Eco-Friendly Gifts for the Holidays

Afraid of the potential shortages, I love hearing how some families are planning to make gifts for one another this year. But if you're not super crafty or don't have time to make something, here's a list of some earth-friendly gift ideas from places that I love. And when I look at eco-friendly products, I also look at their packaging and how the companies do their best to reduce waste and their carbon footprint. 

Scrapz by Bebeboo

My favorite cloth diaper company is getting into the reusable paper towels game and I LOVE these things. Here's why:

• They're so efficient at cleaning up spills and messes
  
• Dry quickly keeping it odor free and antibacterial
  
• Machine washable and top-rack dishwasher safe
  
• Compostable once you've warn them out
  
•  Made from 70% industrial waste cellulose and 30% cotton
• Cute prints
  

Chenille Hand Towel by Norwex

These look a bit odd as hand towels, but they are oh so soft! The ones pictured are for kids. "Regular" ones don't have the cute stuffed creature head :) Here are other reasons I love these hand towels:

• Backlock technology inhibits bacterial odor, mold and mildew growth within the towel
• Convenient hanger
• Fun addition to your bathrooms and kitchen

Shampoo Bars and Bodywashes by Ethique

I love Ethique, because they've made sure to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible, from the production of their products, down to their compostable packaging. If you're worried about committing to a full bar, they have cute little sample sized options, as well as gift options. My favorite products:

• Sweet Orange and Vanilla Solid Bodywash
• Pumice, Tea Tree, and Spearmint Bodywash
• Heali Kiwi (good for touchy scalps)
• Pinkalicious Shampoo
• Bath Mylk (great for a relaxing bath)

*Tip: I really love using Sisal Soap Savers with Bar body washes. Hangs up nicely to keep soap dry, and feels great when you're scrubbing your body. I get mine from The Earthling Co.

Foaming Hand Soap by Blueland

Especially for the Disney lovers out there, they have a cute set of Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald glass foaming soap bottles. They also have some new holiday scents if you want to check those out. Why I love these and Blueland in general:

• Like Ethique, Blueland has made sure all their packaging is compostable
• Toxic-free cleaning products
• All their products come in tablets that dissolve in water, to again, reduce waste
• I had an issue with one of the soap pumps, and they sent me a new one plus an envelope to send the broken one back so that they can properly recycle it
• Co-founded and owned by an Asian American woman
• I also really love their powder dish soap and the bottle it comes in

Laundry detergent by Unicorn

I learned about Unicorn through the cloth diaper world and I just love everything about the products and the family behind the products. This small gift set is perfect to gift someone you know wants to make the switch to more earth-friendly cleaning products. Here's a few things to know about Unicorn:

• They have 2 lines of products: Classic scent and fragrance-free Beyond line. The classic scent is a delightfully light lavender smell. Each line has 3 products, so that's 6 main products total. Other than scent, there is no difference between the two lines.
• Power Scour and Beyond Clean are their most deep cleaning yet gentle detergent. We use Beyond Clean on our dirty cloth diapers and need only 1tsp to clean a full load of nastiness. It's concentrated so a little goes a long way.
• Fibre Wash and Beyond Fibre are a perfect every day detergent.
• All products are earth-friendly and biodegrade easily
• Designed to pull the gunk out of your laundry
• Multi-purposeful -- we mix Fibre Wash or Beyond Fibre with water to make a multi-purpose cleaner.
• Power Scour and Beyond Clean are great for tough stain removal. For really tough stains I use a little Beyond Clean with baking soda.
• When you shop Unicorn, you're supporting a wonderful small family business. Truly, these are some of the best people I've ever met.

Reusable Bamboo Utensils by The Sustainable Tomorrow

These are great sets to take with you on the go or out on a picnic, because they come in a nice pouch, and they make a cute gift. Why I like these:

• The set includes a boba sized straw AND chopsticks!
  
• The straw brush is made of coconut fibres
• Lightweight
• I really like this bamboo made straw, because I have stainless steel ones and I alway s bang my teeth on them. These are much gentler on the dientes :D

The Sustainable Tomorrow also has other great items. Check out their site for everything.

Beeswax Food Wraps by Abeego

I love these wraps as a replacements for plastic wrap. It keeps food fresher longer--everything from herbs, to avocados, to leftovers, and even bread.  It's also compostable once it's worn out. I've tried two brands, the other one is Bees Wrap, and I like the Abeego ones better because I think that they wear better.

Nail Polish, Lip Gloss, and Make-Up by Ella + Mila

Their nail polishes are safe enough for your kids to use, and a "seventeen-chemical-free product." You can read in full detail on their website all the reasons they're a safer and cleaner option for beauty products. Other reasons I love their products:

• Amazing colors
  
• Their plant-based make-up sets go on beautifully
• They also have body scrubs and other products. 

Posh Lipstick by Victoria Beckham Beauty

Posh Spice was and always will be my favorite Spice Girl, so I was excited when she launched a clean beauty line that isn't just a bunch of greenwashing. Down to the packaging, Victoria Beckham Beauty is giving us luxury products that is good and safe for us, and the earth. The Satin Kajal eyeliners are also lovely--literally like satin around your eyes.

There are a lot of wonderful products out there that help us create less waste, so these are just a few of my faves.

Do you have eco-friendly products and brands you love? Do share by leaving a comment below or sending me a message. I'd love to hear from you!