicious coffee and share this mighty little company’s story - it will brighten anyone’s day.
Askinosie Chocolate
Meet Askinosie Chocolate, a remarkable company run by a father-daughter team. They’re devoted to making great chocolate so that they can share profits, invest in community development projects, and support farmers and their communities through direct trade.
Askinosie has built their Chocolate University to inspire and teach kids about global kinship, international direct trade with farmers, artisan chocolate making, and the idea that small businesses can help solve the world's biggest challenges. Any of their dark, milk, or white chocolate bars make for a deliciously thoughtful gift that’s easy to love.
Cowgirl Creamery
Since their earliest days in 1997, Cowgirl Creamery has always believed that organic, sustainable agriculture can support healthy communities and yield delicious food. They’ve been working with local farmer partners in Marin and Sonoma California to source the organic, pasture-based cow’s milk that goes into their cheese. Their team is passionate about organic and artisan cheese. So, if you or the dear ones in your life are cheese lovers, consider their curated gift box options, or even the cheese of the month subscription! Get your orders in by December 19th to receive them by December 24th.
Big Spoon Roasters
Big Spoon Roasters believes that our food choices matter. They’re on a mission to build a healthier relationship with our planet through delicious and nutritious foods made without compromise. From selecting ingredients to prioritizing an ethical supply chain, working towards zero-waste, and paying living wages to their employees, this company is striving to make sure these small-batch, made from scratch nut butters are ethically and sustainably produced. Check out their bundles and gift sets. Gourmet PB&J anyone?
For the Little Ones in Your Life
TP MOCS
Everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed. This is the principle that TP MOCS was founded on. And while they have a passion for making beautiful, handcrafted moccasins, their mission is to provide employment opportunities and resources to Native American communities. Whether you’re shopping for your own little ones, or you’re gifting for other tiny humans in your life, you can feel good about buying these sweet moccasins. They’re adorable, unique, and easy for kiddos to slip on and off, and your purchase goes toward a mission worth supporting.
Zeki Learning
This educational learning brand is on a mission to create a brighter future for kids by supporting early-stage development and education. All Zeki Learning products are designed in collaboration with experienced educators, and they’re made by female artisan refugees living in West Bank, Palestine. Each of their toys is designed to develop fine motor, sensory, and language skills, as well as emotional intelligence, but they feel more like fun interactions with the kids in your life. This women-run nonprofit pays all its artisan refugees a living wage, and their toys are fair-trade certified. Their memory games and storyboards make great gifts that foster engaging, creative, and interactive play.
Orijin Bees
These dolls are one of Oprah’s favorite things this year, and it’s no wonder why. Orijin Bees was founded by a mother-daughter team. Their multicultural dolls have a range of skin complexions and hair textures celebrating the beauty of diversity — because every girl deserves a doll that looks like them. The name stands for “Our Representation Is Just Inclusion Normalized. Beautifully Empowering Every Soul”. Their dolls are also non-toxic and eco-friendly, and the company is committed to having even more social impact through their Get ONE Gift ONE Program. Check out the story of how this wonderful program started - it’s practically guaranteed to melt your heart. If you don’t have time to buy directly from the company before the holidays, don’t worry! Target has partnered with Orijin Bees as part of their commitment to highlighting and supporting Black owned and founded brands. You can order these remarkable, inclusive dolls through Target’s website and help little girls in your life feel pride in their dolls.
Beauty & Personal Care
Cheekbone Beauty
In 2016, Jenn Harper founded Cheekbone Beauty - an Indigenous-owned and founded Canadian cosmetics company. Not only are their products high quality, cruelty-free, vegan, plant-based, and locally sourced when possible, they’re on a mission to do far more. With their “less-waste” SUSTAIN Lipstick line, launched in 2020, Cheekbone Beauty is helping Indigenous youth see themselves and feel represented in a beauty brand. It aims to make more of a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth through donations to address the educational funding gap. Take a look at their products and the rave reviews. Their bundles make for great gifts! What’s more, they ship to the US in compostable packaging, and standard shipping is free if you spend more than $32.
Appalachian Botanicals Co
Appalachian Botanicals follows the triple bottom line model where people, profit, and planet are all equally important. Founded in 2019 in West Virginia, they are rehabilitating old coal mines by converting them to lavender fields. Lavender does well in poor soil conditions and helps regenerate nutrients. Appalachian Botanicals supports people by providing flexible work opportunities to former coal miners and others with limited career opportunities. This is a prime example of a company supporting the transition away from coal while still providing jobs and living wages to the local community. Visit their online store to find a variety of lavender-based home and beauty products that make for great stocking stuffers. And be sure to check out their gift sets which are all on sale right now.
Pangea Organics
Pangea Organics is officially celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and once you know more about their personal care products, it’s easy to understand why this company has done so well. Their commitment to sustainable practices is unwavering, and they use the highest quality, organic ingredients sourced through direct trade with farmers around the world. They have been committed to compostable packaging for their soaps since 2006, and this year they launched their plastic free initiative and introduced their infinitely recyclable aluminum packaging. Their products are great gifts or anyone who appreciates feeling relaxed and cared for, including yourself!
Shea Yeleen
Rahama Wright founded Shea Yeleen in 2005 after serving in the Peace Corps in Ghana. Reconnecting with her West African roots inspired her to build a social impact business focused on uplifting local communities by financially empowering women, building a conscious supply chain, and using traditional processing methods. These female producers in Ghana are being paid five times the local minimum wage, so their body balms and soaps are gifts you can feel good about giving.
