14 Easy DIY Sustainable Gifts To Make This Year (And Every Year)

What To Keep In Mind When Making DIY Sustainable Gifts

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When getting started making your own DIY sustainable gifts, remember the goal is to use what you already have on hand or what can be easily purchased/acquired with minimal waste.

If you don’t have to get on Amazon, try to avoid it. If you do need to purchase anything, head to your local bulk/zero waste store or a local craft store. They’ll really appreciate the business and probably give you a few pointers!

The Difference Between DIY Sustainable Gift Kits & DIY Sustainable Gifts

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You’ll find two different kinds of gifts in this blog — DIY sustainable gifts and DIY sustainable gift kits. Both have great options that vary based on your crafting level and materials needed.

Kits will have more moving pieces as it’s generally centered around a theme, but that’s the beauty! It shows someone you care about them, you know their interests, and you curated something you thought they’d love. And love it they will.

There are tons of different kits you could create but are a few to get the ideas flowing.

DIY Sustainable Gift Kits

1.Mindful Morning Routine Kit

• A recycled paper notebook
• A refillable pen
• Plantable pencils, or a zero waste pencil tin set
• Loose leaf incense
• A zero waste candle
• A handmade/handpainted mug or thermos

Combine them and you have a beautiful morning routine. To go the extra mile, create writing prompts on plantable seed paper and tuck it in the journal. Wrap it up with an old scarf or reusable wrapping paper to complete the look!

2. DIY Zero Waste Mulled Wine Kit

Photo by Gaby Dyson on Unsplash

Make this basket yourself and ditch the single-use plastic! Head to your local bulk store for any spices you don’t have. Wrap it up in a muslin cloth, cloth napkin, or an old jar, and add a bottle of red wine! Make sure to include the recipe and instructions! Get the full recipe at Tasty Yummies.

3. Gourmet Salts

Gourmet salts are a great edible gift — and a chance for you to finally put some of those tiny glass jars you’ve been saving to good use. Head to Cookin Canuck for recipes for Lemon Pepper Salt; Rosemary & Smoked Paprika Salt; and Curry Lime Salt.

4. Intro To Sustainability Kit

Know someone who wants to be more sustainable? Maybe they find it overwhelming or just don’t know where to start. That’s where you come in! The best part is tailoring it to the individual based on their interests and values. A kit could look like:

• Bamboo Toothbrush
• Toothpaste Tablets
• Shampoo & Conditioner Bar (In Sunshine because it’s our best seller)
• Loofah Sponge
• Zero Waste Soap Bar
• Cocoa Lotion Bar
• Lip & Cheek Stain

5. Sustainable Travel Kit

Gifting your favorite jet-setter with a Sustainable Travel Kit can help them switch things up — for the good of the planet and without having to compromise on quality! Everything is TSA-friendly and opens up a lot of new space in their liquid bag. A kit could include:

• Shampoo & Conditioner Bar
• Toothpaste Tablets
• Zero Waste Soap Bar
• Cocoa Lotion Bar
• The Everything Stick — For Eyes, Lips, & Cheeks
• All Natural Lip & Cheek Stain
• Reusable Facial Rounds
• Recycled Beach Throws
• Stasher Bags

DIY Sustainable Gifts

6. Shower Steamers

All you need for this one is some essential oils (Rosemary, Lavender, Eucalyptus), Arrowroot Powder, Baking Soda, Water, an old jar, and a mold (like an ice cube tray)! Find the full recipe on Sustainable Cooks and help your loved ones breathe a little easier.

7. DIY Candle

Photo by Anna Shvets

If you don’t have these ingredients on hand, try a local bulk or zero waste store. That will help cut back on waste and emissions! This recipe from A Pumpkin & A Princess is a Lemon Beeswax Candle but feel free to get creative with the scent! If you’d prefer a vegan option with soy wax instead of beeswax Green Matters has a great recipe.

8. Flower Pressed Candle

Photo by Little Pine Learners

If you don’t have the time, skill, or materials to DIY a whole candle, opt for flower pressed candles! They make adorable gifts and can be customized to the recipients with their favorite flowers or even colors. Full instructions at Little Pine Learners!

9. Homemade Christmas Bark

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch

Maybe crafts aren’t your game but everyone loves baked goods! After checking for dietary restrictions, try your hand at Christmas Bark! Wrap it in beeswax wrap, an old jar, or a stasher bag! Try this simple recipe from The Life Harvest!

10. Propagate A Plant

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Propagating a plant is a great gift to help your plant-less friends experience a little more green in their lives. They might be even more determined to ensure this one survives. Bonus points if you include care instructions and use an old glass jar you’ve been holding onto! Check out propagating instructions from Apartment Therapy.

11. Plant Hanger

Photo by Sasha Kim

Want to give your plant moms something they’ll use that’s not another plant? Make them a plant hanger to help their plant thrive!

• Check out this rope hanger from Make It Love It
• This hanger from an old T-Shirt from A Beautiful Mess
• And this simple Macrame hanger from Persia Lou

12. Body Scrub

Photo by Vlada Karpovich

Typical store-bought scrubs are made with microplastic beads (yikes)! A homemade body scrub is a great gift for anyone! Grab this recipe from Going Zero Waste and store it in an old (clean) glass jar you’ve been saving for no reason.

13. A Book of Memories + Room For More

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Tell someone they’re special to you without telling someone they’re special to you with a book of memories! Grab a large journal (like this tree-free notebook from Ecopaper). Write 250-500 words for as many pages as you want about your relationship. If you have photos on hand, feel free to include them but it’s not necessary! Make sure to leave some room for them to write in their own future memories. You could write about:

• The first day you met/knew you would become friends
• A time you both got in trouble
• A time one of you covered for the other
• A time you didn’t say something you wish you would have
• An action or conversation that prompted you to do something (eat better, work out, quit your dumb job, etc.)
•  A time you wanted to call/talk to them but didn’t end up reaching out

14. Homemade Bread

Photo by Eiliv Aceron

Believe it or not, not everyone went through the pandemic and came out a breadmaker! Baking a friend a loaf of bread — especially a sourdough, focaccia, or allergen-friendly loaf is an extremely thoughtful gift! Wrap it in a muslin cloth, a dishtowel, or even an old paper bag you have on hand. If you don’t have a favorite recipe or one already in mind, try this Artisan recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction.