Giving kids gifts is so much fun- they have huge reactions and you get to feel like you really nailed it! We as adults can totally share in the child's excitement, so it is tempting to give a whole mountain of gifts! That said, the number of toys the average child has is way too high, and it causes problems. 

Just another toy and another and another leads to too many toys. 

Too many toys-

- Actually slows down their play. Studies show kids can only process so many objects, so when they have too much, they actually play less. 

-Sets up consumerist expectations. It is so easy to let family culture slide into the expectation that holidays mean getting stuff, big events mean getting stuff, etc. 

- Adds stress to their home. We know that clutter and chaos in the home correlates with stress. Even if the kids aren't feeling that, their caretakers are. 

- Destroys the planet they will be inheriting from you. This may seem overdramatic, but we know there is a proven link between overconsumerism and climte change. Toys tend to be wrapped in polluting plastic, to be used a short time before becoming trash themselves, and are often made unethically to keep those very low prices. So if your kid has 100 toys, multiply that effect by 100. If every American kid has 100 toys, multiply it by millions. These are all problems our kids will have to solve to survive; please do not add to their troubles. 

So what does environmentally responsible gifting look like? It can be so many things! 

Want some basic guidelines for gifting the kids you love? We've got them! 

1. Buy Less- Kids toys, epecially that little plastic nonsense is CHEAP. It can be really easy to get carried away and buy a bunch of things. Buy one. Even better, buy an experience. Have confidence that your choice of gift is GREAT, and you don't have to give each kid an exactly monetarily equal gift either. 

2. Buy Used - My oldest child was recently surprised to learn that all of his birthday presents over the year, minus one, have been secondhand. Kids don't know, and they definitely don't mind. Let go of any hang ups you have about secondhand stuff- it's great for the planet, so you are protecting that kid for buying it. 

3. Buy Local - Wherever you are, shop there. Start keeping an eye on where things are manufactured - do you really think children's toys should travel further than you? All that shipping has a huge footprint, the packaging pollutes, and the people making those toys are not treated fairly. Finding things that are manufactured near you matters. Finding local toy shop matters. Want to learn more about our favorite made in America toys? Check out this post. 

This post may have a few links to Amazon, where I am an affiliate, but the best thing you can do for the environment and your community is to buy secondhand or local. If you need ideas of where to shop instead, check out this post. 

Ok, time to get to presents! Let's do this. 

1. Time With You

It may feel very strange to not go buy a pile of toys from the store, but you cannot do better for the kid or the environment than an experience with you. Kids get tired of gifts pretty fast, but they will always remember that trip to the museum or the baseball game. They will remember their weekly lunch picnics with you. Let go of the idea that what they need is more stuff- they really just want time with you! I have never felt that more than this year; our house is overflowing with stuff, and what they really want is connection. 

Think about the best times you have spent with that child. What were you doing? What about their favorite things to talk about? Kids are so full-hearted with passions- how could you make an amazing memory out of that interest? 

Need ideas for experience gifts they will love? Check out this list of 99 Experience Gift Ideas. 

Worried that an experience gift won't have the same big excited reaction? Check out this post for lots of fun and memorable ideas for how to "wrap" that gift. You could be giving the gift they will remember forever. 

2. Memberships, Lessons, or Camps- Help them learn!

If you don't live nearby or don't feel comfortable taking the kid out, you can give them (and their parents) a great gift with an opportunity to learn. These types of things can add up for parents, so helping the kids get into other spaces for learning is a huge gift for everyone. 

 A membership to the zoo, a children's museum, piano lessons, a baseball camp- the opportunities are almost endless! If you don't see much near where they live (or their grown-ups can't take them a lot of places), you could also sign up for a subscription box. These are trickier, and some are better for the planet than others. We have loved doing RadDish boxes- the kids really like learning about cooking, and I think it gives them a better appreciation for food. 

So if the kid you love is an animal lover, try a zoo membership or tickets! If they love music, sign them up for a class! Do they love videogames? Try some cool streaming subscription! It doesn't have to be a physical thing for it to be the best gift ever. 

3. The Characters They Love... But from eBay

My son is absolutely obsessed with Octonauts right now. When his birthday came up, he wanted a gup! Not only are these toys expensive, but they are also incredibly wasteful, made of fresh plastic, wrapped in throwaway plastic- just not the kind of thing I want to buy. 

Lucky for me, eBay has new pre-owned Octonauts stuff go up on their website everyday. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right thing, but I usually can get my kids the gift they will go crazy for without having to buy anything new. I also write the seller and ask they don't use plastic to package the stuff unless it's secondhand. 

It's not a perfect solution, but if you have a paw patrol or frozen or ninjago crazy kid, you still don't have to rush to Amazon. You can find the same things on eBay, but secondhand, and save things from going in the landfill. 

eBay not working? You can also try Thred Up- type in the characters your kid loves and see if you can find them some cute clothes! There are so many ways to gift them what they are excited about without buying something new. 

You can also try Facebook Marketplace, your local Thrift shops, and Buy Nothing. There are so many secondhand toys out there, it makes NO SENSE to buy new! 

4. Art Supplies

Kids are wells of creativity, so art supplies can be a great place to start. If they are younger, I highly recommend looking around Facebook Marketplace or your Buy Nothing Group- there is always an easel, which is very important developmental step and chalk is lower waste than other mediums. 

Other art supplies I love?

