I always loved giving gifts to friends and family. They joy I feel when they opened the present and smiled is just priceless.
But in recent years I’ve come to realise that while my gifts were always thoughtful, in that I tried to get something that they would love, sustainability was never in the forefront of my mind.
And since I’ve started my journey to live a more sustainable life, I had to rethink the gifts I bought too. I didn’t want to buy things that were wasteful, or had a negative impact on the planet.
Coming up with gifts can be quite difficult, leave alone if they should also be eco-friendly. So I thought I help you out by putting together a list of the best sustainable gift ideas for the UK for him and her.
I’ve tried to be as broad as possible, but as gift giving is a very individual thing, it’s difficult create a list that will suit everyone. But I hope that it will give you at least some inspiration.
My 14 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas For Him And Her
One thing I love about giving sustainable gifts is that it can lead to friends and family discovering eco-friendly products they love. It’s one way to spread the message and help others live a more sustainable life.
And it’s much less contentious than lecturing them about sustainability, as I have found out on many occasions. I suppose my passion for all things eco-friendly can come across a bit tedious sometimes.
But giving an eco-friendly gift, without the lecture of course, is a great way to get my message across while brining joy. So without further ado, here are my ideas for green gifts they will love.
1. Sustainable Coffee – For All The Coffee Lovers Out There
Coffee isn’t necessarily a sustainable crop, as it has links to deforestation, according to Fern.org. Then there are unsustainable farming practices, like the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
So in order for a gift of coffee to be sustainable, it can’t just be any coffee. I have recently stumbled across this amazing, UK-based, sustainable coffee company, called Exhale.
I was never a big coffee drinker, and I used to only drink flavoured instant coffee for ease of use. But when I found out that this is basically an ultra processed food, I had a rethink.
So I decided to start to drink real coffee, which, it turns out is actually good for the health of our gut microbiome. (Saygili et al., 2024) But not all coffees are equal, because many coffee brands contain nasty chemicals, such as residue of pesticides.
Exhale has the mission to make the healthiest coffee possible. To achieve this they only buy coffee from organic farms, and they test it in independent labs to ensure it’s free of any nasties.
And a big part of their ethos is sustainability, because they want to make the healthiest coffee for humans and the planet.
What I love most about Exhale is that everything they do is based in science. Reading their blogs makes me feel at home, because they provide scientific evidence for their claims, complete with links to the research papers.
That’s the exact same thing I do here at Eco HomeLife.
And the coffee isn’t just healthy and sustainable, it also tastes amazing. This is the perfect gift for any coffee lover in your life.
Read my full review of Exhale coffee to find out more.
2. Eco-Friendly Natural Deodorant – We All Use It
Deodorant is probably not very high on your list of gifts, after all, you don’t want to send the wrong message. But hear me out.
We all use deodorant, right? But did you know that the regular deodorants and antiperspirants you can buy are bad for the environment. And many of the harmful ingredients are also harmful for our health. (Kakara et al., 2023)
Aerosols deodorants are especially bad for the environment and us. Most of the deodorants you can buy nowadays are aerosols. So buying a deodorant that is better for the planet and human health seems a good present to me.
My favourite is Earth Conscious Natural Deodorant. You have a choice between a stick and balm deodorant. They offer normal strength and extra strong optins, as well a range for sensitive skin without bicarbonate of soda.
They only use natural ingredients and plastic-free packaging. You can read my full review to see why it’s my favourite.
The only thing to be aware is that if the gift receiver currently uses an antiperspirant, they will have to go through the natural deodorant transition period. It sound worse than it is.
I went through it and share my experience with it and explain what it is in one of my articles.
In my opinion it’s the prefect gift for someone who likes to try new things, are into self-care, or have sensitive skin and react to regular deodorants. While Earth Conscious deodorant is my favourite, I’ve looked at others eco-friendly deodorants too.
Top Rated Eco-Friendly Deodorants:
| Deodorants | Value For Money | Performance | Ease Of Use | My Rating | Review | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Excellent | Outstanding | Very Simple | 4.87 | Review | Visit |
 | Outstanding | Great | Very Simple | 4.87 | Review | Visit |
 | Excellent | Outstanding | Very Simple | 4.87 | Review | Visit |
3. Metal Lunch Boxes – Plastic-Free Lunch For Everyone
Many people bring lunch to work, either for health reasons, to save money, or because they don’t have the option to buy their lunch. Whatever the reason, lunch boxes are a part of many people’s work routine.
