December is here and you want to make it one to remember, right? Sometimes it’s as simple as finding the perfect gifts from friends, family and co-workers. While finding a great Secret Santa gift can be a challenge, this year, we encourage you to make a sustainable and thoughtful choice. Your Kris Kringle exchange is an excellent opportunity to show your care for both the recipient and the planet. Here, we present 24 sustainable Secret Santa gifts that will make this Christmas extra special (and level up your gift-giving skills!).
TL;DR: The Complete List of Sustainable Secret Santa Ideas
We all want to be that bit more eco-friendly when it comes to Christmas gifts, and it’s really not as hard as you think to get something valuable and sustainable (oooh!).
This complete list of Secret Santa gift ideas cover:
- Fun Experiences like a paint & sip session at Pinot & Picasso.
- Edibles & Drinkables. Natural and organic foods, of course! Not the edibles you’re thinking…
- Reusable items that will be used beyond Christmas Day.
- Plants for the house and garden to breathe life into your home.
- Organic cosmetics and sustainable apparel for the fashion icons.Â
- Gifts that make a big impact (good for you!).
- Eco-friendly dog gifts for the dog mums or soon-to-be dog parents.
Here are the 24 sustainable gift ideas for every kind of Secret Santa.
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Experiences:
Pinot & Picasso Gift Card
Treat that special someone to a not-so Silent Night at the new paint & sip experience that has hit the UK. We’re talking about Pinot & Picasso (us!). With sip & paint studios in Shoreditch, Brighton and Liverpool, you can buy your Secret Santa an e-gift card that not only gives them a great night out, but the gift card goes straight to their inbox, so you can even buy it on Christmas Eve.
Prices range from £20 to £120, meaning you can choose whatever amount you see fit for your Secret Santa recipient. Either way, they’ll love you for it, trust us.
Movies
A golden oldie gift that is always a great choice for your Secret Santa gifts is a gift voucher to the cinemas. Whether it’s for an office movie buff or for the young ones, there’s always plenty of entertaining films showing all year round at some of the UK’s major and independent cinemas.
Comedy Show
There’s no better gift than laughter, right?! Explore comedy show tickets to find the perfect performance that will tickle your Secret Santa’s funny bone. (Pierre doesn’t do stand-up comedy unfortunately).
Sporting Event
Make your Kris Kringle a part of the action with tickets to a live sporting event. Whether it’s tickets or a voucher, they’ll love that you remembered their favourite football team enough to get them to a game.
Edibles & Drinkables:
Raw and Organic Chocolate
Tired of the same old chocolates and desserts? Treat your eco friendly Secret Santa to delicious and healthy chocolate treats that will leave them feeling fantastic this festive season. Not only can they snack on this treat, they can even use it in a recipe.
Urban Greens
For friends with less-than-green thumbs, consider eco-friendly presents that allow you to grow and enjoy your own produce with help from the natural world. Choose from sprout jars, garden starter kits, or seed balls to kickstart the new year, new you vibe they are going for.
Grow Your Own Tea
Surprise your Secret Santa recipient with a Grow Your Own Tea Kit, featuring flavours like peppermint and chamomile. It’s a delightful addition to any office Christmas celebration and they may even create a tea bag just for you as a thank you.
Homemade Granola
Handmade and delicious, homemade granola is a thoughtful gift that suits all ages and dietary preferences. This Secret Santa gift idea can be vegan friendly too.
Gluten-Free Food
Help your Secret Santa start 2023 on a healthier note with gluten-free food. Whether handmade with love or store-bought, gluten-free treats are a delightful festive surprise.
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Reusable Items:
Bento-Style Lunch Boxes
They are all over TikTok for a good reason. Upgrade your Secret Santa’s lunch game with Bento-style lunch boxes. These dishwasher-safe boxes are perfect for packing tasty meals for work, a picnic or any other day out. With a range of sizes and styles, level up their lunch game with this fun shop.
Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Again, TikTok has made these plastic free gifts a trend in all gift giving guides. Say goodbye to plastic bottles and hello to ethical living with stainless steel water bottles. They’re suitable for water, coffee, beer, wine, and even food. Yes, you read wine and yes, that might be what’s in mine!
