Whether you’re a super early shopper or a last-minute cart filler, finding good-quality holiday stocking stuffers can be a bit tricky. Most stores have a bunch of plastic clutter and gag gifts they try to market as stocking fillers. The last thing you want is to be stuck with all that random junk that ends up in the trash a few days later.
This year, try to think about sustainable gifts when filling stockings for friends and family. Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials on the planet and makes an excellent stocking stuffer. Don’t worry if your family tradition doesn’t include hanging your stockings by the fireplace with care. These don’t have to be stuffed in a stocking. They make great sustainable gifts for any occasion!
Bamboo Socks
Socks are a popular stocking stuffer because everyone needs them, especially during the coldest months of the year. While a pack of white cotton socks might be boring, bamboo socks are softer and more sustainable. The bamboo plant uses only a third as much water as cotton and doesn’t need any pesticides to grow. The natural cooling properties of bamboo make it a perfect material for keeping your feet comfy.
My favorite bamboo socks this season are the Plush Lounge Socks from Cozy Earth. I love their set of traditional Christmas colors, but you can pick your favorite color combination for anyone on your list.
Bamboo Water Bottles
Bamboo water bottles are the perfect stocking stuffer because they encourage good habits for your loved ones. More than half of adults don’t drink enough water and staying hydrated is essential for maintaining focus and staying healthy. Choosing a bamboo water bottle will help reduce the millions of plastic water bottles tossed out each year. They’re reusable, but because bamboo is biodegradable and compostable, it will also break down when you’re finished with it.
My pick for a sustainable gift is the O.G. Bamboo Water Bottle from Original Grain. Made from bamboo and stainless steel, it’s super sleek and easy to clean. Bamboo water bottles are a gift of health, style, and sustainability.
Bamboo Flatware Sets
A bamboo flatware set is the perfect stocking stuffer for those who work outside the home. Every year we toss out 100 million plastic utensils and 500 million plastic straws. A reusable bamboo flatware set will prevent all that waste. Bamboo is also a renewable resource and helps the environment by absorbing 5 times more CO2 than trees.
The Bamboo Lunch Set from My Little Panda includes everything you need for a quick bite between meetings or while relaxing at the park. Bamboo flatware is lightweight and sturdy making it the perfect travel companion.
The bamboo chopsticks are a nice addition for the days you crave traditional Asian cuisine. It even comes with a bamboo straw and straw cleaning brush making your favorite beverage more sustainable too. Roll it all up in the hemp pouch and it’s the perfect on-the-go gift.
Bamboo Sunglasses
Winter is here which means snow for many parts of the world. The glare from the sun off the snow can be blinding so everyone will appreciate a quality pair of winter bamboo sunglasses this season. Bamboo sunglasses make a great stocking stuffer because they’re a sustainable alternative to plastic but still come in all the best styles. There are plenty of options available – from budget-friendly to luxury brands – so you’ll be sure to find the perfect pair for your friends and family.
My favorite pair this year is the Sienna Wooden Sunglasses With Bamboo Case. They look like my favorite designer brand and come with a bamboo case and cleaning cloth. Looking for a sustainable stocking stuffer for the little ones? Grab a pair of these Kids Lil Kick bamboo sunglasses and introduce them to the world of sustainable fashion.
Bamboo Phone Cases
In a survey by SimpleTexting, over 44% of people said they would give up alcohol, coffee, or even their partner for a month if it meant keeping their smartphone. I wouldn’t go that far, but I do rely on my phone for just about everything. Over 80% of the global population has a smartphone and almost everyone wants a case. Considering there’s a new phone model basically every year a lot of plastic phone cases end up in the landfill.
Gifting your loved one a bamboo phone case like those from The Clean Green Co. means one less case will be breaking into microplastics and polluting our oceans. Even when they decide to upgrade to a newer phone model, they can give their bamboo phone case away or even compost it. Bamboo is a natural material that breaks down in as little as two months when composted correctly. Grabbing a bamboo phone case as a stocking stuffer is the perfect sustainable gift idea.
Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads
For those in your life who love makeup and skincare, bamboo is a great way to clean up their beauty routine. Bamboo makeup remover pads are a great stocking stuffer because they’re just the right mix of practical and unexpected. They can replace disposable cotton pads which are really bad for the environment. Unlike bamboo, cotton requires a ton of water and pesticides to grow. And once the pads and used, they’re not biodegradable unless they’re made from pure cotton.
Bamboo makeup remover pads are reusable and can be washed hundreds of times before needing to be replaced. Just 20 bamboo pads can replace over 4,000 disposable cotton rounds.
Bamboo fibers are round which makes bamboo makeup remover pads naturally soft. They make a nice, luxurious gift for anyone who enjoys indulging in a sustainable skincare routine.
Bamboo Makeup Brushes
Whether you’re shopping for your perfectly put-together aunt or your sixth-grade niece, bamboo makeup brushes make the perfect stocking stuffer. Traditional makeup brushes have plastic handles that rely on oil and chemicals during production. Bamboo makeup brushes keep things clean with eco-friendly and durable bamboo handles. Bamboo is said to be stronger than steel so a new brush set will last through all her changing looks.
The 11-Piece Bamboo Makeup Brush Set from Seek Bamboo works with creams, powders, and liquids. It comes in an eco-friendly travel bag making it a perfect addition to a festive stocking.
Celebrate Sustainably With Bamboo Stocking Stuffers
The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, but it’s important to remember the impact of gift-giving. Overall waste increases by 25% in the last quarter of the year due to holiday celebrations. This year try to be mindful of the materials your gifts are made from. Choosing sustainable bamboo stocking stuffers will reduce your impact on the planet and make your giving even more meaningful.
Looking for more sustainable gift ideas? Check out our favorite sustainable bamboo gifts for everyone on your list.