Most lunch boxes are made of plastic. We know that our addiction to plastic has a huge impact on our environment. From the source material, fossil fuels, to the energy-intensive manufacturing processes, and the amounts of waste it produces.
Plastic also releases microplastics, which are now found everywhere, including in plants, animals, and us humans. These tiny particles are released when plastic breaks down.
However, even just using plastic can create microplastics and this is especially bad when food is concerned. It’s believed that food that comes in contact with plastic gets contaminated with microplastics, through food packages, food containers, and drinks bottles. (Snekkevik et al., 2024)
So plastic lunch boxes can contaminate our homemade food with tiny plastic pieces that we then ingest.
Metal lunch boxes to the rescue. They are plastic-free, durable, and look so much better than any platic ones.
This is the ideal sustainable gift for anyone who takes a packed lunch to work. Or these outdoorsy friends that love to go for a hike and take a picnic lunch with them.
4. Plant Growing Kits – Give The Gift Of Nature
Flowers are always a welcome gift, but cut flowers don’t last very long and aren’t sustainable. Potted plants are better, but for me nothing beats giving a plant that can be used.
How about a hot chilli growing kit for the curry lover in your life? Or do you know someone who likes to relax with a cup of herbal tea? For them a herbal tea growing kit is ideal.
What about that great cook? A herb growing kit will allow them to jazz up their meals with homegrown herbs. And for these extra patient friends, how about a Christmas tree growing kit?
The great thing about these growing kits is that there is no need for a garden or even any outside space. All these plants can be grown on a sunny windowsill, where they will bring joy every day.
Gifts like this are great, because they can start a passion or new hobby. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Plus, you also give a connection with nature, which is something many of us have lost.
It’s also a great gift for children by the way, as it teaches them so much and it’s exciting to watch the plants growing.
5. Wildflower Seeds – A Gift For Wildlife Lovers And Nature
We have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s here in the UK. And given that our gardens in the UK cover almost half a million hectares, what we do with them counts.
Even if you we only give over a small amount of our outdoor spaces to nature, we can help increase biodiversity in our gardens. So wildflower seeds are the perfect sustainable gift idea for the UK.
They are easy to use, and will bring joy year after year. We have created a wildflower meadow in our garden, and every spring and summer I’m amazed at how much wildlife it brings to our garden.
From all the bees, butterflies, and other insects to sparrows and gold finches, and other birds, we have a huge biodiveristy in our garden now.
Even without space in the garden wildflower seeds are still a great sustainable present, because they can be sown in a pot, where they will brighten up patios or balconies.
6. Sustainable Dental Care Set – Give Them The Gift Of A Healthy & Sustainable Smile
We all know how important oral hygiene is, but many of the products we use have quite an environmental impact. Think about the amount of plastic toothbrushes or electric toothbrush heads that are thrown away every year.
So why not give the gift of sustainable dental care this year? A dental care set that provides everything a healthy mouth needs but that is better for the planet.
Or how about an electric toothbrush that comes with sustainable toothbrush heads?
I admit, it might not be an exciting gift, but as far as eco-friendly gifts go, this is one that will keep on giving. And what’s better than to make them smile every day?
7. Reusables For On The Go – The Gift Of Zero-Waste
Disposable and single-use items, especially single-use plastics, are responsible for for so much waste. So why not give the gift of zero-waste?
A reusable mug, drinks bottle, and shopping bag are the holy trinty of zero-waste on the go. It’s the ideal sustainable present for commuters, students, shoppers, and those who love to be out and about.
And you don’t just give zero-waste but also save them money. No more buying drinks or single-use shopping bags. Besides most coffee shops offer a discount if you bring your own reusable mug.
Free water refill stations are also on the rise. That saves them money for the things that matter to them.
If you want to go a step further, why not throw it a set of sustainable cutlery so eating on the go becomes eco-friendly too?
