Green Christmas 2016: Let's Do This!

Yes, it is early to talk about Christmas.

No, I am not a person with their tree up already.

But this is a blog about living more, buying less, and spending our money on things that do some good. All of those concerns will loom large the next few months. Plus, etsy purchases can take time.

So, let's do this.

We as Christians love to bemoan the ways the Christmas message has been lost, and I can't help but agree. It has become about catching the biggest sale (ugh Black Friday- leave Thanksgiving alone!) and the visual affirmation of success through abundance. We want to see those piles under the tree, but why?

I know I love to see a mountain of presents under the tree- gifting is my love language, and I can't help but send the message "HOLY CRAP I LOVE YOU SO FREAKING MUCH" this time of year. I think that big pile can also tell people that they are doing ok, that they are providing, that their kids are happy, etc. When life gets hard, it can be a signal things can still be good. But as much as I get the instinct to celebrate this way, the way I see Christmas gifting is radically changing.

Our gifting mirrors the gifts of the Magi, but on a deeper level, it mirrors the gift God gave the Earth- his son! He did the ultimate good for the world by giving this gift, and I truly believe we should try to model our gift giving after this. Instead of looking for a deal or making sure each child has an equal pile of goodies, could we ask "How will this gift do good?"

A gift that does good changes the criteria from which we make our choices- it's no longer "will he like it?" or "will this be enough?" or "can I find this cheaper?"

Shopping to do good means paying attention to how the object was made- "was the person who made it treated with respect?" It can also refer to how it was sold- "does buying this help my community?" It could be about the environment- "Does this gift create more waste for landfills or use a ton of energy getting here?" By paying attention to these issues, we shift our gifting paradigm, and we can make a profound difference in this world and in our families.

Consumerism in America is out of control. In 2012, they estimated an average American spends 846 dollars on gifts for Christmas. That's a ton of money! This means, Christmas is one of the most important times to think about making a positive difference with your shopping. People have too much stuff already, and it takes away from our lives. It also destroys our landscape. Our gifts create landfill waste and use tons of fossil fuels. Committing to buying less but better, less plastic, practical, and more local gifts can change the world. Especially if we all make this change.

Your shopping can do good if you think about it this way- 

We often hear cliched statements about how Christmas isn't about gifts or spending, but that is honestly easier said than done. This blog aims to give some actual strategies about how to make Christmas great without so much stuff.

Buy Less. Don't buy 3 cheap gifts. Buy 1 good one. Don't get stuck with that picture of the tree in your head, and spend money on non-physical gifts like gift cards for dinner out or tickets for a cool experience. Make something yourself.

Buy Used. Fight the stigma against used items. You can find an amazing pair of boots or kitchen items at a steal just by starting at consignment shops first. Check you Buy Nothing Project. Look for toys or items that use post-consumer recycled materials.

Buy Local, Buy American. Support your community and your country by shopping at locally-owned stores instead of Walmart and Made in America items instead of things made elsewhere.

Is local and American more expensive? Yep. But if you buy fewer gifts and fill in the blanks with used items, it can add up to about the same. You are just spending your money in a different way.

This is a huge commitment, but you can break it into sizes that don't overwhelm.

I am not suggesting you have to do this for every gift (even though it would be cool if you did). Make a plan, make a list, and figure out which things you can do this for. You can even think about how to change what you ask for when people ask. This is all about baby steps, and if you think about it at all, then that is pretty damn awesome.

You could try making part of your gift this year. Or just start your shopping at local businesses and thrift stores. You could rethink what you really need and will ask for yourself. Every Christmas season, we shell out oodles of money to buy gifts for all our loved ones. If we all did commit 100 dollars to local businesses, or things manufactured in America, or recycled/ used gifts, we could make a HUGE difference!

So the blog in November and December is all about inspiring a new approach to Christmas shopping. One where we can finally accept it really is the thought that counts, not the money spent.

Most importantly, this is totally doable. I am going to post more friends and family wishlists (throwbacks from last year and new ones- people send me your lists!), so you can see that you can get almost anything recycled or Made in America. I am going to post ideas of how to wrap in a more eco-friendly way (how can we wrap creatively to make the wrapping part of the gift?), and even more stocking stuffers Made in America (therefore, using so much less fossil fuel!). I am going to research Christmas pajamas and where you can get local, American-made candy all over this country. I have some awesome Etsy lists for you (I do love some Etsy).

Now, I know my Dad is pulling his hair out at the thought of me writing these Christmas lists through 2 months (he hates the skip over Thanksgiving), but hear me out. I cannot in good conscience encourage last minute Etsy shopping, because that is a fool's game. When you are buying things from people, not giant corporate machines, sometimes part of what you are investing in is a slower  process. It does not mean that you should let consumerism take over your season starting today, and PLEASE save the Christmas music until after Thanksgiving!

I am also really into the idea of giving as a family tradition, so look out for Advent giving plans and ideas of where and what to donate this Christmas (some of the big organizations, like Operation Christmas Child, have major problems, but that doesn't mean they all do).

So, join me in setting some new goals this Christmas- if you care about stewardship and you want to make your Christmas about more than sales at the mall, resolve to only buy things Made in America or fair-trade.

If you care about the environment, think about how you can create less waste this season! There are so many great ideas out there.

The amazing thing is, if you care about one of these things, you will make a positive change for all of them. If a company cares about these things, not just about making the most money possible, they often attend to other ways to do good as well. Putting your money there sends mainstream companies the message that if they want your money, they have to do better too, which is a pretty awesome message for us to send (over and over).

You don't have to make it impossible for yourself, just join me in trying to do better this Christmas. And let me know about what you are finding, what you are looking for, and what purchases you are most excited about!

