Sustainability

Merry and Mindful: Your Sustainable Gift Guide for Timeless Treasures and Memories

Whether it’s a memorable experience, a homemade treat, or a gift from a small minority-owned brand, we’ve curated thoughtful ideas to send love to your favorite people and the planet this year.

Published on: December 04, 2024

As we welcome the joy of the holidays and the reflection that comes with the end of another year, we feel overwhelming gratitude and appreciation for what truly matters. While it’s easy (and fun) to get carried away with gifting, it’s the memories with our loved ones that mean the most.

With this gift guide, we hope to inspire you to curate unforgettable experiences and timeless treasures that you and your loved ones can share forever. These intentional gifts aim to empower mindful consumption, uplift local communities, spotlight sustainable brands, honor the planet, and remind us all that the holiday season is about more than gifts—it’s about celebrating our connections to each other and the beautiful world around us.

Gift with intention.

Intentional gifting is all about seeking items, experiences, and acts of kindness that express your love for the people in your life—and the planet. This involves finding gifts that stand the test of time, create lasting memories, and don’t leave a lingering footprint. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Curate an unforgettable experience. This is a great way to create lasting memories without generating huge amounts of waste. Whether it’s a trip to one of our sustainable sanctuaries, spa day, or outdoor hike, these thoughtful gifts can give your loved one the adventure or relaxation they’ve been craving—which can be much more meaningful than a material item.
Gift culinary delights. Whether it’s a cooking class, a mixology kit, an assortment of teas, homemade treats, or a gourmet food basket, these tasty treats can create a joyful and enriching experience while avoiding clutter (and the need to re-gift an unwanted item).
Seek timeless treasures. If you know your loved one has a material item on their list, try to fulfill their wish with a high-quality, sustainable product. Extra props if it’s from a small, local, and eco-conscious brand that uses responsible, natural materials!

Let’s dive into some specific brands we recommend for high-quality gifts from small, sustainable businesses.

Shop small, local, and sustainable.

We believe in shopping with small, local, and sustainable businesses year-round. Shopping small supports the local businesses that keep our communities thriving and local economies growing. Supporting a neighbor also helps reduce your gift’s carbon footprint by avoiding transportation and distribution routes. Don’t forget to celebrate Small Business Saturday the day after Black Friday!

From tote bags to skincare, we’ve highlighted a few small, local businesses we love below. You can find their items at our pop-ups, gatherings, Goodthings stores, and online.

Timo & Violet: From newborn essentials to timeless blankets, Timo & Violet offers luxury organic and sustainable linens and clothing for little ones.
ANYBAG: These handmade recycled totes have repurposed over half a million plastic bags, keeping them from entering local landfills and waterways.
Alder New York: This queer and woman-owned brand offers clean, vegan skincare and haircare products for all genders—backed by science and safe for your body & the earth.
Fair Harbor: Shop clothing, swimwear, and beachwear made from recycled plastic bottles and feel good knowing your purchase works to protect your favorite coastal areas.
Juniper Ridge: This family-owned home and body care company uses all-natural essential oils and sustainably harvested plants to craft gorgeous room sprays, body oils, and more.
Lambwolf Collective: From toys to jackets, grab your furry friend a beautiful and functional gift (that you’ll love too) from Lambwolf Collective.
1 Hotels Retail Collection: Our newest kids and adults loungewear collection is ethically and sustainably made in Los Angeles. Grab something soft for the whole family!
Retail Bundles: We’ve curated sustainable Festive Bundles to make gifting feel both effortless and personalized. With options tailored to relaxation, athleisure, soothing scents, and furry friends, there’s a package for everyone on your gift list. Plus, December 1 - 12, 12 Days of Festive Goods brings daily surprises and deals on our retail collection—unwrap something special every day.

This is just a starting point, not a comprehensive list. We also invite you to seek minority-owned businesses this holiday season, which helps to empower local marginalized communities, assist in closing the racial wealth gap, and create job opportunities for those who face unjust and unfair barriers. You can explore a list of amazing BIPOC and AAPI-founded businesses here.

Wrap sustainably.

It’s estimated that the US alone uses over 4 million pounds of wrapping paper annually, and most of it isn’t recyclable. To avoid contributing to unnecessary paper waste, our friends at Wrappr have created gorgeous fabric wraps with designs from independent artists. Each wrap works to uplift the creative community, reduce waste, and honor the 1,200-year-old Japanese tradition of furoshiki (fabric wrapping).

You can get creative by wrapping your gifts with materials you already have at home, like old shirts, scarves, tablecloths, newspapers, magazine pages, and so much more. Add a little touch of nature with some seasonal greenery and florals.

Watch your waste in other ways.

Sustainable gifting is a great start, but the new year is also an incredible opportunity to hone in on earth-conscious habits in other areas of your life. Here are a few simple tips to reduce personal waste in your daily routine.