Sustainable Gift Ideas (and Where to Find Them!)

Christmas is the season of giving, but it’s also a time of excessive consumption and waste. This year, why not celebrate the holidays a little differently by embracing thoughtful, sustainable gifting? Whether you're crafting your own presents or shopping from eco-conscious brands, there are plenty of ways to spread joy without harming the planet. Here's your ultimate guide to sustainable gifting ideas, paired with amazing New Zealand brands that align perfectly with these recommendations.

Zero-Waste Kits

Zero-waste kits are a fantastic gift for anyone starting their journey to sustainability. These kits can include reusable straws, beeswax wraps, produce bags, and stainless-steel utensils.

• Try This: Check out CaliWoods, a Kiwi company offering beautifully designed reusable straws, razor kits, and kitchen essentials. They’re perfect for creating a personalized zero-waste gift set.
• Bonus Tip: Pair it with a tote bag from The Green Collective to package the gift sustainably.

Natural Beauty or Wellness Kits

Help someone indulge in self-care sustainably. A wellness kit with plastic-free and cruelty-free products is perfect for eco-conscious beauty lovers.

• Try This: Look into Ethique, the Christchurch-based brand known for solid beauty bars that replace plastic bottles. Their shampoo, conditioner, and skincare bars are beautifully packaged and completely waste-free.
• Gift Pairing: Combine these with a bamboo hairbrush or a reusable makeup remover pad from GoodFor, a zero-waste refill store.

Upcycled Fashion Accessories

Accessories made from upcycled materials are stylish and sustainable. These unique gifts also come with the added bonus of reducing textile waste.

• Try This: Offcut Hats uses leftover fabrics to craft stunning, one-of-a-kind hats. Each piece tells a story and helps reduce waste.
• Bonus Tip: Pair it with sustainable swimwear from Nisa, a social enterprise that creates lingerie and accessories while providing employment opportunities to women from refugee backgrounds.

Eco-Friendly Board Games or Puzzles

Looking for family-friendly gifts? Board games and puzzles made from sustainable materials are a thoughtful option.

• Try This: While there aren’t many locally made eco-friendly board games in New Zealand, you can shop for sustainably crafted options through specialty stores like Toyworld NZ, which offers environmentally conscious toys and games.
• Bonus Tip: Check out your local thrift store for pre-loved board games and puzzles.

Reusable Kitchen Essentials

For the home chefs and foodies in your life, reusable kitchen tools make thoughtful and practical gifts.

• Try This: Honeywrap creates vibrant beeswax wraps that are a fantastic alternative to plastic wrap. Add stainless steel lunchboxes, silicone baking mats or dishcloths from Caliwoods and Green Collective to complete the set.
• Bonus Tip: Include a recipe card for a delicious, seasonal dish to add a personal touch!

Educational Experiences

Gifts don’t have to be physical. Educational experiences create lasting memories while promoting sustainability.

• Try This: Purchase a gardening workshop or guided eco-tour through Kaipātiki Project, a community organization dedicated to restoring native bush and teaching sustainability practices.
• Bonus Tip: Pair the experience with a small potted plant or native seeds from Wildflower World.

Personalized Recipe Books with Seasonal Ingredients

For food lovers, a custom recipe book featuring seasonal and local ingredients is a gift from the heart.

• Try This: Pair your recipe book with pantry staples from GoodFor or organic produce from a local farmers' market like Ooooby, which delivers fresh, locally grown produce.
• Bonus Tip: Package it all in a reusable bag or box to keep the presentation sustainable.

Biodegradable Seed Paper Cards

Instead of traditional cards, opt for biodegradable seed paper cards that grow into flowers or herbs when planted.

• Try This: Look for New Zealand-based companies like The Papermill, which offers beautiful seed paper products. These cards are meaningful and earth-friendly.
• Bonus Tip: Pair the card with native seeds from Kings Plant Barn for a lovely, plant-focused gift.

Upcycled Home Décor

Artisan-made home décor crafted from reclaimed materials is a unique and sustainable gift option.

• Try This: Giftwood Design specializes in handcrafted home items like candleholders and geometric wall art made from ethically sourced, reclaimed native timbers in New Zealand. Or Imageland creates beautiful handmade frames from reclaimed Rimu wood in Hamilton.
• Bonus Tip: Add a hand-poured soy candle from Wellington Apothecary to complete the gift.

Artisan-Made Christmas Treats

Christmas is incomplete without delicious treats! Opt for artisan-made goodies crafted locally.

• Try This: Trade Aid offers fair trade chocolates, coffee, and gift baskets that support small producers around the world. Pair these with a handmade ceramic mug from a local artisan for the ultimate foodie gift.

Why Supporting New Zealand Brands Matters

Choosing to buy from local, eco-conscious brands not only reduces your carbon footprint but also supports New Zealand businesses committed to sustainability. Each purchase has the potential to create a ripple effect, helping businesses thrive while encouraging more people to shop thoughtfully.

Make Your Christmas Truly Sustainable

This Christmas, take the opportunity to show your loved ones how much you care while also caring for the planet. Whether you’re putting together a zero-waste starter kit, gifting experiences over physical items, or supporting local brands like Ethique, Honeywrap, and CaliWoods, every small choice makes a difference.

Let’s make this holiday season about more than just giving—it’s about giving back to the planet and building a better future for all.

Other sustainable New Zealand brands to gift this Christmas.

Allbirds
Known for their comfy, stylish shoes made from merino wool and eucalyptus fiber, Allbirds also has sustainable apparel for everyone.

We’ar
Sustainable yoga wear and fashion made ethically with natural fibers. Great for stylish, mindful friends.

Earth Candles NZ
Hand-poured soy candles made with essential oils, perfect for adding warmth and fragrance to any home.

Critical
100% recycled premium and sustainable chef's knife. Hand crafted in Aotearoa New Zealand, this knife is designed to last forever.

With Impact
Focused more towards corporate gifting, With Impact gives your client the choice of their sustainable gift. There are hundreds of premium, sustainable gifts with the option to donate to a New Zealand charity.

Support these amazing New Zealand brands this holiday season and make your gifting extra special while promoting sustainability.