Oil Pastels- they look amazing on cardboard, so they are great for creative reuse. Plus, all you need is cardboard boxes.

Play dough- You can make your own! It's pretty simple and fun to do. Green Toys makes fun play dough supplies. 

Recycled Paper- You can find lots of great recycled cardstock or large rolls of recycled paper for art projects. I think paper is a great gift, because we fire right through it. 

Crayons - Honeysticks or recycled crayons like eco-stars are both great options. 

There are creative reuse stores all over the country, and you can often find art supplies at secondhand stores. One of the best options is secondhand beads, which you can find almost everywhere, and they are so good for their fine motor skills. 

Not sure what to do? I have another post about low waste art-making with kids with tons of ideas.

5. Books

I want to be a minimalist parent, but books. I love books. You cannot go wrong with books, as kids learn so much from reading. You can find tons of good research about the books out there. We have a list of our favorite books to read before kindergarten AND a list about our favorite books about the planet and climate. 

The nice thing is that you can probably get a good sense from their parents about what they are interested in. 

When in doubt, get books. When trying to help the environment, get them used. Even Amazon offers most children's books secondhand (in small print just under the regular price), but you can also try Goodwill Books or Thriftbooks. 

6. A Backpack, Special Shelf, or Toy Chest

My kids tend to love spaces that are theirs, and I am so excited when we get gifts that help us stay organized. Organizational things that are just theirs can be a hugely popular gift, that honestly people don't even think of. 

For a backpack, we have a post with Etsy stores that make adorable backpacks. Another option is to check eBay. I see there are so many on there from pretty high end brands. Some of them have a monogram on it (why do people do this?) but you could easily cover them with a fun patch. 

For a shelf or toy chest, you could try making one yourself! There are also tons of shelves out there in secondhand shops. Even if it isn't exactly right, maybe a little paint could totally transform it! Etsy also has so many adorable options from book shelf tree  to toy chests you can decorate yourself. 

Other options? Their own special chairs or corners. If you don't live with them, check with their grown ups to see what might be helpful for them! It seems too practical to be fun, but kids really do appreciate their own space. 

7. Green Toys

We have loved Green Toys for years (our oldest's first bath toy was their tug boat) and they just keep getting better. Green Toys make their vehicles, play dough toys, and other plastic toys in the US with recycled plastic jugs. The toys come wrapped in recycled cardboard too, so you avoid any fresh plastic when you buy from this awesome company. Now they have collaborations with Mr Potato Head, Sesame Street, and even Disney. 

Check out their website to see all of the great toys they have. I especially recommend their clay toys- we have been using them for a long time, and they work perfectly. 

8. Adopt an Endangered Species 

If you have an animal lover on your hand, check out the World Wildlife Fund offers these extremely cool species adoptions. You can donate for a specific species (and they have ton of great ones from musk ox to the harpy eagle), and the fund will send you a stuffy that matches and information about the species. 

This is such a cool idea, not only because it is so unique, but also because it is a great way to establish with a kid that they have a responsibility to the world they live in. That species is THEIR species, so you can send them more information about them and keep them up to date on how their species is doing. If you are ready to be involved, it can set them up for an early empowering and positive experience with environmental stewardship. 

Now, that doesn't make this perfect- I can't find any information on how the stuffies themselves were made (and there is some definite irony in supporting animals by getting a kid another synthetic stuffy. That said, you could also donate to World Wildlife Fund, The National Wildlife Federation, or World Animal Foundation and make a gift pack for the kid yourself, looking for secondhand or fair trade/American made stuffies that fit your criteria.

It really depends on what your priorities are, but I think this is the kind of gift that really leaves an impact. I was talking to my six year old about this list, and he was so excited about this idea (this, and hot wheels. He feels strongly hot wheels are a very important gift). He wanted to look through all the animals and think about which one he wants to help. If you think your kid would want to choose themselves, you can also get a gift card, or make your gift the special date to pick an animal. It's all good stuff here. 

9. Open Ended Toys

The most successful toys for kids are ones with lots of possibilities. Of all the toys in our house, the ones that get the most use are Magna Tiles. These are not eco-friendly toys (though if you are lucky and work ahead, you can find them used on eBay or Facebook Marketplace), but if we were only going to have one toy in our house, these would be it. 

Some people have similar experiences with other kinds of blocks and wooden toys, so if you are set on buying toys, I would start there. Etsy has a large collection of wooden blocks. Uncle Goose is my favorite brand of made in America blocks. Researching wooden toys is it's own passtime, but if you are interested in Grimm's or other brands, be sure to check eBay and other secondhand spaces before you buy new! 

The moral here? We are tempted to get things that are branded or charactered, because we now they will get that immediate wow factor. It's true, but it's not necessarily lasting. If you want to get them the toy that never runs out of possibilities, keep it as simple and open-ended as possible. 

10. Outdoors Toys

We protect what we love. If we want to raise a generation of kids who care about the environment, the most important thing we can do now is help them fall in love with nature. Working toward this goal could take a lot of different forms- 

- Give the gift of a hike once a month. 

- Make them a Mud Kitchen! All you need is an old coffee table (or palettes, or scrap wood), and lots of beat up pots and kitchen tools. If you have never heard of this and want inspiration, this post is a good place to start. 

-Nature Journals. A regular sketch book can become a special place to document discoveries and ideas. We love Field Notes and Decomposition books. 