8. Sustainable Razor Set – The Gift Of Smooth Skin The Green Way
Most of us shave, whether this is our face, legs, armpits, bikini zone, or anything else. But most of our razors and blade cartridges are made of plastic. The latter can’t be recycled, so ends up in landfill.
And given how often you have to change them, this is a lot of waste. So why not give a sustainable safety razor that is plastic-free, with metal blades that cen be recycled?
I bought myself a sustainable razor set over a year ago and love it. And the amount of money I’ve saved is amazing. The double edged blades I now use are so much cheaper than the cartridges I used to use.
And they can be recycled, so there is no more plastic waste from my shaving routine.
My husband has also made the swap a few months ago, buying a stylish safety razor with bamboo handle. When I ased him for advice for this list, he said that a sustainable razor set would make the ideal eco-friendly gift for any man that shaves.
So I would say that this is definitely a great sustainable gift idea for anyone in the UK and beyond.
10. Shampoo Bar Kits – The Gift Of Plastic-Free Personal Care
Shampoo bars are one of the easiest plastic-free swaps and the choice is very good here in the UK. And it’s not just the plastic bottles that can be ditched, but also harmful synthetic ingredients.
A shampooo bar starter set could include a shampoo and conditioner bar, a storage rack, and a travel tin. Everthing they would need to start their plastic-free journey.
For me, KinKind has the best choice of different gift sets. You’re sure to find the one for your loved one.
But shampoo bars aren’t just eco-friendly gifts for her, but also for him. I asked my husband, who said that a 3-in-1 shampoo bar for hair, face, and body would make an ideal gift for a man.
Especially those who don’t like to use several products. One bar for every cleaning need in the shower could be the perfect present. If you also get them the travel box, they can have the same convience at home and when away.
My recommendation here would be Foamie, because the bar comes with a cotton string, so it can be hung up to dry.
Plastic-free shampoo bars is one of those sustainable gifts that could convince them to swap for good.
3 Top-Rated Shampoo Bars:
| Shampoo Bar | Value For Money | Range | Results | My Rating | Review | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Excellent | Great | Outstanding | 4.90 | Review | Visit |
 | Outstanding | Good | Excellent | 4.90 | Review | Visit |
 | Excellent | Great | Outstanding | 4.90 | Review | Visit |
11. Sustainable Skincare – Good For Their Skin And The Planet
Skincare proucts can be a difficult gift, I know. Most people have their favourite and stick to it. But I think it’s still worth a try, especially if the sustainable skincare products you give are natural and free of nasty chemicals.
Whether you want to keep it simple, like with a face moisturiser for day and night from KinKind, or if you want more specialised skin products, like from UpCircle.
Sknfed also have a wide range of natural skincare products that are ideal as sustainable, vegan gifts.
The advantages of sustainable skincare are: free of synthetic chemicals that can cause irritation, plastic-free packaging, and high-qualtity natural ingredients.
And while it tends to be more of a gift for her, many men today like to use skincare products too. So I would say, it’s a great eco-friendly gift for him or her.
Maybe it’s not a moisturise, but an after shave balm. I bought my husband the aftershave balm from Skfed for his last birthday and he loves it.
This just goes to show that sustainable skincare products aren’t just for women.
12. Eco-Friendly Makeup – Give The Gift Of Sustainable Beauty
Makeup is mostly worn by women, I admit, but there are men who wear it too, so I think it’s still ok to put it on this list.
Like with so many other things, the beauty products we commonly use aren’t good for our environmet. The ingrediens and plastic packaging are, as usual, the main culprits.
Mineral makeup is one sutainable option which doesn’t contain the harmful synthetic ingredients and comes in plastic-free packaging.
My personal favourite is Love The Planet, who offer a good range of mineral makeup, ideal for a gift. They even offer a gift card, if you aren’t sure on what to get.
Zao is another sustainable makeup company that sells eco-friendly makeup, including mineral makeup. What I like about them is that you can get anything you might want, such as mascara, lipstick, and nail polish.
Not all their makeup is mineral makeup, but they only use natural ingredients, and never any harmful chemcials.
So why not give the gift of sustainable beauty and let their natural beauty shine.
