shop sustainable, shop small 2024 holiday gift guide

100+ websites to shop small

Choosing ethical and sustainable practices is a huge investment for small shops, and it can be a real risk for those with already tight margins. Slow production also means sourcing materials and creating in lower quantities, which can increase costs as well. Keep in mind that no one has it all figured out.

Want to shop small but have your own budget to be mindful of (uh yes!)? Make sure to review each brand’s website for exclusives such as discounts when signing up for their newsletter!

Pillows by Zuahaza, subscribe to their emails for 10% off your first purchase. Read more about Zuahaza here.

If you have struggled in the past to know where to start when it comes to sustainable shopping, we hope this opens your eyes to just a small fraction of the businesses paving the way! We’re seriously in AWE of all the shops on this list! Hope you are too.

Home & Lifestyle

Ruffle coasters and striped green and pink napkins made from fabric remnants from our shop, wallflower

1. Zuahaza (featured here)
2. Maria Ida Designs
3. wallflower
4. Made Trade
5. Sister Golden
6. Holistic Habitat
7. Will + Atlas
8. Baba Souk (featured here)
9. Bole Road Textiles
10. Sophie Williamson Design
11. Quinta Esencia Studio
12. Korissa
13. Woven Rosa
14. Garza Marfa
15. Kazi Goods

Glassware and ceramics by Woven Rosa

16. fruitsuper
17. TerraKlay (featured here)
18. Soukie Modern
19. Sfingiday
20. Tribe
21. Wildwood Candle Co
22. Ichcha
23. Ixoq

Fashion, Jewelry, & Accessories

Colorblock jumpsuit by Nissa New York

24. The Cura Co
25. The Slow Mode
26. Chila Bags
27. RŪPAHAUS
28. Osei-Duro
29. Ace & Jig
30. Proclaim
31. Drawn
32. Maaari
33. Wray
34. Omi Na Na
35. Soluna Collective
36. Grey State Apparel
37. Parade
38. Bel Kazan

Upcycled denim pants by Soluna Collective

39. Picnicwear
40. APPRVL
41. Hathorway
42. Graziano & Gutierrez
43. Pansy
44. Aday
45. Uniform Handmade
46. Nissa New York
47. Room Shop
48. For Days
49. Nobody’s Child
50. Orejas
51. LA Relaxed
52. Valerie Madison Jewelry

Orejas Retro Tee

53. Girlfriend
54. Poplin & Co
55. Fair Jewelry
56. Mixed
57. Oge Ajibe
58. Fellow Earthlings
59. Jess Meany
60. Loud Bodies
61. Paneros Clothing
62. Prism Seattle
63. Tuesday
64. Tipsy Flamingo Clothes
65. Mien
66. Isabella Eve Apparel
67. Maika Goods
68. Kiska
69. warp + weft

Beauty & Self Care

Bloom Jelly Serum Bar by Dew Mighty

70. Umanos
71. Tidalove
72. Homebody
73. Everist
74. People of Color
75. Nana + Livy
76. Golde
77. Activist Skincare
78. Dew Mighty
79. Wild Lather
80. TERRA-TORY
81. Terra & Co.
82. Bare Skin Bar
83. Axiology
84. Saipua
85. DANO
86. Habit
87. Sade Baron
88. Wylde One
89. JACQ’s
90. Activist Manuka
91. Circumference
92. PAPR
93. Smithmade Essentials
94. Particle Goods
95. Rustic Glory Soap Co
96. Dogwood Botanicals
97. Etta + Billie
98. Merigold
99. Undefined Beauty

Sustainable Children’s Shops | Mamas + Little

Kids in Wunderlang (photo by @sa_yu_ki_ko)

100. Thistle & Poppy
101. Willaby
102. Chasing Windmills
103. Plain Jane
104. Soor Ploom
105. Ebb & Thread
106. La Petite Chose
107. Anise & Ava
108. Wunderlang
109. Mainio
110. Avanchy
111. Bebe Organic
112. Bizz x Siss
113. Colored Organics

Note: Most of the shops above are US based with a handful in Canada and a couple other international locations.

What small shops or sustainable gift ideas would you add to this list? Check out our other sustainable gift guides for even more small shops to support this holiday season:

Eco Club 2024 Gift Guide For Everyone
25 Sustainable Self Care Gift Ideas For Your Stressed Out Pals
25 Sustainable Gift Ideas For Zero Waste Enthusiasts
25 Sustainable Gift Ideas For A Well Curated Home
25 Sustainable Gift Ideas For Fashion Lovers

The post 100+ Websites to Shop Small in 2024 for Ethical & Sustainable Gifts appeared first on Eco Club.

