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Christmas and holiday gift ideas that Christmas gifts and holiday presents from “Good” and “Great” brands.
Our favourite gift ideas for the holiday season
Getting a gift your loved one will like and that is within your budget isn’t easy, and that’s before you add sustainability to the mix. This year, like every year, we encourage you to find gifts that don’t cost the Earth. And even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you may be on the lookout for thoughtful things to give others on a special occasion.
The holiday season comes the pressure to spend and buy lots, which can be stressful. In this round-up, we’re suggesting a few alternatives to tangible products that don’t require big expenditure, plus our picks from top-rated brands if you do want to purchase, with a variety of price points including a selection under $100 USD. Supporting more sustainable brands has never been more important, and our aim is to make it easier for you; in this guide and all year round.
Don’t forget to check out our offers wrap, too, where we share the latest sales and discounts from highly rated brands. It might just help if you’re trying to limit your spend this year.
Workshops, classes, experiences, and support
Experiences are a great alternative to tangible objects, and they’ve been shown to strengthen relationships and make people happier. We especially love if these activities are promoting a shift to conscious consumerism or are supporting more sustainable options. “Experience” gifts are an increasingly popular option and a fun and creative way for friends and family to learn a new skill and bond.
Not sure where to start? Have a look at creative classes and workshops such as pottery, cooking displays, fermentation classes, woodwork, jewellery making, and much more, which often support local makers.
Pampering is another experience that is always well received and something that a lot of people never buy for themselves. Massages, bathhouses, saunas, or even an hour in a float tank can be great gifts.
An annual membership to something your loved one enjoys also makes a great gift—many cinemas, online platforms, museums, and visitor destinations offer memberships with fun and varying benefits.
You could also give someone your time and spend it in a place they love, or a handwritten voucher for something they would appreciate. Think about giving the gift of support and encouragement of someone’s passion.
For the plant-lover in your life
Did you know interacting with plants can make people happier, healthier, brighter, and calmer? This year, offer your loved ones a potted herb garden or a bright orchid that’ll bring ongoing joy and beauty.
Give your time
Consider giving a donation on behalf of your loved one to a charitable cause, or even invite them to join you on a volunteering day with an organisation. There are many to choose from, including farmed animal sanctuaries, endangered species organisations, community programmes, homeless shelters, and more.
Make your own gifts
Handmade gifts are so meaningful—there’s nothing quite like them. Creating a gift for someone means making something special, unique, and putting a piece of yourself into the gift. It could be something like an artwork, a poem, a story, a song, a knitted sweater, some DIY bath salts, candles, or even cooking (or baking) something tasty.
Check out our favourite DIYs for some inspiration.
Give secondhand items a new home
Secondhand gifts should be normalised. Finding second-hand items a new home by gifting them to a loved one will not only help reduce waste, but it’ll also be unique and more affordable. So this year, instead of buying new, we challenge you to go out to your local thrift shop or browse second-hand platforms online to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. You never know what amazing treasures you might find.
Gifts from independent ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ brands
If you prefer to give a more traditional and tangible gift (and know the person receiving would love that, too), then consider our suggestions for holiday gifts from “Good” and “Great”-rated brands. They’ve all been rated for their performance on key sustainability issues across people, the planet, and animals, and there are plenty more brands to discover using the category filters in our directory.
This year, we’ve categorised them so it’s easier to search. Choose from options under $100, menswear, womenswear, beauty and homeware, and gifts for kids.
Gifts under $100
Indilisi Katie hand-knitted mittens
Jyoti Fair Works brass earrings
Menswear
Good Citizens Palm Beach 2.0 sunglasses
Neem London denim chore jacket
Harvest & Mill organic cotton socks
Boldwill PF47.Wood running shorts
8000Kicks Explorer V2 sneakers
Womenswear
ARTICLE22 10-karat gold locket
Sans Beast Sanctuary vegan leather handbag
Kotn Elara knit zip-through sweater
Happy Earth Bouquet hoodie and socks set
Beauty and homeware
E.L.V. Denim stationery set in denim
Disruptor London solid shampoo bar
Artknit Studios pilling knitwear comb
Beaumont Organic Diana linen tablecloth
Elvis and Kresse upcycled candlestick holders
Gifts for kids
Mini Mioche knotted beanie hat
Gift vouchers
Not sure what to get them? Let your loved one choose an item they’ll love forever. Here are 10 more sustainable brands offering gift cards this season:
1. SeamsFriendly – Customisable clothing that’s great for tall and petite people
2. Eco Intimates – More sustainable underwear
3. ReCreate – Boxy cuts and minimalist womenswear
4. Wild Clouds – Vibrant printed clothing with gender neutral options
5. WAWWA – Cool UK-made clothes with an outdoor slant and gender neutral options
6. Pop My Way – Ideal for new parents: baby essentials with interchangeable accessories
7. Anekdot – Swimwear and underwear made more sustainably
8. Outland Denim – Stylish denim from an Australia-based brand
9. Sorella Organics – GOTS certified organic cotton sleep and loungewear
10. Facettes Studio – French tailoring ideal for professionals and minimalists
Gift selections from retailers that focus on sustainability
We also recommend these retailers, which have great gift selections for all kinds of budgets and styles:
Rêve en Vert
Rêve en Vert truly believes that Christmas is a moment for considered and mindful consumption that means something special to the recipient. We love their selection of items that spark joy and serve a lovely purpose. They have everything from more eco-friendly Christmas cards to curated gift boxes.
Lovebrook & Green
Describing itself as “the department store, reimagined”, Lovebrook & Green offers a wide variety of gifts from brands assessed against its list of criteria focused on more sustainable actions.
Shop Lovebrook & Green’s gifts.
Shop Like You Give a Damn
Vegan gift selections for men, women, kids, home, and beauty.
