50 Eco Friendly Christmas Gift Ideas In The UK
Need some inspiration for your Christmas shopping? Here are 50 eco-friendly gift ideas for your friends and family in 2023.
This post contains affiliate links to eco-friendly brands
Do you want the Christmas magic without the plastic tat?
Even when you’re trying your best to be eco-friendly, sometimes you can’t find the gift you want second-hand.
…And not everybody is crafty enough to make a homemade present.
If you want ideas for an environmentally conscious Christmas present for someone on your nice list, you’re in the right place.
I’ve come up with 50 sustainable gift ideas for men, women and children that would like to reduce their environmental impact.
The list focuses on small businesses in the UK and independent shops. (If you’re not in the UK, check out my global ethical gift guide).
Coming up
What does eco-friendly mean?
What to buy for your eco-friendly friend?
Is there one place you can buy eco-friendly products?
Three things to consider before buying gifts
50 eco-friendly Christmas gift ideas
DIY craft and wellbeing gifts
Sustainable toys and games
Food and drink gift sets
Eco-friendly gifts for men
Sustainable fashion
Plastic-free makeup and beauty gifts
You might also enjoy my blog post on sustainable underwear, my guide to ethical jewellery or these tips for making your Christmas more sustainable. If you’re thinking of buying clothes for your little people, you might find 20 organic children’s clothing brands useful.
What does eco-friendly mean?
Eco is short for “ecology” which is the relationship between living things and their environment. Friendly means kind, pleasant and not harmful. When the two words are put together to describe a product, it suggests that the product isn’t harmful to the environment.
Unfortunately, this label isn’t regulated so it is important to look for proof when a brand uses this work to advertise their product.
You can check a brand’s eco claims by:
Looking for certifications, like Fairtrade, or Ecocert
Checking their website for details about the supply chain and materials
Reading ingredient lists, although this can be complicated
Emailing them questions
Here at Sustainably Lazy, I try to make shopping easier for you by doing all the research about the products in your home so you can support the brands that align with your values.
What gift should I get my eco-friendly friend?
It can be difficult trying to work out what to buy for your eco-friendly friend, especially if you’re new to a low-waste lifestyle.
When shopping for an eco-conscious person, the simplest option is to buy plastic-free consumables that you know they already like or will use. Useful gifts, such as palm oil-free soap, shampoo bars, or a compostable washing-up kit will always be needed by all, but the eco-friendly options can be a little more expensive than their plastic alternatives.
If your friend has said they’d prefer no gifts, you could get them a charity e-card that donates to a cause they care about in their name.
Is there one place you can buy eco-friendly products?
You can definitely buy almost all of your eco-friendly products in one place. I say “almost” because it will depend if there are specific brands you are looking for. In 2022, it is much easier to find plastic-free online stores with a good variety.
I have compiled a list of environmentally friendly alternatives to Amazon which you can view here.
3 Things to consider before buying Christmas gifts
I know this is an eco-friendly gift guide, but I feel like I should remind you that it is still important to shop responsibly and be intentional in what you buy. Here are three things to keep in mind:
Quality over quantity
Every year people receive unwanted gifts. This is not only a waste of natural resources, it is a waste of money.
It can feel tempting to buy loads of presents and spoil your loved ones, but by focusing on quality rather than quantity, your Christmas gifts will be special. There will also be a much lower chance of wasting money on unwanted gifts and you will make a big difference in terms of the environment.
Supporting small businesses
It is more eco-friendly and ethical to support sustainable independent businesses. Big companies like Amazon and supermarkets create mountains of waste, use complex supply chains and avoid paying their taxes. Supporting small businesses gives money to real hardworking people.
Buy secondhand
There are so many products that already exist in the world, why not have a browse? eBay makes it super easy to browse preloved gifts - simply change the condition filter to ‘used’.
There are also Preloved and Oxfam online stores.
Gift categories
DIY craft and well-being gifts
Eco-friendly toys and games
Food and drink gift sets
Eco-conscious gifts for men
Sustainable fashion
Plastic-free makeup + beauty
DIY Craft & Wellbeing gift sets
1. DIY Beeswax Wrap Kit
Beeswax wraps are an eco-friendly alternative to cling film so this kit is the perfect gift for someone who cares about the environment.
The beeswax food wrap kit contains everything you need to make your own plastic-free, reusable cotton wraps to keep food fresh. Perfect for any zero-waste kitchen!