Side note: Be sure to peruse the rest of the shops behind each listing, as most of them have essentially turned into vintage holiday goldmines this time of year!

the prettiest vintage ornaments on etsy

Nothing like scoring a set in its original box, right? These 12 are from FireflyVintageHome.

An incredible set of rainbow vintage ornaments by VintageGlassDecors. This shop sells them individually so you choose your style before adding to cart. It would be pricey to snag a whole collection, but wouldn’t it be spectacular?!

Christmas Tree Top Glass Ornaments via OldBox (sold individually)

Such cute cottagecore vibes here with this pink set from ChosenKindVintage. Unlike a lot of the shops listed here, this one doesn’t just specialize in holidays. They offer beautifully curated vintage decor and goodies year-round! Lots of pale pinks, colored glass, and brass for those who are into that sort of thing (me! me!).

Custom set vintage Christmas hand-painted glass ornaments via Grannysbox

A collection of hot pink ornaments and a variety pack of 50 1960s glass ornaments via vintagestoreworld

More cottagecore ornaments with pink bow rosettes, courtesy of Trashtiques

50 Christmas glass indent ornaments via ChristmasBoxStore

Sparkly silver and pastel ornaments via DaniBeeVintage

What do you think? Should I keep adding more as I find them? 100% happy to keep on collecting these fabulous Etsy shops for your scrolling pleasure. If you plan to gift any to loved ones this season, don’t forget to check out our guide to sustainable gift wrap and how to level up your holiday gifts!

The post The Best Vintage Christmas Ornaments on Etsy appeared first on Eco Club.

etsy gift ideas from my own wishlist

Pretty napkins are always a hit for those who like to host or just want to elevate their everyday routines! My top pick are these Set of 4 organic napkins with a Poppies Print by Pascale Dilger. They’re handmade by JulieChristieDesigns.

The old rose corduroy culottes by OffOn are absolutely on the top of my list.

How gorgeous are these checkered beeswax candles from Anniesmakes?

We’ve been getting really into stained glass lately! This stained glass suncatcher by PafinDesignPL is perfect for a shelf or desk.

I always buy my wallets off Etsy. This handmade card holder by SbriStudio is my latest obsession.

I’ve had my eye on this self care journal by BlushAndGoldInvites for some time. Perhaps for the New Year?

I’m obsessed with all the prints and patterns Poppy and Honesty offers, so any of their blankets or pillows top my list!

I have so much lighting saved from Etsy, even though I can never decide on one to actually buy. I do love this trio of hand blown glass pendant lights by AlvitrA though.

I love this Let’s Go For A Walk cap so much I’ve bought it twice! Had to purchase again when I lost it on… you guessed it… a walk!

I own (and love) this bag from AlexBender, who makes accessories with leftover leather from Italian tanneries. I think anything in this shop would make a gorgeous gift, but I especially love this flat mint leather bag and this lilac backpack.

Do you like the detachable collar trend? I think it’s a fun way to dress up crewnecks. This embroidered statement detachable collar by noemiah has beautiful detail.

These fun sequin embroidered velvet bows from Party with Ava make the cutest small Etsy gifts! They’re perfect if you just need a little something, or if you want to dress up your already-wrapped gifts with a bow that doubles as an accessory (I love embellishing gift wrap with pieces they can actually reuse). Obviously these make for darling little girls gifts but I know a certain mid-thirties gal who would rock them just the same…

Lastly, like I said, OffOn is one of my favorite shops. Another coveted piece is this mustard cord suit.

See more Etsy gift ideas and other small business favorites in our boutique!

The post 13 Perfect Etsy Gifts from My Own Wishlist appeared first on Eco Club.

sustainable holiday gift guide 2023

striped woven table runner | cat shaped charcuterie board | korissa seagrass birdhouse | revival colorblock woven coasters | archive new york pillows | recycled cotton rug (sold out; find more ethically made rugs here) | block printed cotton lampshade | kantha quilt throw | suncatcher (sold out) via bon femmes | vaisselle blue gingham candlesticks | salty & suite art print | bamboo tumbler mug

find more colorful, maximalist sustainable gifts for christmas below!

multi-striped colorblock candles made of soy from a sustainable candle maker in london. they are one of a kind and will not be coming back in stock once they’re gone!

