26 Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers & Santa Sack Gifts For All Ages
Stocking stuffers are a great way to make Christmas and other holiday celebrations even more special. But why not make them extra special by choosing eco-friendly stocking stuffers?
Here are 26 ideas for green stocking stuffers that will keep your family’s environmental footprint small.
While making your choices below, you might also like to check out our tips for a zero-waste Christmas. And our compilation of some of the best Christmas quotes to share the season’s cheer.
Make your own eco-friendly wrapping paper to set the stocking stuffers below off just right for an eco-conscious Christmas morning.
26 Best Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers
Quick links to the best planet-friendly stocking stuffers we've featured:
1. Beeswax candles
If you’re looking for a really eco-friendly stocking stuffer, consider gifting beeswax candles. Producers make beeswax candles with beeswax and essential oils, free from synthetic ingredients or preservatives. They also produce less smoke than traditional candles and burn for longer.
Shop Beeswax Candles on Etsy, or check out our list of the best eco-friendly candles.
2. Wooden toys
This Christmas, give your younger loved ones eco-friendly wooden toys! They are adorable and fun to play with, and manufacturers make them from sustainable materials that won't end up in a landfill or cause harm at the end of their lives. Plus, they’ll last forever! - making them one of the best sustainable stocking stuffers for kids.
Where to buy: Melissa and Doug
Melissa and Doug is a toys-for-children company founded by parents of six kids. They offer wooden toys for children from 0 to 8 years old. The company is dedicated to creating toys that are safe for the environment and made from sustainable materials.
You can find their products in major retailers, including Amazon. They also have an online store with a wide selection of toys ranging from puzzles and art supplies to dolls and play sets. Melissa and Doug designed many of these toys to encourage creative playtime for children while teaching them essential skills like problem-solving and fine motor.
For more for the kids, you might like our selection of eco-friendly beach toys and eco-friendly kids' gifts.
3. Colored pencils
Colored pencils are the perfect eco-friendly stocking stuffers for kids and the artistic people in your life. Many options are available on the market, and eco-friendly pens and pencils are excellent for stocking stuffers for children of all ages.
Manufacturers make these pencils with sustainable materials, like bamboo. This means that they are better for the environment than traditional pencils. Plus, they come in various colors, making them perfect for any artist or creative type! They also make great gifts since they are affordable and can last long if taken care of properly. For other options, our list of zero-waste school supplies includes stationery items for back-to-school and arts and crafts.
4. Handmade potpourri
Potpourri is a great way to make your home smell nice and fresh. Add some seasonal scents like pine and clove, and you can invoke the Christmas feels as well.
Handmade potpourri is the perfect eco-friendly stocking stuffer! It’s easy to make from natural ingredients, so it's good for the environment and smells fantastic. Plus, it's a great way to show your loved ones that you care about them and the planet.
How to make DIY potpourri
You can make your own potpourri by mixing dried flowers, spices, and essential oils.
To make DIY potpourri, you will need:
- A bowl or container
- Dried flowers
- Spices
- Essential oils
- Tin containers with lids
1. Add the dried flowers, spices, and essential oils to the bowl or container.
2. Mix together until it reaches the desired consistency.
3. Transfer the mixture into small tins with lids; you now have a few eco-friendly stocking stuffers!
Related read: How to dry flowers.
5. Reusable water bottles
Reusable water bottles are one of those essential zero-waste products everyone should have. Stash one of these in your Christmas stockings and give the best way to reduce the environmental harm of plastic water bottles. To go with your choice of bottle, the perfect accompaniment is a reusable straw in stainless steel, glass, or silicone.
6. Woolen mittens
If you're looking for a fun, eco-friendly stocking stuffer, consider giving your loved ones woolen mittens. Wool is a natural, durable material, making it perfect for cold winter weather.
Where to buy: Aura Que
AURA QUE is a Fair Trade-certified collective of artisans in Kathmandu, Nepal, who knit woolen mittens for sale. The women who knit the mittens work at home, around their family commitments, and the income they earn from knitting helps to support their families.