-Gardening Tools. A shovel and a bucket can go a long, long way. If you want, you can ask your local bakery for one of their frosting buckets for free. 

Alright, we made it! Want more ideas? Check out our Green Stocking Stuffer List and our page with all of our gift guides (we have tons!). Ok, what is your favorite kids' gifts to give?

One of the worries I hear most about giving children experience gifts is that they won't really understand what they are getting. With adults, you can hand them a gift card and they will totally get it- in fact they will probably be excited! One less thing to clean, one more to remember.

Kids aren't so simple.

Most kids "get" toys. By 3, you can count on them to get pretty excited when you put a toy in front of them.

Experience gifts are more abstract, and it means that they don't always get that big reaction. It is hard to forego the complete joy of watching a kid opening a toy when you aren't even sure that the kid you love will understand what is in front of them.

You are messing with all sorts of expectations- toys are NOW, some experience gifts are later. Toys are NEW so they seem SPECIAL, experience gifts can seem actually kind of normal- people take kids to stuff all the time! It can be hard for them to differentiate between something for them or just another thing.

All of these things can make gifting experiences to people intimidating, and the younger they are, the harder it can be to tell if you are getting it right or totally wrong. But the truth is, kids need experience gifts more than anyone; we know that kids actually play less if they have more toys. We know that they need our presence, our complete attention, and our enthusiasm. We know that they need us to care about their interests and to invest in their learning.

Experience Gifts are absolutely the best- here are 99 of our best ideas for a gift they will never forget.

Just ask yourself- how many gifts can you actually remember your parents/aunts/grandparents giving to you? Now think of your best memory with them. Which makes your heart feel full? We can give kids so much by simply caring about them and spending time with them.

So, how do you give an experience gift and still get that excited reaction? I have some ideas!

1. Say it with Art

Kids make art often, and they tend to understand visual languages WAY more than we give them credit for. You can do something simple, like decorate a card with drawings inside. You could make a sculpture or a diorama that they can play with out of clay or just hot glue and the garbage in your house. It does NOT have to be fancy! Think about how many things children make for others, and how little as adults we make for them.

Taking them to a show or movie? Make one of the characters out of cardboard! Something where you can use recycled materials and they can keep/use it a long time is always the best option.

It doesn't have to look beautiful. It just has to have your enthusiasm in it, and you have to be ready to talk about it with them. They will remember that forever. Don't be afraid to be creative- and you can always ask Pinterest for help!

2. Start a Countdown

Did you get tickets for both of your to a basketball game? A weekend at a water park? Print out a picture of where you are going (bonus points if you photoshop them in there). Then make a paper chain of the number of days until the big event. Kids love counting down to things, and it just means that get to enjoy the anticipation phase completely.

3. A Token or a Tool

If you are gifting lessons, think about what kinds of tools they might need to finish the job? When we first got our niece piano lessons, we got two little piano books of music she knew as a gift to go with it. Honestly, I have no idea if she ever used them (though now I bet she could!), but the books full of notes made it clear what she was getting.

4. Use Lots of Pictures

Make a little book of pictures explaining what you are going to do. You can print out a cover that says "Mama and Bob's Special Day." If you are getting an experience

5. Make a Scavenger Hunt

Send the kiddo on a journey through the house to find clues for their gift. It makes the whole thing so exciting, and you can give them little clues about the destination as you go. I have also heard of tying ribbon to tickets, and then running the ribbon all around the house. They can follow the ribbon to the big reveal!



Doing an experience gift is so much better for the kid and it's better for the planet. You can make the whole gift, from the giving to the experience itself so special and memorable that it will totally blast that old toy out of the water. It just takes a little creativity and thoughtfulness about who this little person really is. And that is really what they need from you anyway! Happy Gifting!

So your kid has a teacher you really love, and now is the time of year to show your appreciation. That's awesome! Now, repeat after me "I will not buy this poor soul yet another mug..."

There is so much EPICALLY bad advice out there for teacher's gifts. Most teachers do not need a cutesy mason jar to put their pens in. Or another mug with their name on it. Or candy dressed up in some sort of extra cutesy packaging (that in the end is just extra waste). They are out of room for Knick Knacks, and they don't need something else with an apple on it. I love that people want to do something kind, but these are probably all options worth skipping.



You can give your kid's teacher a gift that they will actually love AND it will be better for the environment. More stuff is just more waste, so when you approach gifts, think about it this way:

Buy Less Stuff- We tend to pick gifts with lots of parts- a gift card! And a mug! With some candy in it! And maybe some pencils or something! At some point, we all internalized this idea that what we are giving isn't enough, so we sprinkle extras on everything. That is a waste! I have seen my dad's wife, an elementary school teacher, come home with gobs of these ribbons and candies and bows- what an they do with all of that? Instead, think simple and useful.

This means that experience gifts and gift cards might be the best thing you can offer. Maybe your help fixing something could be the best gift! It may not make a flashy display, but it means something to them. That's a successful gift.

Buy Secondhand- If you are going to go for classroom supplies to help this teacher out, check out eBay, secondhand stores, and creative reuse stores (there are more out there than you think). You can buy them heaping piles of markers or construction paper for a few dollars, and it will last them much longer.

Buy American- If you want to help the environment, buy things from companies that still manufacture in the US. The further items travel, the higher their carbon footprint, and the more waste they make. You can read more about this on the Green School Shopping list, but by simply buying American-made Crayolas over other crayons, you can have a positive impact.