block printed cushions from pinkcityprints

sustainable christmas gifts from eco club members: zuahaza pillow covers + scarf/ will + atlas jute wall hanging (sold out) / ohh happy home washable rug (use code ECOCLUBFREE for free US shipping) / blush blanket + block print napkins from wallflower

striped artisan made table decor by archive new york

ivory + mustard boho pillow cover (shown with this kantha blanket)

check raffia placemats in lilac by Payton James

vivid: style in colour coffee table book by Julia Green + Armelle Habib

colorblock cotton string lampshade by lovingstring

cotton waffle baby blankets by sugarhouseswaddles… isn’t this palette so cheerful?

linen striped apron by mosey me

handprinted natural flour sack napkins in bold colors by bright beige

tbco recycled wool blanket in fall colors from wallflower

We’ll be sure to add to this list as the season goes on, so check back. You can also find more gift ideas in our affiliate boutique here.We follow so many incredible designers and sustainable brands on social, I’m excited to spread the love however we can!

The post 24 Sustainable Gifts for Conscious Maximalists – Home Edition appeared first on Eco Club.

Here are some eco-friendly stocking stuffer ideas for everyone on your list (including a few from our own shop)!

where to buy sustainable stocking stuffers

column 1: tiered pom pom tassel by member tribe / lip-to-lid zero waste balmies by member axiology / lavender oversized silk scrunchie by charlie paisley / double dipped pink & lavender mug by sunflower studio pdx / sprinkles reusable dishcloths by hali hali design / high rise briefs in limited edition colors from member knickey (see our full review here)

column 2: mini rainbow notebook by moglea / moisturizing botanical bar by nopalera / bamboo charcoal makeup remover pads by clean circle / pastel pinwheel coaster set by eco club member KAZI / dark chocolate gift set by jcoco chocolate

column 3: clean lilac nail polish by BKIND / desert agave candle by TERRA (with plantable dust cover!) / duo-tone satin bow by member ks garner / seed salutations by modern sprout / heaven place mini puzzle from puzzle weekend / handmade natural scrunchies by member terrai

PS Wondering how to become a member of our sustainable directory? Membership is currently free to join, and this is a free resource we provide to our community of conscious consumers. We’re not paid to place these products in our gift guides, we only do because we love them (and the rest of the brands featured)! We review submissions every week and choose the brands that align with our ethical + sustainable shopping values and contain products we know our readers will love. Open to brands around the world, as long as they ship to USA. Click here to submit your brand!

The post 18 Sustainable Stocking Stuffers To Gift This Season appeared first on Eco Club.

17 sustainable holiday cards from our favorite artists

left to right, top to bottom: sister paper co merry and bright candles card / carolyn suzuki goods winter crew greeting card / modern peace & love holiday card / sending all the love christmas card / cozy + bright card from people i’ve loved / dear santa fundamental rights card / cozy holiday plantable card by plantedroot / blush season’s greetings card / naomi wilkinson merry christmas / klingercreative mushroom new years card / sister paper co driving home christmas card / merry christmas table setting card / holiday plant shelf card / carolyn suzuki goods season’s greetings card / plantedroot plantable cozy fireplace card / moglea holiday confetti / meowy christmas card by missive

Whether it’s mailing holiday cards or topping gifts with them, this is my favorite easy way to spread holiday cheer. If I’m giving it with a gift, I’ll often ditch the envelope (and save it to use later when I need one) or simply not write on it so that the recipient can reuse it. (Just another strange quirk my friends have come to expect from me, which complements my obsession with saving and reusing tissue paper.) Let us know which designs are your faves, and be sure to follow the artists you discover and love!

The post Sustainable Holiday Cards appeared first on Eco Club.

Blockprint napkins

wallflower is a shop, blog, and creative studio celebrating makers + spaces + objects that inspire. Jenn and I met almost ten years ago as lifestyle bloggers with a love of crafting and collaborating with other makers. Fun fact, we both independently sold vintage finds and crochet accessories on Etsy back in college, before we knew each other. Eventually, we both became freelancers in our own fields and started collaborating on a project called The Blog Market. Later, we moved on to work together on eco club (and a bunch of other projects). We launched our studio in 2019, offering creative services for thoughtful brands and people, and finally, incorporated our ecommerce brand in fall 2022. Phew!

Porcelain plates

Pastel coasters (a personal fave!!)

Espresso cup and saucer set and cat charcuterie board

We think of wallflower as the ultimate moodboard for us — and for you! As longtime bloggers and Pinterest-obsessed curators, we believe in surrounding ourselves with beauty and creativity. Of course, we also believe in caring for people and the planet, and in the power of small business and handmade, so our shop is really a celebration of artists around the world and the creativity we all have within.