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Eco-Friendly Christmas Cards

the card is from etsy and the picture is from the amazing and talented Jenny GG

At this moment in the year, we start shopping for our Christmas card. Many of us send each other Christmas cards to wish friends peace and joy, to celebrate the holidays, and to show off their family in totally not posed pictures of family togetherness. I can joke, but I am as guilty as anyone of sending these cards and being so happy to receive them. It is equally nice to be wished happiness and to see how happy people I care about are. Christmas cards may be cheesy, but they are also awesome.

Even better, if you are trying to have a more eco-friendly holiday season, then the Christmas cards create a pretty obvious opportunity to make some positive changes! This is an opportunity to save trees, that keep our Earth cooler, our air cleaner, and our view prettier.

Think about how many trees must go down for all that holiday cheer in the mail- probably more worth it than the trees that come down for toilet paper. But if you can celebrate the holidays by being a steward and preserving God's creation, why wouldn't you do it? If the holiday really isn't about consumerism, we need to approach it with the spirit of stewardship first.

I know I as a Christian think even more about my role as a steward this time of year- how can I approach giving gifts in a way that pleases God? If giving gifts to each other is a symbolic repetition of God giving us the gift of his son, how can we do it in a way that takes care of his creation? Those questions resonate even when the gift is as small as a card.\

If you want to be a good steward this Christmas, recycled cards make so much sense. You can save trees from being cut down while still sending your love to others. The answer here is simple, though it might cost you more money.

The good news? Recycled card options are EVERYWHERE, they just may not be where you would look first. Skip Shutterfly and Tiny Prints. Tiny prints weirdly comes up when you search for eco-friendly Christmas cards, but they aren't, so that is an infuriating scam. They don't use any recycled paper as far as I can see. That being said, so many other places do.

Let's do this, people! Enough of these virgin tree shenanigans:

Green Field Paper Co

Green Field Paper Co is now my first stop for paper good browsing. Not only do they have great designs, they also feature more types of eco-friendly statonary than anyone. When you see just how many creative and eenviromentaly responsible options are out there, it's hard not to question why all paper companies don't try this route.My favorite- cards specifically made out of recycled junk mail! That is genius. All the other cars need to step it up. They also have plantable cards, ornaments, and gift cards (these are made of recycled paper and have seeds in them- bonus, they are all made in San Diego). Seriously, look here before you buy a box of cards anywhere else.

Paper Culture

Paper Culture is another gem- a perfect first stop if you want a cheesy/wonderful photo card (don't be ashamed; I love them too). Paper Culture recognizes their carbon footprint, and they try to offset it by using 100% post-consumer paper for their cards and by planting a tree for every order they sell. The Arbor Day Foundation does it for every card (so significantly more depending on your order), but these cards gave a little more design to them and have photocard options, so they may better fit your vision. Their designs vary from bright and busy to minimalist and chic, so you are sure to find something you like. Plus, they don't cost any more than those photo cards from Tiny Prints. How did we not all know about this before?!

Minted

 I have a lot of loyalty for Minted cards; we got our save the dates and birth announcements from them, and their cards always look great and modern. They are pretty comparably priced to Tiny Prints, just a little more expensive, but they offer 100% recycled paper for 15 dollars more. To me, that's worth it, and I will just buy fewer cards to cover the cost.

 Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation sells 100% recycled "Give a Tree" paper cards as a fundraiser. Every card you buy puts money towards planting trees, so not only are you preventing more trees from coming down, you are also helping plant more! I love this idea so much, though I can't really say that the designs are anything to get excited about (some designer- volunteer your time). Definitely less stylish, but think, if you did this every year at Christmas, how many trees you could help plant in a lifetime. What a sweet addition to your holiday traditions.

Etsy

We all knew I was going to say it- you still have time to buy your cards from etsy, so you can start with this search to find eco-friendly options on there as well.

A Few Other Thoughts to Keep Things Eco-Friendly (No matter where you buy)

Skip the Foil- Foil pressed cards are really pretty, and they are super popular right now. Skip them. You can't recycle them and they won't biodegrade.

Buy Less- Pick a smaller than regular number to send and just don't send them to those people on the list that feel like a stretch. It can make a big difference to just cut down your numbers to the people you really care about.

Above all, Save the Trees- With so many recycled paper options out there, it really doesn't make sense to send a card on virgin tree paper.

That's it! Christmas is kicked off and I will have a ton of ideas for how to make tiny changes to your Christmas plans that will have a big impact on the Earth. Have specific questions? Let me know and we will try to address them. In the meantime, check out the Christmas lists from last year on The Giant List of Shopping Lists.

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Green Christmas: 10 Awesome Gifts that Don't Take Up Any Room Under the Tree

Oh who doesn't love the look of a Christmas tree just bursting with gifts underneath? It feels good to see that symbol of abundance and that physical manifestation of love on Christmas morning. I know I really love a good Gift Mountain. I do. Not facetious at all, it makes me so happy to give gifts.

That being said, how many of the gifts you received last year can you name? And how many gifts get returned or never quite find use in the course of the year? Probably at least a few! We give so many gifts this time of year, but if you are looking to get the most for the biggest deal, you are doing harm. Americans have so much stuff, and we are creating tons of waste. 85 million tons of textile waste. Plastic that is overrunning the ocean. Encouraging inequality and the mistreatment of other. If Jesus came to save the world, why are we celebrating him by destroying it?

I would never knock gift-giving as a practice, but I do think there are lots of gifts we could be giving that don't take up more room in our homes and under our tree. Giving gifts that don't take up space can sometimes be the best ones, and they can help us take care of what we already have rather than adding to piles that can become hard to manage. These gifts might not fill up the tree space as much, but I think they are gifts that your loved ones will be so much more likely to remember.

