As the holidays approach we find ourselves looking for gifts to our friends & family, but how do we find the perfect gift without contributing to overconsumption or letting our values behind?
Say hello to the conscious holiday gift guide 2021 by Our Fashion garden!
Our gift guide focuses on supporting sustainability, inclusivity & diversity, leaving behind overconsumption and making looking for gifts more intentional and conscious.
What makes our gift guide special is the fact that these ideas will make a great gift even for those who doesn’t care about environmental or social issues… because yes, sadly, we all know someone like that. This way they will also contribute to making the world a better place with joy.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links and we may receive a commission if you purchase through them.
beauty gifts.
Balmie Set from Axiology
Founded by Erika Rodriguez, these balmies can be used in your lips, in your eyes, or in your cheeks! They look sooo cute, and apply very easy, giving that glow you’re looking for.
These balmies aren’t only vegan and cruelty free, they are also palm oil free and zero waste. Yup, no waste after you finish your product. Amazing, isn’t it?
The packaging is 100% compostable or recyclable.
Loli beauty products
If you’re looking for natural skin care that works, this is the one. LOLI uses ingredients from the organic food left overs (that are still good), making them waste free. As well, everything is free of toxins, water, trash and slavery. Their products are rich in nutrients and they smell delicious!
We couldn’t choose just one product from this brand to recommend, as they really have wonderful products. However some of our favorites are:
- The Date Nut Brûlée (a moisturizer, makeup remover that leaves your skin soft and bright).
- Pank Plum Elixir (a very versatile oil that does not clog pores, but leaves your skin and hair glowing and beautiful)
- Purple Corn Grains (an exfoliator that is not harsh on the skin, but instead will remove all the dry skin or patches making your skin looks almost perfect. Don’t believe me? Read the reviews, these product is a 10 out of 10.
Briogeo hair products
A black owned business that offers high quality ingredients for your hair. There is something for everyone no matter what your hair type is.
Briogeo offers you a hair quiz so you can see what products are your best option. From shampoos to masks and brushes, they know what they are doing.
For those who struggle with flaky scalp, their scalp soothing solutions set will pretty much help you get rid of those annoying flakes and the itchiness.
Shea body butters from Hanahana beauty
Another black-owned business that offers amazing products. They are committed to fair trade, ethical production, and sustainability.
Their shea body butters are a must try that will be useful and very appreciated by the person that gets this as a gift. (and they will come back for more!)
Winter can be dry skin season to a lot of us, and having one of these body butters (that by the way smell deliciousss! but they also offer an unscented version) will be a life savior for our delicate skins.
Soaps from ebaata skincare
A Brooklyn based business I discovered in the Grand Bazaar in NYC and since then, one of my favorite soaps.
Ebaata skincare makes products that are kind to the skin and to the environment and it is also black owned.
My favorite soaps are the Floral Mint Bar, which refreshes and cleans your skin making it glow, and the Coconut Biscuit Bar that smells like heaven and exfoliates your skin without that dry feeling you feel after using soaps.
fashion gifts
The Wardrobe ABC ebook
In this ebook, you’ll learn how to build the wardrobe of your dreams with intention and without spending lots of money.
From creating your color palette to selecting each item with purpose, you will end with the wardrobe you always wanted. Something where everything matches to never struggle with the “I have nothing to wear” again.
This is the most complete guide to discover and develop your personal style, making it a whole experience with lots of fun.
After putting this guide to practice, you’ll find yourself always having something to wear without looking like you wear the same outfit every day. You’ll know exactly how to repeat outfits without people noticing.
Check out the Holidays discount, because you can get it for half the price and you can buy it once and give it to lots of people as it has a digital format!
Hemp underwear from WAMA
Hemp fabric is naturally anti-bacterial and has anti-odor properties. Actually, it is one of the most sustainable fibers out there. It is organic as it doesn’t need any chemicals or a lot of water to grow.