Buy to Help

Being a teacher is an epically difficult and undersupported job- your support, from a thoughtful letter to a donation to an underserved classroom will be the most powerful gift you can give. Stop thinking about impressing people or keeping up with the Joneses, and think about support instead.

Alright, it's gift idea time! Let's do this.

A Kind Note or Picture

No matter what you decide to gift your kid's teacher, a word of encouragement will be the thing they remember most. Just write them a note to say thank you. Have your kid write a list about their favorite parts of class. Have them draw a picture. Work together with your kid and be specific!

That teacher needs that encouragement, and too often we mask our appreciation in general gifting instead of being specific and vulnerable. If you don't want to be too doting (afraid it looks like you are sucking up), you can still gift a homemade picture or card and save the serious praise for the end of the year.

A Homemade Ornament

Ok, this can be perfect if you don't have a ton of money or if you want to pair something with a (less personal) gift card. Make a small ornament with your kiddo, and put their name and year on it. This can make for a really sweet gift without taking up a ton of room. I have read a lot of teachers love to see how they add up over decades of teaching.

THAT SAID, know your audience. Some teachers love this sort of thing, and some hate it. Easiest way to find out which you are getting a gift for? Just ask! You won't ruin any surprise.

Grocery Cards

So many teachers are struggling to get by, so rather than another cutesy mug, getting them something completely practical like a gift card for groceries. This can help them get through the month of December OR have their own extra spending money for gifts. Just think, if your kid's whole class bought grocery cards as the gift, you could keep that teacher fed for quite a while!

Supplies (or a Gift Card for Supplies)

We all know that many (most) teachers are investing a lot of their own money into their classrooms and supplies, because they don't have the funding they need. You could help by buying bulk sets of crayons (do Crayola, who at least is still made in the US), tissue boxes, or just ask them what they need/want! For eco-friendly and American-made school supplies, check out this list. Soap and/or hand-sanitizer can also be big wins for them.

Also, a really nice set of sharpies or pens can be a big treat. Those things have a way of sneaking off. And who doesn't love the feeling of an excellent pen? My favorite are these recycled plastic ones from Pilot.

If that feels like a big leap, gift cards to teacher supply stores or bookstores can be a really sweet gift as well.

Experiences

Movie tickets, gift cards, concert tickets, restaurant gift certificates. They can't always treat themselves, but these experience gifts take care of them in a really fun and positive way. Want to really make their day? Find out where they go out for drinks or coffee with their coworkers, and get a gift card to treat them to a few drinks (alcohol or otherwise). For a whole host of experience gift ideas, check out this list.

Use your Skills

Have you noticed something that the teacher might need in the room? Things that need fixed or laminated or built? This may seem crazy, but offer to fix it. Sometimes they don't have even have the time to address little problems like these, but maybe you do. Another great one might be to take all those crayon nubbins they have sitting around and melt them down into new crayons for them! It is good for the Earth, and it saves money for the future.

Every teacher can use some sort of help- you can totally volunteer!

A Donation

Have a teacher that is passionate about the environment? Or other cultures? Or has everything for their classroom (but knows other teachers aren't so lucky)? Instead of giving them another gift or tchochky, give a donation in their honor. It could be to an organization you know they care about or to another teacher who is struggling through Donors Choose.

The best teachers tend to be really caring people, so I guarantee you, they are passionate about something. It will feel good for them to know you are helping the world in their honor. You can help in their mission to make the world a little bit better.

Want more ideas for donation gifts? Check out this list of ideas.

Car Wash or Gas Station Gift Cards

I cannot think of anything more practical, but they need this stuff! Treat them to something they need, and they can treat themselves to something they want.

Something to Eat (or Coffee to Drink)

If you want to give them a treat, ask around about their favorites, and actually make something. I know that bag of candy is easier, but all of that individually wrapped goodness creates a lot of waste. Better to make your own truffles or cookies or fudge and cut down on the plastic.

That said, it also doesn't have to be baked! One of my teacher friends says she is already feeling oversugared. Something else to share in the lounge will be a welcome break from the cookies. Want to be just as popular without the work? Buy some ethical coffee for the teachers to share in the lounge- they move right through it!

A Plant

We know that indoor plants can improve the air quality and mental health of everyone in the room. A simple potted plant (maybe with the note "thanks for helping me grow") could be an excellent gift for a teacher and their classroom.

Ok teachers, what am I missing off of this list? What is your favorite gift you ever gave a teacher?

So your friend or family member got new digs, and they are ready to celebrate. It’s always tricky to know what to bring to these things. Housewarming parties usually imply some sort of gift (unless they explicitly say otherwise), but it would be nice to give a gift that doesn’t add to the home’s cluttering. They are just getting started there, how could they possibly want a bunch of clutter!?

For many of us, this also poses an environmental challenge. Most fruit baskets and the like come wrapped in plastic, and we don’t want to put money into something that is just going to land in a landfill. So what do you give them instead?

Here are my best ideas for gifts that will help the home start on a green foot. Bonus, they will likely be favorite gifts for a long, long time!

1. Hours of Help

Home ownership is kind of the worst. Everything is your problem, and if they have recently moved in, they probably have an overwhelming list of to do’s, just ready to bog down their weekends. You can make that to do list a little bit fun by offering to come help paint the bathrooms or stain the deck or plant that bush. It will be way more fun with your help.

