photos by: boakviewphotography.com
I can’t believe it’s already the holiday season! This year I’ve decided to share a sustainable gift guide, and I’ve divided it into different categories so you can find a thoughtful gift for everyone in your life.
Most of these gift ideas are small but impactful, and I’ve chosen small to medium conscious brands that are doing good things for the planet. In all honesty, I’m not the biggest fan of gift guides but I think this has been such an emotionally draining year for everyone, a little mindful gift giving can go a long way to lift spirits if it’s financially available to you. Especially as many of us will be celebrating apart from one another, I don’t know anything better than receiving a little something in the mail – from a thoughtful handmade card to something a little *extra*. So without further ado, here are my sustainable gift guide suggestions for 2020!
Table of Contents
We ALL have one of these people. An indulgent and gift like my co-designed Ana Luisa paperclip necklace is timeless, works with all style personalities, and sends 10% to the World Mental Health Organization. It’s also made out of a base of 100% recycled sterling silver. Shameless plug! Yes! Because I truly think it’s a lovely piece for every jewelry collection.
I wish I was this person, but one thing that has help me keep my life in order is my Greendreamer planner. I love the weekly layout that is left blank so if there is a week that you don’t use the planner, you haven’t wasted anything. There is 2 years’ worth of weeks, tips to thrive, weekly reflections, important eco-dates, and its all printed on recycled paper with a gorgeous linen cover. I couldn’t love this more and I would give it to everyone if I could.
Heads up – more self promotion! It’s really hard to buy clothes for someone who is particular about their personal style (I know this because I am one). So why not buy a ticket to my Shop Your Closet Studio for your stylish friend? This way, they’ll learn how to use what’s in their closet to create killer looks with what they already have. It’s almost like gifting them a little conscious style lesson.
If you want to get deeper into a mindful closet, I’d highly recommend looking into Cladwell’s new Capsule Wardrobe Program – 6 weeks of capsule wardrobe creation, from discovering your personal style to testing out a new capsule. Use ALYSSA for $50 off. (More details on why I think this program is great in my Sustainable gift guide video which Cladwell partly sponsored)
Alternatively, if you’re looking to gift something tangible, I love the highly curated selection on Consciously – and you can also shop by values which I think is brilliant. (use ALYSSA20 for a discount! I share more details about why I really appreciate their philosophy in my Sustainable Gift Guide video partly sponsored by Consciously which you can watch here)
This is pretty much everybody on the planet at this point, but in all honesty, this year has proved to me that solid loungewear and comfortable clothing should not be overlooked. Some of my favourite brands that offer beautiful, functional clothing that you can wear both at home or out with confidence are Tentree (watch my gift guide video – partly sponsored by Tentree – about why I love this company here) and Organic Basics (use ALYSSA10 for a discount!). I also love Encircled for comfortable and chic loungewear. All of these brands use conscious textiles, ethical manufacturing, and have wonderful environmental initiatives that are worth supporting.
If you’re looking for something intangible but just as thoughtful – I’ve got more sustainable gift guide ideas on the channel.
This year I discovered Skwalwen Botanicals, a Canadian Indigenous owned skincare brand which offers small-batch skincare products made with ingredients foraged on Canada’s West coast. I love their clay mask, and would definitely recommend sending some of nature’s best to someone who will appreciate it.
I just discovered Alter Eco Chocolate this year (it was sent to me as a PR gift) and oh my word it is hands down the best chocolate I have tasted. I am normally not a huge straight up chocolate bar kind of person (I prefer Ferrero Rocher, cake, or cookies) until NOW. I treat myself to a little square every now and then and feel good knowing it’s made of 100% certified organic, whole ingredients. Alter Eco also has a foundation to support and help farmers practice regenerative agroforestry instead of monoculturing which is not great for the environment. Their packaging is simple, recyclable, and Alter Eco is a B Certified Corp. My favourite flavours are the grass fed milk chocolate and quinoa crunch!
As an entrepreneur myself, I LOVE online subscriptions to communities that I can learn from. Skillshare is one of these incredible resources, but you could also pay for a cool Patreon subscription or other membership site in an industry of interest to your giftee.
I think we all know one of these people – excellent taste with a dash of eccentricity. Satisfy their palette for “special” with an art print from Garden24 – a woman of colour owned business, or a hand-loomed scarf from Thank You India, a small business which sources artisanal hand-crafted and ethically made jewelry and textiles from India.
photo: thankyouindia.org and the artwork garden24.co
Thank you as always for reading!