The woolen mittens are made from high-quality materials and will keep your hands warm during the cold winter months.
What's more, by buying woolen mittens from AURA QUE, you are helping to support Fair Trade practices and sustainable livelihoods for artisans in Nepal.
Shop Aura Que or Search Woollen Mittens on Etsy
7. Vegan wallet
An eco-friendly wallet becomes an excellent stocking stuffer when manufacturers use sustainable materials like cork and organic cotton. They are also biodegradable, so you can feel good about using them and knowing they will eventually break down in the environment.
Where to buy: Corkor
Corkor offers vegan wallets that easily fit into any style.
Natália and Vítor, the founders, have a story of dedication to creating the best quality vegan accessories possible. Their workshop produces products, including vegan wallets, using certified cork leather, which they obtain by removing the outer bark of the cork oak tree without cutting or harming it.
This sustainable process protects and adequately harvests the cork oak forest, ensuring that future generations can enjoy this natural resource. Corkor products are also produced in small batches by a handful of local Portuguese artisans, ensuring top-quality craftsmanship.
Shop on Amazon or Direct.
8. Local honey
Why not give local honey if you want a fun and eco-friendly stocking stuffer? Not only is it delicious, but it's also a great way to support your local beekeepers.
Etsy has loads of artisan and handmade honey for sale; choose a local shop to help reduce food miles. You'll likely find some delicious options if you have a farmer's market nearby.
9. Fruit teas
Consider gifting a tin of fruit tea this holiday season! Fruit tea is a delicious and refreshing beverage that they can enjoy hot or cold. It's also a great way to hydrate during the winter months. You can buy a few tins as environmentally friendly stocking fillers for the tea lovers in your life. Our list of eco-friendly & organic tea brands has loads of options, both regular and fruity.
10. Soy wax candles
Candles are the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays! Soy wax candles are a great option because they are eco-friendly and non-toxic. They also come in various scents so that you can find the perfect one for your loved one.
11. Bamboo toothbrushes
If you're looking for sustainable stocking stuffers, consider bamboo toothbrushes! Bamboo is a sustainable and biodegradable resource, so you can feel good about using them. Plus, they come in a variety of fun colors.
Where to buy: The Humble Co
The Humble Co. offers reliable and innovative products that are good for you and kind to our planet. The Humble Co. strives for healthier people on a healthier planet with products developed by dentists and designed in Sweden.
They make their biodegradable toothbrush with bamboo, which is a sustainable material. They make the bristles using nylon-6, which is a synthetic material, but it is recyclable. In addition, the packaging is eco-friendly and can be recycled.
The Humble Co. offers the perfect choice for helping your loved ones care for their oral hygiene while caring for the environment.
For those with electric toothbrushes, you can also go for eco-friendly electric toothbrush heads. Complete the set with a tin or jar of zero-waste toothpaste, zero-waste floss, or both.
12. Wool slippers
This is one of our favorite sustainable stocking stuffer ideas. Wool slippers are soft and cozy and keep your feet warm in the winter. Plus, eco-friendly slippers come in various colors and styles so that you can find the perfect pair for your loved one.
For other choices, check out these Kaaita slippers made from recycled plastic bottles.
13. Fairtrade chocolate
The benefits of fair trade chocolate are many. Buying fair-trade chocolate is a great way to support cocoa farmers and their families. Fairtrade chocolate is also organic and often vegan, so it's good for your health and the environment. A few bars of chocolate will make excellent eco-friendly stocking fillers for your loved ones.
The best way to find Fair Trade chocolate is to look for the Fair Trade Certified label. This label means the chocolate has been sourced from farms meeting rigorous social and environmental standards. You can find fair trade chocolate at most major grocery stores or online.