If you live nearby, there is no better gift than a (fulfilled) promise to help with the upcoming projects that are just a part of moving into a new space. If you can trust them to take you up on it, offer painting help or help moving. Gift something edible with a little coupon good for 3 hours of help.

from 112JamesStreet

2. Cloth Napkins

Cloth Napkins are the easiest eco- friendly switch you can make, and once you get in the habit of using them, you will wonder why you EVER used paper ones. There are so many beautiful (but unfussy) ones, so this could make a really nice gift.

There are thousands of options for cloth napkins on Etsy, and you can read our post on our favorite stores for cloth napkins. You can find one for any style, and it can (and should!) be a gamechanger for anyone.

3. Toilet Paper

Feeling generous? Buy the family a big old box of bamboo toilet paper from Who Gives a Crap? and enjoy how weird you have made things. But you know that it will get used, that you have kept trees from coming down, and that you made zero plastic waste with that gift. And I bet they will never forget it!

4. A Tree or Plant

If someone is celebrating a new home with a yard, help them celebrate that space with a beautiful native plant or tree. It’s amazing for the environment (we now know one of the best chances we have against Climate Change is to simply plant an epic number of trees- no more weird empty grass lawns). It is also amazing for their home- it raises the value, keeps the house cooler, and even can help minimize depression in the household. Trees and plants are IMPORTANT. You get bonus points if you help plant it.

If they don’t have a yard, you can still gift a beautiful potted plant or (even tastier) a little herb garden. If you want a cool planter, check out these ones we found on Etsy. Plants are happiness, so you are basically gifting happiness here.

5. Cloth Grocery and Produce Bags

Many of us have cloth grocery bags, but maybe not as many as you think. You can give this gift in a number of eco-friendly ways. First, head to your local thrift shops and buy them four or five tote bags that would work for this purpose.

If you can't find them used, you can still get them new. For grocery and produce bags, I recommend keeping it simple; a cotton tote- you can get thousands of them (21,000 just on Etsy), so you can gift a sassy one or support one of their favorite businesses or organizations. These extra large ones make a lot of sense,

For produce bags, I absolutely love Colony Co Reusable Bags- once you try these, you will never want to go back to plastic. They are strong and weirdly pretty. We have been using the same bunch for a long time, and they really hold up.

6. Bamboo Toothbrushes

A little personal? Maybe. But toothbrushes create a pretty significant amount of plastic waste. It could be cute with a candy bar or a baked sweet treat.

Plastic toothbrushes put all sorts of nonsense chemicals in your mouth (and it isn't regulated particularly, so it is worth it to be wary), you have two better options- bamboo or Preserve's recycled foodsafe plastic toothbrushes.

One BIG tip- If you are trying to gift without plastic (GO YOU!), really look at the reviews of the bamboo toothbrush you choose. LOTS of people complain of buying a bamboo toothbrush only to have it arrive in plastic. If you shop somewhere mainstream like Amazon, you can find that information, so take the time to do so (but try a shop like The Refill Revolution or Tiny Yellow Bungalow instead- it takes hutspah to run a small business and even more to serve the Earth at the same time).

from Amazon

7. Dish Brushes and Dust Pans

If you want to get something that is practical, ethically-made, AND beautiful, it does not get much better than Redecker. They make dust pans and dish brushes suddenly seem like pretty precious objects. So it seems like a sweet gift while still being incredibly practical AND cutting down on plastic waste.

The other great thing about this brand is that they sell refills, so they can keep using the same brush for a long, long time. I love this gift idea so much.

8. Bar Soap

Bar soap is a simple gift that can perfectly fit their taste, support a local business, AND cuts down on plastic waste! Skip Bath and Bodyworks (the gift that says "I don't know you") and get your loved one something made nearby that smells amazing and saves the world. Bar soap beats liquid hands down, so your budding environmentalist might be all about the saved plastic. If you want something you can get online, Kiss my Face's olive oil soap (wrapped in paper) is my favorite face soap.

Bar soap yields over 100,000 finds on Etsy, so narrow it down by geography and see what is being made near you. Or ask at local shops and grocery stores. I would LOVE this gift, as I love trying new soaps.

9. Dryer Balls

Dryer Balls are a perfect gift- they will get tons of use, and they keep those dryer sheets out of the trash. I got these a few years ago as a Christmas gift and LOVED it. They have lasted for hundreds of loads, and they have to be one of the simplest switches away from wasteful living.

 You can see my list of dryer balls here. Don't want to poke around? Ok, buy these.

10. A Co-op Box or Local Goodies

So many places have farm subscription boxes or csa boxes now. Our small town we grew up in even has one. If you want to add a little bit of local flavor to their new home, the boxes can be really inspiring when there are new foods and resources to try! The more a diet hinges on plants instead of animals, the better it is for the environment, so you can help to shift that focus.

You can't go wrong with consumables, and the more local, the better. Think about what local treats are available and maybe you will get inspired too! If nothing comes to mind, you could always bring something you made.




Have a housewarming coming up? Try one of these awesome gifts! What are your favorite green gifts to give?

from TheLonelyHeartCo

You made it a whole decade!!! You are kicking long term commitment butt! 10 years is a long time, and clearly it's time to celebrate. That said, depending on your partner, ten year can be an awfully large amount of stuff to accrue as well.