What non-material gifts are you giving this year? I am excited to be buying our niece piano lessons with a few books. All of our siblings are getting experiences instead of stuff. It's a trend I am excited about, even if we don't have the big gift-opening moment on Christmas morning. That's two minutes. I want to get gift that make memories that will last.


So here are my best ideas- what are you getting this year that you don't have to wrap

1. Netflix Subscriptions- Rather than buying someone a stack of movies this Christmas, what about getting them the fancy dvd level membership to Netflix? Even pay for their streaming for them! It is a little steep, maybe their whole gift for the year, but it creates a lot less waste to borrow than to own!

2. Quality Time- Rather than getting a family or couple more stuff, look up an event calendar for their town and think about if you could get them tickets to a cool activity they would enjoy. For example (and sorry, Shell, I didn't go for it and I should have), I saw tickets for sale to go see/ ride on Thomas the Tank Engine that would have been so fun for my sweet cousin's toddlers and their whole family. If you can fund a new experience or a family memory, that can make a great gift!

For the Bub's birthday, we bought him one gift. One. Instead, we took him to see Daniel Tiger Live as a family, and he was so into it! My goal is to manage birthdays this way forever- one gift, one experience, and one party. I love the memory of going there with him, and it won't add to the collection of toys we seem to always be fighting back.

If you don't have kids to shop for, this still works. Try concert tickets or season tickets to something. Give a gift card for a trip you know they are saving for.

3. Handy Help- Taking a page from Luke on Gilmore Girls, you could give "coupons" for help getting something checked off a loved one's to do list. Not handy yourself? You could try buying your loved one a few hours of handyman or cleaning person time. I have given this gift, and not to toot my own horn (toot toot), but I think it is basically the best gift ever. Let's face it, adulthood is the worst, and it gets so old to have a neverending to do list for your home. Blech.

You can get a loved one a little help fixing that vent or ceiling, or hanging that molding, or building that closet organization, or whatever other nonsense just never quite gets done because it sounds horrible and people are super busy. One of the greenest things we can do is take care of what we have so we don't need to buy a new one, so this might be the ticket for someone you care about.

4. Food- Take someone a lasagna or pot pie or something they can stick in their freezer, not under the tree. Much like house repairs, cooking can be a real pain in the bumper this time of year. It can really help someone out. If you aren't sure what to make, but you want to give more practical gifts, you could also stock a pantry or buy them all (recycled) paper goods (I love this idea- a year's worth of paper towels sounds so lame, but it is kind of awesome actually).

5. Date Night- A gift card for a night out is not exactly new territory, but it's a classic for a reason. People love to eat out, and this gives them a good reason to go do it!

6. A Museum Membership- If your giftee lives near a museum (or zoo? or theater? science center?), a membership could be a great gift! It basically gives them a constant reason to go visit, and members at many museums have access to activities and events they may not otherwise. Perfect for an art lover, animal lover, or just someone who loves to learn. Also great for stay at home parents, as most of these places have weekday activities that cater to small children and their adults.

7. Donating to a Charity in their Honor- For that person who really does have everything, and they really don't want any more stuff. You can find charities that give ornaments or calendars in return for a donation if you want to give them a little token, but I think this would be so cool. If we all put 100 dollars of our Christmas shopping money directly into charities, we could make a huge difference in the world!

This one feels even more relevant than it did a year ago. We need to support organizations fighting for our environment and for human rights. You could also support efforts to help in Syria or even "adopt" a refugee family in their honor. So many options here, so think about what matters most to them.

8. A Visit from a Cleaning Service- Do you know someone with small children? Stop! Do not buy them another baby thing,

Get them a few visits from a cleaning service. You will be their favorite person forever.

This could probably work for all sorts of people, but parents of babies will love you the most, and that's the point of Christmas, right?

Check with them first; no reason to offend anyone. If you don't have much money, but you have some serious cleaning skills, this is a gift that could cost you 0 dollars.

9. Lessons- The Boy and I talk about getting cooking and dancing lessons all the time, but we have never gone for it. If you know someone has debated it, this might be the perfect way to help the person you love finally take the leap. Swimming lessons might be cool for kids too. The community college near us has a super interesting catalog of night classes, so be sure to check out what is near you too!

10. Massages- I think massages are a little awkward, but not everyone is as wimpy as me. A massage might really make their day. We did this for my brother and sister in law last year as a kind of date? Wow, that sounds awkward to me, but you go ahead and go for it, because we aren't all pasty blogging dorks.

What non-material gifts have you bought for someone?

Some of these are a little steep- I am a big supporter of going in with others to buy gifts! If we all focus on quality and not quantity, I think we can shift our paradigm on Christmas and consumption, focusing more on what really matters and less on stuff! Who can't get behind that?

If you are looking for more shopping inspiration, check out my Giant List of Shopping Lists!

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Green Christmas- My 2016 Christmas List

Ok, here is another Christmas list! I think we can get blocked and need inspiration for gift ideas. I also think it is easy to feel like everything is Made in China out of cheap plastic, but you can find eco-friendly options for most things on your list. This is my list.

from oh little rabbit

Holiday Tea Towels or Pillow Covers- I used to buy holiday-themed decorations at places like Target, and though I do support their respect for the LGBTQ community, I wish they sold more eco-friendly options for shoppers. Now some of our tea towels are looking rough, and I would like to get some holiday decor that is a little more subtle to replace them. I love the tea towels (and everything else, frankly) from oh little rabbit. I also think pillow covers are a cool way to decorate, because they don't take up much room but can change the effect of the room.

Arbor Day Thank You Cards- My dream now is that I would never write another thank you card that didn't also fund planting a tree. The Arbor Day Foundation sells Give-a-Tree cards that I want as my stationary.  Wouldn't that be awesome? Think of how much gratitude and good air one person could produce in a lifetime! On the other hand, it's an expensive goal. So I would love the help. Blank thank you cards would make a truly fun gift.