WAMA Underwear is super comfortable, it is breathable, and every time you wash it, it gets softer and softer. But, the best part is how resistant and long-lasting it is.
Check out their different bralettes and panties, whoever gets them for Christmas will thank you a lot!
If you decide to try the hemp underwear, we have a 10% discount code for you. Use our code ourfashiongarden10.
Socks from Pact
Socks are a classic gift for the holidays, and why not give something that is equally cute and sustainable?
We’ve been very picky lately when it comes to socks, so we’ve been looking for long-lasting (but for real) and eco-friendly socks like crazy.
It is hard to find a balance, and pact has a good blend that will make your socks last longer, which is not very common to find.
Basics from organic basics
This is one of our favorite sustainable brands because of the luxurious quality and long-lasting items they offer.
Basics from organic basics are comfortable, they feel like wearing the highest quality, and they last years without looking worn out.
I have loved every single thing I’ve ordered from this brand and I will come back for more when my basics (that still look good as new) aren’t wearable anymore.
I recommend the Tencel Turtleneck or their Long-sleeves, the fabrics are so soft! And it will make an awesome gift as everyone needs basics in their wardrobes.
the perfect jeans from levi’s
We all know Levi’s makes some of the best jeans worldwide, but many people don’t know Levi’s is also doing a fantastic job when it comes to sustainability.
One of my favorite things about them is that they offer a secondhand section on their website where you can buy used jeans. Something very unique more brands should definitely include!
For the ones who are looking for something new, there is also their WellThread collection, which is made with sustainability in mind. Less, water, organic cotton, timeless, durable, ethical and can be recycled. Just what the world needs, really.
knitwear from people tree
People tree is one of my favorite sustainable brands of all time. They have been sustainable since the beginning, and they’re actually one of the first brands to start the movement.
Their knitwear is hand knitted and makes the perfect gift for anyone who loves sweaters! The designs are lovely and timeless, so the investment is worth it.
If you’re looking for outstanding quality knits that are meant to last forever, this is it. There is nothing cozier than knitwear for the winter!
sustainable bags from pixie mood
With recycled vegan leather made of recycled plastic bottles, Pixie Mood offers beautiful, classic, and affordable bags.
Every purse comes in a biodegradable packaging corn-based which is also a better alternative to plastic.
They look high-end and also feel like a very expensive purse. The prices vary between $40 to $130 USD, which isn’t really an expensive price for a purse.
sewing gifts
Organic cotton plus fabrics
I’ve been getting my fabrics from Organic Cotton Plus for a while and I always come back, especially for their knits!
Their interlock fabrics are thick and soft and you can really see and feel the quality in them. As well, their jersey fabric and their rib are so beautiful! And don’t get me started with the french terry.
Honestly, they haven’t disappointed me and I only have good things to say about their products.
They even have sustainable notions like walnut buttons and organic cotton zippers, so you can get any sustainable sewing material in here for your loved one who enjoys sewing, and trust me, they will ask you where did you get that beautiful fabric!
Sewing patterns or tutorials
For someone who loves sewing, patterns or tutorials can make a great gift. And the best part is that it is on a budget, you don’t have to spend a lot of money.
We have a few tutorials that we’re pretty sure you can afford. They come in a PDF format, which means you’ll get them immediately and there is no need to wait for your product to arrive, check them out!
A bundle from cottoneer
Cottoneer makes beautiful and stunning fabrics with original prints on them.
If your loved one is always buying fabric you better get them one of these. They put together a bunch of fabrics that match each other and it is simply the cutest thing ever! Choose their favorite color palette and you’re ready to go!
The bundles work great for quilts, crafts, or other small sewing projects.
home gifts
A blanket from under the canopy
These blankets are soooo soft you will want to cover yourself in them forever. Honestly, that’s all you need.
The blankets are made with organic cotton and they are warm enough to survive the cold days. Whoever receives one of these this holiday season will be forever grateful to you.
