I’m so excited to bring you my version of a gift guide! Below you’ll find my gift ideas (for the people on your list, or yourself!) that I have personally tried, tested and still buy to this day. Most of the things you’ll read about below I’ve been using for several years! I have super strict standards on what kind of products I want in our home, so you can rest assured that all of these gift ideas are free from toxins. The food stuffs I’m recommending are made with clean, organic ingredients! And, most of these products come in recyclable packaging. In addition, a lot of these companies are either small businesses or larger corporations who truly care about their customers and our planet.
Again, all of these gift ideas are products I use, love and highly recommend! In fact, I’d be tickled to receive any item from this list myself. As a note, some of the hyperlinks are affiliate links. That means you pay what you’d pay regardless (or in some cases, get a discount or credit toward your first purchase), but I earn a very small commission by you clicking through to the website via my link. I appreciate your support using those links should you decide to place any orders. 🙂
Food
When purchasing high quality food and drinks, nearly anybody on your list will be satisfied! Consider this list gift ideas for Christmas, gift ideas for men and/or gift ideas for couples who have everything. I’d think these gifts are also great gift ideas for staff!
- A box of meat from Primal Pastures
- Why I love Primal Pastures PP is the most transparent meat company I’ve ever come across! I thoroughly enjoy watching and reading their Instagram posts. They raise their animals using the highest standards! In addition, you can take a tour of their farm. The customer service is fantastic. And, importantly, the meat taste damn delicious! This is the most local rancher to me, personally. If this kind of gift interests you, I urge you to scout out a rancher who does business similarly in your area.
- An assortment of goods from Thrive Market <—- using this link saves you $$ off your first order. This is a yearly membership (with monthly options) website (think SAMs or COSTCO style, but for healthy stuff), and you get a free trial month.
- Why I love Thrive Market Thrive Market offers warehouse prices for many brands you’d find in a Whole Foods. For each purchased membership, they give a membership to a family who can’t afford a membership.
- We’ve been Thrive Market members since 2015 and have no doubt saved thousands of dollars by purchasing through Thrive rather than purchasing from Whole Foods/Spouts/similar stores. Warning: Thrive Market does sell some junk items. Ya gotta read ingredient labels, always!
- Hu Chocolate Bars <—- using this link saves you $5 off $50, and you’ll get the same link to share with your friends, earning you $5. You can also find these bars at Spouts, Whole Foods and similar markets.
- Why I love Hu Chocolate Bars The ingredients are squeaky clean! And, as a bonus for anybody out there who is dairy-free, they’re vegan! Also gluten free. Also the best chocolate bar I’ve tasted. I love their bars and their baking gems.
- Organic Coffee and Wine
- Quality organic coffee beans are becoming easier and easier to locate. People in your life who love good coffee will appreciate a delicious bag of small-roast beans! I like ordering from Joshua Tree Coffee Company, as they’re fairly local to me, organic, fair trade and rainforest alliance certified. We (ahem, Anthony) consume a lot of coffee in this house, and it’s so important to me that the coffee we drink meets those standards. Just like sourcing quality meat, I encourage you to search for a coffee roaster who meets the above standards in your area. I’m always going to advocate to #shoplocal when possible!
- Clean wine isn’t as easy to come by, yet. However, we’ve been ordering clean wines from Thrive Market and are pleased. I also keep an eye out at my local Sprouts and Trader Joe’s for wines made with organic grapes. Clean wine purveyors will most definitely appreciate this kind of gift!
- Our favorite clean whiskey is from Greenbar! They have many other spirits we have and love, too!
- Homemade bread, cookies and candy
- These types of homemade goods are easy to package up and take or mail to your intended recipient. I’m the type of person who appreciates the home-kitchen goodness somebody whips up for me! When I do this sort of thing, I’m intentionally thinking of who I’m gifting it to as I’m baking. A lot of love goes into these budget-friendly gifts!
Home Goods
These are great hostess gift ideas, stocking stuffer ideas and even gift ideas for parents who have everything. They’re practical, yet pleasing. I’d even think of these as white elephant gift ideas… because I’m practical and want to spend $ on a gift that somebody will actually want/use. 😉
- 100% pure beeswax candles
- Why I love Beeswax Candles I love burning candles! Candles create a warm and inviting space, IMO. I’m unwilling to burn candles with synthetic fragrances or any number of other endocrine disrupting ingredients, and as such, only burn pure beeswax candles. You can read about the many benefits of burning beeswax candles here (references included in that post).
