Eco-friendly stocking stuffers

2020 Eco-Conscious Stocking Stuffer Ideas

As two moms who care about the planet that our children will inherit, we're sharing our ideas for stocking stuffers that won't head straight for the landfill. We know finding environmentally-conscious stocking stuffers can be challenging, and it's generally easier and cheaper to buy little bits of plastic at the checkout line. Whilst nothing is truly sustainable, these ideas are greener without costing a fortune.

We've done the legwork for you, so you can save time on not doing eco-friendly research, and spend more time enjoying the season with your family. These gifts that are made from sustainable materials, or materials that won't take hundreds of years to biodegrade. Some are made right here in the USA. (Unfortunately, some of these gifts will still arrive in plastic - but it's a start!)

Read through for:
- gift recommendations for each person in your family 

- DIY stocking stuffer ideas
- our list of a couple of companies we love for their commitment to sustainability

And, for a surefire hit, there's always our best-selling Cookie Pop Kits, which come in the cutest little gift bag for a simple and totally delicious baking project. Our post on eco-friendly party favor ideas is also a great place to visit!

 

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids

 Crayon Rocks

Crayon Rocks $28.50

These eco-friendly crayons were created by a special education teacher and are great for the classroom or the home. These crayons create vibrant colors with a beautiful texture. 

Cooking Play-doh set

Little Chef Organic Playdough Set $24.99

Create the perfect holiday meal with this adorable play doh set. It comes with all the tools necessary to make a delicious dish everyone will want to try. Bonus: Its packaging is plastic free! 

Rain Stick Instrument

Rain Stick Instrument $19.99

Increase holiday cheer with this beautiful maraca. Your little one can join in on the musical fun or combine with other Plan Toys instruments to start a band.

Chocolate Cookie Pop Kit $12

Swap your New Year's sparklers for an edible version! This baking project serves double-duty, keeping your kids entertained during holiday break, and gives them something to celebrate even after Christmas or Hanukkah is over.

Preserve toothbrushes

Preserve Toothbrushes 6 for $10.99

Preserve is a certified B-corp company who makes their products out of recyclable number 5 yogurt containers! Return 6 toothbrushes to Preserve to recycle again and they will give you $6 in credit!

Charades for Kids Games

Charades for Kids $5.97

No Christmas is complete without a game of Charades in my house. This simpler kids version is huge fun. There is a board game version that is 3x the price and comes with a dice and hourglass timer- which isn't really necessary!

I Can Draw book

I Can Draw $5.19

Kids love art and this I Can Draw book teaches a step-by-step technique using simple shapes that will have you and your kids drawing all sorts of animals. I love that the repetition of the shapes makes it easy to remember.

Ella and me non toxic nail polish

Ella and me nail polish $7.61

Made in the USA, vegan and free of the 7 nasties: Formaldehyde, Toluene, DiButyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor. They have lots of fun colors too!

Grateful Together Book

Grateful Together $10.69

If like me, you have a child who could perhaps do with being more appreciative of what they have, practicing gratitude is a great way to start. Bonus- Brene Brown says children who practice gratitude are more likely to live fulfilling lives and bounce back when the going gets tough. This book guides kids through a journal practice, prompting them to write down their feelings on certain subjects.  

 

Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Mom

Eco Hair Care

Ethique Eco Friendly Hair Sampler $15.99

Wait, shampoo doesn’t have to come in a bottle? NOPE!  Ethique Eco Friendly Hair Sampler is a mix of shampoo and conditioner beauty bars that can slide perfectly into everyone’s stocking. Made with biodegradable ingredients and compostable packaging, these make the perfect fit for your mother and Mother Nature.

Bees Wrap

Assorted Set of 3 Sustainable Bees Wrap $18.00

Food storage doesn't have to lead to food waste. These reusable wraps can be reused for up to one year and are easy to clean. Wrap anything from cheese to a bowl to keep your food fresh and enjoy when you’re ready.

 

Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Dad
Camping lunch kit

Biobased All-in-One Lunch Kit $21.99

Outdoor activities are on the rise in 2020 and camping trips have replaced other forms of vacation. These reusable meal camping kits are a great gift for your favorite outdoors wo(men). 

After Shave Balm

Aftershave Balm $20.00 

Combat irritate, dry, flaky skin with this all natural, relieving balm. Save your skin from the elements and our planet from waste.

 

Family Gift Ideas

Grow your own mushroom kit

Grow your Own Mushroom Farm $18.67

Even if your child doesn't eat mushrooms, growing them is a huge amount of fun!  

