10 earth-friendly holiday gifts
In a year (or has it been ten? what is time, anyway?) where so much has happened, we’re certainly looking forward to some holiday coziness. And since it’s always been important to this community to live sustainably, why not spread a little of that spirit as you turn to the task of figuring out what on earth to give the people on your list? To help you tackle your holiday gifting with ease, and spread the joy of wasting less while you do it, we’re sharing a few of our team’s favorite sustainable gifts this holiday season.
Images courtesy of Refugee Artisan Initiative
1 + 2. Refugee Artisan Initiative
For a double-dose of sustainability — clever reuse plus supporting meaningful employment opportunities and skills training for immigrant women — visit the Refugee Artisan Initiative’s shop and pick out some one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list. We especially love their burlap collection, which is made from empty coffee bean bags collected from local coffee shops. These burlap sacks are usually thrown away, but the artisans at RAI turn them into gorgeous, functional items like totes, wine bags, and baskets.
They’ll also soon be releasing adorable burlap tree ornaments made in collaboration with Girl Scouts, just in time for the holidays!
Use the discount code Ridwell15 to get 15% off your RAI purchase.
#giftsforhome #giftsforgood
Image courtesy of Ryan and Owen
3. Ridwell - The gift of wasting less!
In our humble opinion, no gift is more delightful (or important) than a cleaner, brighter future. A shiny new Ridwell bin helps make that possible for your loved ones — plus, it looks pretty darn snappy on their front porch. Ryan Metzger, our CEO, certainly thinks so: “Obviously, I’m a bit biased, but I think my Ridwell bin might be my favorite thing I own!”
And, better still, this holiday season we’ll be setting aside $10 from every gift card sold to bring Ridwell to families in our community who may not have the means to join Ridwell!
P.S. Buying for someone in a different city? Check if we serve their area.
#sustainabilitystarter #giftsforgood
Image courtesy of Piper Casey
4. Pela Case
For the tech-obsessed, Pela makes wonderful compostable phone cases and other electronic accessory cases with a soft texture and beautiful, modern designs for a delightful eco-swap they’ll use all day, every day. Piper Casey, on Ridwell’s Member Success team, protects many of her electronics in Pela’s cases. “My Pela phone case is a daily reminder to make sustainable choices and to support companies with missions to create a waste-free future :)”
#sustainabilitystarter #giftsforgood
Image courtesy of Wisdom Supply
5. Wisdom Supply
For the organized people in your life (or the ones you’re hoping will get organized), Wisdom Supply makes thoughtfully designed, zero-waste office essentials like planners, calendars, and writing utensils. Their products have all the key features that your most on-top-of-it friends will adore, while being made with recycled and rapidly renewable materials everyone on your list can feel good about. Erika Warren, on Ridwell’s Experience team, recently dug into their Zero-Waste binders with her nieces. "They really enjoyed assembling the zero-waste binders. It was a fun activity and made them (and me) more aware and thoughtful of how we care for the things we use every day."
Use the discount code RIDWELL10 to get 10% off your Wisdom Supply items (valid until 12/31/21)!
#sustainabilitystarter
Left image courtesy of Abeego, right image courtesy of Erin Gagnon
6. Abeego
Abeego beeswax wrap is an attractive swap for your favorite foodie’s plastic wrap, and our team loves the way its food keeping power just won’t quit — especially Erin Gagnon, Seattle’s General Manager. “When I first told my husband that we would be using Abeego beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap he was not excited. However, after using them for a few weeks he was a believer! They are easy to use, long lasting, and easy to clean. We’ve had ours for over two years and they are still going strong!”
#giftsforhome #sustainabilitystarter
Image courtesy of BLK+GRN
7. BLK+GRN
In a year where we’ve all be going through it, many of us are in need of a little self-care. The sustainably-made, non-toxic, cruelty-free products at BLK+GRN are just what you need to gift some me-time to someone you love. Their fully natural products are carefully chosen by Black women’s health experts and made by Black artisans—because after all, what we bring into our homes and put on our skin might possibly be the most important thing to know the origin of!
#selfcare
Image courtesy of Marin Hoag
8. Marley’s Monsters
We love the functionality of Marley’s Monster’s UNpaper® towels. They’re soft, absorbent, roll up just like the real thing, and come in colors and patterns cute enough you might want to keep them for yourself! Marin Hoag, on our HR team, is a huge fan: “I’ve been on a journey to try and limit my paper use, and when I came across Marley’s Monster Unpaper® Towels with their great designs, it made cutting down on paper so much more fun! My friends are hooked too!”
#giftsforhome #sustainabilitystarter
Image from https://www.stasherbag.com/blogs/stasher-life
9. Stasher
It’s often tricky to avoid plastic coming into your home from food packaging, but finding reusable ways to store snacks and leftovers helps limit the use of single-use plastics in re-packaging food at home. We love the versatility of Stasher bags, which keep dry foods crunchy, liquids from leaking, and wash up beautifully in the dishwasher. Plus, if someone on your list is feeling ~fancy~, the bags’ food-safe silicone is perfect for the foodie who wants to try their hand at cooking sous vide!
#giftsforhome #sustainabilitystarter
Image courtesy of The Ocean Cleanup
10. The Ocean Cleanup
The Ocean Cleanup sunglasses don’t just look cool — they are made by some pretty cool folks focused on cleaning up the massive plastic pollution problem in our oceans. The glasses themselves are made from ocean plastic, and the proceeds from each pair also go toward continuing the cleanup, making this a feel-good, look-good gift on multiple levels.
#giftsforgood
Happy (green) gifting this year, everyone!
Not a Ridwell member yet? Join Ridwell today! Or, if you’re already a member, spread the cheer by sharing this list with your friends and family. Use the social media buttons below to share this blog post and help others with their sustainable holiday gift list!