Casual Dresses that will Last- I love a dress, but chasing toddlers doesn't lend itself to much fanciness in life. What I would really like are more t-shirt, tunic, or simple casual dresses, but I am trying to avoid just buying the thing at Target that will only last a short time. Simka Sol has some pretty tunics. I also love thief and bandit, though that is getting really expensive (but would hopefully get a lot of use. Used is also good!

from Lovely from Lindsey

Stocking Holders- We have stockings that we love, but right now they just end up on command hooks somewhere. I would like to be able to show off the beautiful gifts we were given, so stocking holders are the only decoration I am really thinking of. I think my favorite are these simple, modern blocks with letters from Lovely from Lindsey. Our stockings have a lot going on, so I prefer the simple ones. Ezze Blocks makes really simple ones with a photo clip that you could maybe change up every year? I think there is potential for this idea.

from Homme Sur La Lune

This Bag- Who doesn't want some Leslie Knopeness like this? Most people? Oh alright, but I think it is the coolest. I have lusted after this all year.

Donations- Ugh, this year, there is no object I want nearly as much as I would like our environment to not be completely destroyed by a president elect who prioritizes other concerns way over the Earth. I think a donation to the NRDC, the Sierra Club, or a local, grassroots environmental effort like the Stop DAPL protectors would make a kickass gift.  I know this sounds lame or over the top, but I really can't think of anything I want more than to push the momentum in a positive direction, because we have a scary four years ahead of us.

from Amazon

Cookie Sheets- Our sheet pan with a rim was a hand me down from my mom, and it is looking really really rough. I would like a cookie sheet from USA Pan with a rim to replace it once it bites the dust completely.


Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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Fourth Anniversary Inspiration- Fruit and Flower Inspiration and Fun

By your fourth anniversary, it sure can be easy to phone it in. Just head out to dinner and call it a day. I know we did that here way more than I would have liked, but we are also 9 months into a pregnancy, so I forgive us. Some years you just aren't going to nail it.

On the other hand, I think this anniversary (and it's fruity theme) actually lends itself to TONS of cool and fun ideas for activiities and decorations. You can do this one WELL, my friends. Do better than we did.

 Make this year a fun memory, not just a throwaway.

What to Do

The ideas on Pinterest for this anniversary are particularly lame. Basically, just fruit puns. I have nothing against fruit puns, but its no inside tent or leather den or really anything fun. But clearly, they have missed the boat here, because I think so many great ideas are waiting to happen!

1. Berry-picking- I know it sounds cheesy, but we have had the best time doing this. Living in Northern California, we could actually go pick strawberries right by the beach. Can you hear the sea lions when you look at this picture? Needless to say, it was cool. Lots of areas, rural and urban have picking farms nearby, and dependent on your anniversary date, you could do whatever is seasonal and available. Then go home and make something with it. It's an activity that is out of the ordinary, but it won't break the bank either.

2. Start a garden- Are you a late-spring/ early-summer couple? You got this. Plant something. Plant a bush or a tree in the anniversary's honor, and every year you can see how much it grows. Don't have a yard? Plant an herb garden you can use at home OR look and see if there is any planting that needs done in your neighborhood. You could even volunteer together for replanting somewhere or to work for a day in a community garden. It can be so fun to get your hands dirty, and isn't it always somehow better to do this kind of thing for someone else?

A good way to revise the flower/ fruit theme is "Growing." Your marriage isn't new anymore, but now we all know the secret that things don't stop growing just because they aren't saplings. Think about things that grow in your life and build your anniversary plans around keeping things growing.

3. Go to (or Make) Dinner Together- We went out for a fancy dinner this year, and when food is part of the theme, a dinner makes sense (otherwise, it can feel a little bit like the easiest possible answer).But I do think food in general makes sense, and if you have a fruit that especially resonates, you could pick it as a theme for food for the week!

Do a fun fruit salad. Or carve something out of fruit? I want to see some anniversary- themed watermelon sculptures!

I mean, come on. From Seasons of Joy

Maybe try a whole week of new recipes? Could you make a whole week of mango meals? Or try all the weird fruits in the grocery store you never go near? I think there is a fun adventure here waiting to happen. On that note...

What to Eat

This anniversary screams cake, so I am kind of freaking out that I haven't picked a cake (or its toppers yet). How do you pick when there are so many good options? Two years ago I made a lemon cake, and I will be honest with you, it wasn't that good. I obviously didn't pick the right thing. So this year I am looking for some fruity inspiration:

from Design Sponge

Pie! I love this anniversary pie from Design Sponge. So simple and chic, and it might be a good choice if you aren't a cake couple. I love this heart pie crust as well.

from Eat Spin Run Repeat

Fruit Cake. You can do an actual fruitcake for a Christmas anniversary, but how cool is this for summer anniversaries? I love Eat Spin Run Repeat's step by step tutorial, but you really could make an amazing cake with whatever fruit you like (or matches your wedding colors).

Just a Regular Old Amazing Cake. There is infinite pinteresty goodness around cakes with fruit. This is a goldmine, so you only have to find what idea fits you best. I had all sorts of ideas, and our cake was jank. I mean, really jank. Such a mess that I won't even put it up here, which I am never above doing. So let's look at other people's successes and ignore my 4th year failure:

from Baker by Nature

Baker by Nature has a recipe for a seriously beautiful lemon and blueberry cake. So nice, and it looks so pretty.

from Dagmar's Kitchen

This chocolate cake by Dagmar's Kitchen was the vision I had in my head when I thought about the cake. So pretty with the chocolate and the berries. Someday later I will make this cake. This one from Tastes Better from Scratch looks like a nice combination of the two.

from Plain Chicken

Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake from Plain Chicken looks less fussy but still very pretty. Might be a good route if you don't have a ton of time.