Snowman bath bomb

Snowman Bath Bomb $15.95

Non-toxic bath fun couldn't be more fun. A seasonal bath bomb will have your kids excited to jump in the bath - and when does that ever happen?! (Bonus - it comes with a surprise ring, valuing from $15 to $5,000!)

Wildflower Seed Balls

Wildflower Seed Balls $13.99

We all need more color in our lives. These vibrant seed balls will turn an open space into a beautiful garden of inviting wildflowers. Local pollinators rejoice!

Sea Turtle bracelet

4Ocean Recycled Sea Turtles Bracelet $20.00

Making a fashion statement, while making a difference- what could be better? These bracelets (come in 4 different designs) are made from recycled materials and for every bracelet purchased 4Ocean will remove 1 pound of waste from our oceans.

 Made in the USA Dinosaur Cookie Cutters

Dinosaur Cookie Cutters $8.99

You know us bakers couldn't throw together a list without suggesting some fun cookie cutters! (We also sell a few cookie cutters, which you can use with your own cookie dough recipe to roll, cut and bake. Watch this space for a cookie kit coming your way soon!) Ann Clarke's cookie cutters are made in the USA, take care of them (by hand washing, drying immediately and carefully storing) and they will last a lifetime. 

Setting Sun Wooden Stem Puzzle Game

Setting Sun: Stem Game $13.99

This wooden stem game is 4 x 3 x 1-inches and will fit into any stocking. It's made with sustainable fairtrade wood and comes with a lifetime guarantee. They rate the game difficult so this would be good for kids who like a challenge! 

Recycled Paper Beads Kit

Recycled Paper Bead Kit $11.47

Great for kids 5 and up, this kit re-uses scraps of paper and fits almost any plastic bottle to turn paper scraps into colorful beads. Fun for kids and parents!

To the Moon and Back Decorators Bundle $20

Did you know you can now buy just the decorating tools for our To the Moon and Back Cake? Make your own cake and frosting then use our dyes, fondant, cutters and cake topper wire to finish the look. Great for new bakers or those who can't get enough of "Nailed It!" on Netflix!

Sf Sustainable lip balm

 SfSustainable Lip balm $5.49

I love these lip balms and even more so because they come in a 100% compostable container. They are vegan, only contain 5 all natural ingredients - and they work!

 

DIY Gift Ideas

Chocolate snowman

Snowmen Chocolate Bars

Perfect for the creatives among us, these snowmen are made with just a few simple supplies. Wrap chocolate bars in white kraft paper, then decorate with pens, ribbon, felt balls, and pipe cleaners. (Or, buy one pre-made here.)

 

s'mores kit

DIY S'mores Kit

Show us a kid who doesn't love S'mores! Put together your very own DIY S'mores Kits with just marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate. Make it cute by taping homemade labels to your packaging.

 

Eco-Friendly Brands We Love

These are all brands we use and love.

Green toys, The cutest toys made from recycled milk jugs in the USA. Made well, made to last. 

earthhero.com, we love that they bread down the sustainability features of each product

Solmatesocks.com, Socks and accessories all made in the USA using recycled cotton yarn, saving discarded clothes from going to the landfill. Their colors and patterns are super fun and unique! 

Pelacase, If the people in your life are old enough to have phones then they will also need a case. Pelacases are 100% compostable. They are a proud member of 1% for the planet and each case gives back to a different environmental cause. 

Klean Kanteen, for stainless steel water bottles and storage containers. Certified B-Corp and member of 1% for the Planet

Alter Eco, delicious farily traded chocolates, plastic free packaging and a certified B-corp. 

Plaine products, Order your toiletries and then send back the reusable stainless steel bottles for refilling. Plaine Products is also a certified B-Corp company and member of 1% for the Planet. 

Bite toothpaste bits, Over one billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away each year. Bite plans to end that with their toothpaste bits. They come in a cute glass jar and then send refills in compostable bags. I've been using these for three months and love them!

Welly Bottle, Made from stainless steel and sustainable bamboo- I love the sleek and elegant design of my welly Traveler bottle that comes with a mesh basket so you can use tea leaves. They donate 3% of their profits to helping people get clean water. 

by Humankind, Direct to consumer personal care products from a carbon neutral company. Their natural deodorant comes in a refillable container and it works great!

Patagonia, A company that puts its money where its mouth is. Patagonia makes high quality clothes and accessories that are made to last. They also care about their employees and are members of 1% for the planet. 

Poshmark, The best way to avoid fast fashion pollution is to buy second hand. buy and sell used clothes and home goods. You can even sell your own stuff and use the credits. 

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