Our sustainable gift guide
Sustainable gifts are both meaningful and thoughtful. More and more, people are becoming aware that our shopping choices can make a significant impact on the planet. Whether you are seeking out eco-friendly gifts because of your own personal values or those of your recipient, we applaud you for taking a step towards a more conscious way of living.
From handcrafted items to innovative eco-friendly materials, sustainable gifts come in many forms and cater to a variety of tastes. In this blog post, we’ll provide a list of our 15 favorite sustainable gifts and why they are the perfect choice for anyone looking to make a positive impact through their gifting.
First let’s quickly look at what sustainable gifts are and why it matters. It’s a good refresher on why we shop the way we shop and the impact each purchase can make.
What Are Sustainable Gifts?
Sustainable gifts are items that are created, packaged, and distributed in a way that minimizes harm to the environment. These gifts can range from handmade products to those made from recycled or upcycled materials. The essence of sustainable gifts lies in their ability to promote eco-friendly practices while also being thoughtful and meaningful for the recipient.
The Importance of Choosing Eco-Friendly Options
Environmental Impact
The production of traditional gifts often involves processes that deplete natural resources and generate pollution. By opting for sustainable gifts, you support products that prioritize renewable resources, reduce waste, and limit carbon emissions. This small change in gifting habits can collectively lead to significant environmental benefits.Support for Ethical Practices
Many sustainable gifts are produced by companies that adhere to fair trade practices, ensuring that workers are paid fairly and work in safe conditions. By choosing eco-friendly options, you’re not just giving a gift; you’re also supporting a supply chain that values ethical practices and the well being of the community.Promoting a Mindful Lifestyle
Gifting sustainable products encourages a culture of mindfulness and intentionality. It reminds us to consider the life cycle of the products we buy and how they affect the planet. This mindset can inspire others to think critically about their own consumption habits.Encouraging Innovation
The growing demand for sustainable gifts is driving innovation across industries. Companies are developing new, eco-friendly materials and production methods that reduce environmental impact. By choosing sustainable gifts, you contribute to a market that prioritizes innovation in sustainability.Meaningful Connections
Sustainable gifts often come with a story. Whether it’s a hand-crafted item or a product made from repurposed materials, these gifts can carry deeper meanings and reflect the values of both the giver and the recipient. This connection can make the gift even more special.
Top 15 Sustainable Gifts
1. Upcycled Brass Bells
These sustainable iron and brass bells give voice to the centuries-old tradition of crafting bells for livestock. Traditionally, cows roam free in India and farmers hang bells on them to keep track of their livestock.
This artisan partner in India has been making bells for three generations. Now becoming popular outside of their intended use, brass cowbells are being repurposed as rustic and charming decorative home accents.
Sustainable materials: iron, brass and jute
2. Woven Paradisio Fan
These beautiful, handmade fans are made with environmentally friendly materials in Bali. Palm leaf weaving is a way of life in Indonesia, the craft going back centuries. Utilizing locally sourced renewable materials such as rontal leaf, artisans expertly transform the raw materials into works of art.
These two toned decorative fans feature an ombre pattern with all natural dyes. Use them to decorate your walls or shelves with some warm, modern, natural texture.
Sustainable materials: all natural rontal leaf, natural dyes
3. Sustainable Wood Candle Holders
Made from sustainably sourced pine, these hand-turned candle holders are made from sustainably sourced wood.
These cognac colored arched candle holders are expertly crafted by South African artisans that have been in family woodworking businesses for generations. These beautiful and unique pieces can be displayed as both single pieces and groups to add a bit of romantic, contemporary flair to your shelf, table, or any space at all.
Sustainable materials: sustainable pine, natural dyes, water based varnish
4. Handmade Paper Flowers
These are no ordinary flowers - these are artisan-made paper flowers that will never wilt! Unwilted's mission is to offset the carbon emissions of the flower industry and they use FSC certified, sustainably sourced paper and non-toxic dyes.
These "forever" flowers are the perfect sustainable gift that keeps on giving.
Materials: FSC certified crepe paper, non-toxic dye, wire
5. Cruelty Free Bone Picture Frames
These handmade sustainable picture frames are made by skilled artisans in India who utilize and upcycle cruelty-free animal bone. These beautifully unique picture frames make for great gifts for the sustainably-minded person on your list.
Sustainability is at the heart of Matr Boomie's practices and material sourcing. Their clean production practices conserve resources while also preserving the environment.
Materials: cruelty-free bone, MDF and glass
6. Hand Carved Stone Elephant Planter
This natural stone elephant planter is a fair trade product handmade by a co-op in south-western Kenya. They are hand carved out of locally sourced soapstone. The large pieces of stone are chiseled down to size and then skillfully carved into these adorable elephant planters.
These sustainable elephant planters are the perfect size to house air plants or small succulents.
Sustainable materials: natural carved soapstone
7. River Stone Flower Frogs
This artfully off-centered stacking stone flower frog is handmade from sustainable stones that are cut and fused together by artisans of Atuto in Honduras. Holes are drilled in both ends so when you turn the frog over you get a whole different personality.
This unique sustainable gift can be filled with flowers or simply enjoyed as a decorative piece.