Beeswax isn’t suitable for vegans but you can find a vegan food wrap kit here.
2. DIY bath bomb kit
This kit contains all the natural ingredients to make 12 of your own bath bombs.
The Natural Beauty Pot has been conscious of its choice of packaging and materials, making them as environmentally friendly as possible. Their kit includes a reusable metal bath bomb mould and biodegradable sugarcane gloves.
Children under 14 will need adult supervision.
3. the natural gift company
The Natural Gift Company turn eco-friendly products into lovely gift sets. The one featured is a relaxing wax melt starter kit, but they have a huge variety, some of which include reusable coffee cups, candles, or skincare.
Each one arrives in a hand-stamped kraft box or natural seagrass basket, filled with 100% recycled shredded paper and tied with a lovely cotton ribbon.
All packaging is completely recyclable and totally biodegradable.
4. Organic Turkish Cotton Bathrobes
This unisex luxury bathrobe comes in 4 colours and is made from 430GSM cotton for ultimate fluffiness. Organic cotton is more eco-friendly because it is grown without harmful pesticides. This dressing gown is also certified by Oeko-Tex so you can guarantee there are no harmful chemicals in the final product.
House Babylon make the robes in Turkey which is where the cotton is grown to reduce carbon emissions.
5. Essential oil sleep accessories
This sleep spray makes an ideal self-care gift for people going through a stressful time or who enjoy aromatherapy. Mist your pillow and let the notes of lavender, chamomile and aloe vera help you relax and fall asleep faster.
Aeyla is a weighted blanket company that sells a range of eco-friendly plant-based candles and stress relief roll-ons.
6. Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
This yoga mat is made from recycled plastic bottles and natural eco-friendly rubber. Usually, yoga mats are made out of the most toxic type of plastic, PVC.
Planet Warrior’s yoga mat is printed with water-based inks and is free from phthalates, PVC, chlorine and toxic glues.
Matching leggings are available if that’s your kinda thing.
7. DIY Macrame plant holder kit
Ideal for beginners, this plastic-free DIY macrame kit teaches the recipient how to make a lovely plant hanger.
Craft kits make thoughtful gifts for people who enjoy relaxing with a project, or enjoy learning a new skill. And it’s extra rewarding when you can display your stunning creation in your home.
8. Wax melts
Looking for an eco-friendly gift with little waste? Wax melts are an easy way for relaxing scents to permeate the room, impacting your mood and mental health.
Soomish are made in the UK from plant-based wax and phthalate-free fragrance oils.
9. Lumie bodyclock light for sad
These lights have been designed for anyone who struggles with low moods in the dark winter days.
The benefits of using a wake-up light are that it gently wakes you up in the morning, keeping your sleep cycle on track, and boosting your mood, energy and productivity levels.
Alternatively, there is the Lightbox which you sit in front of for 30 minutes a day. It can make a huge difference for those with seasonal affective disorder and can lift your mood, concentration and energy. I wouldn’t be without mine in winter!
Eco-Friendly Toys and Games
10. Flower press for kids
Encourage your kids to go foraging for flowers and leaves by giving them a botanical press for Christmas. After a few weeks, the press can be opened to reveal beautiful dried flowers that can be used for art projects or decorations.
Tender Leaf has made this toy from sustainably sourced plywood.
11. Potion Making Kit
Kids who love the natural world are more likely to turn into eco-conscious adults. Get them outdoors with this bestselling potion kit by the Den Co, because what kid doesn’t like making potions?!
12. Tea set
An eco-friendly tea set is a hugely popular toy for children of all ages. It is unisex and a wonderful way to encourage imaginative play and social skills.
I bought the tea set pictured four years ago and it is still a hit now with my 5-year-old boy and my 3-year-old girl. I specifically chose one by Green Toys because it is made from recycled plastic so then you can use it with real water. It’s perfect for practising pouring on a tuff tray, in the garden, or in the bath.
Green Toys are made from post-consumer milk jugs, the safest type of plastic as it’s free from toxic chemicals like phthalates and BPA.
If you’d prefer a wooden one, Smallfoot makes a cute unisex one with biscuits too.
13. Cutting Veg Toy
Want to encourage pretend play without plastic? These eco-friendly cutting vegetables (and fruits) are ideal for little imaginations because what kid doesn’t love a play kitchen? We have both of these sets and they are a hit with both my toddler and five-year-old.
