Green Gifts for the Holidays: A locally inspired gift guide for this month’s holiday shopping
For many, holiday shopping is undoubtedly one of the best parts of December. However, finding the perfect gift doesn’t come naturally for some of us. Not to mention the number of gifts that end up in the trash each year!
The holidays can be a wasteful time of year – from discarded gift wrapping to unwanted presents. This year, we want to give you a hand. We’ve searched high and low for some of the best locally inspired, eco-friendly, low-waste gifts perfect for any friend or loved one. Keep scrolling to check out our “local” gift guide and stop stressing over those last-minute presents!
For the Chef
Not only is this option low waste but it’s also low-cost! Fill a jar with pre-measured cookie ingredients for a cute gift option for the bakers and chefs in your life!
2. Lemon Street Market Gift Card
Support local businesses and reduce waste by gifting your loved ones gift certificates! Lemon Street Market is a local woman-owned business dedicated to supporting Lancaster County farms and feeding our community the freshest local food.
3. Canning Kit
Canning is a great hobby, especially for those who want to decrease food waste. Plus, it’s the gift that keeps on giving! To support local businesses, we suggest purchasing a canning kit from a small shop in Lancaster or ordering one from Etsy!
Bamboo utensils are beautiful, durable, and biodegradable, making them the perfect gift for cooks and bakers!
For the Nature-Lover
1. Tickets to Longwood Gardens
Give the gift of experience! Tickets to Longwood Gardens are the perfect present for the gardeners and nature lovers in your life.
Sickman’s Mill is the perfect spot for those who love to spend time in the water! Take your loved ones tubing in the summer for a fun, relaxing day out.
3. Perfect Pots Holiday Container Garden
Support a Lancaster business by checking out this gift from Perfect Pots! Filled with lush evergreens, this gift is crafted to capture the spirit of the season and last all winter long.
4. Tickets to Perfect Pots Workshops
Tickets to potting workshops are another low-waste, local gift option! Perfect Pots hosts potting workshops all year, and they’ll teach you how to craft your own container garden to take home.
For the Homebody
1. Pineapple House Creations Candle
Candles are a gift-giving staple, especially for those who love a night in. Pineapple House Creations is a local business that sells candles and other goods at Lancaster Central Market. Their dedication to all-natural, organic, and paraben-free ingredients makes these products the perfect eco-friendly gift option.
Who doesn’t love a festive home for the holidays? Wreaths are a great all-natural gift for homebodies that love to decorate. Check out local Christmas tree farms to shop for wreaths made from leftover greenery and support our farmers!
A night in isn’t complete without a face mask. Refillism is a woman-owned business located at Lancaster Central Market committed to offering natural, re-fillable, environmentally friendly goods. The best part of this gift? After your loved one has used their mask powder, they can refill it for only $4 per ounce!
Handmade, natural soaps are the perfect gift for loved ones who deserve some me-time! This all-natural soap set is a great way to try something new and find the perfect scent.
For the Pet Owner
Sustainable and cute? Count us in! For your cat-owner pals, grow-your-own catnip kits are creative, low-waste gifts cats adore. When the cat is happy, the human is happy!
Happy Trout Pet Treats is a branch of Hudson Valley Fisheries, a sustainable fish farm in Hudson, New York. Happy Trout aims to reduce farm waste by drying unsellable fish parts into single-ingredient pet treats for dogs, cats, and chickens!
3. DIY Pet Treats
One of the cheapest ways to become a favorite among your friends’ pets is by making your own treats! Of course, always check with the owner to ensure that their furry friend does not have any allergies or sensitivities before you get started. Here are some easy recipes:
4. Lancaster Pet Bakery Treats
If making your own isn’t your thing, you can always support a local business for those pet treats! Lancaster Pet Bakery in Lancaster Central Market is the perfect place for homemade pet treats, 100% recyclable toys, and more!Choosing to buy local, eco-friendly gifts this holiday season not only benefits our local economy but also reduces waste and supports overall healthier living. Whether you’re shopping for a nature lover, chef, homebody, or pet owner, countless sustainable options show you care. This holiday season, take a moment to consider gifts that are practical, personal, and kind to our planet.
Happy green gifting!
