SUSTAINABLE GIFT GUIDE
Yay my first sustainable gift guide! Writing a gift guide feels weird to me because I’m not a gift giver in the slightest- Houston and I still to this DAY have not given each other Christmas gifts. I love traveling and he loves playing the guitar (which needs a lottttt of gear) so our gifts to each other every year is to not buy each other anything and save for the things we’re both passionate about. So holidays are a little different here in the Clifton household, but I wanted to provide a list of some of my favorite small, sustainable, and ethical brands to support this holiday season!
All of that being said, if you’re a DIYer, an experience giver, or a thrifter for the holidays, I’m here for it. For those who want to give gifts this year, this is for YOU.
But I can’t even start this gift guide before saying this- PLEASE give within your budget, give intentionally, and try and slow down this holiday season. :) Okay let’s do this
Luna and Rose
Jewelry is hands down my favorite thing in the world, and I’m obsessed with Luna & Rose. I love minimal pieces that still have personality, and Luna & Rose has the most beautiful jewelry that are made with the best quality.
Luna & Rose is made from 99% recycled sterling Silver & Recycled 9kt Gold. They create small batch jewelry and are proud partners of 1% for the planet. Their Zodiac Pendants are stunning and I also love the Patron Saint Pendants.
Use my code JESSICA10 for 10% off!
Planet Care
This idea is SO COOL. Planet Care is a microfiber filter for your washing machine that catches 90% harmful microfibers that shed from synthetic fabric, before they flow into the waste water. Microplastics are one of the many problems in the plastic crisis, so I love that there is a simple solution to stopping the synthetic material from our clothes from entering our oceans.
It’s easy to install, a closed loop system, and overall an AMAZING company to support. Use my code JESSICAPLANET10 for 10% off!
Beckett Simonon
For you footwear lovers, this brand is awesome. Beckett Simonon has footwear and accessories that are Made-To-Order which eliminates overproduction. If you’ve watched The True Cost documentary, you know that overproduction in fast fashion is where a lot of waste and greenhouse gas emissions come from, so this is HUGE.
My favorite part of Beckett Simonon is their timeless style which means you can wear their footwear for years to come. I love buying long-term products (especially for footwear), so I’m happy they’re made to last! And on top of all of that, their workers are paid above minimum wage, have vacations, pensions, bonuses, and caregiver leave. I love a quality product made with so much intention!
Simple Switch
I am obsessed with what this brand is doing! Simple Switch is an Amazon alternative that allows you to do your holiday shopping (they have over 3,000 products) and know you’re doing good for people and the planet. By shopping Simple Switch, you not only make a specific social and environmental impact, but you also put your gift/spending dollars towards supporting 50 small ethical businesses instead of large monopolies/corporations.
They are Plastic Neutral and Climate Neutral Certified and women-owned. They have sooooo many cool products, but my favorites have to be these amazing truffles, this carbon-positive wine, and this menstrual cup. Each product is so unique and has amazing missions around social and environmental impact.
Use my code IMPACTFORGOOD for 15% off!
Shanti Creations
For all of you candle lovers, I think this is the coolest idea. Shanti Creations sells their candles in mason jars so when the candle runs out, you can reuse the jar in lots of different ways. They even sell different types of mason jar lids (fruit infuser, salt & pepper shaker, etc) so you have a good use for the old candle jar when the candle runs out.
I have the Blue Spruce candle right now and the scent is AMAZING. Use my code IMPACTFORGOOD for 15% off!
SAP One Billion Lives
For those looking to give presents that do good things, Champion of social enterprise and SAP Executive Board Member Adaire Fox-Martin has curated a gifting guide that is directed toward positive social change. On the “Give Good List,” there’s socks that give back to people effected by homelessness, Ukulele lessons that help give music mentorship to children in foster homes, and my personal favorite, a kids environmental kit.
I love lists like these because it’s a simple way to help with real social projects while buying your holiday gifts!
Native Deodorant
Okay I seriously love Native Deodorant SO MUCH. All of the scents are incredible, and I think a fun deodorant is the perfect stocking stuffer. Native is cruelty free, vegan, and actually works really well (for me personally it’s hit or miss with natural deodorants).
They also just launched their plastic free deodorant and for every sale, Native donates 1% to fighting plastic pollution.