YesBebe stocks a range of wooden play food and toy kitchens. They have kindly given me a 10% off code to share with my readers: SUSTAINABLYLAZY
14. Clockwork Soldier
Starting at £3, plastic-free brand Clockwork Soldier has created budget-friendly gifts for children who love using their imagination. If they like learning magic tricks, small-world play, gardening or arts and crafts, kids can have fun and learn something new at the same time.
Clockwork Soldier products are made using eco-friendly recycled cardboard and paper.
15. rocket toy
Here are some eco-friendly toys for all the space-loving children out there. Taking these rockets apart and putting them back together is great for fine motor skills and colour matching. Not to mention the hours of fun that can be had with small world or pretend play.
Tenderleaf toys are made from sustainable rubberwood; these trees are a byproduct of the rubber industry and would otherwise go to waste.
16. Fairtrade Toys
This stunning wooden Noah’s ark was handmade by skilled toymakers in Sri Lanka where they get fair wages and employee perks.
All of Lanka Kade’s small-world animal and dinosaur-themed toys are certified Fairtrade and made from sustainable rubberwood.
This handmade ark is high quality and durable. You can even see the beautiful wood grain making each one unique. It’s the sort of toy that is enjoyed for many years and then passed down.
17. Dress up emergency doctor’s backpack
I don’t know about you, but my kids adore role-playing doctors and making sure all their toys are in the best of health. This award-winning kit is extra fun because of how much it contains.
Smallfoot is a German brand that creates beautiful toys using FSC-certified food and water-based solvent-free paint.
Get 10% off with code SUSTAINABLYLAZY
18. Wooden lacing board
Blossom and Bear is a work-at-home mum who designed a range of eco-friendly baby toys while her three children were napping.
These lacing boards are great for fine motor skills and are made from sustainable ash wood.
19. Triclimb
I had to include the Tri Climb because it's a favourite toy in my house. My daughter has loved it since she was 1 year old, and still plays on it every day now she is three. It also helps my 5-year-old burn off some energy on a rainy day. For little ones, the tri-climb part is just find as it helps with their motor schools, but as they get older, they love the slide.
The Triclimb is more than just a climbing frame, it can be a tunnel, a car or ball ramp, and a den. When you’re finished playing it folds flat for easy storage.
The Triclimb is ethically handmade in Wales using sustainable wood.
Use code FIRST5 for £5 off at Kidly.
Eco-Friendly Gifts For Foodies
20. Vegan Baked Treats
Handmade with love, Nummy bakes luxury sweet treats that are free from palm oil, refined sugar, dairy and vegetable fat.
If you want to treat your vegan friend or a person with a dairy allergy then Nummy has a selection of brownies, tarts, mince pies and doughnuts all freshly baked in the UK.
21. ethical chocolate letterbox gift
This assortment of ethical chocolate brands all support different causes. Tony’s is working to fight child labour in the cocoa industry, Divine is Fairtrade and empowers the lives of farmers, while Raw Halo plants trees.
This letter box size gift box contains chocolate from 6 brands that support social causes.
There is also a vegan option available.
22. ORGANIC LOOSE LEAF TEA GIFT SET
It’s no secret that tea makes a lovely gift. This loose leaf tea starter kit is the perfect introduction to the world of eco-friendly tea.
The set comes with your choice of teaware, a perfect tea spoon & two 50g pouches of Bird and Blend’s bestselling tea
Bird and Blend is an independent British tea company and B Corporation that uses eco-friendly, compostable packaging.
22. Organic Vegan Truffles
It’s not Christmas without a box of Booja Booja - the tastiest dairy-free truffles you’ll come across.
Packaging is plastic-free and certified organic by the Soil Association to ensure responsible cocoa sourcing.
23. Recycled Glass Carafe with drinking lid
This upcycled product is made by a Fairtrade family-run business that provides and income for 500 people in a disadvantaged community.
Not only is it eco-friendly and ethical, it’s practical too. The lid converts into a drinking glass when you turn it upside down.
It is pretty enough to be used downstairs and useful enough for a bedside table if you drink at night.
24. British vegan beer
London’s first B Corporation-certified Brewery, Small Beer Brew Co creates ethical vegan beer.
B Corporation is a global initiative that recognises brands for their social and environmental responsibilities.
