Holiday Gifting

by Sara Grunberg

December 1

Around this time of year, sales and flashy deals tug at our wallets, urging us to buy shiny new sweaters, gadgets, and gizmos for everyone we know. After all, isn’t that what the season’s about? Maybe it’s time to rethink that tradition and leave unsustainable gift giving behind in 2025.

Unsustainable gift giving can come in many shapes and forms—fast fashion, gifting single-use or disposable items, over-packaged gift sets, or opting for cheap, flimsy products that disregard quality and longevity. The market churns out trends faster than we can up, tempting us with the latest and greatest. Did you know that there are already enough clothes on Earth to dress the next six generations? Do we really need that new sweater?

It’s time to turn the tide and rethink gift giving. Sustainable giving starts with resisting the pressure to buy for the sake of buying. Rather than adding to that growing global pile of clutter, the holidays offer a perfect moment to give in ways that reduce waste, support artisans, and celebrate creativity.

That might mean regifting—a practice we should normalize, not hide. Passing along a beautiful book you loved, a scarf in perfect condition, or a gently used piece someone else would genuinely appreciate extends the life of something already made. It’s thoughtful and personal, not tacky.

Or lean into upcycling. Transform old sweaters into cozy mittens, vintage fabrics into tote bags, or forgotten jewelry into fresh, modern pieces. Homemade candles in repurposed jars, embroidered patches for worn denim, hand-dyed textiles, or framed prints made from old magazines all carry a personal touch store-bought gifts simply can’t match.

Get creative with sustainable gift giving this upcoming holiday season—the options are endless! From gifting experiences to making something from scratch, gifts do not have to be new to be meaningful, it just has to be thoughtful.

Of course, when it has to be something new, consider brands truly committed to sustainability—those that prioritize longevity, high-quality materials, transparency, and ethical production.

You can scan the QR code to use the Betterworld Shopper guide that grades companies based off their social & environmental commitment. This guide allows consumers to elect companies whose practices align with their own values.

This season, let’s choose quality over quantity and sustainability over impulse—giving in ways that care for both people and the planet, and gifting items that will be loved long after the holiday glow fades. As Mari Copeny, an American youth activist and philanthropist known for her work on the Flint water crisis stated, “It’s time to shift from being consumers to being caretakers.”