Experience Tin Gifts

Cookie Tin Day. Buy a pile of vintage cookie tins (there are about 2,000 of them on Ebay, for like 10 bucks a piece). Surprise your partner with a day together making tons of cookies. Have it be really fun and just about the two of you. Then, wrap up the cookies and mail them to every member of your wedding party in cookie tins. Send one to your officient or to someone who made a huge impression at your wedding. Do what makes it meaningful to you, and just have fun with it!

Go Skydiving. Ok! Not related to tin in any direct way, but my best suggestion is to take a big leap. Studies show that having new and exciting experiences is one of the best ways to keep the romance alive. Sounds like a tenth anniversary to me! Compare bucket lists and do something a little bit crazy. Surprise yourself, surprise each other. Get a burst of renewed energy to power you into your second decade.

Romantic Tin Gifts

Candles. If your partner is a candle person, you can find soy-based candles (much better for you and the environment than petroleum based) that come in cute little tin cases. I love these ones from PurePalette, and I just discovered these soy tea light candles from NewMoonBeginnings. Relaxing and potentially romantic?

from LUPESGALLERY

Romantic Lighting. Tin is still used for quite a bit of lighting. You could get something special, but still practical, like this lamp from NanandPopsAttic. Or, you could go big and add a really romantic lighting to your space with tin star lights like these ones from LUPESGALLERY. These lights look so special to me, and it might be a nice way to mark your own spaces as just a little bit magical (without being too childish).

Sentimental Tin Gifts

Tin Can Lanterns. If you want to make something, you could try making perforated tin lanterns. You can even just make them out of tin cans! These little perforated lanterns create really magical light, and could be a really special way to decorate any outdoor space you have.

from Tinworks

A Tree Topper. If you celebrate Christmas, but you have never really landed on a tree topper you love, I can see these tin toppers from Tinworks being really special. Like an heirloom for grandkids to love and associate with you. And they have lots of neat tin items if you are just looking for somewhere to start. You can find lots of Christmas ornaments made out of recycled tin like these from PearTreeArt.

Tin Gifts for your Home

from GneissSpice

Spice Tins. You have been married for ten years! No denying it, you are an adult. So, instead of having a raggedy cupboard of plastic McCormick bottles, switch to these metal spice tins that you can even put on your fridge! You can get your spices in bulk and cut way down on the plastic in your life. I love these ones from GneissSpice, but you could also try these ones from dellcovespices.

House Numbers. This may seem cheesy, but maybe your house is ready for a refresh, and the details can make a big difference! I had no idea, but you can find so many great-looking and American-made house numbers if you stay out of Home Depot. If I could do it again, I would get my house numbers from TrueNorthHome or the recycled numbers from Modern House Numbers. Check out these ones from Up North Signs, DropMetal. Montague Metal, or Whitehall.

from TamiandDani

Bread Box. I feel like my parents had bread boxes in their kitchens, but that our generation doesn't really use them. You could potentially cut down on your plastic use, start buying paper-wrapped bread, and putting them in a beautiful bread box like this one from TamiandDani.

from HouseofCrazi

Wall Decor- There is a lot of cool wall art out there that is made of tin (doubly cool when they make it with recycled tin). My favorite are vintage bobeches, which you can find all over Etsy on vintage stores like BeadGarden5 (and look like they would be so pretty in an industrial, vintage, or rustic home).They are meant for Christmas tree lights (you can see it on Quantities of Quaint), but you could arrange them on the wall for a beautiful look as well. I also love these metal letters from HouseofCrazi. Rustaroundtheedges makes pretty cursive signs out of tin.

from creationsbyingrid1

If you want something more sentimental, these personalized family trees from creationsbyingrid1 are very sweet. It might be the perfect gift for the softy you love.


A Tin Ceiling or Backsplash- I think these are the coolest, and they might be just the kind of thing you would like in your space, but you never actually went for it. Now's the time! Spice it up. Skip traditional, buy this as a gift, and then work together to put it up.

Practical Tin Gifts

Baking Tins. Maybe it is time to replace cupcake tins or bread tins that have had a ton of use in the course of your years. Most aren't made of tin anymore (though you can find antique ones that are), but buying metal tins and pans could be a practical gift that still nods to the history you already have. My favorite pans are from USA Pan, though they do have some chemicals people don't approve of. You could also do cookie cutters if you think your partner would find that fun!

from Plastic Free Zone

Soap Tins. So, you have finally broken up with liquid soap? AWESOME! It's better for your life and the environment. But, traveling with bar soap can be a real pain in the butt. These soap tins from PlasticFreeZone are a great solution if you want to travel with your bar soap without risking sticky mess.

Kitchen tools. Back in the old days, kitchen tools like spatulas and whisks were made out of tin. You can skip the actual tin but connect to that history by buying some refreshed metal kitchen tools.

Camping Tin Cups. If you are a couple of campers, one of the sweetest (but also practical) gifts I have found is tin coffee mugs. These look like coffee out in the woods, and they are practical enough to last you many, many years. Some are actually enamelware, but they are in the spirit of these old metal cups.

Lunch Boxes. There are 10 THOUSAND secondhand metal lunchboxes on Ebay alone. A vintage lunch box is waiting to hold your lunch or other things. At my house, it holds my make up. Lots of practical uses.

Tin Jewelry Gifts

from Eternalprints

from TinBoxDesigns

from CellarDoorShoppe

from christineterrell

from TinForTen

from busybeeschickadeez

from TheMadCutter

Happy anniversary, lovebirds! Way to make it to ten years- on to twenty!




