Eco-Friendly Gifts and Gifts That Give Back
The best gifts can do a little good, too. These are our favorite eco-friendly finds and gifts that give back, from sustainable products to purchases that support causes we care about. They're feel-good picks for kids, teens and grown-ups who want to help make the world a little better.
Earlier guides
Explore our earlier guides, newest first. These are archived recommendations; prices and availability may have changed.
From the archive · June 3, 202421 wildly cool subscription gifts for men. From fair trade coffee to tech toys and everything in between
From the archive · April 23, 2024One Cool Thing: Make homemade crowns for Mother's Day and give back to kids in need
From the archive · November 27, 202320 special gifts that give back to great causes. | Holiday Gift Guide + Giving Tuesday
From the archive · December 8, 202217 Gen Z gifts that give back to the incredible causes they care about | Holiday Gift Guide
From the archive · November 22, 2020Presenting our 100% entirely Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020: See our top 10 gifts for everyone on your list
From the archive · April 26, 202016 fabulous Mother's Day gifts that give back to Covid relief and healthcare workers | Mother's Day Gift Guide
From the archive · March 26, 202018 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
From the archivePresenting our 2020 Small Business Holiday Gift Guide: Shop Small to Give Big
From the archiveOur 10 Best Gifts for Grandparents | Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020
From the archiveOur 10 Best Gifts for Men this year | Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020
From the archiveOur 10 Best Gifts for Teens | Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020
From the archiveOur 10 Best Gifts for Tweens 9-12 | Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020
From the archiveOur 10 Best Gifts for Women in 2020 | Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020
From the archiveOur 10 Best Gifts for Little Kids 4-8 | Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020
From the archiveOur 10 Best Hanukkah Gifts for 2020 | Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020
From the archiveOur 10 Best Holiday Gifts for Babies and Toddlers | Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020
From the archiveEco-friendly gifts for kids and teens who are fighting for our planet. For good reason.
SponsoredFrom the archive · May 1, 201815 beautiful Mother's Day gifts that give back, beautifully | Mother's Day Gift Guide
From the archiveGifts that help support journalism, because it matters more than ever
From the archive · June 15, 2016These 5 charities are doing amazing things for dads this Father's Day
From the archive · March 15, 2016Easter eggs so natural, they come with their own Easter grass
From the archive35 truly fabulous gifts that give back to 35 fabulous causes
From the archive · May 6, 2014Mother's Day gifts that give back, because they save lives.
From the archiveStylish Holiday Gifts That Give Back
Shop all picks
This guide contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission from some purchases to help support our team. All picks are determined editorially by our staff; there has been no compensation in exchange for our picks.
Personalized Name Crayons in Easter Pastels
Personalized Name Crayons in Easter Pastels $19.95, Art2theExtreme (a little more for each letter over four)
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Personalized Easter Bunny Camp Mug for Kids
A customizable bunny-themed mug available with multiple face and font options—pair with hot chocolate or candies for a ready gift.
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
holiday gift guides on Cool Mom Tech
Monthly or yearly subscription granting kids access to a large library of ebooks and audiobooks—good for young readers and families.
From: Presenting our 100% entirely Small Business Holiday Gift Guide 2020: See our top 10 gifts for everyone on your list
Personalized Easter Book (I See Me)
A custom Easter storybook personalized with the child’s name, photo, and a dedication—keepsake-quality for young readers.
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Floral Rifle Paper Fabric Headbands
Fabric headbands in Rifle Paper floral prints available in sizes for kids and teens—an easy, springtime accessory gift.
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Personalized Easter Chocolate Lollipop
Custom chocolate lollipops with Easter-themed designs—an elevated sweet treat to include in baskets or as a single gift.
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Easter Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Pastel-dipped chocolate-covered pretzels ideal for snacking, gifting, or party favors—orderable in batches.
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle
A wooden name puzzle that doubles as decor and an educational toy—thoughtful and lasting for younger children.
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Peep Style Bunny Stud Earrings
Peep Style Bunny Stud Earrings $16.80 on sale, Jenny O and Co
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Handmade Kawaii Zombie Bunny Plush
Handmade Kawaii Zombie Bunny Plush $24, Flat Bonnie I love these flat bunnies, but especially the zombie bunny which is so great for tweens, teens, and kids not so into the traditional Easter gifts.
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Paint-Your-Own Easter Kit
Paint-Your-Own Easter Kit s $20, Willow Bee Signs (there are also paint-your-own baby chicks or hearts) A craft kit to keep little hands busy on Easter Sunday at home or in the backyard. When they're done, their masterpieces can be strung up with twine, or turned into ornaments or magnets.
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Hip Hop Easter Tee for Kids
Hip Hop Easter Tee for Kids $16, She Squats Clothing (20% off for a limited time) A fresh new t-shirt seems pretty practical these days and this one cracks me upp. Sizes infant through 7-8 in tons of colors
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Handmade Heirloom Bunny Rag Dolls
Handmade Heirloom Bunny Rag Dolls $115, Pea Handmade
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Felt Easter Bunny Masks
Felt Easter Bunny Masks $15, Fern Castles
From: 18 fantastic Easter gift ideas for kids, from Etsy shops that could really use the support right now.
Letterpress Blank Notebooks
Letterpress Blank Notebooks
From: 15 beautiful Mother's Day gifts that give back, beautifully | Mother's Day Gift Guide
Girlfriend Collective Cupro Collection Tee
Soft, sustainable Cupro tee from Girlfriend Collective — a thoughtful, eco-friendly wardrobe staple ideal as a versatile gift.
From: The amazing story behind Girlfriend Collective’s new sustainable, ethically produced t-shirts.
Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter
Countertop composter that converts food scraps into nutrient-rich soil in hours — a practical gift for eco-conscious cooks.
From the guideMicrofiber Cleaning Cloth Multipack
Reusable soft, lint-free microfiber cloths are an affordable, practical gift for keeping phones and screens smudge-free.
From the guide
Flex Disc (disposable menstrual disc)
Reusable menstrual cup/disc alternative to tampons available in multiple sizes—eco-friendly and economical gift.
From: Period underwear to menstrual cups: 4 tampon alternatives we've tried that can save you during the tampon shortage
Ultimate Silicone Straw
Reusable silicone straw that combines the flexibility and safety of silicone with portability — a practical eco-friendly gift for anyone who uses on-the-go drinks.
From the guideVolkswagen I.D. Buzz Electric Minibus (model)
An all-electric, retro-styled 8-person minibus offering spacious interior and fast charging—good for families or group travel enthusiasts.
From the guide
Crocheted Reusable Water Balloons (Strange Loops Crafts)
Handmade crocheted ‘water balloons’ that can be refilled and reused indefinitely, producing zero single-use waste and adding a unique, giftable twist to water play.
From: 3 options for more eco-friendly water balloons for less mess, less risk to animals
Reusable Compartmentalized Lunch Container (Plastic)
A durable, multi-compartment plastic lunch box ideal for packing DIY Lunchables-style meals for kids on the go.
From the guideFilet Doux Recycled Cardboard Decorative Video Camera (Etsy)
Playful recycled cardboard mock video camera — a tongue-in-cheek decorative gift for someone with a dry sense of humor or an interest in eco-conscious art.
From the guide