The low-waste holiday gift guide for everyone on your Philly list

Running out of ideas for everyone from your brother to Gritty? Here’s a list of thoughtful gifts from alpaca encounters to refillery finds:

The holiday season is here, bringing chances to reconnect, celebrate, and give. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or simply in the spirit of gift-giving, choosing more sustainable options is a meaningful way to brighten someone’s day. It’s also the perfect moment to make small, planet-friendly swaps that keep the joy high and the waste low.

1. Spread cheer through giving exciting experiences. Gift experiences over material goods not only cuts down on unnecessary waste, but also gives people a chance to explore new surroundings. Think museum memberships, classes, show tickets, or local adventures – great for kids and adults alike. Need a local option? Here are a few ideas:

• Triple Bottom Brewing: Tour the taproom and order delicious bites prepared by the resident chefs.
• Trotter Hill Alpacas: Book a llama and alpaca encounter as well as participate in a felt-making class.
• The Mighty Bread Co.: Book a gingerbread decorating cookie class with your friends and family.

2. DIY from the Heart. Nothing says, “thinking of you,” more than a handcrafted one-of-a-kind present. Handmade gifts don’t need to be complicated. Upcycled ornaments, repurposed décor, baked goods, or a “repair and refresh” night with friends can turn creativity into a low-waste tradition.

Or, if you want to purchase something from a local business, there are a few ways to give a sustainable gift.

• Repleo Boutique – Named after the Latin verb “repl?re” meaning to replenish, refill, and restore, this digital and pop-up refillery is based in Fairmount. Founder Suzanne Willever is inspired by her years of advocating for sustainability and climate action.
• dilo: Browse this inventory for your locally sourced, handmade Philly fragrances and candles.
• The Book Trader: This local gem is celebrating 50 years in business. Be a part of the circular economy by participating in their book exchange program.

3. Participate in “Thriftmas!” Spending hundreds on expensive gifts is out this year – instead, switch it up and shop secondhand or give your gently loved items a new home. 

If the thrift stores aren’t aligning with your wish list, you can consider giving a sustainable service instead with one of these local organizations:

• Circle Compost: promote green habits by giving a weekly composting subscription this holiday season, or a bag of potting mix.
• Baby Gear Group: A great way to help family and friends reduce waste from baby gear.
• Garden Behavior: Great for last-minute Christmas tree rental, delivery, pickup, placement, and care instructions.

4. Donate to a cause or volunteer your time this holiday season. Put your dollars to work by making financial gifts to sustainable causes that align with your values. Many nonprofits rely on donations and volunteers to expand their message and impact. Small contributions go a long way this time of year. Check out this list of local sustainable nonprofits or one of the following:

• The Wardrobe: Find unique thrifted items while supporting a great cause.
• ECHO Systems and CRCQL: ECHO Systems is fundraising with Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living (CRCQL) to support CRCQL’s decades-long fight for clean air, community health, and environmental justice in Chester, PA.
• Sanctuary Farms, Philadelphia: Help combat food waste and tackle health disparities with fresh, local produce grown on a community farm.

5. Give your gift wrap a fresh, sustainable twist. While shiny, metallic paper and oversized gift bags make for pretty packages, most of these materials aren’t recyclable. In fact, eye-catching holiday wrap contributes to an estimated 2.3 billion pounds of waste sent to landfills each year. This season, try more eco-friendly ways to conceal the joy inside your gift. Use fabric scraps or package your gift in something practical that can be reused—like a mug, a scarf, mason jars, a cookie tin, or a basket. It looks better and lives on beyond the unwrapping.

Photo by Fiona Murray-deGraaff on Unsplash