11 Sustainable DIY Gifts for a More Eco-Friendly Holiday in 2024
A Guide To Sustainable DIY Holiday Gifts
Do you know how much additional waste is created between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day? In America, waste increases by approximately 25% during the holiday season producing an additional 25 million tons into landfills and that’s just one country. Aside from choosing sustainable wrapping options this holiday season, you can also help reduce consumer waste by making your own sustainable DIY holiday gifts.
Choosing DIY gifts is a great way to reduce waste because you can choose to use sustainable materials, packaging, and wrapping. You can shop thrift stores for unique glass jars for packaging, use foraged materials from your own backyard and shop for ingredients free from chemicals. Making sustainable DIY holiday gifts also allows you the opportunity to create something meaningful that your recipient won’t have already received. These gift ideas make great sustainable holiday teacher gifts, holiday party favors and would be perfect for your holiday host or hostess.
Also don’t forget to make a few extra gifts of whatever you create, this way you can avoid the need for any last minute shopping and falling into the trap of just buying anything for a last-minute gift. Don’t worry, even if you’re not super crafty, there are plenty of ways to make your own sustainable DIY holiday gifts with very minimal skill or effort.
Sustainable DIY Gifts For Personal Care Lovers
1. Bath Salts
Typically a lot of bath kits and products come packaged in a ton of plastic, cellophane, and non-recyclable cardboard. The products themselves also usually contain a lot of artificial chemicals and dyes that are not actually good for your skin or the water supply chain. So instead, make your own bath salts infused with roses, lavender, or mint. This recipe uses only a few simple ingredients, and you can make these all up ahead of time before the holiday rush begins.
2. Shower Steamers
If your gift recipient is more of a shower person, don’t worry; there’s a useful gift option for them too. This recipe for DIY shower steamers is a more natural, sustainable solution than traditional vapor rub and is great to gift in the winter months when colds and seasonal congestion are common. With three simple ingredients combined with the essential oils of your choice, these shower steamers would look great in a glass jar with jute twine and a personalized gift tag.
3. Reusable Tea Bags
By Hello Sewing
Encourage your friends and family to slow down with a nice cup of tea to enjoy a quiet moment amidst the chaos of the holidays. Tea bags are filled with dozens of microplastics and nano-plastics that are harmful to our bodies and the environment. If you have a tea lover on your gift list, these reusable tea bags are so easy to make you don’t need a pattern and can even sew them by hand. This is a great way to upcycle leftover fabric from other projects, and you can gift this with some of your favorite loose-leaf tea for them to try.
Sustainable DIY Gifts For Homebodies
4. Pressed Flower Candlesticks
Candlesticks are a timeless classic in home decor, but this DIY project has been featured on all of the interior design feeds and blogs lately. Usually, decorated candlesticks are more of a splurge when bought in-store, but these are so simple to make that you will probably find yourself wanting to make these for every holiday. Using a little melted wax as your glue and sealant, you can select the flowers or botanicals used to suit each recipient's personal style and decor. If you have little ones at home, they can help forage for flowers, leaves, or greenery to use, and it is a great way to include the whole family.
5. Stovetop Potpourri
By The Eco Hub
Give the gift of a cozy atmosphere for the holidays!
This stovetop potpourri looks great packaged in a mason jar, and all you have to do to use it is add water and simmer on the stovetop or in a crockpot.
Using natural ingredients like dried oranges and various spices and herbs, your recipient will have the heavenly smell of the holidays whenever they want.
6. Festive Wreath
Nothing says decking the halls like hanging up a festive wreath indoors or outdoors. Making a festive wreath is an easy way to repurpose foraged materials into beautiful home decor. If you are not finding the natural materials you want outside, check a local garden nursery or craft store for a wreath that will be able to be reused year after year. You can create the wreath as minimal or embellished as you think your recipient would enjoy.
7. Macrame Ornaments
Pass on gifting molded plastic ornaments, and try making your own! Thanks to Macrame For Beginners, you can try 15 different holiday patterns for macrame ornaments. Traditionally, macrame uses hemp or jute cording, which is a more sustainable material for crafting. There are a lot of different techniques and patterns that are mainly just tying knots, so don’t worry if you’re not a super crafter. These ornaments look beautiful hanging on a tree, and your recipient will be able to enjoy them for years to come.
Sustainable DIY Gifts For The Aspiring Chef
Consumable gifts are a sustainable option because they can be used up and when made at home you can ensure the packaging is reusable or recyclable.
8. Finishing Salts
Many gourmet recipes use finishing salts for added flavor and flair, but they’re typically expensive and not something many people keep on hand. These finishing salt recipes will last stored in a decorative glass jar and add a special touch to any recipe. You can customize the flavors to be sweet and savory or make a couple of both for a variety set. If you are in a hurry, don’t worry; there is an oven and microwave option in case you need a great gift in a hurry.
9. Homemade Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is an ingredient almost everyone uses in their holiday baking, so this recipe for homemade vanilla extract is sure to be a hit! Daring Gourmet is a great resource for the quality of ingredients required for the best extract and which vanilla beans produce different flavors.
This is a gift you will want to start in advance because it gets better as it ages but if you need you can always make a note with the date it can be used for optimal potency.
10. Candied Nuts
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire isn't just the opening line of a Nat King Cole classic; it's one of the many delightful seasonal flavors popular this time of year. All it takes is a little caramelized sugar, and you will have yourself a gift everyone will be begging for again and again. What's great about candied nuts is you can make this a nut variety or select your recipient's favorite and package it in a beautiful jar they can reuse after they've devoured all the candied nuts. This is a crowd favorite because it is delicious and simple to make. I always like to pair a filled jar with a thoughtful handwritten note and the recipe because, yes, they will be asking for it!
11. Soup Mix In A Jar
By Wholefully
The holidays are always filled with cookies and decadent treats, so if you want something different, gift a ready-made soup mix! Since all the ingredients are shelf stable, your recipient can save their soup until after the holidays and think of you when they make it or have a nourishing meal ready to go during the hustle and bustle of the season. Plus, winter is prime soup season and perfect for a cold winter evening when you’re tired of holiday leftovers.
About the Author
Karmen Flores is a creative entrepreneur based in Michigan. Karmen shares all about plant-based and sustainable, intentional living on her blog Karmen Collective. From recommendations for all things plant-based to tips for living more sustainably, Karmen makes living with intention less intimidating and more accessible. You can connect with Karmen on Instagram @karmencollective,
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