This gift set is plastic-free, handmade in the UK with organic ingredients.
25. Fairtrade Coffee
It’s hard to go wrong with coffee at Christmas. Café Direct is batch roasted in the UK and packaged in a festive, eco-friendly bag.
Over 50% of their profits are invested back into the farmer communities. With each bag of coffee you buy, you’re helping the co-operatives and smallholder farmers improve their livelihoods.
26. Gin Making Kit
An eco-friendly gift for the gin addict in your life. No experience is needed, they simply need to add one of the craft botanical blend sachets included to any vodka and let the magic take place.
Eco-friendly Gifts for men
27. Rapanui organic cotton jumper
Rapanui’s soft organic clothing is made on the Isle of Wight in a factory powered by renewable energy. This knitted jumper is available in four colours inspired by nature and is vegan-friendly.
Rapanui are one of the more affordable ethical fashion brands that allow you to save even more money on t-shirts and underwear by buying multi-packs.
28. Boody bamboo briefs or boxers
Boody wanted a supply chain that was free from child labour and kind to the environment so they chose factories certified by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) to ensure safe and fair working conditions for their garment workers.
Their bamboo viscose is made using a zero-waste production system and they are certified by Oeko-Tex to check there are no harmful chemicals in the finished product.
29. Charity e-card: Oxfam unwrapped
If you want something meaningful, with a dash of humour, then why not send someone an e-card that donates to a family that needs extra support overseas?
The pile of poo card provides training in effective, eco-friendly composting - to help people living in poverty grow more food to eat and sell.
If poo isn’t your cup of tea, there are lots of other e-cards available that go towards refugees, empowering girls, clean drinking water and climate change.
30. Rugged Nature
Rugged Nature started as an endeavour to make both eco-friendly and sensitive-skin-friendly grooming products, like hair wax and moisturiser. They now sell a range of plastic-free men’s grooming products.
It is made in the UK from natural ingredients and has never tested on animals.
31. Running shoes
Allbirds make all kinds of eco-friendly shoes, but their running shoes are particularly popular.
They are made from sustainable materials like lightweight, breathable eucalyptus fibre which provides next-level comfort.
32. Recycled waterproof jacket
When I need to buy for a man who is hard to buy Christmas gifts for, I choose something that every person needs. And you can’t go wrong with a black coat.
This jacket is made from 98% recycled materials and has been designed to be recycled at the end of its life! It’s lightweight so ideal for exercising and the waterproof coating is free from PFAS.
Use code BAMBAM5 for 5% off
33. Vegan pineapple leather watch
Votch watches are made from an innovative vegan leather called Piñatex.
Piñatex is a by-product from the pineapple harvest and provides additional income for the farmers growing the fruit. No extra land, pesticides or fertilisers are used in the production of Piñatex and it is completely cruelty-free.
*sustainablylazy15 for 15% off
34. Eco-friendly Activewear
If a man in your life is into fitness then eco-friendly activewear is a great gift idea. Most gym clothing is made from synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels that leach microplastics into the sea.
Iron Roots sportswear is unique because it’s made from sustainable and high-performing natural materials like hemp, eucalyptus, beechwood and organic cotton. Its clothes are made in Portugal where workers are paid a living wage.
35. Refurbished laptops and tablets
New electronics have a shocking environmental impact so you may want to consider buying a refurbished product.
Stone Refurb carefully select and restore computers and tablets so you can buy a ‘new to you’ product at a more affordable price without taking valuable resources from the earth.
They have a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot and provide an option for an extended warranty.
36. Wireless wood phone charger
An elegant plastic-free phone charger for the minimalist in your life. Not only does it look good, but it is also practical too. All personalised gifts are made to order in a studio in Yorkshire.
Eco-Friendly Fashion gifts
37. Komodo
Komodo is an ethical fashion brand that makes men's and women’s clothing out of eco-friendly materials.
The pyjamas featured are made from organic cotton which is certified by the Soil Association and the Global Organic Textile Standard which ensures higher standards of sustainable production.
38. Blonde Gone Rogue
Blonde Gone Rogue is a sustainable London fashion brand that uses upcycled, recycled and organic fabrics to create clothing for men and women. It is made in Bulgaria with fair working practices.
39. Recycled Plastic Outerwear
Get ready for the wet British weather with Frugi’s collection of sustainable coats, puddle suits and wellies.