Ok, these are my best fruit and flower ideas! What did you do for your 4th anniversary?

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60 Green Stocking Stuffers for Adults

Stockings are treated like a footnote for Christmas, but an awesome stocking can be a highlight of the holiday! Especially if we are cutting down on our gifting (buy less, have more adventures), stockings will actually make up a good chunk of our shopping.

Kids gifts can be great, and you can find their stocking stuffer list here, but often, we adults get the bum end of the deal, because Santa is on to our misbehavior or something, but I think we can turn up the fun (and usefulness!) of the stockings.Even better, we can do this by making gifts or buying Eco-Friendly Used, Recycled, or Made in America gifts! 

We can fall into the idea that we don't have many good options, but we have tons! I listed 50 here, so you can pick a handful you like to replace something else you would have put in a stocking. Also, these are up early, because Etsy doesn't come with prime shipping, so things move slowly. You want to order some of this fun stuff soon! 

The Inner Child

from Bean Works Crochet

1. Cacti (USA)- Because if you haven't got one of Akron's famous crocheted cacti, you are missing out. Seriously though, these are so cute! Who doesn't want a Christmas cactus?

2. Cards (USA)- These playing cards are made in America, and nothing says holiday cheer like a good game of rummy or solitaire.

3. Puzzles (GU, USA)- You could get puzzles at basically any level and then put them in the stocking broken up (maybe not great for those 1000 piece puzzles).This is one you can definitely find in consignment stores Springbok Puzzles is one of the oldest puzzle companies in the US! Tavern Puzzles makes the cool metal puzzles you have to jimmy with to get things apart.

from Wild Rabbits Burrow

4. Stuffed Toy (USA)- Oh, you are too mature to want stuffed animals? It must really suck to be you! Maturity be damned, you can buy all sorts of cute little someones to stuff into a stocking. What adult doesn't need this Christmas cactus from Wild Rabbits Burrow in their life? Oh, most of us? Well, you might still find a perfect and adorable gift in this store (they have great pillows too) or another Etsy store like The Yawning Yak or The Huggable Hoots.

from Oanabefort

5. Temporary Tattoos (USA)- This must be on trend, because you can find any style of temporary tattoo. Is it mature to wear these? Absolutely not, so it makes for a fun Christmas day! Who doesn't want a Christmas face tattoo?  One year, I got a henna set for Christmas, and it was super fun until it exploded on my poor cousin Paige's hand. You can do it better than I did. Tattly Temporary Tattoos make some of my favorites like these nautical ones and the vegetables (finally fulfilling my eggplant tattoo dreams). I also love this anemone tattoo from Oanabefort. These hand tattoos look super fun as well.

Treat Yo Loved Ones

6. Backscratcher (USA)- You know you're a grown-up when your back hurts. A back scratcher can stick right in a stocking, and you can even get one shaped like a moose! Merry Christmas indeed!

from Juxtapositions SC

7. Bottle Opener (USA)- Simple addition that people sometimes need? I got The Boy a pirate one a year ago, and it has gotten a lot of use (yes, parenthood has led to way more beer drinking in this house, but only because we have had lots of people over). You could buy a set on Teals Prarie and give everybody matching ones. Juxtapositionsc sells every type of bottle opener you would ever want to buy, but I like the wall mounted ones best (because who doesn't want a little cast iron on Christmas?).

from Restrung Jewelry

8. Bracelets (R, FT)- My dad usually gives a piece or two of really fun jewelry, and I love these bright and colorful bracelets made from recycled flip flops. You could split the group between stockings too. I got a set of these, and they are actually prettier in person. Super cute and great for the environment! I am currently obsessed with recycled guitar string bracelets, especially these beauties from Restrung Jewelry (you can try Fox Designs Jewelry, Robin and Leigh, or Recycled Hope as well). Want more recycled options? Try R3SK8 Products, that makes mod jewelry out of old skateboards. You can even get a bike chain bracelet!

from sleepy mountain

9. Fun Jewelry (USA)- It's very important to understand that no stocking jewelry should be fancy or expensive. Fun. Playful. My dad usually puts some jewelry in my stocking every year, and some of it is very cute and some is a little more silly, but (as far as I know), stocking jewelry does not cause an arm and a leg. Lucky for all of us, Etsy sellers are the geniuses of fun jewelry, so you are bound to find something perfectly awesome for your loved ones. Sleepy Mountain sells the best studs I have ever seen- Ron Swanson, Tobias Funke, paper planes (see how that works on two levels?). If Santa is reading this, I would basically love anything from this store (someone loves Parks and Rec as much as I do).

If you want to be classy (booo), you could also get a bracelet with an initial on it. You can also buy minimalist jewelry like these earrings from Madera Lane. Art Altered brings the dorky at an epic level. You could get bangle bracelets made of recycled champagne bottles- so fancy! Obsessories also sells hilarious stud earrings (you can even get custom ones of your dog) . Do you see there is an endless supply of options here? You can find the perfect piece of kooky jewelry this year.

10. Hair Ties (USA)- Pumpkin Bowtique has lots of choices of hair ties, in any color you can think of. I love these ribbon ones, which are adorable and come in lots of patterns. It's a nice alternative to the elastic ones with the little metal piece.

11. iPad Case (USA)- Maybe a little big for a stocking, but you could potentially roll it around the top to pile things higher, like my dad does with magazines (seems a little symbolic, right? Replacing magazines with an iPad cover?) 8th Day Encore has lots of pretty combinations of fabric, and I would probably pick them for that. Wooden 45 sells covers and pouches out of Michigan. These Mario and Luigi ones make me smile, though I don't know how a crocheted case works long term. If you are a sewer, and you just want to make a good one yourself, you can get the instant download PDF here for 4 dollars.

from Off Chutes

12.  Luggage Tags (R, USA)- RSVP Handcrafted makes some of the best leather goods on Etsy, and their luggage tags can be personalized and probably used forever. My favorites are these recycled parachute tags from Off Chutes- I like when they are bright and eye catching, because it helps when you are at Baggage Claim. A good luggage tag can be a lifesaver, and it is just the sort of small detail that can freshen up an older piece of luggage.

