Sustainable Holiday Gifts for Your Eco-Friendly Friend

If you have a friend who is conscious about sustainable practices, you may struggle to find the perfect present for them. Fortunately, sustainable Christmas gifts are a wonderful way to show your love. Sustainably-made holiday gifts are useful and beautiful, plus they don't exhaust the natural resources the planet provides and everyone needs.

Maybe you have vegan friends who appreciate a nice pair of shoes, especially if they're not made from leather. Or, they may love a sustainable, high-quality tote bag they can take to the farmer's market every week. When it comes to sustainable gifts, the possibilities are endless. Check out a few of our favorites below. 

Produce bags

The World Counts estimates that 160,000 plastic bags are used every second to carry groceries and similar items. Those plastic bags often end up in landfills, where they take years to decompose, or worse, in the lakes, rivers, and oceans. You can positively impact the environment by switching to reusable bags. You can also minimize your exposure to plastic byproducts when you carry your produce in a reusable bag.

Travel luggage 

People are constantly traveling, and they need a stylish and efficient way to carry their belongings. That's why travel luggage pieces from Rothy's are great sustainable Christmas gifts. The Overnighter is a high-quality carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin of most passenger planes and comes in several attractive, sophisticated colors. Like many of our products, The Overnighter is knit with thread made from recycled marine plastic bottles.

Both you and the recipient of your gift can feel good about protecting the environment while you enjoy the convenience of a washable overnight bag with adjustable and detachable straps. 

If you're looking to give a friend a more spacious piece of luggage, The Weekender is a great option. This travel bag features three large compartments and easy-to-carry handles. Like The Overnighter, it's also washable and designed with a detachable strap. 

Compost bin

The gardeners in your life will love the nutrient-rich soil produced by a compost bin, which makes a great eco-friendly gift for those who love to grow their own fresh vegetables or flowers. Instead of throwing organic waste, like egg shells and vegetable scraps, into the trash, you can put it into a compost bin to create gardening fertilizer. 

The best compost bin will depend on how much space your friend has, how much waste they plan to compost, and where they plan to keep it. Whatever composting container you decide to purchase, your environmentally-conscious recipient will love this gift that can be used for years to come.

Recycled journals

Recycled journals are a great choice for a sustainable Christmas gift. If the office where you work has a holiday gift exchange program with a price limit on presents, recycled journals are an inexpensive way to give something beautiful and sustainably made. These types of journals often feature simple or colorful designs, and they can even be personalized for a unique, sustainable holiday gift.

Everyday sneakers

Statista reports that 30% of people want either clothing or shoes as a holiday gift. So, what better present than a pair of everyday sneakers made with sustainable materials? 

The shoes we wear daily must be comfortable, and it's a bonus if they're stylish too. Rothy's sneakers for women are knit from our signature thread made from recycled plastic bottles. They're durable as well as trendy and comfortable. Choose from slip-on, lace-up styles, and even square Mary Janes. 

We also carry men’s casual shoes. Like women's sneakers, they're washable and available in many colors and styles. Our selection of casual shoes and sneakers will carry your friend through their busy life in style.

All-natural skincare products

Consumers who participated in a SurveyMonkey survey believe skincare products make some of the best holiday gifts. Eco-friendly skincare is often safe to use on sensitive skin because it doesn't contain harmful ingredients. 

All-natural skincare products are a wholesome way to pamper your friend, whether you choose a skincare set or a few small stocking stuffers, like lip balm or shower gel. Sustainable bath salts, lotions, and oils can also make the recipient feel special and are perfect for those quiet moments of self-care.

Comfortable flats

Casual Fridays at the office and working remotely are more common than ever, so having a few pairs of comfortable women’s flats has also become necessary. Rothy's offers sustainable flats in various colors and styles, plus they're as comfortable as they are pretty. Our flats are also durable and washable, so your friend can wear them again and again without worry.

