The Ultimate Zero Waste Gift Guide

Happy Thanksgiving!  It’s time for turkey, mashed potatoes, and apple pie.  The best combination of foods ever imagined. Mmmmm…

But after the pie has been devoured and the tryptophan-induced naps have been had, the whirlwind of Black Friday madness and holiday gift-giving begins.  To help us all navigate the craziness that is coming upon us, I have compiled the ultimate list of zero waste gifts.

Disclaimer: Not all of these gifts may be perfectly zero waste, but that’s what this space is all about, right?  Perfection doesn’t exist, especially in the zero waste sphere. The way I see it, as long as the gift is meaningful, who really cares if it’s zero waste?

So let’s dig in and get ready for the holidays!

In absolutely no particular order...

1. Hot air balloon ride
2. Laser tag
3. Donate to a charity of their choice
4. If they volunteer somewhere, go with them
5. Coffee date
6. Coffee beans
7. Happy hour
8. Lunch or dinner at their favorite restaurant
9. Hand-written note/letter
10. Stock (you can buy gift cards for stock here - brilliance)
11. Pay a bill
12. Time together
13. Time alone (this is bliss for the introvert in your life)
14. A movie
15. Tickets to a show (concert, theater, ballet, etc.)
16. DIY coffee body scrub
17. Groceries
18. Gift cards (they can be for more than food or “stuff” - my brother gave me gift cards for Headspace and Skillshare one year!)
19. Visit a zoo, aquarium, or science center
20. Cocktail class
21. Escape room
22. A tattoo
23. Vacation / weekend getaway
24. Your favorite book - write a note on the inside, too!
25. A home-cooked meal
26. “Adopt” an animal - this can be done through World Wildlife Fund or often times through your local zoo
27. Wine
28. Chocolate
29. Spa day
30. Golf day
31. Arcade day
32. Family heirlooms
33. Photos
34. Cleaning service
35. Homemade cookies
36. A video game download
37. Write a “50 Things I Love About You” letter
38. Wine tasting
39. Whiskey tasting
40. Home-infused alcohol
41. Babysit
42. House plants
43. Pottery class
44. Handmade or custom candle
45. Coffee bean grinder
46. Coloring book and colored pencils
47. Hot chocolate mix
48. Mini golf
49. Your favorite zero waste tool(s)
50. Something they really want.

What are your favorite zero waste gifts to give or receive?