11 Green gift ideas for the minimalist, $35.00 or less

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Last Updated on November 10, 2024 by Carolyn

Just What I Needed Another Mug – Not!

Part of me wishes we could just skip Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas. I love the smells of Christmas; the scent of fresh pine from the tree, the aroma of hot chocolate, and the lingering scent of smoke from yesterday’s fire.I love holiday traditions like watching the grinch who stole Christmas ( the original version of course), baking scrumptious treats, and gathering with family.

But boy do I despise the wastefulness of Christmas, so much excess especially over-spending and over-eating. Think of all the frivolous spending.

Do you think your child’s third-grade teacher really needs another ” best teacher” mug? Let’s talk Christmas ornaments how many of us have bought someone a Christmas trinket because we didn’t know what to get them? Where do all of these Christmas ornaments go? It might be put on display the first year so that the giftor can see it. But after that? At best they’ll be regifted to some poor unsuspecting soul next year but more than likely they’ll end up in that box of Christmas stuff that you keep, but just never gets put up.

Is the gift of clutter really a gift?

In hopes of staving off a few of those gifts of clutter, I’ve put together a list of 11 green gift ideas for the minimalist that almost anyone can really use. They are eco-friendly, affordable, and might spurn the recipient into green gifting in the future.

Movie Box

Many of us struggle to make ends meet, which makes going to the theatre out of the question. How about giving your friends a “Movie Box”. In it, you can include a digital gift card to enable them to download the movie of their choice ($15.00 should cover most movies), a homemade treat or if cooking isn’t your thing, buy them some non-GMO trail mix, organic nuts, or popcorn. Of course, you’ll need to include some drinks in the box. This can be an alcoholic beverage for those of age, or perhaps organic hot cocoa or treat them to some organic juice. Total costs for the box: This will vary but can easily be done for $25.00.

Gift of Green

No not money ( though for many that is truly a thoughtful useful gift), I’m referring to plants. What could possible be a greener green gift idea than the gift of a green plant!

Not sure your friend has a green thumb? There are plants for those with even the brownest thumbs. Choose a Christmas cactus, some lovely succulents, or perhaps this spring bulb collection. Alternatively, I think all plant lovers would appreciate a nice new pot for their existing plants. Cost will vary but can easily be done for $30.00 for a pot and succulents.

Digital Book or Music

How about a digital book or music? Minimalists are for the most part cheap and probably rarely treat themselves to a book or music they want. I recommend purchasing a digital gift card rather than trying to select something yourself. There might be a book or some music the recipient really wants to read or listen to but hasn’t purchased yet.

Restaurant.com Gift Certificate

A restaurant.com gift certificate is a great way to support local businesses after all they have suffered during covid-19 closures and to also save some money. There are some great deals available on many of Restaurant.com’s gift certificates: For example; For just 3$ I can purchase a 25$ gift certificate for a popular restaurant near me.

I appreciate these gift certificates because they encourage me to try different restaurant experiences,and as a bonus they never expire.

Have a certificate for a restaurant that you don’t fancy? No problem you can exchange it for another one.

Kombucha Kit

For those who are trying to live healthier and like kombucha how about a kombucha kit along with flip top bottles? Brewing your own is so much cheaper than buying store-bought. You can gift one of your own scoby’s if you have one! Cost 15.99-$35.99. Print out a copy of this Blueberry-Ginger recipe to go with it

A Themed Food Gift Basket

For travelers or foodies, how about some favorite foods from their favorite travel destination or perhaps from the home land? Sure you can buy a basket from places like Walmart but it’s easy (and cheaper) to assemble a personalized gift basket. Thrift stores almost always have baskets of all shapes and sizes and then you can add items from Cost Plus World Market, Amazon or wherever you like to shop.

Here are some sample country themed baskets to get you started:
Canada: Maple Syrup, Poutine Gravy Mix, Coffee Crisp Candy Bars, Nanaimo Bar Mix

Australia: Tim Tams, Vegemite, or perhaps just buy this “Best of Australia Assortment“

Italy: Pasta From Italy, Pasta Sauce, Olives, Olive Oil , Parmesan Cheese and this little delight Pistachioso

Costa Rica: Cocoa nibs , costa rican coffee , or Lizano Sauce

Mexico: Dried chili’s , salsa, tortilla chips, or perhaps churro flour mix with a churro maker

France: A good french cheese with Mini Toasts to accompany it and madeleines

You get the idea, the sky is the limit with this one, and you know they’ll love it.

Solar Light Bulbs or Solar Garden Stakes

Flyhoom Solar Light Bulbs Dusk to Dawn Solar Lights Indoor, Portable Solar Chicken Coop Lights Hanging Solar LED Camping Lights, 2-Pack

29%

GIGALUMI Solar Lights Outdoor Waterproof, 12 Pack, Stainless Steel LED Solar Garden Lights for Patio, Lawn, Yard and Landscape, Cold White

$23.99 ($2.00 / Count)

Solar light bulbs or solar garden stakes: This may sound kind of odd, but boy are both useful. I bought a solar bulb a few years back for a shed that had no electricity, now we’re using it in Costa Rica for a non-electric source of light. They are sturdy ( I can personally vouch for this, I dropped ours in our outside shower the other day and it didn’t crack! They’d be great outside on the deck or for camping or just as a backup light for power outages. The solar bulbs at just $17.98 for two and the solar stakes at $16.99 for a 12-pack are a true bargain.

Highlighter Pencils

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I saw this idea the other day and thought how come I had never heard of this? Highlighter pencils, yes you read that correctly, highlighter pencils. No more dried up highlighters in my future. A great gift for the student in your life.

Bag of Organic Coffee

9. Coffee: For the coffee lovers on your list, one can never have too much coffee. I love coffee but it is not one of those things I generally indulge myself with, I buy middle-of-the-road coffee. A gift of premium organic coffee beans is always appreciated. I can highly recommend Costa Rican Coffee and it makes a great green gift idea since most of the Costa Rican coffee is sustainably grown.

Or for something a little different for the coffee lovers on your list how about some Dope: Coffee Flavored Syrup?

Mushroom Kit

6%

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10. Mushroom kit: These are educational and fun. They also yield a surprisingly decent crop of mushrooms. They retail for just $14.99, and are a great sustainable gift for the gardeners or foodies on your list.

11. Reusable Kitchen Items-Help Ditch the Plastic

Silicon plastic bags: These work, are durable, and are a great way to start greening up your kitchen and stop the wasteful consumption of plastic wrap, and at $15.99 for a set of bags, they’ll save money on buying consumable bags in no time.

These collapsible silicon bowls are great for carrying in your bag for use instead of having to request a box for restaurant leftovers.

A stainless steel dish soap dispenser makes a great gift if you know that your recipient is still buying dish soap in plastic bottles. Along with the soap dispenser you can gift an eco-friendly dish soap dispenser refill.

For more tips and ideas for eco-friendly kitchen gifts take a look here: How to Make My Kitchen More Eco-Friendly.

Bonus Tip: Socks with a Lifetime Guarantee

I hate how quickly cheap socks wear out, but geesh..how do I bring myself to pay $15.00 and up for a pair of socks? I would be super thrilled to receive a pair of Bombas or Darn Tough Socks for Christmas! I do own a few of pairs of Bombas and when a pair developed holes there was no problem getting credit for them.

More Sustainable Gift Ideas

For more ideas for a more sustainable Holiday season visit Tips for a More Sustainable Holiday Season, Christmas on a Budget , and for more eco-friendly gift ideas, 20 Eco Friendly Things On Amazon.

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission to help fund my next adventure!

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