13, Nail Polish (USA)- There are lots of great beauty articles out there about eco-friendly and vegan nail polishes. I love Essie polish (in most drug stores and Target), which doesn't have the nasty chemicals and is made in the US, but as far as I know isn't vegan. Ginger and Liz is vegan, and their polish is 12 dollars a pop. Butter and Priti NYC are made in the US 5-free, and they go for 15 dollars a bottle (these aren't cheap, but isn't it better to have 1 healthy nail polish you use all the time than 3 much less responsible ones you use once in a blue moon?). Suncoat and Earthly Delights are both non-toxic/ vegan as well, and they are more at the Essie price.

You could also get someone a cute set of nail stickers (I guess? I do not get nail stickers, and it seems like a lot of waste for nearly no fun), like this set from Southern Country Nails.

14. Phone Covers (EF, C)- It may be mighty challenging to buy a cell phone made in America, but finding a case made in the US is easy as pie (and it can make that phone last so much longer).

 Pela makes phone covers out of bioplastic (mostly for iphones), which is hard and durable, but also biodegradable. You can find recycled wood phone covers too! Neo makes bamboo cases. I love that so many options exist, because you give this eco-friendly gift that fits the style of the person you are gifting it to! If you are into cutesiness, Happy Kosmos has Kawaii covers like this red panda. This one is insane, and I love it. If the people you love exercise, they might love these arm band cases from speedzster, which are perfect for runs.

I have done some research on the phone cover as well. You can check my favorite stores here.

15. Pocket Mirrors (USA)-  I think these pocket mirrors from Boy Girl Party would make a great stocking stuffer, because it could easily stay in a purse for emergency moments. The Boy got me the dinosaur one last year, and it totally reflects things. And they are only 6 bucks and made in the US! Win! Glorious Weirdo makes all sorts of mirrors, but my favorite might be these Ghostbuster ones. Modern Girl Blitz makes a badass feminist mirror.

from The Little Soap Store

16. Soap (EF, USA)- I am now fully convinced that everyone should buy their soaps locally. You can find MULTIPLE options to buy soap from in your area, not to mention your country! So why do we keep buying soap wrapped in tons of packaging that has traveled such a long way? You can also find about a million hilarious and fun soap options to put in a stocking. I love these doughnut soaps from The Little Soap Store. How cute is that! Also awesome, this trout on a rope soap from Dope on a Rope Soap (less keen on the marajuana soap, because pot smells awful, but embrace the stinkiness if that's you). These lump of coal soaps are cheeky and fun too. Or, if you are nervous about buying something you like, I would recommend a small set of leftovers/ samples, like Lippincott Soap Co sells. What a good idea, and your loved one could test soaps and find the ones they like best.  Everyone, buy some fun soap for stocking stuffers this year- another EASY and fun switch!

from Pact

17. Socks (USA, R)- Only fun socks, because just regular socks is just not a treat at all. Solmate Socks makes adorable mismatched socks in bright, fun colors. We bought them for the Bub, and they have stood up to lots of wear. We also love Pact socks for men and women, which are fair trade. Woolrich sells made in America socks too!

18. Underwear (FT or USA)- You stop believing in Santa, you get underwear for Christmas. This is adulthood, and it is kind of the worst. On the other hand, you can get super cute and soft underwear from Pact in both men's and women's! Blue Canoe makes some of my favorites too. Commando sells underwear and pasties, so if you are the first person to put pasties in a stocking, I salute you.

19. Make Up Pads (USA, EF)- These reusable make up pads will help cut down the big pile of garbage made by make up usually. Plus, they look like little crocheted frisbees to throw around.

Kitchen Stuff

20. BBQ Rubs or Spices (USA)- Giving new spice rubs to experiment with might be the perfect gift for a foodie or barbeque lover. Gusto sells cute little 4 packs of hot wing rubs for 9 bucks, among their pretty wide variety of barbeque spice rubs.

from Kline Honey Bee Farm

21. Honeys and Jams (USA, EF)- My mom brings us jam from her garden sometimes when she visits, and other than one jar, we  have eaten through them all. I feel like this could be the perfect Christmas treat! And you could introduce someone to a new favorite! I love these Kline Honey Bee Farm packs, which has 6 different tasters, so people can find their favorites. Boondock Enterprises sells small jars of a wide variety of jam so they will fit in a stocking.

22. Salt and Pepper (USA)- Ok, we all wish I meant the kind that came with Spinderella, but this is pretty great too. Get some kind of cool salt (we have pink finishing salt) or peppercorns to put in the shakers all year long. Lots of use and fun idea. If you live by a spices store, some cool spices would make a great gift too.

from Comfortably Lovely

23. Magnets (USA)- You can find TONS of magnets on Etsy, and they make for a fun addition to any stocking. These Pantone magnets from Comfortably Lovely look like so much fun. Think of all the color combinations you could make instead of cooking!  I literally love this Recall Knope? DON'T! magnet.

24. Measuring Cups and Spoons (R, USA)- They don't all fit under the 15 dollar cutoff, but these cups from Preserve and spoons from Architec do. They might come in handy if the ones in your kitchen are worn down past usefulness.

25. Popcorn (USA)- If you don't go the route of the giant popcorn tins, you could get gourmet (??) popcorn kernels and fun original popcorn toppings from Dell Cove Spices. In general, I think I would be incredulous about something like this, but they have great reviews and it sounds pretty delicious. It would also be a fun bottom level for a stocking if you love someone with no sweet tooth.