If you want more wedding and anniversary ideas, check out the Green Wedding and Anniversary page. If you just want more gift and shopping inspiration, check out the Giant List of Shopping Lists page. 

Ok, I have a secret for you about gifting for one-year-olds...

They have no idea they are getting presents.

You can give them things, but they don't really get it.

Have you ever watched a baby try to open presents at a first birthday party? They are usually completely uninterested (or enjoy the wrapping way more than the gifts). The adults around them act excited for the gifts, or try to get the little one excited, but mostly? Not a ton of awareness.


So we can safely assume that every gift you give a one-year-old is as much for you or for the parents as it is for the bub.

But it's their birthday! Or it's Christmastime! Or this thingy is really dang cute!

We teach our kids that getting stuff matters. We teach them that it is normal, but when you watch a one-year-old "open" gifts, you can't have much doubt that they wouldn't get there on their own. So we have the power to redefine normal, different than how we grew up. We can stop focusing on materialism and make holidays about celebrating, not receiving. You can help break that cycle now!

And we need to. We know that Climate Change is a real and deep threat to these babies' future, and we know that consumerism plays a significant role in this. We have to change our culture (one seemingly unimportant purchase at a time) to protect their lives. That's way more important than any gift you can give them.

This blog uses Etsy and Amazon affiliate links. That said, I highly recommend you don't shop from Amazon, and instead pick up one of these great gifts at a locally-owned shop near you. They are still out there, and you can help them survive by shopping this way. 

That doesn't mean you can't give the best gift in the bunch. I will prove it to you. Let's do this.

1. Experiences

Babies at this age are absolute sponges, soaking up everything around them. They may not have the words to tell you yet, but opportunities to see new things and explore the world are absolutely important to them. Also important, if they have a stay at home parent, the opportunity to get out of the house is extremely important. A happy parent means a happy baby.

So instead of buying more.... freaking... stuff... consider doing an experience gift. What Parent and Baby classes are available near where they are? What about museums or play spaces? This focus may seem too early- they won't remember these gifts- but honestly, they won't remember the random stuff you would buy them either. Some new experiences (and some photo-printing gift cards for baby's parents) is actually the best gift you can give a baby.

2. Your Garbage

Haha! You think I am kidding, but I am so not. For our son's first birthday, we asked his party guests to bring something from their recycling bin... and he loved it. You know that cliche about how toddler only care about the box? It's true. So bring that little one a really great box (you can even decorate it if you are feeling fancy).

It really can be straight from the recycling (as long as it is safe. I guarantee you the kid will be all about it, and the people who give you funny looks at the beginning of the party will think you are a baby genius by the end.

from Marley's Monsters

3. Eating Tools, Snack Storage, and Sippy Cups

 Toys make great or at least cute presents, but as a mom, I now live in fear of them taking over our house. You can help these new parents survive by skipping toys and buying them the useful items they need. These little ones will quickly grow out of their veggie mush and baby bottles, so getting the next phase of eating stuff could be fun and helpful! It may not seem like a fun gift, but the Bub carried around a spoon for two+ hours today, so he would tell you differently.

If the baby or his/her parents are obsessed with their lifefactory glass bottles (like I am), you could get them the sippy cup tops, so those same bottles can last multiple years.

Green Eats sells all recycled, Made in the USA silverware set that we already use all the time with our adventurous eater. I think Re-play has the best selection of sippy cups, plates, and Snack Stack. Reusable snack containers is the ultimate gift for a one year old- awesome for the parents, good for the Earth, and it will get use for years and years.

If the family you are shopping for is trying to do things plastic-free (for good reason- plastic's connection to cancer is becoming clearer and clearer).  We have these stackable containers from Kids Konserve, and we use them every day to lug around cheerios and raisins (The Bub enjoys using them to bang on things on the daily). Snack bags like these ones from Marley's Monsters are also excellent.  Secondhand Corelle is also perfect for toddler use, as it is essentially unbreakable without being plastic (and you can find tons on Ebay.

from Nooches

4. Clothes (The Useful Kind)

 If you want to give a kickass gift of clothing, I have two very important tips for you. First, buy in a variety of sizes (12-18, 18-24, and 2T maybe?), because parents of babies are always thinking ahead to the next size.

Second, buy basics and one cool thing, avoid cutesy sets or outfits that can't really be used on a regular basis. We always need pants, socks, and pajamas. We are in less need of baby suits or foofy dresses (moms of girls please let me know what you think is most useful). We have no need for anything that says "Daddy's Future Accountant" or the like. Babies are cute on their own, so you don't have to point out how cute they are.

About 90-95% of our Bubs' wardrobes are secondhand (from hand me downs or consignment), and I know I would think it was cool if people bought clothing items at places like these for gifts. For example, you can buy one super cute button up onesie on the Gap for about 30 bucks. Or you can buy 5 or 6 of them in consignment for the same amount of money. You can get a lot more bang for your buck!

If I am going to buy new, I want to buy ethical. For basics,  I like LA-Made City Threads or fair trade companies like Pact or Etsy stores like Nooches.

 If you want to get something with a bit more impact, you have lots of great options as well! Winter Water Factory makes their jammies, sweats, and dresses in really fun and unique prints.On Etsy, you can get all kinds of baby leggings that are basically the cutest things ever. If Etsy trends are any indication, all toddlers will be wearing these- my favorite came from Lola and Stella, but you can also check this post for baby stuff and this post for toddlers.

