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.
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From the guide
The Bouqs St. Galentine Floral Arrangement
Sustainably sourced floral arrangement designed for Galentine's/Valentine's gifting—bright, seasonal flowers.
From: 16 Valentine's gifts for friends who could probably use a little extra love this year.
The Empowerment Plan Coat/Sleeping Bag
A durable, waterproof coat that converts into a sleeping bag and supports job training and employment for people experiencing homelessness — a thoughtful charitable gift that combines practicality with social impact.
From: Year-end charitable donations and purchases that put people to work
Tea Rewear — Tea Brand Kids Consignment
A program offering recycled and resold Tea Collection kids' clothing, nice for gifting sustainable, boutique-style pieces.
From: A comparison of the best kids consignment shops online: Where to buy, and where to sell.
Twig Colored Pencil Set (7-pack)
Sustainably made colored pencils crafted from apple tree twigs — a charming, eco-friendly art set for kids.
From: 14 cool kids' stocking stuffers all supporting indie shops
Ketema Statement Ring (Plumagate & Chrysocolla)
Bold statement ring set in recycled brass featuring plumagate and chrysocolla sourced from Ethiopia, crafted by women artisans in Kenya.
From: 6 lovely gifts that give back on Shop for Good Sunday. Or any day!
Reformation Hayes Denim Trench Coat
A denim trench with a swingy silhouette that offers a casual-but-polished option—good for gifting to someone who prefers sustainable or relaxed styles.
From: Stylish trench coats for fall into spring: 9 of my favorites for any style, shape or budget
DivaCup (reusable menstrual cup)
Well-known reusable menstrual cup that comes in sizes for different flows—reliable, long-lasting gift option.
From: Period underwear to menstrual cups: 4 tampon alternatives we've tried that can save you during the tampon shortage
Water Wubbles Stretchy Self-Sealing Water Balls
Reusable, nearly unbreakable water-filled balls that self-seal after filling — a fun, low-mess alternative to traditional water balloons for kids.
From: 3 options for more eco-friendly water balloons for less mess, less risk to animals
Personalized Starbucks-Style Reusable Coffee Cup
Customizable reusable cup styled like a Starbucks cup — a practical, personal gift for coffee lovers or teachers who appreciate a daily caffeine pick-me-up.
From: Personalized Starbucks coffee cups: Now the barista has no choice but to get your name right.
Chalkboard Tags by LeeArt Designs
Reusable chalkboard-style tags for labeling bins and containers—ideal for organizing laundry supplies and a thoughtful, practical gift for tidying a small space.
From: 5 expert tips to help give your laundry room a quick and easy makeover
Knix Leak‑Proof Period Underwear for Women
Comfortable, leak‑proof underwear for women that replaces or complements pads and tampons—practical and empowering as a personal-care gift.
From: How to answer all your daughter's questions about menstruation and periods. (That goes for you too, dads!)
Thermal Aid Heating and Cooling Pack Bear (assorted colors)
Stuffed bear with an insertable thermal pack available in multiple colors—great as a soothing, reusable cold or warm compress that doubles as a cuddly toy.
From: Boo-boo packs just got about a zillion percent more cuddly
Heart-shaped Bendy Straws (novelty pack)
Heart-shaped bendy straws add whimsical flair to Valentine cards and make a reusable, kid-friendly favor.
From: 14 non-candy Valentine ideas for kids with printables: Perfect for classroom parties or kids with enough candy in their lives
Askanya signature chocolate collection gift box
Curated gift box of Askanya's signature bars — a polished boxed option highlighting Haitian cocoa and women-led production.
From: Exceptional chocolates from Black-owned chocolate companies. For Valentine's Day and beyond. (2024 update)
Askanya signature chocolate bars (Haiti)
Single-origin chocolate bars handcrafted in Haiti by Askanya using ethically sourced local ingredients — a tasteful, globally minded gift.
From: Exceptional chocolates from Black-owned chocolate companies. For Valentine's Day and beyond. (2024 update)
Midunu Chocolates handcrafted truffles (Ghana)
Handcrafted truffles made in Ghana by women chocolatiers at Midunu — visually striking and ethically sourced, ideal as a meaningful chocolate gift.
From: Exceptional chocolates from Black-owned chocolate companies. For Valentine's Day and beyond. (2024 update)
Mamuye Leather Tote (FashionABLE)
A versatile leather tote that supports artisan makers — stylish and functional for everyday use.
From: Small Business Saturday deals that make your heart grow three sizes today.
Vahdam Tea Gift Boxes (seasonal collections)
Beautifully boxed loose-leaf and bagged tea gift sets, including seasonal holiday collections at accessible price points.
From: 18 of our favorite hygge gifts for everyone who needs more comfort and coziness right now
Ethically Made Walking Sneakers (woman-owned brand)
Comfortable, responsibly produced adventure shoes from a woman‑owned brand that channels profits into Kiva loans—practical and purposeful.
From: 17 feminist gifts that honor our activist women friends after a long, hard year
Hand‑Embroidered Cashmere Slogan Sweater (Lingua Franca)
Luxury fair‑trade cashmere sweater hand‑embroidered in NYC with feminist slogans—splurge gift with a strong activist message.
From: 17 feminist gifts that honor our activist women friends after a long, hard year
Inkerman Max Hightop Sneaker
Full-grain US leather high-top that reads like a dress shoe with a cushioned sneaker sole—elevated and durable.
From: 4 cool black sneakers for people who would rather be wearing anything but sneakers
ABLE Loungewear Set
Socially-conscious loungewear set from ABLE — comfortable, ethically made pieces for relaxed winter days.
From: 18 of our favorite hygge gifts for everyone who needs more comfort and coziness right now
Alltrue (formerly Causebox) Seasonal Subscription
Seasonal boxes of socially conscious, curated lifestyle goods — a thoughtful gift for values-driven moms.
From: 17 of the best subscription boxes for moms this Mother's Day, so they can feel the love even longer