Where to buy: Beyond Good
Beyond Good is a fair-trade chocolate company. They source their ingredients directly from the farmers. By cutting out the intermediaries, they can ensure that the farmers get a fair price for their crops and that the chocolate is of the highest quality.
Their chocolate bars come in different flavors, from hazelnut to caramel, salted almond, coconut, and more. You’ll find the right taste for your loved one’s Christmas stocking.
Shop on Beyond Good or check out our guide to some other vegan chocolate options.
14. Herbal tea blends
Tea is a great sustainable stocking stuffer for many reasons. It's affordable and versatile, and there are so many flavors and varieties. Plus, in plastic-free packaging, it can be zero waste, as many traditional tea bags contain plastic. Tea is a perfect gift to help someone relax and unwind after a long day.
If you're looking for some delicious herbal tea blends to stuff your stockings with this year, check out some of these favorites:
- Lavender Chamomile Tea: This tea is perfect for winding down after a long day. The lavender and chamomile combine to create a soothing, calming flavor that will help you relax and drift off to sleep.
- Ginger Tea: Ginger tea is perfect for fighting off cold and flu symptoms. The ginger helps clear out your sinuses and fight inflammation, while the honey provides added sweetness and benefits.
- Hibiscus Tea: Hibiscus tea is loaded with antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for boosting your immune system. It's also loaded with vitamin C, making it an excellent choice for wintertime health.
Choose loose blends for zero-waste tea, and add a reusable tea bag to your stocking stuffers to complete the set.
15. Earrings made from recycled materials
Earrings made from recycled materials can be great stocking stuffers for the environmentally conscious person on your list. Various materials can be used to make one-of-a-kind earrings, so be sure to choose the right ones for the recipient.
Some great options for recycled materials include:
- Recycled paper
- Recycled metal
- Recycled glass
- Recycled plastic
Even better, our list of ocean plastic jewelry brands makes a variety of earrings and other jewelry lines from plastic that otherwise might have ended up polluting our oceans.
16. Soap made from natural ingredients
Soap from natural materials is a great stocking stuffer for many reasons. It's one of those affordable gift ideas that are versatile, with so many flavors and varieties. Natural soap is a great way to keep your skin clean and healthy. The right soap store will use sustainable packaging and cruelty-free methods.
If you're looking for zero-waste hand soap blends to stuff your stockings with this year, check out some of these favorites. They should fit right in a zero-waste bathroom.
- Honey Oatmeal Soap: This soap is perfect for sensitive skin. The honey and oatmeal combine to create a gentle soap that is still effective at cleaning your skin.
- Peppermint Soap: Peppermint soap is perfect for wintertime use. The peppermint oil helps clear out your sinuses and fight inflammation, while the chocolate provides added sweetness and benefits.
- Lavender Soap: Lavender soap is perfect for winding down after a long day.
Other zero-waste skincare ideas perfect for stocking stuffer skincare include zero-waste makeup, lip balm, and body washes.
17. Produce bags
Reusable produce bags are great as zero-waste stocking stuffers. Many people think of getting them but never come around to it. Gifting this stuffer can help your loved ones start their journey away from plastic packaging. They're lightweight and easy to store, and your giftee can use these reusable bags for everything from fruits and vegetables to bread and cheese.
18. Zero-waste starter supplies
It can be really helpful to gift someone with some zero-waste starter kits and supplies if you know they want to reduce their waste output. This way, they can get started right away and begin making changes in their everyday habits!
Where to buy: Well Earth Goods
Well Earth Goods is a company founded in Oregon by Jocelynn and Lee Anderson. The Andersons now run the business full-time with two friends' help and focus on minimizing waste and keeping the earth well.
They offer a dental kit, a self-care kit, and an all-in eco kit. Depending on your gift receiver's needs, you can choose the best kit for them, complete with eco-friendly products and zero-waste swaps they’ll love. You can also share the content of these kits across many stockings as zero-waste stocking stuffers.
