Out Here’s Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide

Imagine getting a secret Santa gift you’ll actually use. Better yet, playing “White Elephant” and not walking away with an auto-re-gift. Even better: spending nothing and giving the best gift ever!

Deck the halls with compostable wrapping paper. From Out Here to you: thoughtful, cost-friendly, and sustainable Santa-approved for everyone on your list.

Hot Beverage Lovers

Loose Leaf Tea Pot

Microplastics and non-biodegradable tea bags makes me say no, no, no instead of ho, ho, ho. Loose-leaf tea pots can be used for a lifetime. Plus, every tea-lover knows that loose-leaf teas are way more fun.

Reusable Coffee Pod

It seems like everyone has a pod-ular coffee machine these days. But, not everyone has a machine that uses planet-friendly pods. I recently found out about reusable coffee pods that can be filled with your favourite coffee and then rinsed. Reduce waste & don’t sacrifice taste. Yes, please!

Reusable Coffee Mug

I’m starting to get FOMO from missing out on the 10c you can save by bringing your own cup to get coffee. Cents (and non-recyclable coffee cups) add up! With so many options out there, gift the coffee lover in your life a sustainable money-saver.

Personal Care Enthusiasts

Package-Free Anything

We seriously live in the golden era for package and plastic free products. Shampoo bars. Facial bars. Cleansers. Deodorant. Bath bombs. Beard care. With so many brands to choose from, there are products for every budget. They’re personal and reduce plastic use (yay!).

Sustainable Menstrual Products

For people with a period, there are some seriously sustainable game-changers out there that are not only waste-free, but super helpful. Options include reusable menstrual cups, washable period underwear, or fabric pads. This gift will sure to be appreciated, and is seldom thought of!

Homemade Candle

Have you ever pondered the absurd price of candles? I have. Do you also have many 1/5- full candles lying around your house? Guilty as charged. Watch this tutorial on how to turn spent candles into a special gift.

Homemade Gifts They’ll Actually Like

Houseplant Cuttings

Seriously one of the most thoughtful gifts for plant lovers or anyone trying to decorate a space. Almost every houseplant you already own can be propagated—and luckily for us, PlantTube and PlantTok will happily show us how. If you don’t have a lot of time, consider a set of three cuttings in recycled bottles. Trading houseplants with friends is much more sustainable than purchasing new ones.

Upcycled Furniture

Depending on how handy you are and how much time you have, a killer gift is a furniture-upcycle. Options can be as simple as giving a picture frame a fresh coat of paint or as complicated as a refinished piece of second-hand furniture. A fun project for you, a piece of useful houseware rescued.

Jars That Jingle All the Way

Type in hot chocolate jars, cookie dough jars, or soup jars into Pinterest and you’ll see what I mean. Everything tastes better when its homemade and easy to store in jar-form! Bonus points for using a jar you already had or grabbing one from the local thrift store.

Product-Free Gifts

Did you ever make a coupon book for a parent as a gift when you were a kid? I did. Well, the best things in life are free. The trend of “buying nothing” is on the rise, and the holidays are the perfect time to partake in it. There are a ton of meaningful things you can do for your friends, family, or neighbours that don’t cost a cent but will make a thoughtful, completely waste-free gift without consuming anything, like:

  • Set of 5 Shoveled Driveways

  • I’ll Fix ___ For You

  • Homemade Dinner Delivered

  • Let Me Organize ___ For You

  • Free Ride to Work for a Week

  • & so many more!

Bonus: Gifts to Our Planet

The holidays are a time of year to be grateful for everything we have. Our planet is responsible for allowing us to live every day, so it deserves some serious gratitude. If you have the time this holiday, here are some gift ideas to our planet from you!

  • Organize a local park/creek clean up, or do it solo

  • Volunteer at a cause close to your heart

  • Encourage friends and family to reduce holiday waste

  • Buy holiday ingredients locally

  • Do a closet clean-out and donate to a clothing drive

  • Got more ideas? I want to hear them!


Happy Holidays from Out Here!

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