Stojo
Of course reusable cups are being used less now in 2020, but Stojo ‘s reusable and collapsable coffee cups are truly the best. The cup was designed by two New Yorkers who had a dream of making convenience and their love for the planet meet- so the collapsable & leak proof coffee cup was born.
I’ve had mine for a couple of years now and it’s PERFECT for being on the go, but especially for trips. It collapses to such a small item and I can just throw it in my bag and use it when I need it. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m all about caring for the planet in the name of convenience, so this product is a perfect match for me.
Cocokind
Quarantine has made me fall in love with skincare, and Cocokind is one of my FAVS. First off I’ve worked with the brand a ton this year and they care so much for their employees, their influencers, and more importantly, the planet. They’re making natural skincare accessible (sold at Target) and also it just works so well.
My absolute favorites from them are the Rosewater Toner and the Texture Refining Cream.
Girlfriend Collective
Okay, yes. I’m one of those that’s just obsessed with Girlfriend Collective. For those who have never heard of them, they make active wear out of recycled water bottles! They make transparency and the environment their #1 priority, which you know I’m a huge fan of.
They now also have sweatshirts, windbreakers, socks, puffer jackets, and bags.
Bite Toothpaste Bits
I’ve been a huge fan of Bite Toothpaste Bits for a long time now. This was actually the first thing I bought to live a more sustainable lifestyle! Bite for me started as a way to be a better steward of the earth, and now my love continues to grow for them because of the excellence that their product has and their new addition of nHAP (which is a fluoride alternative).
Every season they also release a seasonal flavor and they are 10/10 my favorite- I look forward to the new flavor every season! This season it’s Champagne and WOW I look forward to it every morning and night- it’s so satisfying to use.
Use my code IMPACT10 for 10% off!
Bearaby
So this one is an investment, but if you have the money for it, Bearaby is the best weighted blanket out there. First off it’s literally scientifically proven that sleeping under weight helps you get a deeper sleep. Second off it’s 100% plastic free and it’s BEAUTIFUL (which let’s be honest, most weighted blankets aren’t).
I’ve had my Bearaby blanket for 6 months now and I sleep with it every single night.
Conscious Step
I had no choice but to include the perfect stocking stuffer- SOCKS. We all love socks for Christmas AND there’s a brand you can support that’s doing great things while making their socks. Conscious Step supports a specific social or environmental organization with each pair of socks they sell.
Not only do they support a cause with every pair they sell, but the socks are also ethically made and certified organic. I didn’t know socks with a cause were a thing, but I’m 100% here for it.
Baggu
I love when sustainability is so cute that you basically can’t say no to it- and that’s exactly how I feel about Baggu. Their reusable bags and masks make reusing an aesthetic- which I think might be cool enough to save the planet.
SodaStream
This is another thing that changed the game for me. First I was in love with sodas (I had like 2 a day), then I decided to break my habit in 2020. Houston and I already owned a SodaStream because of Houston’s love for sparkling water, so I decided to start drinking sparkling water every day.
Now, I am OBSESSED with the SodaStream. I beat my addiction to sodas and drink sparkling water all the time. So I love it since I was able to beat a bad habit, but then on top of that it has amazing environmental impact as well. Obviously you save soooo much waste not buying packaged drinks by a SodaStream instead, and they also have a take back program for their CO2 cartages!
For Days
For Days is one of my favorite sustainable fashion brands. Their system is completely closed loop and they even have a take-back program where they will take back your old and unwanted clothes and recycle them for you! Their whole mission is to keep clothes out of the landfill. So they encourage you to wear your clothes until they wear out, and when you no longer want them, For Days will take them back and give you a discount on new clothes that are 100% recyclable.
Besides their AMAZING standard for sustainability, their clothes are the perfect mix of basic and cool. I’ve had my 90’s crew SS for two years now and I still wear it at least once a week- I’m in love.
Vejas
I pretty much live in my Vejas, so it’s only fair that I include them in this gift guide. They’re transparent, fair trade, and use natural, recycled, and organic materials.
They have such a timeless look, so you can wear them for years!
Cariuma
Cariuma first off has such classic and cute shoes, but also their standard for sustainability and transparency is amazing. The two founders of Cariuma felt that they had a duty to take a standst against the wasteful industry of fast fashion, so Cariuma was born.
They strive for classic-cool styles so you can wear them for years, They use recycled and organic materials, and you can find all of their factories listed on their website! They also plant two trees in their home country of Brazil with every order. Such a huge fan of this brand.
