52 Gift Ideas for an Eco Friendly Person (2025 update)
- Olga Shavrina
- Dec 8, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 5
The holiday season has always been a time filled with positive emotions—joy, excitement, and happiness. But at some point, I realized that Santa isn’t real, and that gifts can bring not only joy but also tons of waste, pollution, and harm.
As I become a more eco friendly person, the darker side of the season becomes clearer, raising questions in my mind:
How can I stay true to my values while giving gifts that bring joy and are sustainable?
How can I ensure the gifts I give don’t end up in a landfill—or, if they do, won’t linger there for millennia?
How can I stick to my budget while minimizing the environmental footprint of the holiday season overall?
As I prepared for the 2025 holiday season, I put a lot of thought into creating a list of gift ideas for an eco friendly person that I’m excited to share with you. From bamboo household items and organic cotton essentials to books about the environment and recycled or reusable treasures, there’s something for everyone. Choose what suits you best, and don’t forget to wrap it in zero-waste, sustainable packaging!
1. Best Sustainable Gift Ideas for Kids
What’s important in a gift for a child is that it’s safe, non-toxic, durable, inspires imagination and creativity, and is eco-friendly. Consider options like wooden toys, DIY craft kits, or herb-growing sets. For older kids, science kits, microscopes, or books can do both—ignite creativity while teaching the importance of caring for the planet.
In my view, the best gift for a teenager is a microscope—an incredible way to spark curiosity, answer countless questions, and teach them about the beauty of nature. I got mine when I was about 11 years old, and it was my favorite thing for many years.
2. Home Decor Gift Ideas for Eco Friendly Person
Enhance any living space with sustainable home decor such as soy candles, upcycled art pieces, or indoor plants. These gifts combine aesthetics and eco-consciousness, making them thoughtful and lasting additions to any home. Here's the list of eco friendly gifting ideas to choose from:
3. Zero-Waste and Reusable Gift Ideas for Sustainable Living
Practical and eco-friendly, zero-waste gifts like reusable beeswax wraps, stainless steel straws, bamboo cooking sets, glass jars with bamboo lids or compost bins help reduce waste while making daily life more sustainable. These items are perfect for anyone looking to adopt greener habits.
4. Sustainable Fashion and Accessories for Eco Friendly People
Stylish and sustainable fabrics like organic cotton scarves, cork wallets, or recycled jewelry let your loved ones embrace fashion without compromising the planet. These items are ethically made and built to last.
Check out these ideas:
5. Gardening and Nature-Inspired Gifts for Sustainability Lovers
Gardening and nature-related presents are at the top of gift ideas for an eco friendly person. By choosing gifts like seed kits, tree saplings, or bird feeders, you not only make your loved one happy but also contribute to protecting nature and raising awareness. These gifts nurture the environment and create a lasting positive impact.
6. Sustainable Gifts for Pets
If you’re like me, you prepare gifts not only for the human members of your family but also for the furry, four-legged ones too. My cats have double the fun during the holiday season—they enjoy their gifts and play with all the wrapping paper. Luckily for them, the wrapping we use is eco-friendly and harmless.
If you’re looking for gift ideas for eco friendly person who has pets, the list below might be exactly what you need. It’s a thoughtful way to show you care not only about them but about their pet too.
So, what can you gift your pet? Check out these ideas:
Eco-friendly cat toys like sisal rope, silvervine sticks, wool balls or a wand toy.
Cat scratchers like sisal mat, vertical sisal post or a cardboard scratcher.
Eco-friendly wool cat cave bed
Feeders like bamboo adjustable raised cat bowl stand with 2 stainless steel bowls or an elevated bamboo dog bowl with stainless steel bowls.
Pet clothes like organic cotton velour dog hoodie, cotton pet bandanas or a woolen dog sweater.
7. Technology Gadgets – Best Gifts for Sustainability Lovers
Help your loved ones reduce their carbon footprint with tech gifts like solar-powered chargers, backpacks, energy-efficient LED lamps, or smart plugs. These gadgets make green living easier and more accessible.
One can be both a tech geek and a sustainability lover. Using technology doesn’t mean you can’t live sustainably – it just requires a bit of thinking outside the box.
8. Edible and Consumable Gift Ideas for Sustainable Living
Delight taste buds with locally sourced jams, organic coffee, or vegan chocolates. These consumable gifts are delicious, thoughtful, and often come with minimal packaging. If you’re looking for gift ideas for eco friendly person and aren’t sure what they like, edible options can be a lifesaver. Just make sure they don’t have any allergies or follow a specific diet.