Best Truly Sustainable Makeup In The UK
| Products | Makeup Type | Coverage | Value For Money | My Rating | Full Review | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mineral Powder | Outstanding | Excellent | 4.85 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Mineral Powder And Liquid | Outstanding | Great | 4.8 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Mineral Powder And Liquid | Excellent | Great | 4.7 | Read Review | Visit Website |
13. Homemade Gifts – Give The Gift Of Effort And Thought
In our materialistic and consumerist society, I sometimes feel that many people don’t appreciate homemade things. It’s almost as if making something is a sign that you’re either cheap or don’t care.
But when I knit a jumper as a present, I don’t just spend money, but I put a lot of time and effort into the project too. Much more than if I were to go into a shop and pick a jumper.
Besides, homemade gifts are unique. Alright, somone else might have used the same knitting pattern, but they might have used a different wool and colour.
For me, a homemade present always beats a bought one. And if you make something, you can ensure it’s sustainable. You can, for example, only use real wool or organic cotton for your knitted, or crocheted, gifts.
I buy all my wool from Great British Yarns, because this UK-based company only sells natural fibres and select their yarns with great care.
Of course, there are so many other crafts. You could make jewelery, or work with wood or fabrics. There are so many things you could make yourself as a gift for friends and family.
Not skilled in making something from scratch, how about upcycling? Restore something that is old and looks tired and give it a new lease of life. Keep it out of landfill and bring it back into circulation.
There are so many ways you can create a sustainable gift. Just get creative!
14. Experiences – Give The Gift Of Memories
Finally, give the gift of time and memories. We are all so focused on giving things, that we forget that the best present you can give is memories that last a lifetime.
Since several years now, my husband and I are gifiting each other experiences. This could be tickets to a show, a meal in a nice restaurant, a posh afternoon tea, a course to learn a new skill, an adventure, or anything else that makes memories.
It all started when my husband gave me 13 envolopes for my birthday. Each envelope contained a voucher for an activity for each month of the year. Some cost money, others didn’t.
The best bit, I had a present to open every month of the year and do the activity. What’s a better gift than that?
There was a voucher for a Chinese dumpling making session, where we made these delicious parcels of yumminess together one Saturday. One voucher was for a walk into to town to the Christmas market where we had food from one of the stands, then walked back.
Another one was for a summer picnic, one was for a walk in the Peak District. Then there was one for a winter bird watching afternoon complete with a flask of hot choclate to keep us warm. An afternoon tea was another one.
As you can imagine, I was over the moon and the envy of my colleagues when I told them. We had such a great time and the memories we made are priceless. Spending time with my husband is worth so much more than any physical present he could give me.
Since then, I have given him a beginner’s archery course (we have since joined our local archery club and go shooting regularly), an astronomy sky watching experience, a chocolatee making session, a bird of prey experience, a zip wire experience, and much more.
In turn, I got a foraging course (I’m now a proud forager), an earing making lesson, a meal in a top notch restaurant, a winter tree indentifiying lesson, and much more.
This is the most eco-friendly gift you can give, because it’s zero-waste, plastic-free, and doesn’t contain nasty chemicals. Try it and see how much it will mean to them.
I have already shared some of our ideas, now it’s time for you to get creative.
And Don’t Forget The Sustainable Wrapping Paper…
So here are my sustainable gift ideas for the UK. Now let’s not spoil it by using ordinary wrapping paper that has a huge environmental impact.
For one, most wrapping paper can’t be recycled, so ends up in landfill creating a huge amount of waste. Instead, use sustainable gift wrap, or boxes or bags.
I’ve put together a list of sustainable wrapping paper, with many options that will even save you money. And what about greeting cards? Many contain other materials than just paper, such as foil, glitter, or ribbons.
This means many greeting cards can’t be recycled, so look for ones that can, to ensure you embrace sustainable gifting fully.
So now that I have provided the inspriation, it’s over to you. Give gifts that show love for them and the planet.
If you haven’t found anything on this list, head over to my sustainable gifting guide to find out what an eco-friendly gift looks like so you can find a gift for your friends and family that is better for the planet.
We have also put together some ideas for eco-friendly Christmas decorations, so you can have a greener Christmas, not just under the tree but everywhere.
