Repurposed Gift Wrap

Gift wrap is sneakily difficult to opt for something more eco-friendly. There’s a lot of ways to go about it. If these are gifts that are leaving your house and you have no control over whether the wrapping gets tossed or saved to reuse is a factor to keep in mind. A good entry level choice is sticking with reusing boxes, butcher paper, newspaper, or even traditional wrapping paper scraps that you already have. There are plenty of ways to spruce up the presentation which we’ll get into. Another option is to find gift wrap that is 100% recyclable or compostable. Brands like Simply Zero are a great go-to. Ready to go the extra mile? Get out of your comfort zone with fabric wrapping. Either use pieces of deadstock you have on hand or from a local retailer to make an artful gifting experience. Brands like Darn Good Yarn make reusable fabric gift wrap that can be used year after year and on a variety of occasions. Now time to add some holiday cheer. Using ribbon that can be repurposed for things such as hairbows is a great option or choosing more renewable materials such as twine that limit waste creation make for beautiful gifts that don’t have to scream ‘sustainable’.

Tackling Waste 

After the whirlwind of the holidays begins to settle there is a good chance you’ll look around your house seeing a plethora of wrapping paper and tape torn to shreds, boxes and plastic packaging. Before you go to throw everything in the garbage let’s get a little creative. If you search online trying to find different ways to recycle gift wrap you’ll probably come across blog posts telling you to repurpose it to make jewelry, ornaments, craft supplies, if you have time for those things then do it! But, there’s a lot of you reading this that might not be able to do so. Companies like Ridwell and Pact make recycling a lot easier and help consumers feel more assured especially when dealing with materials such as plastic. Get ahead of the problem and lean into sustainable entertaining, DIY decor, and sustainable gift wrap which will make tacking waste a whole lot easier.

Our biggest goal is that nothing goes to waste when celebrating but that we don’t lose the joy of the holidays. Sustainability doesn’t have to be boring, especially not for the holidays. You can still have the sparkle, shine, and coziness that is embodied during this time of year, it just takes a little more creativity but that’s what I’m here for so that you don’t even have to think about it but rather have the ideas right at your fingertips.

Clothing and Accessories

Copenhagen-based brand, Wette Mille is making some of the most unique, sustainable jewelry around. Their designs are inspired by nature, with every piece being different. The brand produces small batches and on-of-a-kind pieces of rings, necklaces, and earrings. Wette Mille is a brand that embraces self-expression and communication through design, perfect for a fashion or art aficionado. 

As temperatures drop for the season along come the questions of how to stay warm but still stylish. Besa makes high-quality, ethically sourced cashmere headscarves, perfect for keeping warm. Their collection is produced in limited quantities to ensure a slow fashion process and sustainable practices. The brand is dedicated to quality design and craftsmanship and is committed to producing timeless pieces. 

LOTI is a Peruvian-based clothing brand made completely out of upcycled materials. All of their pieces are made by hand by Peruvian artisans in Lima, where the brand is committed to investing in the community. The brand was founded in hopes of ending textile waste and giving new life to discarded fabrics. Their pieces are as chic and original as they are sustainable, making for a better way to gift clothing this season.

Vintage

Secondhand and vintage is one of the most sustainable gifting options. Little Sister NYC sources hard-to-find, vintage designer pieces. All of their products are at a reasonable price and are of great quality. Unique finds are their specialty, whether you’re looking for Chanel heels or Miu Miu purses there is a good chance Little Sister NYC has it. 

A common critique of secondhand shopping is the lack of accessible sizing. Luvsick Plus is a plus-size-only secondhand store with sizes Large to 4XL. Luvsick Plus is working to make sustainable and vintage shopping more in reach for all bodies. A lot of clothing catered to plus-sized bodies is designed to conceal rather than embrace someone’s figure, all of the store’s pieces are meant to embrace confidence, curves, and personal style. 

For the Home 

Have someone in your life who loves collecting trinkets and odd homewares? BOMI can help you find just the thing for them. Their quirky and unique home goods make for pieces of art to have around your home. They have everything from funky glassware to sculptural silverware all made by small designers from around the world. 

Olive oil has always been a staple gift, especially for those who love to cook or entertain. With the rise in popularity of oils in plastic bottles, Zero Acre Farms offers a more sustainable solution. Zero Acre Farm’s oil is a cultured all-purpose cooking oil with little environmental footprint and neutral taste making it a staple for any kitchen.

Black Friday fuels hyper consumption, that’s literally what it’s all about. It even got its name from the copious amount of smog created by shoppers sitting in packed traffic. Last year we chatted with a few small business owners including Kate Assaraf, founder of Dip Premium Hair Care to discuss how best to partake in the holiday. Dip is having a sale but only for certain items. Kate said that if this is a sale that could help people get the items they need at a more affordable price than she’s all for it. Kate is also very outspoken about the overconsumption caused by big box Black Friday and the need to opt for smaller businesses instead. 

Is choosing a small business over Amazon or a large retailer the best choice? In many ways we want to advocate for not subscribing to Black Friday at all. On the other hand, small businesses that are prioritizing sustainability need support, even on holidays that promote over consumption. Small business Saturday was created to solve this exact dilemma. Whilst great for in-person shopping at local businesses, it somewhat negates the prominence of online shopping. Black Friday has turned into a days long extravaganza not a single day experience like it once was, which further limits the reach of Small Business Saturday. Kate is really onto something and her choice behind Dip having an annual sale has far more depth than just deciding to mindlessly slap a discount on products. She’s right that this is a chance for shoppers to get what they need at a price that’s more in reach. Whereas Klur, a skincare favorite of The Unwash recently posted that they won’t be doing a Black Friday sale but rather offering a gift with purchase, citing their desire to stay firm in their values. Both options are valuable in their own way when thinking about whether or not to shop. Maybe avoid the Tik Tok shop discount roulette that makes you feel like you have to purchase something right at that moment and have a more mindful approach. Maybe Black Friday can be an opportunity for people to try a sustainable brand without the high price point that’s often associated. Below are some brands that I think are more than worthy of your support this Friday.