Author's Note
I have to confess — I’ve gifted so many useless and eco-unfriendly things to people in the past. It can’t be undone, but at least I can be more eco-conscious now. Picking a sustainable gift is harder because the selection is smaller, and by default, most mass-market products are far from planet-friendly.
But there’s a bright side — by gifting an eco-friendly present, you have a chance to encourage someone to use something more sustainable than they might choose themselves. It can spark a conversation about why it matters and what the benefits of eco-friendly solutions are. There’s even a chance to dispel a myth or two that often linger in people’s minds when it comes to sustainability.
I always say that the most impactful thing we can do for the planet is to use our voice — talk about climate change, show by example that alternatives to the status quo exist, use gifts as part of your message, and share your choices and reasoning. It’s way more impactful than we think.
What Else Can We Do to Reduce the Environmental Footprint of the Holiday Season?
Preparing for the holidays can be stressful, and the desire to reduce your environmental footprint might feel overwhelming. Take a deep breath—you’re already on the right track. Stay mindful and make choices with sustainability in mind. Here’s a list of tips to help you feel more in control and make environmentally friendly decisions.
Gifts & Wrapping
Opt for eco-friendly, locally made products.
Avoid over-packaging; use sustainable wrapping or recycled materials.
Choose experiences (e.g., memberships, workshops) over material gifts.
Gift digital assets instead of physical ones.
Recycle all the wrapping materials you receive during the holidays.
Parties & Meals
Plan meals carefully to avoid food waste.
Support local farmers by buying organic and seasonal ingredients.
Shop locally to reduce transportation emissions.
Serve more plant-based dishes to lower the carbon footprint of meals.
Avoid single-use items when hosting a party.
Encourage guests to bring their own containers for leftovers.
Decoration
Use LED lights, which consume less energy than traditional bulbs.
Limit decoration hours or set timers for lights.
Create DIY ornaments using natural or recycled materials.
Repair or repurpose old decorations instead of discarding them.
Educate & Inspire Others to Become Sustainability Lovers
Share your sustainable choices with family and friends.
Gift books or experiences that raise environmental awareness.
Start family traditions focused on sustainability, like tree planting or crafting eco-friendly decor.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and mindful choices that care for our planet!
FAQ on Gifts for Eco Friendly People
What makes a gift eco-friendly?
An eco-friendly gift is made from sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, or upcycled materials, and ideally supports ethical production practices. It comes in sustainable packaging, is durable, and lasts for decades. It’s as local as possible, doesn’t release microplastics or other toxic substances, and promotes sustainable living.
Are eco-friendly gifts more expensive?
Not necessarily. Many sustainable gifts are affordable, especially when you consider their durability and reduced environmental impact.
How can I wrap gifts in an eco-friendly way?
There are plenty of eco-friendly gift-wrapping approaches. Use recycled paper, reusable cloth, or kraft paper. Avoid plastic ribbons and tape — consider twine or fabric ties instead.
Why should I choose sustainable gifts?
They help reduce waste, support ethical businesses, and promote a conscious lifestyle. It's a thoughtful way to care for both your loved ones and the planet. It's also a great opportunity to promote a sustainable lifestyle to your friends and family.
Are handmade gifts considered eco-friendly?
Often yes — especially if they’re made from natural, upcycled, and local materials. Additionally, they avoid the carbon footprint of mass production.
Is digital gifting more sustainable?
Generally yes, but it depends on the gift. eBooks, online classes or donations to causes, and subscriptions to environmental charities generate no physical waste and reduces emissions.
Are there gifts for eco friendly people who “have everything”?
Absolutely! Consider experiences, tree planting gifts, local workshop vouchers, or charity donations in their name.
Can I gift second-hand items?
This is a great idea! High-quality vintage, refurbished, or upcycled items are unique, thoughtful, and very eco-conscious. You can combine a second-hand and hand-made approach to make your gift truly unique and sustainable.
#️⃣ Tags: Zero-waste solutions
i'd say the best gift is something handmade or an experience - time spent together. All these goods even if they are sustainable, end up at the landfill anyways.
Great idea on edible gifts! It makes people happy and doesn't add to pollution.
I used all three of your garden ideas: the kit for my little sister, the belt for my dad, and the bird feeder for my teenage nephew. It was a blast! Really, thanks! 😘
I love how diverse the ideas are! Great list! 👏
This list saved me during the holiday season and my son totally loved the microscope. Thanks!!