5. A Wet Bag

Another option would be a reusable Wet Bag for the parents' diaper bag. It is such a simple gift, but accidents, messes, and really great puddles happen. This reusable number can keep hundreds of plastic bags out of a landfill. You could pair it with a Tuffo Muddy Buddy or baby boots to get muddy (Kamik is our favorite).

6. Bubbles

They easily fit in your diaper bag and are endly fascinating to small people. Not expensive, but sometimes the simplest gift is the one that kicks everything else's ass. I think bubbles are the gift that makes the baby ignore all the fancy plastic Fisher Price nonsense. A perfect little addition to any gift. Bonus points if you reuse a container and make the bubbles yourself.

Uncle Goose on Amazon

7. Blocks

We love Uncle Goose blocks. This company sells many great sets of good old fashioned wooden blocks, all of which would make a beautiful gift, but I LOVE our nursery rhyme blocks, because it opens up multiple avenues for play and learning at once. We can build towers and I read the nursery rhymes off the block as we do it (I forgot them all). I imagine Uncle Goose as Mother Goose's kid brother, so it serves reason that he make this spectacularly cool block set for those of us who need a nursery rhyme refresher. They also make regular alphabet blocks and ones in other languages for all the bilingual babies out there!

If you think your little one is ready for duplos, definitely get them used! They are everywhere secondhand. Only fools buy Duplos new.

If you are looking for something bigger, Mondo Bloxx are made of cardboard in the USA. Skip the Melissa and Doug nonsense, and support a real American business instead.

8. Books

If you want a gift guaranteed to have a positive impact on the child you love, you cannot do better than books. This year, the little baby you love will transform into a verbal little person; books can make a profound difference in this development! Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Blue Hat, Green Hat were the first books my kids could read and participate with easily (and before turning two). I can't send enough love toward these two books.

 If you want to buy board books, I recommend looking at children's consignment stores first, because board books are almost all printed elsewhere. If you want something tactile, you can get soft quiet books at Etsy stores like Rose in Bloom Creations. On the other hand, most regular children's books are still printed in the US, so you can support children's writers, illustrators, and publishers.

I am no expert, but a few of our favorites so far are The Pout Pout Fish, Giraffes Can't Dance, Pigeon Wants a Puppy, and The Monster at the End of this Book.

9. A Date Night (and babysitting?) for the Parents

Happy parents = happy baby. It's another one of those gifts that encourages family survival, so I am all about it. Yes, it may seem weird to buy a gift for the parents for a first birthday party or holiday gift. But it is GENIUS and everyone benefits (it may even make you the favorite party guest). 

Poor parents that are exhausted can't be good parents, and sometimes people need a reason to go for it, but a dinner out (or going to a movie, do you know how much new parents miss going to the movies?) might make a perfect gift!

Green Toys on Amazon

10. Green Toys Tug Boat, Airplane, or Kitchen Set

 When I found out we were having a boy, I had waking nightmares of trucks, hot wheels, and race cars. Eeek! And you know what? Even though I tried to keep it from my kids, all little ones love things with wheels. Those plastic toys are popular for a reason, but one company can keep you from wrecking the environment while making your favorite little person happy.

It doesn't get better than Green Toys. These gems are made in the US out of recycled plastic. With that much good behind them, it's hard to fight with a convertible or boat or helicopter.

We have so many Green Toys, and they remain beloved by kiddos and mother alike. If you want to go the toy route, these are a homerun. They also have super cool cups (perfect for the bath), gardening sets (a PERFECT activity with a toddler), and way more. Check them out. No one is paying me to sing their praises, I just genuinely think they are the best.

If you have another plasticy gift you are dying to give, may I suggest trying Buy Nothing or thrift shopping before you get it? Fisher Price is just the worst for the environment, so even if their toy is oh so cute, it may not be worth it.

11. Artifact Uprising Gift Certificate

I have an addiction to photo books, but I think that this makes a good gift for anyone who spawned, because they took lots of pictures in the last year. Artifact Uprising offers lots of products, but even if they just want to put their instagram pictures into an album, the site makes that happen pretty easily.And they print on recycled paper, so way better for the Earth!

from Amazon

12. A First Wagon or Outdoor Toy

Wagons are a rock solid gift idea, because they will probably need one in the coming year, and children love them. You can also find one used pretty easily. My son loves putting things in things and taking them out over and over again. Those little red wagons are all made in China, so let's look at some other options (though we got a radio flyer secondhand, and it continues to make life so much easier)- Berlin has a wood wagon made in the US. If you want a plastic one, Step2 wagons are listed as Made in the USA and look like the kind of thing you take to a parade.

Other outdoor toys can be real winners as well- Little Tykes still makes about half of their stuff in the US (be sure to check if this matters to you). We have one of their little cars at my Nana's house that was a hand me down when she got it 20 years ago, and it is still a grandchild favorite. So this could make for an awesome gift? Even cooler? Buy an old faded one and refinish it in colors all their own!



Want to buy your little one something amazing but still take care of the Earth? We have so many ideas for you! Be sure to check out our Stocking Stuffers for Kids post.

Want more gift ideas? We have thousands! Check out the Green and Easy Gifts Page for sustainable gift ideas for everyone on your list. If you want more holiday ideas, check out the Green Family page.