You can choose full or half sizes ranging from size 5 to 13. They’re an exceptionally comfortable, stylish and, most-importantly, sustainably-made Christmas present that fits just right. 

Food storage bags

We all need a way to store leftovers after cooking a big meal, but who wants to contribute to the tons of discarded plastic that eventually ends up in the ocean? Reusable food storage bags are a popular option to combat this dilemma. Storage bags made of food-grade silicone are free of toxins like BPA, and most can be placed in the dishwasher, so they're clean and ready for reuse. Often biodegradable and compostable, these resealable bags are made from plant-based materials that can minimize contributions to the harmful waste that ends up in landfills.

Some reusable food storage bags even come in decorative patterns that make lovely eco-friendly Christmas gifts. 

Crossbody bag

Consider a crossbody bag if you're looking for a sustainable holiday gift that never goes out of style. Crossbody bags are not only stylish, but they also can adapt to a variety of organizational needs. 

The Daily Crossbody features a zip closure that protects your belongings and two generous interior pockets for your smartphone, wallet, lip balm, keys, and other necessary items. This sustainable crossbody bag even comes with a special wash pouch you can use in the washing machine. Our crossbody bag is available in various rich neutral colors, and it’s one of the many sustainable gifts for Christmas you'll want to buy this year.

Reusable water bottle 

Staying hydrated is essential, but many people forget to drink water due to their busy schedules. Drinking enough water while on the go without contributing to the mass of plastic bottles polluting the ocean can also be challenging. 

Fortunately, reusable water bottles can keep as many as five to eight billion plastic bottles out of the ocean each year, and they also make great sustainable Christmas gifts that are reasonably priced. Reusable bottles are made of BPA-free materials and often come in cute colors and patterns. As a result, your friend can reduce their carbon footprint and meet their hydration needs.

Merino slippers

Help your friend stay cozy at home with a pair of sustainable merino slippers. Whether they're a stay-at-home parent, work remotely, or enjoy spending time in their home, merino slippers are an investment in comfort and style. 

Rothy's merino slippers are constructed with a blend of merino wool and our signature thread woven from recycled plastic bottles. The Slipper and The Scuff Slipper can be worn indoors and out, so wearers don't have to remove them in order to fetch the mail or lounge on the porch. They're also washable, allowing you to easily slip out of the soft sherpa interior and place them in the washing machine. 

Organic bedding

When you're ready to end your day, imagine slipping into sustainable sheets and blankets that gently cradle your skin. Organic bedding is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and safe for the planet and you. Natural materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and linen are luxuriously made under fair trade conditions that help eliminate poverty and allow workers to build a future. 

What could be a better sustainable Christmas gift than a soft, comfortable organic sheet set? Free of toxic dyes and chemicals, organic bedding comes in soft, earth-friendly colors and is a beautiful accent for any bedroom.

Tote bag

Tote bags are great for a sunny day at the beach or shopping at the farmer’s market. With a spacious tote bag, your eco-friendly friend can easily fit all their belongings and purchases. Plus, working friends will enjoy a tote they can use to carry their laptops or tablets.

Here are a couple of tote bags to consider: 

• The Essential Tote: A durable and stylish choice that can carry a laptop up to 15 inches along with all the other essentials.
• The Lightweight Tote: This tote features a convenient key leash, sturdy handles, and a spacious interior. 

All tote bags from Rothy's are sustainable and made from marine plastic bottles in a factory that uses earth-friendly practices.

Find sustainable gifts at Rothy’s

If you're looking for sustainable Christmas gifts for an eco-friendly friend, look no further than Rothy's. 

You'll find a wide selection of sustainable shoes for women and men, bags, and accessories for everyone on your list. Our sustainably-made holiday gifts are all designed with style and comfort in mind, so your friends are sure to love a present from Rothy's. 

Practical, durable, polished, and fresh gifts from Rothy's are woven from signature thread made from marine plastic bottles and are designed to last for many years to come.