20 Sustainable Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Making sure our purchases contribute to the world we want create has never been more important, which is why more and more of us are choosing to shop sustainably. This commitment, however, shouldn't end when the holiday season begins—not when there are a myriad of incredible gifts on the market that give back or help us positively contribute to Mother Earth. So, when you're shopping for that perfect holiday present—or scooping up birthday and anniversary gifts over the course of the rest of the year—make a concerted effort to seek out reputable, ethical brands with values that match yours.

Wondering exactly how an item earns a sustainable label? It all comes down to how it is produced from an environmental perspective and how it benefits the maker. In other words, a sustainable product needs to help the environment in which it is created, while also offering positive social and economic effects along the way. This goes for all stages of its production, from product development and manufacturing to shipping—and all the way through to its disposal. On the whole, a sustainable object leaves a positive impact throughout every phase of its life cycle.

If we shopped this way 100-percent of the time, we'd be well on our way to shaping a better world. Looking to start now, through your gift search? To help you on your way, our editors went ahead and rounded up several sustainable gifts; these items were either manufactured with the environment in mind or will help their recipient lower the own carbon footprint. We call that a win-win, every time.