Gift with heart, not haste. Discover how mindful, sustainable choices can turn every occasion into something that feels good, does good, and lasts longer than the wrapping paper.
The holidays have their own kind of magic—the glow of lights, the joy of giving, and that kind of warmth that lingers long after the last gift has been unwrapped. We’re all familiar with this feeling.
But here’s another side we often fail to see: this festive celebration leaves us with more than just joyful memories, maybe with a little glitter on the floor, a few empty boxes and wrappers, and a bunch of plastic ribbons that just end up in landfills.
As these clutters demand us to celebrate and give more mindfully next time, it leaves us with, “How?”
Now, let’s unwrap it together... here’s what we know.
The Situation
First of all, gift-giving, for all its good intentions, can feel more like a puzzle than a pleasure.
We’ve all been there: that moment when gift shopping turns into taxing guesswork. Most of the time, we’re at a roadblock at a store (or scrolling endlessly online), overwhelmed by choices that don’t feel quite right. And then eventually, we do what most of us do when the decision becomes so daunting.
Either we end up getting the most convenient option—the quick fix that feels safe enough to pass as thoughtful—or we go overboard, grabbing excess items in the hope that more items compensate.
They may do the job, sure, but they don’t always carry the weight of what we want to express. A gift is never just a thing, and we all know this for a fact. At its best, it’s a message that should reflect our thought, care, and intention, but too often, they leave more waste than wonder.
In the United States alone, household waste surges by about 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year, with big portions of it heavily attributed to bows, bags, and packaging that once wrapped our generosity.
Much of this seasonal waste can be traced back to the persisting culture of hyper-consumerism. Over the years, holidays and special occasions have become so closely tied to this vicious cycle of overproduction and overspending; and from this standpoint, the very act of gift-giving gets reduced to little more than just acts of extravagance and materialistic niceties that pose grave effects to the planet.
The challenge, then, is not in the act of spending, but in the art of picking something that resonates beyond materialism... something that feels good and does good.
The Gift You Give (To the Planet)
As conversations about waste and overconsumption grow louder each holiday season, a new approach to gift-giving has begun to take shape: Conscious Gifting.
At its heart, conscious gifting is the practice of buying gifts that are thoughtful, sustainable, and eco-friendly—whether that means opting for ethically made items, gifting experiences instead of objects, or supporting businesses that prioritize ecological responsibility over profit.
To put it simply, it asks the question: “How do we choose something that brings joy to the recipient, and at the same time, reflects our values, and treads lightly on the planet?”
Around the world, we’re beginning to see trends that show people are rethinking not just what they give but why they give it—tied in consideration of the impact it will make on the environment.
A 2021 research from American Express shows that 62% of consumers in the United Kingdom are leaning towards at least one sustainable choice when buying seasonal presents. The movement is even stronger among Millennials and Gen Z, with 77% of 18–34-year-olds opting for eco-friendly products as gifts.
With this growing momentum, the idea of conscious gifting doesn’t have to begin and end just during the holidays. Applied to everyday occasions—be it birthdays, milestones, or even small thank-yous—it reshapes the way we think about value.
Afterall, a gift doesn’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful; it only has to reflect intention. And when that intention includes the planet, each choice is a step toward a more sustainable celebration, all year round.
If conscious gifting is the way forward, the question then is how do we begin to put it into practice? Here’s how.
Try experiential gifting
Instead of adding another item to someone’s shelf, consider giving experiences; something that creates memories rather than clutter. Experiential gifts can take many forms: a cooking class, concert tickets, a museum pass, or even a weekend getaway. Not only do they carry less environmental impact compared to physical goods, but they also strengthen connections by offering shared moments and lasting stories.
Consider second-hand shopping
Second-hand shopping is gaining ground as a mindful and stylish alternative to buying brand-new. From curated thrift shops to online marketplaces, pre-loved items carry both character and sustainability, reducing the demand for new production and keeping perfectly good goods out of landfills. Be it vintage clothing, refurbished electronics, or antique furniture, second-hand gifts can feel unique and thoughtful—often with stories attached that make them stand out even more.
Recycle wrapping paper
Wrapping doesn’t have to be the afterthought—it can be the statement. Instead of shiny paper destined for the trash, people are turning to wraps that outlast the moment: fabric that can be used again, seed paper that grows into wildflowers, or minimalist designs meant to be framed rather than tossed. The idea is simple: let the wrap carry as much meaning as the gift itself.
Support craftsmanship
Another conscious choice is to support independent makers and craftspeople. Handmade goods often carry a story—whether it’s pottery shaped by hand, textiles woven with tradition, or skincare blended in small batches. These gifts aren’t just objects; they represent someone’s skill, time, and heritage. Choosing them means you’re not only giving something unique, but also sustaining livelihoods and keeping artistry alive in a world crowded with mass production.
Choose brands that care
Lastly, consider choosing brands that put sustainability at the heart of what they do. Eco-oriented companies go beyond token gestures; they commit to renewable materials, ethical sourcing, and low-impact production processes. In skincare, for example, this might mean products made with organically grown botanicals, refillable packaging that reduces plastic waste, or formulas designed to be as kind to the planet as they are to your skin.
Supporting these brands allows your gift to carry a double meaning: not only does it delight the recipient, but it also reflects a conscious choice to support businesses that prioritize the health of both people and the planet.
The Gifts We Don’t Wrap
Some gifts don’t come in boxes or bags. They’re not tied up with fancy ribbons, nor do they need wrapping to make an impression. Instead, their value lies strongly in the principles behind them, in the decision to support sustainability, to honor wellness, and to choose something that cares for both people and the planet.
In fact, we’re beginning to see these values gain recognition in more mainstream spaces. This year, lifestyle magazine VegNews featured The Organic Skin Co. in its Holiday Gift Guide not simply as a beauty pick, but as part of a larger acknowledgment that products rooted in sustainability, ethics, and wellness are no longer niche.
Taking its space in the Holiday edition of the print magazine is The Only Glow Tinted Face Oil, a certified vegan formula that reflects our commitment to clean, conscious beauty. Dubbed by VegNews as “revolutionary” to makeup routines, this face oil combines all nature’s purest ingredients, from pomegranate to kawakawa leaf, to promote skin elasticity, hydration, and protection.
Beyond the wonders it does to the skin, it’s kind to the planet too. The Only Glow Tinted Face Oil embraces sustainability for its FSC-certified card box, recyclable glass container, and eco-friendly bamboo cap, curated thoughtfully with a deep understanding that beauty should never come at the Earth’s expense.
Just as every element of this product tells a story of care, so does the effort that brings it to life. Behind every product that earns this kind of recognition are the many hands and hearts that make it possible. The cultivators and farmers who tend the soil and nurture the botanicals, the makers who carefully transform those ingredients into potent formulas, and the customers who choose with intention—all are part of the gift.
Their collective effort reminds us that a gift isn’t just about what ends up on the shelf, but about the community of people who care enough to shape a better way forward. Ultimately, it’s about recognizing that beauty, when done right, leaves more than a glow; it leaves a legacy.
This one’s from us to you, from you to us… that’s a gift neither glossy papers nor fancy ribbons could wrap.