26. Sink Brush (USA)- Nothing says a good time like a sink brush. Still, you need them, and this one looks great.

from amazon

27. Spatulas (USA)- These Fletcher's Mill Spatulas come in pretty colors. I like having a few in different sizes, so I can scrape out different vessels and so forth. Because no one should make the tragic mistake of wasting cookie batter.

28. Spoons and Turners (EF)- Stuff one of those into a stocking instead of one of those Hershey Kiss tubes? I know ours look a little rough, and you can't cook with those candy tubes.My beloved Epicurean makes awesome spoons and turners- we love them in this house.  These ones, from Architec, are made of bamboo, and they come in pretty colors.   Lipper International sells bamboo sets as well.

from Amitea Organics

29. Teas and Coffees- Ok, I don't drink hot liquids (why do they all taste like dirty water?), so I am not an expert on these, but you can find all kinds of cool tea and coffee sets. They might make a really great treat for Christmas. Amitea Organics sells sets of multiple teas that looks pretty and festive. Apropos Roasters sells similar packs of coffee, and they seem to be pretty beloved. Why? I don't know. People are crazy and love hot water dirt.

30. Whisk (USA)- Last year, Santa brought both the Boy and I whisks in our stockings, because our whisk (a hand me down from my mom) fell apart. Both of those whisks, one from Target's basic line and one by Giada have both fallen apart already. It's not like we cook that much. We just bought junk. Even a stocking can be an opportunity to gift things that are needed with all of the fun stuff. If you also want to throw in a whisk, you have some great options that are made in the US by Best Manufacturers. We have a Best Manufacturers one now, and you can tell it is well made to last (even against our toddler's mixa mixa mixa). Never going back to Giada's crap.

from Amazon

31. Reusable Straws (EF, USA)- Simple straws like these Hummingbird glass ones can keep so many plastic straws out of landfills. Maybe not for everyone, but if you have a straw-lover in your life, these would be perfect in a bag or office. They have metal ones too if the glass makes you nervous. Super simple, and a genius way to eliminate so much wastefulness! Plus, it comes with its own cleaning brush- so cute!

32. Sponges and Washclothes (EF)- If you have skills, you can make washclothes on your own, if not, eco-friendly reusable sponges and washclothes make a practical gift. If you get cute ones like these from The Country Oak, The Green Haven, or Unsponge,  it may even make for a not-totally-miserable gift.

33. Cloth Napkins (EF, R, USA)- I love cloth napkins. I see why they came out of vogue, but it really is nothing to throw them in with the laundry. If you happen to shop for someone who cares about the environment or just wants a classy table, cloth napkins from Little Blue Nest, Clear Sky Home, Dot and Army, JAQS Studio, or Oh Little Rabbit would look adorable on a table and in a stocking.

34. Lemon Covers (USA)- Who knew a lemon cover was even a thing? Not sure everyone can use it, but it's worth a try if you (or the chef you are shopping for) are up for a citrus-related adventure.

Let's Get Creative

35. Colored Pencils (R)- Coloring for adults is all the rage, for good reason- it's fun! If you want to color, you can use these recycled colored pencils, which are so cool. They are made of recycled newspaper instead of bringing down more trees.

36. Markers (US, R)- Crayola makes markers here in the US, and you can even send them back to be recycled once they dry out.  Sharpies are still made in the US too!

from Obvious State

37. Little Notebooks (USA, R)- Is there anything with more possibility than a fresh new notebook? My beloved Decomposition Books are go to's all year long, made from recycled paper and soy ink in the US. I love them, and they fit perfectly in my bag. If you need something with almost excessive cool, Field Notes has notebook sets as well. Field Notes are so trendy at this point they may be heading to uncool? But they are way better than Moleskine, and they will bend just enough to fit in a stocking.

My new special occasion favorites are from Obvious State, who make modernist notebooks and posters with literary figures and quotes on them. Awesome.  I love these little ones that would make perfect stocking stuffers. This robot one from Happy Dappy Bits looks like a winner.

from My Posh Desiigns

38. Washi Tape (USA)- I feel like I would have loved these as a kid, and its another gift you could use to spruce up anything! All the sets at Pretty Tape are adorable. My Posh Designs also does a wide variety of adorable washi tape.

Practicals and Usefuls

39. Candles (EF, USA)- We used to impulse buy candles at Target, but they are filled with nasty chemicals, and they are meant to fill your house with them! Blech. Now, I can see a ton of other options as long as I am willing to poke around. You can make small ones yourself for an awesome gift, or you can buy all kinds of American- made and environmentally-responsible ones! Right now, we are burning a Our Own Candle Company candle (maybe too big for a stocking?) and an Eco candle, and they both smell amazing.

from Etta Arlene

I am currently really excited about Etta Arlene candles, which are made in Pittsburgh- yay Western PA! They have lots of hilarious and awesome scents, including Boss Bitch, Unicorn Tears, and Treat Yo Self (and if you buy 2, you get 20% off). Also, one of the listed materials is love. Mark this as one of my new favorite stores! Moss and Oak sells soy candles in scents you don't always see, and they have really great reviews, so this could be a homerun.

40. Car Escape Tool (USA)- Ok, maybe practical is the wrong word, but if you are trapped in a car, this keychain sure would be useful. If Leeza Gibbons was Santa Clause, this would be in everyone's stocking. Because holiday cheer means kidnapping preparedness.

