Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Updated June 13, 2024

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Does anyone else love giving gifts?! I do, despite the fact that it’s actually my weakest Love Language! I especially enjoy giving gift baskets and stocking stuffer – type gifts. I don’t really know know why. It might be because my mom LOVES stockings, so maybe it’s rubbed off on me? Or I just like gifting multiple small things for people to use?

Either way, this is your guide to sustainable and eco-friendly stocking stuffer ideas! Use these gifts for stockings, small gifts, gift boxes/bags – whatever you want! Most of these items I personally use and love, have given as gifts in the past, or plan to give in the future.

Beauty & Skincare

From Beautycounter:

1. 8 Days of Jellies – I have been giving and receiving jellies since they came out, and they are PERFECT stocking stuffers! These come in packs of two and there are three different sets to choose from.
2. Cheeky Clean Cream Blush – A stocking stuffer on the pricier side, but I’m including it becuause it’s small and sustainble! The compact is made of 100% post-consumer recycled resin and it’s refillable! Plus, the blush is awesome. I’d never tried a cream blush before, but I love it! It’s longer lasting, blends so smoothly, and the colors are gorgeous.
3. Lip Balm Trio – If lip balm is more your friend’s or family’s speed, these 3 can be divided up as well!
4. Mini Must Haves – A set that includes the Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum, Counter+ All Bright C Serum, and Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel, which can be given together or separately.
5. Good Scents Hand Cream Trio – last year Beautycounter had a similar hand cream set, which I divided up along with other mini gifts for a few of my friends and family members.
6. Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick – The perfect stocking stuffer size!
7. Citrus Mimosa Body Bar – Most people can always use soap. I nearly always gift non-toxic bars of soap at Christmas.
8. Charcoal Cleansing Bar – I got this in my stocking one year and I was stoked!
9. Counterman Charcoal Bar – I put this in Hayden’s stocking last Christmas.
10. Melting Body Balm – this stuff is fantastic if you need extra moisturizing power!
11. Citrus Mimosa Hand Cream – Hand cream is usually a safe gift since it’s winter and most people are in need of it. This one is made without harmful fragrances.
12. Citrus Mimosa Body Butter
13. Counter+ Charcoal Face Mask – Another gift that’s a little more pricey, but the size is perfect and I thought of it as face masks and things like this are gifts I’ve received in past stockings. I’m also planning on gifting one of these to someone I know already really likes it!
14. Mini Beyond Gloss Vault – A set of mini lip glosses that can be easily divided up!

From Norwex:

1. Reusable Facial Pads – I got these last year in my stocking, and they’re awesome! They remove makeup well and wash out mascara. Plus, because you get five, I always have at least one on hand even while a few are in the wash.
2. Body Cloths – I also received these last year and they are great too! I especially love how absorbent and soft they are. I pretty much never use regular face cloths anymore.

From Amazon:

1. Silicone Cleansing Pads – Comes in sets of two to three, so great to split up if desired. I recently tried these and love them. My face always feels super soft and smooth after using because the tiny bristles aren’t too harsh or abrasive. Since I’m not using my hands to cleanse, I also prevent extra oils from getting on my face. I got a pack of three, kept one and am gifting the other two!
2. Burts Bees Lip Balm (Peppermint) – My absolute favorite Lip Balm. I’ve gotten this set of four as a stocking stuffer before, but have also gifted it by dividing it up.

From Etsy:

1. Reusable Cleansing Pads – Great for applying toner without going through tons of cotton balls or pads! I have similar ones to this and love them!
2. Reusable Q-Tips – I almost put these on my Christmas list this year, but decided to just order them instead!

From Native:

1. Holiday Mini Deodorants – As long as you know you won’t offend anyone, these seem like a fun stocking stuffer!
2. Plastic Free Deodorant – The container is made of paperboard from responsibly managed forests.

Kitchen, Food Storage, & Grocery

From Amazon:

1. Reusable Storage Bags – I got these last year and divided them up (plus gave myself some – ha!), and they are great! They actually seal, aren’t too bulky, and are wayyy more cost efective than some other brands out there.
2. Produce Bags – I also got these last year and divided up them (and kept some), and they are wonderful! Easy to use without anything falling out.
3. Food Huggers – I don’t know how well these work yet, but I’ve already purchased some to give this year and put them on my own list!
4. Bee’s Wrap – I’ve been a big fan for a long time! I tried and failed at making my own last year, unfortunately.
5. Stainless Steel Straws – One of my favorite kitchen essentials! In fact, I’ve somehow misplaced all of mine recently and if I don’t find them, they’re going on my Christmas list!
6. Reusable & Foldable Shopping Bags – These are great to have on hand and I love that they take up very little room. I can usually toss one in or clip one to my purse. I’ve received them as stocking stuffers a couple of times.

From Etsy:

1. Cloth Produce Bags – Just another option if you like the look of these better.
2. Reusable Utensil Travel Set – I’m planning on gifting a set as part of a gift basket to one of my friends this year. Who hasn’t gotten caught without utensils on hand while traveling?! Anyone ever done the ole’ turn the foil yogurt top into a spoon thing? No? Just me? Okay..moving on!

From Norwex:

1. Kitchen Cloth – Yet another Norwex product I got last year and it’s awesome! They are reusable and wipe away pathogens using only water!

For The Home

1. Non-toxic candles (find some brands here and here – I usually find mine locally or at craft fairs & farmer’s markets) – I mean, you can never have too many candles, surely? And something you really want to avoid is parabens and phthalates, which hide in “fragrances”. These endocrine (hormone) disruptors are linked with reproductive, brain, immune, developmental and other issues. You’ll also want to look for a healthy and sustainable wax such as 100% soy or beeswax. Unlike paraffin wax (a petrochemical byproduct), which is often used to make candles and can be contaminated with cancer causing compounds (1), soy and beeswax are both non-toxic waxes AND they last way longer! The first time I used a soy-based candle I was amazed. It burned for hours and barely made a dent. Cheap Walmart candles? They’re practically gone in an evening. Sorry, Walmart. Another factor to look for is the wick: choose those that are 100% cotton, hemp, or wood – not metal, which can release heavy metals when burned (2).
2. Wool Dryer Balls – I stopped using single use scented fabric softeners a loooong time ago! These work wonderfully, are unscented (again, “frangrance” is an issue), and can be used for YEARS!

Sources

1. Candle Use Linked to Cancer. BBC News. August 20, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8211543.stm.
2. Wasson, Shirley J., Guo, Zhishi, McBrian, Jenia A., Beach, Laura O. Lead in Candle Emissions. Sci Total Environ. 2002 Sep 16;296(1-3):159-74. doi: 10.1016/s0048-9697(02)00072-4.