I’ve seen a lot of talk on Facebook groups and blogs about forgoing gift giving this holiday season. Many see gifts and particularly stocking stuffers as simply a wasteful and unsustainable hassle. But I have to tell you, despite my minimalist and rather crunchy tendencies I am all about the holiday festivities. I think it’s totally possible to fill a stocking for your friends, child, or significant other with minimalist, zero waste, vegan gifts that they’ll definitely love.
Obviously not everything on this list will work for everyone. To keep it sustainable you’ll need to be intentional. Only buy things for people that they truly need or will use. Whenever I’m in doubt I opt for consumables whether they’re food, personal care products, or some sort of gift card. Check out this huge list for more inspiration!
Food
- Dark Chocolate
- Bulk Coffee
- Loose Leaf Tea & Tea Ball
- Fruit (fresh or dried)
- Nuts
- Small Bottle of Maple Syrup
- Jam or Favorite Sauce
- Homemade Baked Goods
- Small Bottle of Favorite Liquor/Wine
The key with food items is to go homemade or purchase them in bulk or in recyclable packaging like glass or paper.
Personal Items
- Bamboo Tooth Brush
- Tooth Powder
- Lip Balm
- Soap/Shampoo Bars
- Bath Bomb
- Safety Razor
- Socks/Underwear
Etsy, Wild Minimalist, Lush, and PACT Apparel are great places to check for some of these items.
Zero Waste Lifestyle Items
- Stainless Steel or Bamboo Straws
- To-go Cutlery
- Coffee Cup
- Vegan Food Wrap
- Bulk Bags
Check out zero waste stores like Life Without Plastic, Wild Minimalist, and Tiny Yellow Bungalow.
Garden
- Seeds
- Plant Pre-Order
- Bulbs
- Mushroom Spawn
- House Plant
Those with a green thumb will love gardening supplies. Even if your order won’t come until spring you can always print out an your order summary to give them. I also like to give house plants that I’ve started from my own spider and aloe plants. Some of my favorite places to purchase from include Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek Heirlooms, and High Mowing Seeds.
Art Supplies
- Colored Pencils
- Fountain Pen
- Plant-based Yarn
- Wooden Knitting Needles/Crochet Hook
- Homemade Water Color Paint Set
I love receiving supplies for crafts I enjoy however you may not want to get these for everyone. Often “project type” gifts get set on the shelf for later and never used, even if someone has the best intentions. Pins and patches (there’s some great ones on Etsy) are my favorite way to add new or personal flair to old things without purchasing entire new items.
Miscellaneous
- Book
- Audible Subscription
- Homemade/Handcrafted Jewelry
- Movie Night (bulk popcorn/snacks and money for Netflix/Redbox)
- Soy Candles
- Sewing Kit
- Patches/Pins
- Gift Card/Cash
- Membership to Skill Share
Etsy is a great place to shop for these items as well as thrift stores. I love Thrift Books. If you’re buying gift cards try to opt for digital gift cards or for small shop see if they offer a paper option.
Kitchen Supplies
- Tea Towels
- Cloth Napkins
- Homemade Extract
- Metal Cookie Cutters
- Soap Dish
- Wooden Spoon
Many of these can be found out regularly stores or online shops like Amazon. Just try to look for packaging that’s minimal and plastic free. You can also check one of my favorite shop’s Life Without Plastic.
Outdoor Gear
- Pocket Knife
- Flint & Steel
- Water Bottle
- Headlamp
- Bandana
- Hat/Gloves
- Stove
Not all of these are completely zero waste but if you have an outdoorsy friend they’ll probably get a lot of use. You can also keep it more eco-friendly by purchasing quality products that will last for years. I linked the stove and headlamp I used on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and continue to use today (they’ve last 6 years of hard use so far).
Children’s Toys
- Wooden Animals or Blocks
- Puzzles
- Homemade Play-dough
- Museum Pass
- Homemade Coupon (for a fun outing or activity)
- Coloring book
- Video gGame
Giving gifts to kids is probably one of the best parts of the holidays but they’re also the ones who end up with tons of plastic junk that gets played with for a little while and then eventually ends up in a land fill. Keep it eco-friendly this year by avoiding as much plastic as possible. Choose wooden items, thrifted items (things like legos can be purchased second hand and sanitized), activities, or download a movie, game, music, or audiobook.
Note for many of these items one of the best places to check is thrift stores. Many people are okay with receiving second hand gifts and it can be better for your budget and the environment.
What are your favorite zero waste, vegan stocking stuffers? Did I miss any awesome ideas?
