10 Sustainable gifts to add to your ‘nice for the planet’ list

If your love language is gifting, then the festive season is easily the time of year your sparkle. Move over twinkly light shows, the real star of the tree is you, and all the stops you pull to let the important people in your life know how loved they are—tangibly.

It’s a sweet sentiment and one that many of us have taken pride in. Tis’ the season for personalised giving, isn’t it? But what happens when Christmas consumerism trods on the one effort we should all be making?

The planet is often left off our Christmas lists, but it doesn’t have to be!

Giving the gift of sustainability is far more than a corny T-shirt slogan. It’s essential for all the Christmases to come. Where do you start?

Here are 10 sustainable gifts to add to your ‘nice for the planet’ list:

1. An essential oil from Litchi and Titch

My favourite thing about essential oils is how personal they can be as gifts. Loved one struggling with sleeping patterns? Or how about calming down? There’s even a memory essential oil available. Litchi and Titch are eco-conscious and cruelty-free, so when you buy from the local powerhouse, you’re supporting the planet and all its inhabitants.

2. The ultimate ‘Coastal Grandmother’ pants from Hemp Love

The coastal grandmother aesthetic in 2022 was iconic. But the real hero of the trend were the wide-legged pants. Instead of opting for cotton, give hemp a go with slow fashion brand Hemp Love. P.S: Hemp lasts longer than cotton!

3. A boho gift basket from CanetteVallei Lavendar

Arisian products created by a wine and lavender farm in Stellenbosch scream all things wholesome. A set of bespoke soaps with gemstone charms is any boho lover’s dream gift, especially for the person in deep need of ‘me time’, organically.

R295/CanetteValleiLavendar

4. A floral sunhat from Freya Hats

Whether the person you’re shopping for is 21 or 64, off to a festival or the depth of their gardening dreams, a floral sun hat is the obvious choice for anyone whose joy is the outdoors. Freya Hats are slow fashion-approved, locally handmade are gorgeously stylish, so this sunhat might just see your loved one through generations of outdoor adventures!

5. The iconic daisy earrings from Pina Jewels

These daisy earrings are for the person who loves a subtle statement piece. Made from repurposed plastic, the unofficial symbol of Cape Town know no age or specific fashion niche and can elevate any style — from streetwear to boho.

6. Honey candles by Simply Bee

If you can’t stop loadshedding, you can at the very least make it sweeter. Simply Bee specialises in natural and organic beeswax and honey products that’ll make you smile (no matter how dark it is out).

7. Eco-friendly workout wear from N3YH

When the new year comes knocking, most of us turn to an endless list of resolutions with “go to gym” shining at the top. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — nothing motivates you to actually get going like a gorgeous workout set. So, why not make it eco-friendly?

Cue N3YH’s eco-friendly activewear!

Made from premium recycled fabrics, kill two resolutions with one stone (the gym and and dressing sustainably) with this fabulous floral kit.

8. An eco-friendly beach towel from Mungo

“Textiles woven to last.” It’s a yes from us. As we all race to the coast this festive season, why not give the gift of a towel that’ll accompany the ‘beach person’ in your life for years to come? Mungo is a GOTS-certified homeware textile company that weaves with the future in mind. Kind from loom to wear, this towel says ‘I care about you, the earth and South Africa.”

P.S: This towel is also ultra-absorbent!

9. Rent a look for someone with Style Rotate

All the feels of a power look, without any of the guilt! If there’s a showstopper in your life who is notorious for wearing a piece a mere once or twice, this is the ultimate gift for them.

Tash Liesner and Cleo Marcopoulos Aitken are co-founders of Style Rotate, a community-led rental fashion wardrobe. As the first of its kind locally, Style Rotate is carving a spot out in the market as one of the first successful rental platforms in SA’s circular fashion industry.

10. A body oil ‘cake’ from Plaiin

Vegan beauty lover in your life? Say less. Body oil cakes are the go-to for that added kick of moisture, skin healing and fine-line reduction (depending on the cake). Plaiin serves up a mean set of body oil cakes that cater to different skin types and needs. Natural ingredients only, fully plastic-free and kissed with creativity, Plaiin has a reputation in the beauty world for understanding the planet’s assignment.

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Gorgeous gift wrapping, but make it sustainable

Feature Image: Pexels