Sustainable Gift Guide

Experience-Based Gifts

Instead of a physical object, consider giving an experience where you can create memories together, or a service they need or would really appreciate! Here are some ideas we love: 

• Annual passes to one of Chicago’s many wonderful museums, art galleries, botanic gardens, conservatories, the planetarium, and more

• Restaurant or coffee shop gift card - check out our list of sustainable options

• Concert, Movie, Stand-Up Comedy, or Theatre tickets

• Massages or spa passes

• Bike rental subscription

• Chicago Tool Library membership - more info

• Composting subscriptions, for someone who wants to live more sustainably - more info

• Audio subscriptions, like Spotify, Audible, etc

• Local in-person classes, for things like cooking, ceramics, sewing/mending, etc

• House cleaning packages

• Professional portrait session from a local photographer

• Manicures/pedicures

• Escape room adventures

• Online classes in an area that interests them. There are also online teaching apps, like Duolingo for language

• Tickets to a big game for one of Chicago’s many local teams

• National Park passes (like America the Beautiful)

• Homemade activity or service vouchers- you could just give the person a “coupon” for some sort of future activity, like going hiking, doing the person’s nails, painting their fence, making them dinner or prepping meals when they’re really busy, walking their dog, babysitting their kids or pets, repairing something in their home, cleaning their car, help them with planting their garden in the spring, or something else they need!

Consumable Gifts

Buy something locally or regionally produced that you know the person likes! Consumable gifts can be used up and won’t create clutter. Check out our list of grocery stores that source primarily local foods.

• Seeds or saplings for herbs, vegetables, or native plants that can be enjoyed all summer! Click here for more info on sustainable local plant vendors

• Locally crafted beer or spirits, from one of Chicago’s many great breweries and distilleries. Two ideas are Koval Distillery in Ravenswood and Maplewood Brewing in Logan Square

• If you have your own garden, make something from it! Jams, pickled items, etc

• Locally made artisan soaps and bath products, like those from Soap Distillery

• Honey made from a local beekeeper, like The Roof Crop

• Charcuterie basket with locally produced cheese, crackers, or spreads

• Organic, fair trade coffee or tea

• All natural (or homemade) pet treats

• Community Supported Agriculture subscription

• Helping to cover a bill or sudden expense - reducing stress for the recipient is also a huge gift in itself!

Secondhand Gifts

Our culture often frowns on secondhand gifting, but buying used is the most eco-friendly option for giving a physical gift. Here are some gift items that are great to buy secondhand, and will allow you to get way more for your money!

• Books, Magazines, and Vinyl Records

• Wooden furniture

• Vintage glassware, dishes, jewelry, maps, globes, picture frames, etc

• Designer handbags and leather goods

• Decor Items, including for the holidays!

• Bikes and scooters

• If the person likes potted plants or wants to become a plant parent, you could take a cutting from your own plant (or someone else’s) and give it to them in a beautiful reused pot!

• Refinity Candle - makes candles with reused containers right here in Chicago! You can find them at several local shops.

• Games and Sports equipment

• For more ideas, check out the Trashy Holiday Market on November 29-30

Gifts from a Sustainable Shop or B Corp!

Gifts like these are a great way to get a friend or family member interested in eco-friendly companies and products.

• Sustainable goods from one of Chicagoland’s great zero waste shops

• Clothing from local shops like Wulfka and Remade in Chicago

• Handmade art and crafts from local shops or Chicagoland Etsy sellers

• Home and personal goods from online B Corps like EarthHero, Blueland, etc

• Clothing from National B Corps like Patagonia, Athleta, Pact, and others

• Jewelry made from recycled metals or repurposed spoons

Donating to an Environmental Cause in their Name

This one is great for people who don’t like clutter, or appreciate supporting causes. Here are a few local options:

• Our group, Chicago Environmentalists! Help us make the environment a cultural and political priority in Chicago through our online sustainability community, expansive website, environmental advocacy, research projects, events, and more.

• Our litter cleanup group, Cleanup Club Chicago! We have collected over 31,000 lbs of litter from Chicago in the last 4 years. We combat litter by organizing group cleanups, running individual cleanup challenges, collaborating with the city to tackle litter removal and reduction, and fostering a culture that discourages waste.

• Support efforts to protect and rehabilitate our two most important bodies of water: the Chicago River and Lake Michigan! Friends of the Chicago River , Urban Rivers, and Alliance for the Great Lakes are great options.

• Help our city reduce waste and create a circular economy by donating to Ecoship or Reduce Waste Chicago.

• Help save birds in our city through Chicago Bird Collision Monitors

• Make biking, walking and transit easier and more inviting by supporting the Active Transportation Alliance

• Support environmental justice organizations that are fighting to reduce pollution in our city’s sacrifice zones. People for Community Recovery, N4EJ, Pilsen PERRO, and Faith in Place are some great options.

• Plant a tree in someone’s name in one of our nation’s forests through the Arbor Day Foundation. It’s a great way to honor a friend or family member’s memory!