41. Hats and Scarves (USA, R)- We just bought the Bub Gypsy and Lolo mittens, and we loved them so much, we bought him a second pair! They are made of recycled material and they are just so cute. They also sell gloves, hats, and scarves for adults, and though a lot of them are just out of that 15 dollar limit, but check out the sale section! Almost everything from there works. I also really like these slouchy beanies from Lot 415. I also have a whole post on warm, cozy pieces on Etsy, but the options are endless, so poke around.

from Crave by CRV

42. Key Chain (USA)- Not the most original idea, but you can find some gorgeous and fun options. I love these tassel charms, which are very on trend this year. Perfect if you want to be Hip Santa.

43. Nail Clippers (USA)- My mother-in-law puts nail clippers in everyone's stockings every year. Genius. Because nail clippers go missing all the time. I don't know where her son takes them. But they disappear. So replenishing the supply helps and these ones are made in America.

44. Pencils (R, EF, USA)- Did you know about Sprout Pencils? I didn't! They are pencils you can plant in the ground to grow herbs after you are finished with them! How freaking cool is that!?!? Totally biodegradable and genuinely doing good. I just love this. I love that someone thought of this. What a wonderful world. If you get these, tell me how you like them!

You can also get regular pencils out of recycled newspaper, so absolutely no trees came down for these pencils. I hate pencils, but if someone in your life doesn't, these are an awesome option.

from amazon

45. Pens (USA, R)- Pens work perfectly, and these pens (made from recycled plastic bottles) are the bomb. I have some, and they really write well (I am super picky about this). A dozen cost 11 dollars. Never buy fresh plastic pens again! That's nonsense! If you want to spice up your new all-recycled pens, try this 3-D printed pen holder!

46. Pocket Monkey (USA)- It works as a multitool and as a cute little monkey! Ok, I may not totally understand why someone would want this, but the tool fits in a wallet, so it would fit in a stocking!

47. Toothbrushes (USA, R, EF)- Ok, this whole Practical subcategory isn't exactly festive, but Christmas might work as a perfect transition from those sad fresh plastic toothbrushes that your loved ones may still use! Boo hiss! Instead, you could get biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes (lots of choices!) or Preserve recycled toothbrushes (we use these and they work exactly the same- no teeth have fallen out). So again, probably don't do an all-toothbrush stocking, but one never hurt anyone! If you want to buy less, buying some practical gifts makes a lot of sense.

48. Tweezers (USA)- The same basic principle as nail clippers- they disappear, and Christmas stockings can help replenish your tweezer supply. Plus, you can find them made in the US!

49. Produce Bags (USA, EF)- I think these little produce bags could be stuffed into a stocking and used all year long (instead of those impossible to open plastic ones. Not the perfect gift for everyone, but maybe your person would love it. These ones are my favorite since they are also made in the US. You can also find nice sets on Etsy, including from one of my favorite stores Oh Little Rabbit.

50. Bottle Beans (USA)- These awesome little sponges are perfect for cleaning out your reusable water bottle (because it can be tough to reach that one spot...). What a cool idea!

Odds and Ends

from Caramels for Karson

51. Caramels (USA, EF)- These caramels are made by a grandma to raise money for her grandsons with heart defects, so this is candy you can feel good about buying. They also have 849 5 star reviews, so if you don't have a huge soft spot for kids with heart issues, you may just like the caramels. I love this one. What a beautiful world we live in that she does this for them.

52. Hot Sauce or other Sauces (USA)- The Boy got a spice blend set one year which really led to lots of fun experiments. You could get something as simple as hot sauce or look around and find something from nearby. There are some neat American brands online- Stonewall sauces (like this garlic rosemary citrus sauce) or Tom Douglas sauces (like Tamarind Barbeque), but you can always find something near you too.

53. Christmas Ornaments (USA)- It would be kind of a cool tradition to put an ornament in their stocking each year that has to do with their year, then they can hang it on the tree. If you are looking to gift for a lot of people, I like this snowflake set from Nestled Pine Works. I love this little hedgehog one, but you can find so many Made in the USA ornaments on Etsy.

from Flytrap

54. Date Ideas (USA)- Flytrap sells fun date ideas and other card sets to put in a significant other's stockings. My favorite are the "Bad Parking Notes" which you can leave on bad parkers' cars. Perfect for the Curmudgeon behind the wheel in your life.

55. Golf Balls (R)- Did you know you can buy recycled golf balls? I didn't! It makes perfect sense though. This makes for the perfect stocking stuffer for somebody!

56. Guitar Strap (R, USA)- These guitar straps are made out of recycled seatbelts. Until this moment, I never thought about how many seatbelts never get a second life as a musical accessory. Truly tragic. Perfect for the guitar player.

57. Lighters (USA)- Smokers always seem to be looking for their lighters. Zippo's are made in the US!

from amazon

58. Sandwich Bags (USA, EF)- Planetwise sells reusable sandwich bags that could be used as a pouch, or they can perfectly set someone up for bringing their lunch to work! Sack Savers has cute ones too.

59. Seeds (EF)- It may not be time to plant now, but that day is just around the corner. Plants and trees provide individuals shade, food, and (for some people) peace and simplicity. Those packets are the perfect size to stuff in a stocking, and they have the potential to do something really positive for everyone. You could also do wildflower seed bombs and have adventures speading wildflowers.

60. A Small Donation (EF)- The Boy and I were talking last night about what we wanted for Christmas, and mostly he feels like he has everything he needs. If you are shopping for someone tough like that too, why not put in double the candy and put that gift money toward a donation? Think about donating to something that helps the environment, because this is going to be a rough four years!


Alright, did you make it? I hope you found an idea in all of this you can put to use (I think I am buying 4 or 5 for The Boy's stocking, and a bunch of Seattle Chocolates and calling it a day). If you want to look at the list for kids again, check here.

If you are feeling inspired and want to do even more Green Shopping (Eco-friendly, recycled, used, or Made in the USA), check out the Big List of Shopping Lists!

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