12 Sustainable Secret Santa / Stocking Stuffers ideas

(thats a lot of s's)!

Thoughtful Ideas That Go Easy on the Planet

It’s that time of year when we love to give — so why not do it in a way that leaves the planet a little lighter? Here are gift ideas that last, delight, and tread gently.

1. Local pottery + a plant Support your neighborhood makers! A small plant tucked into a handmade pot makes a timeless, personal gift — or give a ceramic class at South Bay Ceramics for a hands-on experience.

2. Grow-your-own mushrooms Far West Fungi (Santa Cruz & SF) sells beautiful grow kits — a fun, earthy gift for kitchen gardeners and kids alike.

3. Geode bar soap It looks like a crystal but melts into lather. Find them at local craft fairs and maker markets.

4. Felt dryer balls Skip the dryer sheets. Sustainable shops like Ethos (Los Gatos, Los Altos, Capitola) stock plenty of planet-friendly gifts.

5. Rechargeable everything Because disposable batteries are so last century:

• Electric lighters

• Mini rechargeable bubble machines

• Rechargeable batteries

• Hand-crank flashlight/radio combos

• USB-chargeable LED candles

6. Native garden or wildflower kits Perfect for pollinator lovers — native seeds give back long after the holidays.

7. Travel accessories For the wanderers and weekenders:

• Silicone collapsible mug

• Reusable snack bags (don’t get me started on zip-locks!)

• Titanium spork

• Silk sleep mask

• Tiny perfume atomizer

8. Experiential gifts Art, cooking, or foraging classes; local tours — memories > materials.

9. Refillable or forever tools A beautiful refillable pen, or a glass oil mister to replace single-use cooking sprays.

10. Upcycled or handmade treasures Support local artists or social enterprises that turn discarded materials into something new — from fused-plastic bags (ahem) to repurposed jewelry or furniture.

11. Plastic-free pampering Think shampoo bars, solid lotions, reusable cotton rounds, or refillable lip balms — easy on the planet, indulgent for the recipient.

12. Food that gives back Locally roasted coffee in a refillable tin, community-supported agriculture boxes, or honey from a nearby apiary — gifts that feed both body and place.

(P.S. If you have a stash of plastic sleeves, we’ll happily turn them into something equally lasting — a Rubbish Bag!)