Spending the holidays with our family and friends is one of the most sacred times of the year. And is there anything better than watching a loved one unwrap a gift you’ve chosen just for them? We don’t think so!
Our 2023 gift guide features our favorite sustainable, ethical, and responsible brands. The picks below support artisans and makers across the globe, focus on eco-friendly production and materials, and, most importantly, are made to last. That said, some products are considered investments but we’re focusing on fewer, better, and timeless. (Not looking to purchase anything new? Consider this guide inspo on where to start while thrifting or going secondhand!)
Need more ideas? Be sure to check out our sustainable gift guide for men, and head here for our top gifts under $50. And if you’re looking for less, here’s our minimalist gift guide, as well as tips for giving free gifts. Happy gifting! 🎁✨
1. Siblings Candles
Best For | DIY experts
Price | $26
It’s easy to let empty candle jars pile up throughout your home and despite the best intentions, figuring out what to do with them can become daunting. That’s why Siblings DIY candles offer a sustainable alternative — made with a clean coconut blend wax and nontoxic fragrances, these DIY pour-it-yourself candles are the perfect minimal waste solution for all candle lovers out there. Each compostable pack comes with 10 ounces of wax in the scent of your choice, a lead-free cotton wick, and a wooden wick holder. Simply microwave, pour, set, and trim! The best part is refilling your candle vessel with different fragrances each time. With dozens of scents to choose from, this carbon-neutral brand will be a favorite this holiday season!
2. Nisolo Chelsea Boots
Best For | Fashionistas on the go
Price | $250
Check out this wardrobe staple that everyone from your fashionista friend to your stylish mama will appreciate: Nisolo’s Ana Go-To Heeled Chelsea Boots. These conscious and comfortable boots combine five layers of cushioned memory foam and Working Group Certified leather (the most ethical label that leather can boast). The makers themselves earn living wages, too. Available in four neutral colors from sizes 5-11, these classic boots are effortlessly chic. Whoever you gift these to will think of you every time they wear them — aka all season long.
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3. Great Jones’ Pots & Pans Set
Best For | Home cooks
Price | $365
Whether your loved one is an aspiring cook or a seasoned chef looking to upgrade their collection, don’t sleep on Great Jones’ Precious Metals set. This stainless-steel pan set is perfect for small kitchens everywhere and a great gift for the person who wants to make whipping up delicious dinners that much easier (it’s safe for all stovetops and can go in the dishwasher). These four pots and pans also share two lids and nest together, making them the perfect space-saving solution. Plus, the bronze handles and mirrored look will easily elevate the kitchen space. For a sentimental touch, add engraving for an additional fee!
4. Mejuri Hoop Earrings
Best For | Everyday jewelry wearers
Price | $58
If you’re like us, you’ve been on the hunt for that perfect hoop earring. Well, we have good news. We’ve finally found them. Mejuri’s Tube Medium Hoops are elevated everyday earrings that add the right touch of class and style to any outfit, whether you’re at work, on a first date, or enjoying a holiday dinner with family. The base is sterling silver covered with 18k gold vermeil, so it’s made with quality (and sustainably recycled!) materials. Mejuri’s jewelry comes with free 30-day returns and a two-year warranty, but we have a feeling you won’t need to use either. Read our editor’s Mejuri review here.
5. Of It All’s Vessel Gratitude Journal
Best For | Self-reflective writers
Price | $24
Expressing gratitude is simple to do and makes a big impact, but it is often easy to forgo. The Vessel Gratitude Journal by Of It All makes it easy to practice gratitude in a thoughtful and interactive way. Printed on sustainable paper, this guided journal uses a creative layout and holistic approach to get you thinking, feeling, and shifting your perspective on how to access abundance, support, and spaciousness in your life. You’ll come across meditations, thought-provoking questions, and more in this 160-page minimalist-style journal. It’s the perfect self-care tool for anyone and everyone looking for intimate and personal ways to self reflect.
6. LARQ Self-Cleaning Drinkware
Best For | Gym goers
Price | Starting at $90
Clean and healthy drinking water is made easily accessible with LARQ’s drinkware collection. The LARQ Bottle PureVis™ is an innovative self-cleaning and purifying water bottle that is the world’s first to remove up to 99% of harmful bacteria with the touch of a button. The patented PureVis™ technology removes bio-contaminants within two hours of activation, resulting in clean and fresh water that’s safe to drink for peace of mind. We love how the self-cleaning option makes it easy to keep your bottle hygienic and that you have a choice of insulated vs. non-insulated based on your preference. With a variety of sizes and styles available (even for the budget-conscious), it’s easy to gift one of the top contenders for the best water bottle of 2023!
7. OSEA Body Oil
Best For | Postpartum & older adults
Price | Starting at $16
Adored by The Good Trade team, OSEA’s Undaria Algae Body Oil is the one skincare product we feel confident giving to anyone and everyone. Formulated with a whopping 10 oils — from sunflower seed to sesame and linseed — this seaweed-infused body oil absorbs in no time at all leaving skin smooth and soft. It’s also known for improving sagging skin. Trust us when we say this luxuriously-scented and hydrating body oil will be considered *the* gift of the season.