From bamboo toothbrushes to wool dryer balls, Well Earth Goods has a wide variety of products that are perfect for people who want to live a more sustainable life without sacrificing quality or convenience. An item from Well Earth Goods will make a great zero-waste stocking stuffer.
19. Sustainably made scarves
There are a variety of sustainable scarves to use as eco-friendly stocking stuffers. Some popular materials include bamboo, wool, and cotton. Bamboo is a great choice because it's sustainable, durable, and soft. Wool is also great because it's breathable and can regulate your body temperature. Organic cotton is a classic choice and is perfect for those who want a versatile scarf they can wear in various settings. With the right materials, scarves make good sustainable stocking stuffers.
When choosing a sustainable scarf, consider the climate of where the recipient lives. If they live in a colder climate, wool or thermal scarves would be the best choice. Bamboo or organic cotton scarves would be more suitable if they live in a warmer climate.
Many talented artisans create sustainable scarves. By shopping for handmade scarves, you're supporting the artist and ensuring that the producers made the scarf with the environment in mind.
Where to buy: Cuyana
At Cuyana, every scarf is crafted using only 100% sustainably made materials. Their materials are eco-friendly; recycled cashmere, recycled wool, and soft baby alpaca wool. Alpacas must be shaved annually, and Cuyana puts that wool to great use with their scarves. The fibers are fully traceable back to where the alpacas were raised, and the yarn is Oeko-Tex certified, ensuring it is free from harsh detergents or other chemical treatments.
Their scarves come in warm, earthy colors, grey and black. They also feature striped, ribbed, and fringe designs. So you can match the right style to your gift recipient while ensuring they get a sustainable stocking stuffer.
Cuyana also prioritizes giving back to its community through various partnerships with organizations such as H.E.A.R.T., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping female victims of abuse, as well as thredUP, which helps those in need by collecting preloved Cuyana pieces and donating them.
20. Homemade jams and jellies
Homemade jams and jellies are some of the most affordable and sustainable stocking stuffers. There are a variety of recipes online, and most only require a few simple ingredients. Plus, you can make a big batch and save it for later, too!
Here's a quick and easy recipe for homemade jam:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of blueberries
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 1/2 cup of water
- A glass jar or more
Instructions:
- Start by washing the blueberries in a colander.
- Place the blueberries in a saucepan and add the sugar, cornstarch, and water.
- Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the jam into a glass jar or more, depending on the number of recipients. Then refrigerate until you’re ready to gift the perfect sustainable stocking stuffer!
Reuse glass jars you have around the home for your jams and wrap them simply with some paper ribbon, and voila! - jams and jellies make the perfect zero-waste gifts made with love and sized just right for stockings.
21. Shampoo bar
Zero-waste shampoo bars are great eco-friendly stocking stuffers for beauty lovers. They are made without harsh chemicals, typically from organic ingredients, and last long. Plus, they come in a variety of fun colors and scents. They also come in sustainable packaging to prevent plastic waste. In fact, with the right packaging free of plastic wrap, they can be zero waste to make for another great addition to your loved ones' zero-waste bathroom.
Where to buy: The Earthling Co
The Earthling Co. is passionate about simplifying eco-conscious living. With their plastic-free packaging, their community has diverted close to 900,000 plastic bottles by choosing plastic-free, solid-form shampoo and conditioner bars. Their products are also cruelty-free.
Their shampoo bars are good for all hair types, including curly, color-treated, and bleached. The products come in six scents plus an unscented option. The fragrances are naturally derived and never artificial. The bars can last 50-75 washes or 2-6 months.
22. Reusable beeswax food wrap
Beeswax food wrap is a great eco-friendly stocking stuffer! It's reusable and completely compostable, which makes it perfect for zero-waste gifts. Plus, it's a useful gift that most people don't already have and a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap, or you can use it to replace plastic Ziploc bags.