The Great Outdoors
Yellow Leaf Hammocks
After almost two years of pandemic-altered life, many of us are craving that elusive combo of fresh air and coziness. If you’re looking for the ultimate gift for someone who enjoys lounging, one of the remarkable products from Yellow Leaf Hammocks just might be the perfect choice. Yellow Leaf makes hammocks suitable for inside your home, for the backyard, and they even have a hammock chair that makes for a heavenly place to cozy up with a book.
Each hammock is unique and handwoven by expert craftswomen in Thailand. They’re paid a living wage that far exceeds what they might earn locally, enabling them to support their family’s health, nutrition, and education needs. Gift one of these beautiful hammocks and you’ll be giving to more than just your loved ones.
Dragon Alliance
Perhaps you’re celebrating this year with a long-overdue vacation to catch some sun or hit the slopes. Either way, you might need to pick up some high-quality, high-performance eyewear from Dragon Alliance. This company was founded on a love of the sun, the sea, and the outdoors. They’re deeply committed to sustainability and it’s reflected in their manufacturing. Dragon Alliance upcycles plastic waste (5 bottles per pair of shades), and they also make plant-based models. Whether you’re looking for ski goggles, sunglasses, or even some blue-light blockers, don’t overlook this cool company.
Lumin Aid
Give the gift of light this holiday season with Lumin Aid’s solar-powered lanterns. These inflatable, rechargeable lights are easy to use and provide a safe alternative to candles, or lights that require connection to the grid. From camping to power outages, to adding some magical illumination in your backyard, Lumin Aid lanterns are the best. When you buy these mighty little lights you can also sponsor a lantern through their Give Light, Get Light program and help make the holidays brighter for families in need.
Fashion
Indigenous Designs
For over 24 years, Indigenous Designs has been committed to sustainable, fair-trade fashion. In fact, they’ve made it their mission to be the most ethical, transparent, and sustainable clothing company in the world. They work directly with artisans to create unique, purpose-driven, handmade clothes while not compromising quality or appearance. Read about their impact and values here. Whether you’re looking for essential everyday wear or something special, Indigenous Designs is a great place to shop for any of your eco-conscious loved ones.
Black Nopal
If you love the look of leather but you’re vegan or just trying to be conscious of your carbon footprint, you have to check out Black Nopal. This cool company offers products made from cactus leather fabric. Cactus leather is made from the prickly pear cactus that grows abundantly throughout North America. This amazing plant is edible, drought-resistant, fast-growing, sequesters carbon, and doesn’t need a whole lot of space to grow. In other words, it’s a lot more sustainable than raising cattle. Black Nopal’s belts and wallets make for great gifts for anyone on your list.
Selva Negra
Selva Negra is a contemporary, Latina-founded fashion label that’s here to celebrate individuality, but not at the expense of the environment. They practice a deep commitment to the use of sustainable materials and ethical production that honors those who make their products at every step. Many of their items are made of upcycled fabrics, and they ship in compostable packaging with zero plastic. With many cozy and unique items that could make great gifts, shopping here is easy to feel good about.
Nisolo
When you first browse Nisolo’s beautiful footwear or accessories it’s obvious that this company values exceptional design. Dig a little deeper and you’ll learn that values drive every decision at Nisolo. Their producers receive beyond-fair wages and healthcare (more than 90% of fashion brands do not do this), and the company is working toward net-zero carbon emissions. In addition to their product lines, Nisolo also has an Ethical Marketplace where you can find an array of sustainable products from a few of their favorite, handpicked, like-minded brands.
For Your Home
Woven Futures
Woven Futures is a Latina-owned business with roots in the United States and Guatemala. Founded in 2017, this awesome company is committed to supporting indigenous weaving techniques and natural dye processes. They partner with the same artisans year over year to ensure they earn a reliable and sustainable income. As a slow fashion brand, Woven Futures is combating the toxic practices of fast fashion while celebrating Latin America’s artisans and vibrant textile culture. You’ll find a variety of products that would make great gifts from home goods to accessories, but we especially love with their Christmas collections which include throw pillows, blankets, and holiday stockings.
Coyuchi
Coyuchi has been making sustainable home goods since 1991. They have a traceable supply chain, and their products are made from 100% organic fibers. Their gorgeous bedding, linens, towels, and home goods are gifts that will help your loved ones feel warm and comfy this holiday season. They’re currently offering 20% off their cozy gift items and if you choose express shipping by 12/20, your items will arrive by 12/24.
Sustainable Home Goods
The name says it all. Look no further than Sustainable Home Goods for ethical and eco-conscious holiday gifts and decor. You’ll find a wide array of options that are pragmatic, thoughtful, and fun.
Gifts for Pets
Shameless Pets & Jiminy’s
Of course we can’t forget about the fur babies in our lives. Shameless Pets and Jiminy’s are two companies that are really shaking things up in the pet food industry - and our dogs are loving it. Shameless pets is combating food waste through upcycling by incorporating misfit and surplus produce into their dog and cat food.
Jiminy’s offers a “different kind of dog food”. They make food and treats that combine insect protein and plant-based ingredients to make their products sustainable, humane, and doggy-approved!
Side note - if you could use some inspiration to help you get into the holiday spirit this year, check out their blog post about these fun DIY advent calendars for your dog.
Looking for something else?
In addition to the companies and products we’ve highlighted here, it’s worth mentioning a few online resources as well as major retailers that are supporting sustainable and ethical gifting.
Two marketplaces we love are The Vertical and MadeTrade. Both offer responsibly sourced and produced goods, and can really make for a one stop shop no matter who is on your gift list this year.
Another awesome place to check out is Good Carbon Gifts - here you’ll find 20 items that actually capture and store carbon from the atmosphere. Every item here is zero carbon or carbon negative!
And if you really want to move away from the material gifts, what could be better than gifting a real tree?! Check out the gift options the Arbor Day Foundation has to offer - the earth will thank you too.