8. Hack Your Nervous System Card Deck
Best For | Students
Price | $25
The Hack Your Nervous System Card Deck was created by Brianna Rose, LMHC, to help those with different levels of anxiety cope a bit better, in a creative way. Each deck of 60 cards is beautifully designed and contains mindful practices based on the Polyvagal Theory that help understand, map, and regulate the nervous system. 100% of reviewers would recommend this deck to a friend, making it the perfect mindful gift for anyone needing support and healthy ways of managing stress. The best part is that you can use them on your own or with friends and family to help find interactive ways of connecting through self-care!
9. Paravel Luggage
Best For | Travelers
Price | Starting at $35
For weekend warriors and explorers, Paravel is one of our go-tos for travel. From fold-up bags, compression cubes and vanity cases to their best-selling travel sets — Paravel will have the jetsetter in your life covered for all their travel needs. Available in five colors, the Weekender Set combines the brand’s top-selling Aviator Carry-On bag with a Weekender bag. Not only does this dual-set scream style, it’s fairly sustainable too: The Weekender is comprised of eco-friendly canvas while the carry-on is carbon-neutral. Our editorial director also reports that Paravel’s wheels make it a breeze navigating airports, cobblestone sidewalks, and even wet weather! While it’s definitely a splurge, it’s a present that your loved one will enjoy for years to come.
10. La Fleur Artisane Mug
Best For | Home decor & accessories collectors
Price | Starting at $32
For the home decor aficionado or cottagecore lover in your life, gift them a La Fleur Artisane Mug to warm their heart. These adorable ceramic and porcelain mugs are handmade and hand painted in a small Toronto studio by the founder herself. Each item uses high-quality clay and glaze; is lead free, nontoxic, food safe; and microwave/dishwasher safe. With a variety of dainty floral and food-inspired designs, each colorful mug is sure to bring joy and happiness with each sip. Be sure to order ahead as each item takes about 2-3 weeks to craft and ship.
11. NAADAM Cashmere Sweater
Best For | Outdoorsy friends & family
Price | Starting at $95
NAADAM crafts the coziest knits and the warmest outerwear pieces, all from cashmere sustainably sourced from Mongolia. NAADAM works directly with their herders, paying them fair wages for their premium, hand-combed cashmere. Animal welfare is also taken very seriously, with the brand providing the best conditions, including veterinary care, for the goats. Through these investments, NAADAM is able to provide high-quality cashmere goods at affordable prices. Treat your loved one who loves the outdoors to a warm, cashmere sweater that’ll keep them toasty no matter the weather!
12. Bearaby Weighted Blanket
Best For | Sleep lovers
Price | Starting at $179
For those who love spending their days and nights at home or who take their sleep very seriously, Bearaby’s Weighted Blankets are ready to take relaxation to the next level. Each weighted blanket is handmade with soft, sustainable plant-based fabric (rather than artificial filling like most blankets) that’s breathable and temperature-regulated for a comfortable and blissful sleep. You’ll have a choice between GOTS-certified organic cotton or Tencel for the blanket material, with varying sizes for travel, couples, and even children. Starting at $179, we believe it’s worth the investment as it’s made well to last. It’s the gift that’ll keep on giving.
13. MUD\WTR Coffee Alternative
Best For | Curious-minded coffee connoisseurs
Price | $50
Know someone who’s trying to curb their coffee cravings? MUD\WTR is their calling! Made with the power of functional mushrooms, this coffee alternative provides the energy of coffee without the jitters or crashes. In addition to American-grown mushrooms, this organic formula incorporates ayurvedic herbs and pure cacao to enhance focus, while providing immune support. With only 35-55 mg of caffeine (in comparison to traditional coffee which contains 90-100mg), the coffee lover in your life can still benefit from a light caffeine boost, but at a level that won’t impact their sleep. Read our editor-approved review of a week-long experience switching to MUD\WTR for more insight!
14. Le Bon Shoppe Cloud Socks
Best For | Homebodies
Price | $16
Le Bon Shoppe’s Cloud Socks are not your typical stocking stuffers — made from a comfy cotton blend, these fluffy socks are a game changer for your feet. They are extra-cushioned making them perfect for wearing around the house. (And dare we say, replacing your slippers!) Made in South Korea, these adorable socks come in a variety of fresh colors to compliment a pair of slides or clogs. Buy a pair for your friend and maybe pick up a few to keep for yourself, we won’t judge!
15. Henry Rose Perfume
Best For | Fragrance enthusiasts
Price | Starting at $35
Fine fragrance lovers will adore Henry Rose’s collection of EWG-verified eaux de parfum. Founded by iconic actress Michelle Pfeiffer, ingredient transparency is a core value of the brand to combat confusing practices in the fragrance industry. (What is often listed as “fragrance” on labels is known for containing unregulated and harmful ingredients.) Henry Rose challenges the status quo by using only vetted ingredients that meet their high standards — no parabens, phthalates, or known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Alongside safe ingredients, each scent tells a unique story that’s magical and unforgettable. It’s no wonder many of these fragrances have won Allure Best of Beauty awards!
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