A compost bin container from package free shop
For those who are starting their compost and don’t know where to keep it, here it is.
It keeps odors inside the container and is large enough to fit your week’s compost. This can be one of the easiest ways to start one than with this. Plus, the packaging is recyclable and the quality of the container is high!
gifts for the boys
sneakers from allbirds
Sustainable and comfy shoes that will last for years? Sounds pretty good! And it isn’t too good to be true, because well, they exist.
I haven’t met a guy who is willing to sacrifice comfort for pretty shoes, so if you want to succeed on a gift, you better give him a pair of allbirds.
They have different designs, colors and for different occasions, so you will find something for him.
A watch from solios
These watches work with renewable energy, so it only takes for you to expose your watch to the sun to recharge. The greatest part is that the battery lasts up to 6 months, so even in the dark, they still work.
Solios also counts with a recycling program, so you can recycle your old watches and get a $50 CAD off on your next (or first) order. Honestly, I love that they thought about this, every brand should have a recycling program if they don’t have a circular business model.
Matte lava clay from no gunk
This award-winning product is considered to be the best hair product for men in 2019. It comes in an eco-friendly package and it is made with natural ingredients.
Some men really care about their hair, so why not give them the best this holiday season? You can give them a subscription or just a sample of this product so they can try it out and decide if they want a subscription later.
a perfume from dossier
Affordable and made with natural ingredients is what describes dossier perfumes.
Besides smelling delicious, they come in plastic-free packaging that is made with recycled boxes. The glass of the bottles is also 100% recyclable.
This is an affordable idea if you have lots of people to give gifts to, as you can get a discount if you buy more than 1. Just be careful with the overconsumption! Remember to be aware and just buy what you need.
A suitcase from solgaard
A suitcase that includes a closet? I’m in! This compact suitcase is made with 229 plastic bottles from the ocean. So, yeah, basically you can clean the ocean while you get a durable suitcase.
It also has a built-in shelving system, so you can literally just open your suitcase and hang everything in the closet at once.
me-made gifts
Clothes from one of our tutorials
Get crafty and make them something from our blog! This can be very meaningful to whoever receives the gift, a garment made by you, seriously the sweetest gift!
We have tutorials for beginners to more experienced sewers, so you will find something here!
A memory book
Get creative and make a scrapbook filled with the most precious memories of you and that person! Include pictures, objects, and scents. It can be a fun project to make and that person will value your effort and love it!
Bake them some cookies
You’re into baking? Check out The Loopy Wisk recipes! I’m always trying everything she puts on her blog and nothing has disappointed me so far. I swear her super fudgy raspberry stuffed brownie cookies are the BEST COOKIES EVEEEEEER! And the recipe is free, so even if you’re not giving this to anyone, you should try it for yourself!
She also has other delicious recipes, so if cookies are not your thing, maybe cupcakes or tarts are!
Trust me, I’m always baking and trying new recipes and I come back every time to The Loopy Wisk because everything is perfection. (And it also challenges my baking skills!)
Oh, oh! And did I mention she also has gluten-free and vegan recipes that also taste like heaven? Yup, this will make a great me-made gift for sure!
A frame with dry pressed flowers or leaves.
Did you travel somewhere pretty and you like collecting pieces of nature? My grandma taught this to me and now when we travel somewhere, we pick up a leaf or a flower and take it with us.
This is a sweet gift idea if you’re visiting someone and you want them to have something that reminds them of home, or simply for someone who loves nature.
just for fun gifts
A custom illustration
You know we love making illustrations and last year we made Holiday cards so you could send them to your friends & family.
This year, we’re doing it too for only $20. You choose the background, the message, and the photo and we send you your digital illustration in 3 days! Simple as that, then you can print it or digitally send it to your loved ones.
Remember what makes the holidays special is spending them with the people (and animals) we love the most. The intention is all that matters and keeping the environment and social issues in our mind while we shop is the best thing we can do.