Reusable Coffee Cups
Encourage sustainable habits with a stylish and eco-friendly coffee cup. Available in various colours, designs, and sizes, it’s a perfect match for your Secret Santa who loves multiple caffeine hits in a day.
Folding Fabric Shopping Bags
Make grocery shopping eco-friendly and fun with funky fabric shopping bags. Enjoy guilt-free, plastic-free shopping every time with a tote bag that’s good for the planet and reusable.
Metal Straws
Save the environment one sip at a time with metal straws. Plastic straws are out, so why not make an ethical purchase for your Secret Santa – plus it’s easy for wrapping.
Reusable Bags
Bid farewell to disposable plastic bags and give the gift of reusable bags. With a multitude of designs and patterns, they’re perfect sustainable presents for all your friends.
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Plants:
Pot Plants
Explore a collection of pots and plants to find the perfect eco friendly Secret Santa gift. Help them create their own green oasis with a plant in your living room, kitchen, bedroom – their indoor jungle could be started with your great gift.
Organic Cosmetics:
Coconut Oil
Give the gift of radiant skin with organic coconut oil. This product was created to replenish skin for a youthful radiance and glow. Who knew you could turn back time?
Ethical Beauty
From vegan lip balm to your favourite cosmetics, choose ethically made products with eco-friendly packaging for your beauty-loving Secret Santa. There are now so many beauty brands doing good for the environment making it easier for you to give sustainable Secret Santa gifts to your girlfriends.
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Gifts That Make an Impact:
Bee Saver Kit
Spread the joy of saving bees with a Bee Saver Kit. It includes wildflower seeds, guides, and planners to inspire your recipient to contribute to bee conservation. Highly recommend starting your kit when watching the Bee Movie.
Conscious Step Socks
Support a charity this Christmas with socks that represent different causes, allowing your Secret Santa to do a good deed while staying cosy, especially with this winter weather, you can never have too many socks.
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Eco-Friendly Dog Gifts:
Dog Shampoo
Ensure the puppies are getting the love this Christmas with natural or organic dog shampoos that will leave them feel as fluffy and adorable as ever. We know the dogs at the dog park will be jealous.
Compostable Waste Bags
Say no to wasteful plastics and opt for eco-friendly compostable waste bags to help reduce waste this holiday season, including waste from your furry friends.
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Sustainable Apparel:
Sustainable Clothing
Ditch fast fashion and opt for sustainable clothing this Christmas. Choose ethical clothing options that make for a stylish and environmentally friendly gift. Whether it’s a voucher for a local shop that your receiver can visit in person or for online shopping, they’ll enjoy their retail therapy regardless.
Eco Babywear
Being stylish can start from the little bundles of joy too! If there’s a little one joining the family this Christmas or your office co-worker is heading to maternity leave, consider eco babywear as a Secret Santa gift idea. They’ll be happy that they didn’t have to get it themselves.
With these potential Secret Santa gifts, you can make this holiday season more eco-friendly and thoughtful than ever. Whether you choose arty experiences like Pinot & Picasso or more sustainable presents like reusable coffee cups, your Secret Santa is sure to appreciate the care and consideration behind your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What can I say instead of Secret Santa?
The most common term that is used is “Kris Kringle.” But we do like the sound of Secret Santa better.
What’s a good Secret Santa budget?
Secret Santa gifts typically have a low price cap, often around £10–£15 per gift. However, it’s essential to plan for this in your Christmas budget. If you’re on a tight budget, consider homemade gifts or thoughtful gestures like offering to babysit.
How can I be more sustainable around Christmas?
To be more sustainable during the festive season, consider the materials used in gifts, opt for experiences, food, or decorations as gifts, and look for brands that offer e-gift guides and vouchers to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly practices.
Keep in mind materials like recycled or certified sustainable wood and paper and avoid single-use plastics. Choose organic-certified food and clothing when possible. Got that all down? Good luck with your shopping – we know you’ll find the perfect gift!Â
