14 Gifts That'll Enhance a Lean, Green Household

Check out some seriously practical yet delightful presents

By Katie O'Reilly

December 20, 2018

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Photo by Bogdan Kurylo/iStock

It’s notoriously difficult to shop for greenies, thanks to their (understandable) allergy to consumerism and mass production. Typically, your best bet is pragmatic goods that’ll further streamline their lean, green lifestyles. That’s why Sierra scoped out holiday gifts for the home (and yard) that are as eco-sustainable—or at least as functional—as they are good looking.

Transform giftees’ al fresco entertainment game with the gift of Biolite’s revolutionary FirePit ($200). Imagine savoring the warmth, smell, and crackle of a wood campfire, minus the smoke (thanks, Biolite’s patented airflow technology!). This attractive backyard centerpiece burns wood or charcoal, and users can control it remotely using a free bluetooth app. With this pit, you’re giving the gift of a toasty green winter.

Light up the yard further with the gift of Luci Solar String Lights ($35) from MPowerd. They scream festivity and come with a USB charger for quick charging from either an outlet or solar panel. With 18 feet of nylon-braided cord and 10 LED solar nodes, they’re easy to hang and lend easy eco panache to loved ones’ patios, campsites, and vans.

If you’ve got someone on your list who considers her- or himself one of the world’s foremost coffee fanatics, they’ll appreciate the superlative gift that is the world’s lightest double-wall stainless steel insulated coffee brewer. With the Ultralight ($40) from Espro, giftees can not only brew 16 ounces of the good stuff, but also seal it up (it comes with a leak-proof lid) and take it to the slopes or the backcountry, where it’ll keep hot for hours. The Ultralight makes great coffee at home and at camp and weighs a mere 7.5 ounces.

Of course, you'll want to gift coffee lovers some beans to brew too! Gorilla Conservation Coffee supports farmers living adjacent to the endangered gorillas of Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and provides them with training in sustainable coffee farming and processing. The premium Arabica coffee carries strong hints of red, ripe, hand-picked cherries, which were processed wet and dried in the shade. The coffee ($10/bag) is roasted medium and has a unique aroma, with hints of caramel, notes of butter and almond, a citrus taste, and a sweet finish.

There’s no present more, well, timeless than a watch. As for a unique timepiece that integrates natural reclaimed wood and stainless steel? Gifting doesn’t get much more perfect. Original Grain crafts watches and jewelry out of fallen trees, and for every item sold, plants a tree through its partnership with Trees for the Future. We recommend the best-selling Whiskey Barrel 47mm ($249), which is made from Kentuckian oak barrels that spent their past lives making bourbon more delicious.

Help the hikers and explorers in your life bring their beloved outdoors inside with the gift of a fetching adventure art print. Wanderwide offers meticulously designed renderings of the natural parks, the wonders of the world, the Seven Summits, and more, designed in small batches by Denver-based artisans. Prints are only $59, and the company offers add-on framing options too. Plus, a dollar from each print sold is donated to corresponding conservation charities.

Perfect for a housewarming gift, picnic, or weekend getaway, ReFleece Wine Totes ($27) are made from upcycled jackets and felts and insulated with a layer of recycled PET felt to keep bottles cool. Even without a bottle inside, they stand up tall, and they’re available in a range of colors that pop. Trust us, many folks on your list will enjoying drinking to the health of the planet. Salud, indeed.

Converting a home lighting scheme to LED is one of the more immediate and tangible ways to reduce carbon footprints and costs. And luminescence is important—the right lighting can relax us and make us more productive and alert. BFranklin makes the switch easy with curated selections of high-quality LED bulbs that make it easy to optimize all at-home lighting and avoid the inconvenience and hassle of having to replace lights individually. With the company’s Gift of Light certificate ($100 to $500), you can send loved ones a Try-Light Kit that’ll let them experience a range of LEDs firsthand, order their favorites, send the rest back, postage-free, and convert their entire space in one fell swoop. Let 2019 be lit.

Did you know cork and yoga make for beautiful bedfellows? A sustainable, naturally cushioned material, the former is antimicrobial in a way that can handle yogis’ sweat while repelling germs and odor. It’s why the yoga gurus behind Gaiam have unveiled the thick, durable, and lightweight Performance Cork Mat ($40). Prepare to receive a hearty namaste.

Cozy PJs are always a slam-dunk winter gift. Luckily, Pact, makers of fair-trade, organic apparel and bedding, have unveiled limited-edition thermal holiday “winter sleep outfits” for her ($30 for pants. $35 for shirt) and him (pictured; $35 for pants, $35 for shirt) that would make Rip Van Winkle proud—and ecofriendly.

As long as we’re on the topic of loungewear, check out the ultra-soft, moisture-wicking tees of American Backcountry. A heritage T-shirt brand that makes all goods in the US, the company is the official provider of park and trail tees for the national parks, Appalachian Trail, and Boy Scouts, and this year, created the Appalachian Trail Conservancy/Pacific Crest Trail Association’s cobranded “TrailsAt50” shirt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the trails system. These intricately designed graphic tees range in price from about $25 to $30, and feature epic designs that conjure recreation, nature, and history. We’re partial to the artful renderings of Teddy Roosevelt and Boundary Waters Wilderness, but be sure to check the site for depictions of your favorite park, trail, or famous conservationist—we’re willing to bet you’ll find it.

For the canine who loves to nest and the human companion who loves Earth, there’s perhaps no better gift than Ruffwear’s new Restcycle Bed ($100). It’s crafted from repurposed, post-manufacturing closed-cell foam, meaning dogs can dig in, shape their ideal sleep groove, and settle in for some seriously comfy slumber. Humans will love its removable, machine-washable cover (also made with recycled materials), integrated pillow topper (stuffed with recycled synthetic down), built-in handle, and waterproof base. It’s a bed fit for home base, base camp, and everywhere in between.

Why not get Fido a good-looking new bowl while you’re at it? New from Yeti, the Boomer ($50) is built with double-wall stainless steel and holds eight cups of water or food. It’s durable, dishwasher-safe, easy to clean, resistant to rust (and roughhousing), and works just as well on backcountry trails as on kitchen floors. Cheers to your best friend! 

For the recipient who deserves a throne at home and at camp, look no further than the Blue Ridge Chair ($154). Handcrafted in Franklin, North Carolina, this classically attractive piece of furniture features an ergonomic angle, bottle opener, carry strap, and two-piece design that makes transportation and storage a cinch.