Sustainable materials: hand collected river rocks
8. Sustainable Wood Decorative Chain
Another unique and sustainable gift idea, this handmade wood chain is created by skilled artisans in Honduras. This beautiful statement piece can be coiled up for display on a shelf or arranged on a tray, riser, or stack of books.
Each wood chain is handmade with local wood salvaged from the artisan's community and then charred to create the black color. These were inspired by the centuries old Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban to char wood.
Sustainable materials: salvaged wood
9. Rattan Tray
This handmade rattan tray is a practical yet beautiful sustainable gift for the home. Made by artisans in Bali, Indonesia, rattan crafsmanship is one of the most well known crafts in the country.
Rattan is a sustainable and renewable resource as it grows abundantly in the jungles of Bali and much quicker than trees. It is a strong and durable material while also being flexible and able to be shaped for various uses, making it the perfect solution for natural, eco-friendly home decor boasting warm tones and a complementary natural aesthetic.
Sustainable materials: all natural rattan
10. Beeswax Candles
A pair of 100% pure Canadian beeswax taper candlesticks in white "pearl". These all natural handmade candles burn clean and are completely free of toxins. These candles are long lasting, have a soft honey aroma and give off a bright, warm amber glow.
Honey Candles is committed to fostering sustainability for bees and other essential pollinators. They source their wax from ethical beekeepers who love their bees and work to preserve them. As a by-product of food pollination and honey production, beeswax is a truly natural wax.
Sustainable materials: pure beeswax, 100% cotton wick
11. Handmade Recycled Glass Vases
This set of three small glass vases in different shapes makes for a wonderful sustainable gift for anyone who loves flowers. Made from 100% recycled glass, this cute set is ideal for single stems, a sprig of foliage or herbs from the garden.
The glass is mouth blown by highly trained glass artisans at LSA International from recycled glass. Locally-sourced clear jars and bottles are sorted, crushed and heated in the furnace until molten.
Sustainable materials: 100% recycled and recyclable glass
12. Woven Raffia Baskets
This fair trade, handmade bowl is a unique sustainable gift idea. Each bowl is created by skilled women artisans in Uganda.
Made with 100% responsibly harvested local and sustainable materials, this beautiful shallow bowl can be used to add depth and layering to a shelf, it can be a catch-all, a fruit bowl or it can be hung on the wall by its included loop stitched on the back.
Sustainable materials: all natural raffia and banana leaf fibers, organic natural dyes
13. Volcanic Stone Tray
This stunning decorative tray is made of volcanic stone and would make for an impactful sustainable gift. A visually striking piece, this stone tray is also a heavy-weight item that exudes a sense of sturdiness and durability.
This volcanic stone tray is handcrafted by a family-owned business of artisans in Gianyar, Indonesia. With a deep connection to their craft and their roots, these artisans source the sustainable volcanic stone from the island of Java, known for its rich natural resources.
Sustainable materials: natural volcanic stone
14. Beaded Garland with Tassel
This sustainable gift idea is a nice and versatile piece that complements many types of home decor styles. The all natural Del Mar Wood Bead Garland, handcrafted by artisan partners in Indonesia, is comprised of sustainably sourced wood beads, shells and a cotton tassel.
Each handmade beaded garland is made with sustainable, all natural materials native to the artisans' communities.
Sustainable materials: all natural wood, shells and cotton
15. Handmade Ceramic Ring Dish
Our final sustainable gift idea is the handmade Zodiac Constellation ring dish. Created by ceramic artisan partners in San Juan de Oriente Nicaragua, each piece is thrown on a non-electric kick wheel, etched, hand-painted and finally, wood kiln-fired.
These handmade pieces come in your choice of the 12 different zodiac constellations so you can pick the perfect sustainable gift with a personal touch.
Women of the Cloud Forest works with small family workshops and cooperatives in Nicaragua, Nepal, Ecuador, and Peru, ensuring fair trade for these small rural communities.
Sustainable materials: clay, non toxic paint
Be Aware of "Greenwashing"
When looking for sustainable gifts, our most important tip is to do your research! Some brands claim they use “eco-friendly” practices and materials, but upon closer inspection those claims turned out to be meaningless marketing phrases (otherwise known as “greenwashing”). The last thing we want to do is to support brands who use deceptive practices to make a sale!
This problem is one of the reasons we started Shelf Love Collective. We wanted to create a shop where you can trust that each brand has been researched and vetted (see Shelf Love Guarantee ). We have done all of the research to ensure that each brand in the collective has integrity, pays fair wages and uses all sustainable materials. Taking it a step further, the Shelf Love Ranking System ranks each brand for its sustainability standards.
Learn More: Shelf Love Guarantee
Final Thoughts on Choosing Sustainable Gifts
In a world increasingly aware of its environmental impact, choosing sustainable gifts is more important than ever. Not only do these gifts reflect thoughtfulness and care for the recipient, but they also contribute to a healthier planet. By opting for eco-friendly, ethically sourced, and handcrafted items, you’re making a positive statement about your values and supporting artisans and businesses that prioritize sustainability.
Choosing sustainable gifts is more than just a trend; it’s a step towards a more sustainable future. By prioritizing eco-friendly options, you not only show care for the planet but also create meaningful connections with those you gift. As awareness grows, each thoughtful choice can contribute to a more sustainable world, one gift at a time.
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