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Nov 13, 2023

2023 Sustainable Gift Guide

The holidays are upon us and so is our holiday shopping! I love giving gifts - it's one of my favorite things about the holiday season. What's not my favorite though? The insane amount of waste that often accompanies the season. In the US alone, from Thanksgiving to New Year's, we'll generate 25-30% more trash, equalling 1 million tons of extra waste per week! Finding ways to make your holiday season a little more sustainable (without sacrificing joy & festivities of course) is a powerful step in living a more eco-conscious lifestyle and you may even encourage your friends & family to as well.


This year I'm expanding my gift guide to inlcude gifts for her, him, home, and of course some epic sustainable beauty gifts. Everything on this list has been vetted by me for sustainability & ethical practices and many of these brands are owned by female entrepreneurs I know and love! I think you'll be able to find something for everyone on this list, but remember that the best gift is one that your loved ones will actually use. So, in addition to these items, definitely try asking them what they need as well and think about some fun experiences too. Me and my best friend for instance will often just take each other out for a nice dinner for holidays and Christmas, or a weekend trip. There are lots of ways to gift sustainably and I hope this list inspires you for conscious gifting this holiday season & beyond.


Beauty / Self Care


You already know everyone on my list is getting an Everyday Glo Oil for Christmas! This oil is the first beauty product I launched with Glotanicals and has been a favorite with our customers ever since. Luxurious & great for all skin types, this oil is perfect for dry winter skin and is a great introduction to sustainably beauty thanks to it's ethically sourced ingredients + easy to refill bottle.

Use code: GLOECO for 15% off your purchase at Glotanicals.com


Jill Turnbull Beauty Hair This ocean safe haircare brand by Jill Turnbull has quickly become an absolutel must have in my haircare routine. My hair has seriously never looked better + I love the brand's commitment to sustainability and ocean safe ingredients. I like gifting this set of minis so my friends & fam can try the full set. And we have a discount code for you!

Use code ECOCLEAN15 for a 15% off discount (expires 12/31/22)



Axiology is one of my favorite sustainable beauty brands that is really committed to fighting plastic waste in beauty. Their lip to lid balmies are multi use, plastic free, and are made with clean ingredients. I think their trio sets are the perfect introduction to the brand & my favorite is the Malibu magic set because they are universally flattering shades that look good on all skin types.


I just love this brand and their clean + CBD infused products. Everything is handmade in their shop in Northern California and are just divine for an at home spa day. My personal favorite is the CBD milk bath for the ultra relaxing sensation you get from the CBD and the skin softening coconut milk + other hydrating ingredients.



Face masks make a great gift and one of my current favorites is the Juice Beauty x Kate Hudson acacia and rose powder mask. Juice Beauty is an OG in the clean beauty space and I've seen up close and personal how much care and detail is put into their organic formulations. This is a brand I really trust and have used for years. I love this mask because it detoxifies and revitalizes the skin like an instant facial plus you know I love waterless formulas because of their sustainability, value factor, and for how much longer they last. Any beauty lover on your list will just love this mask.



I guarantee you haven't seen a skincare brand like this before. Skin at Peace is so clean, there are ZERO preservatives in it. Instead, each batch is made fresh the same week it ships out and are housed in smaller bottles that you can use up within 30-60 days. I think this is a great set because it's an easy to use 4-step routine that's safe for all skin types, even sensitive skin. The best way to use skin at peace is on a 30 or 60 day subscription & we have an epic code for you if you want to give it a try this season.

Use code 50LIFE to get $50 off the full routine, taking the monthly subscription down from $149 to just $99.




Ember Highlighting Moisture Bar, $35 This is a really cool new product from Ember that is a highlighter, moisturizer, and facial massage bar for a great glow. I love how pretty the packaging is and think this would make a great sustainable beauty stocking stuffer!



The founder of Green Beauty Co, Ruchita, literally wrote the book on sustainable beauty! Her bespoke line of sustainable + small batch skincare includes less than 10 ingredients in each product, each thoughtfully sourced to ensure they are as effective and ethical as possible. The anti-aging duo includes the brand's top selling serums for day & night.

We have a code for you! Use code Glo15 for 15% off at greenbeautyco.com.



You may wonder what a sheet mask is doing on a sustainable gift guide, but let me tell you the Low Beauty Co is not your average sheet mask! This is the only truly low waste sheet mask I have ever found and I am completely obsessed. The mask itself is 100% water soluble and you can mail back the outer packaging in a pre-paid envelope that comes with each mask. The hydrating green tea based formula will deeply hydrate & plump and combat redness in the skin. This mask is an essential part of my self care routine and I love gifting them!


For her


Local Eclectic has been my go to for unique, handcrafted, and well priced jewelry for nearly 10 years. I always find the most beautiful and unique pieces here that I can wear for years. I still have and wear every piece I've ever purchased or been gifted from here. I love that they are an independent, woman run business who stock emerging female jewelry designers. Everything is handmade and they just have the best selection. This year, these gorgeous Tarot card necklaces are at the top of my list, for gifting and for myself ;).



This sleek pair of sunnies in a cool rectuangular shape are perfect for any fashionista on your list list year. What's even better is that they're stylish AND plastic free, instead of plastic they're made from plants! Now that is chic sustainability.

Shop at Verte Mode & use my code for 30% off! Use code KATVERTE30.



Matt & Natt is the OG when it comes to upcycled bags. I actually bought my first upcycled bag from them back in 2015 and it's still going strong! I think this brand is so cool because they've been producing vegan handbags from 100% recycled plastic since 2007 and up-cycle around 9 million plastic bottles per year. They're designs are timeless and made to last so they make the perfect gift for every woman on your list. My favorite right now is their calssic crossbody in a dark red. It goes with everything, isn't too big or heavy but roomy enough for all the essentials.