- Lots of good brands out there. I personally love Big Dipper Wax Works, Eternal Returns (I get these on Etsy and they’re not always in stock, so if you see them, swipe ’em up!) and Bluecorn Beeswax Tea Lights. That doesn’t mean other brands won’t be awesome, those are simply the brands I’ve researched and tried.
- BONUS read: Check out this article for reasons why I avoid synthetic fragrances in our house, and why you should, too.
- Lots of good brands out there. I personally love Big Dipper Wax Works, Eternal Returns (I get these on Etsy and they’re not always in stock, so if you see them, swipe ’em up!) and Bluecorn Beeswax Tea Lights. That doesn’t mean other brands won’t be awesome, those are simply the brands I’ve researched and tried.
- Why I love Beeswax Candles I love burning candles! Candles create a warm and inviting space, IMO. I’m unwilling to burn candles with synthetic fragrances or any number of other endocrine disrupting ingredients, and as such, only burn pure beeswax candles. You can read about the many benefits of burning beeswax candles here (references included in that post).
- A house plant
- Why I love house plants There’s a hashtag on Instagram #plantsmakepeoplehappy, and I wholeheartedly agree! Not only does the aesthetic bring greenery and life into a person’s space, house plants also purify the air! You can read a lengthy study proving so by clicking here.
- My favorite suggestions for a new plant parent include snake plants, split leaf philodendrons or any plant from the philodendron or pothos family. I highly suggest you support a local nursery, but if your recipient isn’t near you, Amazon does ship live plants (above links are via Amazon). Personally, I prefer terra cotta planters with a drainage hole, as they allow soil to breathe, and the drainage hole allows for proper watering. I also appreciate the burnt orange color and the price point (most 6″ terra cotta planters near me are less than $5 for planter and saucer, both).
- Branch Basics Cleaning Kit <—- Save $10 by using this link, and get $10 in return when you use your own link to refer a friend
- Why I love Branch Basics Simply put, it works for literally all of my household cleaning, including laundry. I first discovered BB via a podcast when I was road tripping to Kansas in 2018. I ordered a trial kit, as it was only $5 (+ shipping) and that investment was worth it to me if it was a superiorly clean product that actually worked. And I’m telling ya, it freaking works! I’m thoroughly impressed with not only how their products preform (the concentrate and oxygen boost), but by how they’re leaders in the non toxic movement. They write wonderful articles, complete with research and citations (that’s important to me!). I’ve used BB to get dog stains lifted, red wine spills 100% cleaned up, washed + dried stains removed from clothing and the whitest bathtub I’ve ever had. Branch Basics All Purpose, Bathroom and Streak Free Sprays are literally the only cleaning products I use in my house (other than white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide). I use the Foaming Wash as my kitchen hand soap as well as my dish soap.
- The only bummer to me is that the concentrate refill and oxygen boost comes in single use plastic. It is recyclable plastic, but I still wish they’d use alternative packaging.
- Why I love Branch Basics Simply put, it works for literally all of my household cleaning, including laundry. I first discovered BB via a podcast when I was road tripping to Kansas in 2018. I ordered a trial kit, as it was only $5 (+ shipping) and that investment was worth it to me if it was a superiorly clean product that actually worked. And I’m telling ya, it freaking works! I’m thoroughly impressed with not only how their products preform (the concentrate and oxygen boost), but by how they’re leaders in the non toxic movement. They write wonderful articles, complete with research and citations (that’s important to me!). I’ve used BB to get dog stains lifted, red wine spills 100% cleaned up, washed + dried stains removed from clothing and the whitest bathtub I’ve ever had. Branch Basics All Purpose, Bathroom and Streak Free Sprays are literally the only cleaning products I use in my house (other than white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide). I use the Foaming Wash as my kitchen hand soap as well as my dish soap.
- Palo Santo
- Why I love palo santo Palo santo is a non toxic incense. In some cultures, it’s referred to as the sacred wood. The traditional use of burning palo santo is to combat negative energy and cleanse the space in which it’s burned. I love burning palo santo during times of stress. I also enjoy burning it after I physically clean the house, aiming to cleanse any poor energies, too.
- Primally Pure (linked above) sources their palo santo sustainably. Please don’t trust all palo santo, and do your due diligence before purchasing. I would also trust ordering from Mountain Rose Herbs.
- Why I love palo santo Palo santo is a non toxic incense. In some cultures, it’s referred to as the sacred wood. The traditional use of burning palo santo is to combat negative energy and cleanse the space in which it’s burned. I love burning palo santo during times of stress. I also enjoy burning it after I physically clean the house, aiming to cleanse any poor energies, too.