Made from recycled plastic bottles and a fluorocarbon-free durable water repellent to prevent stains and extend the life of the clothing.
Frugi products are responsibly made in Fairtrade factories.
40. Vegan Outfitters
As you’ve probably guessed, Vegan Outfitters t-shirts, jumpers and shoes are vegan. Sadly, most fast fashion contains animal ingredients either in the materials or in the dyes and glues.
For every sale, Vegan Outfitters donates to UK animal sanctuaries that rescue farm animals from abuse and slaughter.
They are made in WRAP-certified factories powered by solar and are delivered in plastic-free packaging.
41. Wool slippers
Eco-friendly fashion brand Thought has replaced synthetic slippers with natural materials. Available in 4 colours and made from Irish wool, these slippers are plastic-free and biodegradable.
42. Pachamama knitwear
Pachamama makes stunning rainbow and Nordic-style knitwear.
They’ve been fairly trading handmade 100% wool clothing and accessories for 20 years. The majority of their production is village-based in Nepal with knitters supplementing their incomes from farming and fitting production around their own family and work commitments.
They sell hats, gloves, socks, jumpers and Christmas tree decorations.
43. Matilde
Matilde Mourinho is a jewellery designer who launched her own sustainable jewellery brand after learning about how destructive the mining industry is while getting her Master’s degree. Made by artisans in Turkey, Matilde uses lab-grown diamonds and certified recycled gold to reduce the environmental impact and prevent human exploitation.
The result is beautiful pieces of jewellery that look exactly like real diamonds but at a more affordable price.
Read this next for more sustainable jewellery brands in the UK
44. Lavender Hill
Lavender Hill makes sustainable basics so you can look stylish without harming people or the planet. Its clothing is designed to fit well and is made from eco-friendly fabrics like Tencel and linen.
Lavender Hill Clothing is simple but stylish and feels luxuriously soft. It’s the perfect gift for someone special.
Eco-Friendly Makeup + Beauty gifts
45. Love The Planet
Love The Planet sells plastic-free mineral makeup. Their eyeshadows are highly pigmented and can be used dry or wet.
Mineral makeup contains zinc oxide which is naturally antibacterial. It’s therefore really great for skin that is prone to breakouts. It’s also non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores. Minerals are also non-drying to the skin so they work well on all skin types and ages.
Love The Planet is free from palm oil and has never tested on animals.
46. Evolve Beauty
If you’d like to give someone the gift of hydrated and nourished skin but don’t want to harm the environment, then you need to know about Evolve.
Evolve is a plant-based, cruelty-free skincare brand that uses high-quality natural ingredients with either glass or recycled plastic containers for safety, like their shampoo. They have lots of certifications to prove they are eco-friendly and sustainable, like COSMOS Organic, Fairtrade, B Corporation, leaping bunny, and the Vegan Society.
47. Zao refillable makeup
ZAO’s organic makeup products are high quality and as pigmented as conventional makeup brands, only they are much kinder to the planet.
The first purchase costs more as you have to buy the bamboo packaging but after that, you can order cheaper refills.
Zao sells lipstick, foundation, mascara and nail varnish.
48. Nakin cleansing milk
Gently melt makeup with Nakin’s award-winning cleansing milk.
The blend of plant oils, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate, seaweed and aloe are ideal for sensitive skin and encourages cell renewal to keep skin looking fresh and clear.
Made in the UK, this product is vegan and cruelty-free.
49. bristol Made
Bristol Made is an independent, eco-friendly company making 100% natural, organic, vegan skincare products in Bristol.
You can find gorgeous scrubs, body polishes, cleansing micellar water, or bamboo makeup brushes and combs.
Whatever takes your fancy, you’ll find no plastic packaging.
50. KIND2 shampoo + conditioner bar
KIND2 stands out from the crowd because not only do the hair bars clean your hair well but they don’t contain palm oil. Made in the UK, these bars contain naturally derived surfactants so that there is no transition phase.
There’s a sensitive bar, a hydrating bar and a rebalancing bar for people with oily hair.
The conditioner bars are pricey but they last forever… I’ve been using mine for six months now!
Use SOPHIE15 for 15% off your first order.
Did you find something you liked? Let me know your favourite in the comments below.
If you’re still stuck for ideas, check out last year’s ethical gift guide which has 50 ideas for sustainable presents, 17 gift ideas for men, or where to buy sustainable wooden toys.