This brand just understands what makes a great bag. They're well made and thoughtfully designed to be so functional and useful. This is one of the best cosmetic bags I've had. It's got mutliple zipper compartments to keep your brushes and things separate and is made from recycled water bottles. Plus it's got a chic minimalist design that goes with everything.



This conscious mask from Ettitude is made from 100% sustainable bamboo lyocell that feels smooth like silk without the animal byproducts. Lightly filled with recycled plastic bottles, the mask is just plush enough without being bulky. Hypoallergenic and OEKO-TEK certified, you can sleep easy in this cool-to-the-touch silky mask, which comes with a wide band to keep it snugly in place.



Nothing upgrades your holiday lounging quite like cashmere! Everything from Italic is really high quality and made at the same suppliers as luxury brands like Prada, Stella McCartney, and Sandro. Made with 100% cashmere, this set is lightweight, breathable, and made to last.



For Him


This is a sustainable brand I really admire. They walk the talk when it comes to creating high quality, classic, long lasting pieces that are made from regenerative cotton. Their blanket shirt is the perfect gift for every man in your life - it's universal, long lasting and so classic!



My husband swears by these phone wallets because it makes it so easy to just grab your phone & go without having a bulky wallet in your pocket. I love this option from Hyer Goods because of the classic style & colors, plus they are made from scrap cuts of leather that otherwise could have become waste.

Shop at Verte Mode & use my code for 30% off! Use code KATVERTE30.



Cashmere is one of my favorite things to buy for my husband and I'll admit is a little self serving because I LOVE a man in cashmere. I mean what's better than snuggling up to your man while he's in a super soft sweater? I love Naadam beause their products are high quality and they are one of the most sustainable cashmere brands on the market thanks to their transparent supply chain and regenerative + biodegradable cashmere and other materials.



If the man in your life is a whisky lover then he probably already knows and loves Makers Mark. But perhaps you didn't know that Makers Mark is also one of the more sustainable whiskies on the market. Star Hill Farm, the home of Maker’s Mark Distillery, is a certified regenerative farming operation by Regenified , the leading regenerative agricultural certification that ensures renenerative practices throughout a farm's operations and supply chain. This is a great last minute gift because you can usually find it in just about any liquor store + they often have holiday sets as well.


This travel friendly solid perfume comes in a variety of masculine + unisex scents in a sturdy metal container. My favorite right now is the Blue Ridge with notes of sandalwood, sage and amber. It lasts all day but isn't overpowering. Plus they have matching beard oils and bar soaps if you want to create a full set for your man.



I recommend the daily stoic to just about everyone in my life because I just love the philosophy and it's a great entrypoint into stoic philosophy. This boxed set includes an author signed daily stoic and the accompanying journal for any aspiring stoic in your life.


Home

I could not be more obsessed with Maison palo santo. They legit have the most amazing smelling + clean palo santo candles I've ever tried. I love their products but also love their commitment to mindfulness, sustainability, and supporting the local communities in Ecuador where their palo santo is regeneratively grown. I think their self care kits are the perfect mindful gift for anyone on your list. Each kit comes with palo santo sticks, a candle, a vegan leather journal, a personalized self-care mantra, a hematite crystal, and an exclusive audio meditation.

We have a code for you too! Use GREEN15 for 15% off your purchase.



The non-alcoholic movement is here to stay and as much as I love a good bottle of wine, this year I've been really into experimenting with non-alcoholic alternatives. Kin Euphorics is by far my favorite. They're so elevated, taste amazing, and give you a light "euphoric" feeling. I just feel amazing when I incorporate these into my routine. I love giving these as a hostess gift with a cocktail recipe card instead of wine to mix it up a bit and give someone a new beverage option they probably haven't tried before.



I think beautiful hand made soaps make the best low waste gifts (especially for stocking stuffers!). I love the B-Organic soaps I found on one of my fave sustainable online marketplaces, Verte Mode. They've got simple organic ingredients, smell great, are hydrating (not sticky and tacky like cheap soaps), and I love that they come in these beautiful printed canvas bags - no gift wrap required!

Shop at Verte Mode & use my code for 30% off! Use code KATVERTE30.


With a strong investment in organic and regenerative agriculture, Coyuchi is leading the way when it comes to sustainable home goods. This napkin set is made with 100% organic cotton and is made in collaborationwith the Buffalo Land Trust, with proceeds supporting the CampaignForJalama.org and the 1000 acre center for regenerative agriculture.


These refillable luxurious candles are, to me, the epitome of luxury and sustainability. The beautiful marble candle holders double as a decor piece and are made to last. Plus the inserts are non-toxic coconut soy wax.


Making your own plant based milk is a great way to cut down on your household waste and avoid the gums and fillers often found in storebought varieties. But have you every tried to actually make your own almond milk? It's a major pain in the ass if you're not much of a kitchen whiz or DIY'er like me. I cannot wait to get my hands on an almond cow this year so I can actually stick to making my own plant based milks at home.


Make packing your lunch EXTRA stylish and say goodbye to those sad (& wasteful) plastic salad containers. It's an investment piece but one that will keep you lunching in style for years to come.

Plant You Cookbook


These gorgeous limited edition blankets are a great keepsake item. They use handspun wool from Beltane's flock of sheep who keep their vineyards naturally weed free & fertilized and zero dye so this is as natural and luxurious as it gets.



No fireplace? No problem. These small + portable fireplaces bring a warm ambiance to any space, indoor or outdoor. So perfect for cozy winter nights & some s'mores!

Shop at Verte Mode & use my code for 30% off! Use code KATVERTE30.

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