Gifts That Keep Giving: 15 Sustainable Gifts Under $50

A list Greta Thunberg would be proud of.

I scoured the internet and found the best gifts that are also best for the environment, for humanity, and for your wallet. From reforestation to veterans programs, upcycling to protecting animals, these gifts will make the world a better place and put a smile on a loved one's face. Yep, I meant to rhyme.

Grow A Tree Kit

onetreeplanted.org / Via onetreeplanted.org

Plant a Tree Kit ($10) - One Tree Planted sells these super trendy tree kits that allow you to grow a tree from a seedling. The best part is that for every kit sold, they plant a tree in the region the tree species originated. Choose from Christmas trees, Redwoods, Palm Trees, Bonsai Trees, and more. Make sure you look into what kind of trees grow best in your area. Probably wouldn't be ideal to buy a palm tree if you're living in Wisconsin. To buy click here.

Sword & Plough Trail Cap

Sword & Plough / Via swordandplough.com

Sword & Plough Trail Cap ($39) - This company upcycles thrown away military uniforms into new, high quality products. The company is based in Colorado and gives a percentage of their profits to Team Red, White, and Blue: a non-profit that provides physical and social activities to veterans. Each purchase "funds a twelve-month leadership development experience focused on educating, inspiring, and elevating veterans to new heights as leaders in their communities." To buy click here.

ME to WE Hakuna Matata Bracelet

shop.metowe.com / Via shop.metowe.com

Hakuna Matata Bracelet ($7) - Handmade by a woman in Kenya and supports education. More info on ME to WE below. To buy click here.

ME to WE Coffee That Changes Lives™

shop.metowe.com / Via shop.metowe.com

ME to WE Coffee That Changes Lives™ ($13) - Fairtrade coffee made from farmers in Latin America/Kenya and supports opportunity. Available in whole-bean, ground, medium roast, and dark roast. To buy click here. (Pro tip: If you need a last minute gift and it's too late to order online, most groceries stores now supply fair trade coffee!)

ME to WE Dream Necklace

shop.metowe.com / Via shop.metowe.com

Make a Statement Necklace - Dream ($12) - Handmade by a woman in Kenya and provides water. More info on ME to WE below. To buy click here.

ME to WE is a friendship branch to WE.org that sells products made in communities suffering from "child labor, exploitation of children, and minimal opportunities for the girl child." They sell beautiful, fairtrade jewelry, chocolates, coffees (and more) that support one of five causes in those communities; Education, Water, Health, Food, and Opportunity.

To learn and shop for more, visit their site: https://shop.metowe.com/

"Man Hippie" Gift Pack

dirtyhippiecosmetics.com.au / Via etsy.com

"Man Hippie" Gift Pack ($43) - Created by a family-run business out of Australia. Their products are hand-made, cruelty-free, organic, and ethically sourced with eco-friendly packaging/refill options. They sell gift boxes as well as individual skincare, body care, makeup, and hair products for men and women . To shop click here.

Conscious Step Socks

consciousstep.com / Via consciousstep.com

Conscious Step Socks ($18) - For every pair you buy, the company donates a set donation to their nonprofit partners, "so that your socks create a tangible impact in making the world a better place." The prices may seem a bit steep for socks, but it's because they are mindfully manufactured with a sustainable supply chain, made from organic cotton in an ethical workplace, and fairtrade certified. There are sixteen causes you can choose from to support, each with their own designs. To buy click here.

Tugboat (100% Recycled Plastic)

greentoys.com / Via greentoys.com

Tugboat made from 100% Recycled Plastic ($15) - Green Toys makes a collection of kid's toys, from tea sets to doctor play kits, all made out of recycled milk jugs. These toys are made in the U.S.A and shipped in eco-friendly packaging. If you have kids you need to shop for, Green Toys is the way to go. To buy click here.

Kids Knitted Narwhal Hat

fairtradewinds.net / Via fairtradewinds.net

Kids Knitted Narwhal Hat ($24) - While we're on the kids-gift subject, this knitted Narwhal hat is the cutest thing and certified fair trade. These hats are hand-knitted by indigenous women artisans from the highlands of Peru and Bolivia. The knitting pattern/design is actually unique to the highland communities which is yet another reason this hat is special. To buy click here.

WWF Species Adoption

World Wildlife Foundation / Via gifts.worldwildlife.org

WWF Animal Adoption Kit ($25) - Symbolically adopt one of over 140 species to support the World Wildlife Foundation's global efforts to protect our climate, forests, oceans, wildlife, and much more. Each adoption kit includes a photo, an adoption certificate, and an info card for your selected animal/mammal. It's such a cute way to feel connected with wildlife and easily one of my favorite gifts. To adopt click here.

Purple Rain Tea Tin

justea.com / Via fairtradewinds.net

Purple Tea by JusTea ($13) - For the tea lovers in your life, JusTea has a unique twist to their product...it's purple! It is made from a tea leaf that is unique to Kenya. Their most popular tea is "Purple Rain" which is loose-leaf lemongrass, passionfruit, apple, and hibiscus purple tea that gives job opportunities to rural Kenyan farmers (along with a fun shout out to Prince). To buy click here.

EcoTools Makeup Brushes

ecotools.com / Via ecotools.com

Festive and Flawless Makeup Kit ($10-20) - EcoTools products are made cruelty free, from recycled materials (plastic, aluminum, and bamboo), and use tree-free packaging. They're also easily available in almost every major store where beauty products are sold (i.e. Target, ULTA, etc.). Their products are highly rated, highly affordable, and highly eco-friendly. It's a win-win-win. To buy click here or visit your local Target.

Insulated Wine Carrier

looptworks.com / Via looptworks.com

Insulated Wine Carrier ($29) - Looptworks upcycles thrown away materials from the fashion and textile industries. For example this wine carrier (growler carriers also available) was made from an unused Patagonia wader boot insert. This Seattle-based company takes fashion waste and turns it into something to keep my wine chilled, and I'm here for it. To buy click here.

Milk Chocolate Lovers Pack

Divine Chocolate / Via shop.divinechocolateusa.com

Divine Chocolate Variety Pack ($29) - Divine Chocolate is a global, farmer-owned chocolate company that works with Ghanaian cocoa farmers. Their business model is based on "dignified trading relations, empowering both producers and consumers." I don't even need a holiday to hope someone buys me this. I might buy me this. YUM. To buy click here.

Fiery Floral Birdhouse

Manos Amigas / Via serrv.org

Fiery Floral Birdhouse ($28) - Each birdhouse is handmade and supports small artisan villages in rural Peru. Each purchase supports "a sustainable livelihood and hopeful outlook for some of Peru's poorest residents." Also it's gorgeous. And I mean come on, everyone gets excited when they see a bird outside their house. If they don't someone please give them a hug. To buy click here.

Happy Shopping!

I highly encourage you to browse a bit on each of these sites. There are some great gift ideas and I barely scratched the service. TIP: Most of these sites have discounts when you sign up for their newsletter or order with them for the first time. As the cherry on top, I'd also recommend looking into re-usable gift wrapping or recycled wrapping paper. I hope you find a eco-friendly item that you can be proud to give. What better way to show someone you care than by giving them a unique, impactful gift...and what better way to be a human than by using your buying powers for good.