- Hand Made Art
- Why I love hand made art I freaking love supporting small-shop artisans. Their products are usually unique (like, you won’t find them in a store) and made with so much care, thought and love. I enjoy supporting an artist with my dollars. Some of my favorites are:
- For ceramics: Paughttery, Margaret + Beau (Cupboard Goods), Wolf Ceramics
- For leather: Portland Leather Goods, Headlands Quality Goods
- Digital Art Work: NeptuneArtPrints, LittleValleyStudio
- Maker’s Markets! These types of fairs are starting up all around me, usually during the holiday season and before Mother’s Day. A quick internet search of ‘makers market in ______ (your town)’ will likely yield results.
- Why I love hand made art I freaking love supporting small-shop artisans. Their products are usually unique (like, you won’t find them in a store) and made with so much care, thought and love. I enjoy supporting an artist with my dollars. Some of my favorites are:
- Stasher Bags
- Why I love Stasher Bags In an effort to use less plastic and reduce my overall waste, I discovered Stasher Bags! They’ve replaced baggies in our home. Stasher bags are made from silicone and are dishwasher safe and freezer safe. I started building a collection about a year ago, buying one or two here and there. I’m still building! I have a few of each size. Anthony and I especially love using the ‘Stand Up’ for our liquids when we fly. A Stasher Bag or two is a great gift idea!
- I get mine from Thrive Market because they’re slightly discounted. I’ve also ordered directly from the Stasher website (linked above). I think I had a coupon code for subscribing to their email list. Locally, I’ve seen them at The Ecology Center.
- Why I love Stasher Bags In an effort to use less plastic and reduce my overall waste, I discovered Stasher Bags! They’ve replaced baggies in our home. Stasher bags are made from silicone and are dishwasher safe and freezer safe. I started building a collection about a year ago, buying one or two here and there. I’m still building! I have a few of each size. Anthony and I especially love using the ‘Stand Up’ for our liquids when we fly. A Stasher Bag or two is a great gift idea!
- Organic Olivia Supplements
- Why I love Organic Olivia This woman is incredible! She’s so authentic and transparent in her online presence. You can read more about one of the supplements we take, Mane Magic, in this blog post. We’ve tried 95% of her product line and love every single thing!
Skin Care
When I think of gifting skin care, the first group that comes into my mind is, “gifts for women who have everything”. In my opinion, those who “have everything” are the most difficult to shop for! BUT, high quality skin care products will please just about anybody on your list.
Primally Pure
Like everything. Like literally all of their products are the best. <—- Use the code ‘JESSICA10’ to save 10% off your first order.
- Why I love Primally Pure Primally Pure’s products are so clean. They smell wonderful. They work. Their customer service is off the charts. As a bonus for me, they’re local-ish. Woman-owned. I seriously love everything about this company! I think any of these products would be great to gift anybody on your list! Male or female! Non-toxic junkie or not!
- What I love and use on a daily basis:
- Charcoal Deodorant <—- You can read a whole blog entry I wrote about this product by clicking here.
- Lip Balm –I love the peppermint
- Cleansing Oil –Step 1: Cleanse
- Everything Spray –Step 2: Tone
- Complexion Mist –Step 3: Prepare for Moisture (Neroli scent is linked and if my favorite. They also have lavender which is nice, and geranium. You can get a bundle of all three.)
- Clarifying, Plumping or Soothing Serum — Step 4: Oil Moisturizer (I alternate which oil based on my skin’s needs.)
- Sometimes use Fancy Face Serum instead of one of those oils, which I also love!
- Beauty Cream –Step 5: Cream Moisturizer (I love both scents they offer!)
- Almond + Vanilla Body Butter or Blue Tansy Body Oil for body moisturizing (have both, alternate based on what scent I want)
- They sell body butter bundles and body oil bundles so you (or your recipient) can try all the scents (three of each). That’s what I ordered for myself, first, so I could determine my favorites. I also love having the bundles on hand for airline traveling! You could easily split the bundle making multiple gifts, too! I like to keep a mini body butter (+ travel Branch Basics Foaming Wash) in my purse.
- Baby Bar Cleansing Soap — This is what we use in the shower for ourselves. It’s so gentle!
- We used to use Dr. Bronner’s, and still do on occasion. It’s a wonderful option and more budget friendly, but we do like the Baby Bar better. I appreciate that I can find Dr. Bronner’s most places like Target, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and even some drug stores. We tend to buy it from Thrive Market because it’s $1.50 cheaper.
- Dry Shampoo for Dark Locks (they have one for Light Locks, too) — While I don’t use this daily like everything else I’ve mentioned, I do use it weekly. It soaks up any grease I have + gives my hair texture and volume. It smells delicious, too!