Where to buy: Bee's Wrap
Bee's Wrap was developed by Sarah Kaeck, who sought to create a non-toxic and natural alternative to traditional plastic cling wraps. The organic cotton fabric used in her wraps is infused with a blend of beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin - all naturally occurring substances that are safe for the environment and your family’s health. The wrap has a light honey-like scent from the beeswax but is still breathable, allowing food to stay fresh longer.
Bee's Wrap Assorted 3-Pack is the company's bestselling product, and it offers a convenient, eco-friendly way to keep food fresh, cover leftovers, and pack snacks. A few of these packs should make great eco-friendly stocking stuffers. Your local or online zero waste store will have plenty of options too.
23. Organic essential oils
If you are looking for unique and eco-friendly stocking fillers, consider organic essential oils. These versatile and fragrant oils can be used to create a variety of holiday scents, from festive pine to warming cinnamon. They can also be used to soothe tired muscles or to promote relaxation. Best of all, organic essential oils make for healthy, eco-friendly gifts that anyone will appreciate.
Types of essential oils you can gift your family and friends this holiday season:
- Lavender
- Tea Tree
- Peppermint
- Bergamot
- Eucalyptus
- Lemon
You’ll find a great range of organic essential oil options on Etsy and Amazon. For the personal touch, you can also use them to scent homemade candles perfect for Christmas morning.
24. Solar-powered flashlights
This is a big item, but it's a great idea if your gift recipient is the outdoorsy type! Solar-powered flashlights are a great stocking stuffer because they are eco-friendly and can come in handy during emergencies. They are perfect for camping trips, hikes, or even just at home. Another great option is a solar-powered charger. These can be used to charge your phone or other devices while you are outdoors and away from an outlet.
Where to buy: XTorch
XTorch is an innovative company that develops and manufactures reliable, solar-powered flashlights, lanterns, and cell phone chargers.
The XTorch Led Rechargeable Flashlight is a flashlight and phone charger in one. Its batteries can stay charged in storage for up to 3 years. And when you buy one, you contribute to the company's work of providing solar-rechargeable light for children in energy-poor regions.
Related read: Best Rechargeable Flashlights.
25. Shea butter/shea butter products
Shea butter is a versatile and nourishing skin-care ingredient that can be used for various purposes. It is made from the nuts of the shea tree, which is found in Africa. Shea butter is a great eco-friendly stocking stuffer because it is natural, renewable, and cruelty-free. It is also known for its moisturizing and healing properties. All these make shea butter one of our favorite sustainable stocking stuffer ideas.
A variety of shea butter products, including soap, lotion, lip balm, and body butter, would make great stocking stuffers. Or you could buy a jar of raw shea butter as needed. Shea butter is an excellent gift for anyone on your list and will be appreciated.
26. Travel coffee mug
A travel coffee mug is a great stocking stuffer for the eco-conscious coffee drinker. You’ll find the best options made from durable materials that can transport coffee or tea. It also comes with a travel lid, which helps to keep drinks warm. Plus, if made with the right materials, it can be recycled when it is no longer needed. There are a variety of reusable coffee cups on the market, so you are sure to find one that fits your budget. This is a great gift for anyone who loves coffee or tea!
Where to buy: Circular & Co.
Circular & Co. makes the thermal outer layer of a Travel Mug from 6 recycled paper coffee cups. It is crafted from sustainable, recycled materials, and they designed it to last up to 10 years if properly cared for. This makes it one of our favorite eco-friendly stocking stuffers.
In addition, the material used is BPA-free and melamine-free, providing peace of mind that you’re drinking from a safe product.
Along with its impressive durability and versatility, the unique design of this travel mug adds a touch of style to any routine or outing.
Wrapping up our guide to eco-friendly stocking stuffers
There are a variety of great eco-friendly stocking stuffers to choose from, no matter your budget. You can make them by hand or buy them from a store. The recipient will surely appreciate all of these gifts and will help you show your support for sustainable living. So why not shop for eco-friendly stocking stuffers this year? You'll be doing yourself and the environment a favor!
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
