During the holiday season, it can be especially difficult to practice conscious consumption and purchase with purpose. For our team, there are six approaches that we believe are a sure bet for green gifting this holiday season:

1) Buy locally-made products

2) Gift experiences, not material items, or donate on your recipient’s behalf

3) Go in with a friend or two to buy more substantial joint gifts

4) Keep durability top-of-mind

5) Avoid unnecessary packaging

6) Wrap gifts sustainably and if you’re feeling crafty, try making your own recycled bows for a handmade touch!

If you still have some holiday shopping to do and are looking for gift ideas, check out our suggestions for everyone on your list this year.

The Fitness Junkie

AdidasxParley sneakers are made with at least 75% ocean plastic collected from shoreline communities, so you don’t have to choose between the planet and performance.

Kotn produces all their clothing in Alexandria, Egypt and works with family-owned cotton farms to provide crucial training for youth-at-risk. Gift their unisex Essential Sweatshirt manufactured with traceable materials and an optimized, water-saving dying process.

Gift access to top-rated boutique fitness studios with a ClassPass gift card. With ClassPass, you can sign up for sessions at any participating studio without having to be a member. With hundreds of options across Toronto and millions across the world, everyone is sure to find something they like.

The Farm-to-Fork Foodie

Chances are, your foodie friend already owns a sous-vide machine. Help them go zero-waste and gift them with a Stasher Silicone Sous-Vide bag. When they’re not sous-viding, they can use this handy bag for storage too.  

Try an unforgettable fine dining experience at a reasonable price point and visit George Brown’s Chef’s House Restaurant. Reserve a spot with your dining companion and enjoy seasonal, rotating menus.

A workshop at Chocolsol is the perfect way for foodies to sample the flavours of Central and Southern America through a tasting of chocolates, cacao-maize cookies, and chocolate drinks. Gift this workshop to a lucky individual or make it a group outing!

The Animal Lover

Consider gifting a care package that contributes directly to the care of animals and the operation of shelters through the Ontario SPCA, the Etobicoke Humane Society, the Toronto Humane Society, or your favourite local rescue. Many packages start at $20 which represents the cost of one week’s worth of food, vet care, toys or grooming. 

The Smart Commuter

A Stojo Collapsible Coffee Cup is the perfect gift for those constantly on the go. It’s portable and lightweight design means you’ll never forget your reusable coffee mug again.

Between long train commutes or heavy traffic, a Headspace subscription can help keep commuters happy, calm and well-rested, even if you’re only running on five hours of sleep.

The Green Thumb

Give the meditative experience and pleasure of growing a Japanese Bonsai tree. This kit contains everything you need to sprout and maintain your own desk plant. 

The New Plant Parent by Darryl Cheng is a comprehensive guide to maintaining healthy and happy indoor plants. Filled with tips and personal stories, this book is perfect for aspiring and experienced plant parents.

The Modern Sprouts Unwind Grow Kit contains sleep essentials, like a pillow spray and eye mask, as well as a hydroponic lavender grow kit, setting the tone for a natural and relaxing sleep.

Future Green Leaders

This Orbrium Train Set recreates the magic of having a trainset underneath the Christmas tree and will last generations. Compatible with other brands like IKEA, Melissa & Doug and Brio, purchase this for a little one as a standalone or addition to their existing train network. For train cars only, consider this Melissa & Doug set.

A subscription to National Geographic Kids is the perfect gift for curious minds, helping little ones to discover the world and get excited about nature.

Mini Mioche designs premium, gender-neutral basics that are made ethically, locally and sustainably. Their soft, low-impact clothing is a beautiful and practical gift that can be passed from child to child.

The Stress Case

Neil Pasricha’s Two Minute Mornings Journal encourages you to take a moment each morning to set daily intentions, focus on gratitude, let go of stress, and set yourself up for a successful day. For the overly-stressed, this is the ideal way to slow down, to get ahead.

This Saje Headache Relief Kit helps keep headaches and tension away with three pocket-sized remedies. The cooling essential oils and soothing mist allow for instead relief on-the-go or at the office. 

The Person Who Has Everything

Consider giving a gift that gives back through a reputable non-profit.

Organizations like Kiva, a partner of the US Department of State, allow you to put money towards microloans lent to female entrepreneurs around the world. Simply choose a borrower by finding a story that you connect with and make a loan, as little as $25. When your loan is repaid, that money is either yours to keep or re-lend through Kiva to help empower someone new.

Alternatively, consider giving the gift of hope to a child through Plan International and Food for the Hungry. Whether you give a $3 contribution towards a storybook, $42 for emergency food for a week, or a $100 matched donation towards ending malaria and HIV, know that your gift will be making a significant impact on someone in need.


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