Art prints from artists around the world

Striped table runner

Pink taper candle holders

For our launch shoot, we collaborated, of course, with Charity, who helped us show off some of our favorite pieces in a small space setting.

Woven colorblock coasters

Pastel woven vessel, another favorite of mine

Design books

Woven planter basket

We collaborated with a lot of different makers to bring wallflower together. As we grow, we plan to share lots more about these designers and why we love them (and why you should too). But for now, you might recognize Kazi, a fair trade home decor brand we’ve talked about here on eco lots of times. We selected some of their most vibrant pieces for our first collection.

Blush plate

Linen scallop napkins

We also worked with a small business in India to make custom sets of the napkins shown throughout, which features a cotton block print technique and these solid linen scalloped napkins. It was soooo fun to curate custom sets! They’re all handmade and the detail is incredible.

Floral ceramic cat ring dish and striped ceramic cat ring dish with yellow and lavender earrings

This collection of ceramic cats, which features ring dishes, earrings, and pins, is a collaboration between us and Romanian ceramicist and illustrator Livia Coloji of Gruni Ceramica. You can’t find these anywhere else, they are based on Livia’s original designs and updated with wallflower’s branding (and love of florals) in mind. I think this was my favorite product to receive in the mail and finally see in-person after all our communication online. They’re just so beautiful and will make such special gifts.

Acetate hair accessories

A few greeting cards from our massive stationery collection

We also have a lifestyle collection and a self care line. We currently offer over 200 products by about 40 vendors from the US and all around the world. And we have so much more we want to share! But I’ll leave it at this intro for now, and follow up with more of our favorites soon. If you’re interested, please head to shop.studio-wallflower.com to see all of the above and more! Thanks for checking out our small shop and following along!

The post Introducing wallflower, a Boutique for Curated Gifts, Decor & Objects That Inspire appeared first on Eco Club.

The striking table runner we used is actually two-sided! It’s the Chechi Runner in Pink, another entertaining essential that comes in seven hues.

I’ve used these jute placemats for pretty much every dinner I’ve thrown (and photographed) in the last five years. They are from fair trade decor brand Will + Atlas, and truly fit any vibe I’m going for, such as this more formal Friendsgiving spread. TerraKlay offers a similar design made of upcycled banana fibers.

The green glasses are a vintage set from Etsy that I scooped up earlier this year, and I got the vase at Goodwill.

Back to the napkins. The Shibori dyed patterns on them are really lovely, and I noticed right away how much more beautiful they look in-person versus photos (though I tried to capture as best I could!). TerraKlay’s textiles and decor are made by people, not factories, in India, who have been working in their craft for generations. They also partner with young adults to support their vocational education. Learn more about their team and founder Manvee Vaid here.

Pro tip: Tie scrap ribbon from your holiday gift wrapping around your napkins for cute bow “rings” that make each place setting look like a present!

This eucalyptus was dried up and on its way out, but it still made for a pretty table garland in a pinch. Next time I’ll add some candles into the mix.

The shop offers other artisan homewares like mugs, tea towels, throw blankets, and cookware.

If you’re looking to set a more formal holiday table, nest your salad and dinner plates in between the placemat and napkins. I chose to keep them off as our dinner was served buffet-style, with guests claiming a plate at the beginning of the line before heading to their seat.

Here’s a close up of the four napkin colors on our pink runner. I’m all for unconventional pops of color, but I have to say the traditional Indigo is my favorite here. I love the richness of the dye.

What do your holiday tables look like? Do you go for traditional seasonal colors or something more surprising? 

By the way, if you’re considering a zero waste swap for the new year, I definitely recommend ditching paper towels for a good set of cotton or linen napkins. I swapped a few years ago and never went back. Not only does it reduce waste, but meals feel just a bit fancier because of it!

Shop at terraklay.com and be sure to head over to Insta for a chance to win a set of your own!

The post A Colorful Holiday Table with Terraklay + Giveaway appeared first on Eco Club.

There are lots of places to buy modern fabric gift wrap, but I often wonder how reusable and giftable the wrap actually is. I mean, I could go to the thrift store and buy fun vintage fabric to wrap my gifts in, but I doubt my friends would reuse it. (Traditional Japanese Furoshiki wrap is more about replacing the need for bags or packaging when storing or bringing goods on the go and therefore is used over and over again, but the modern take mostly focuses on its use for gifting.)

I personally love the idea of the wrapping being part of the gift itself. If you’re gifting fashion accessories, why not wrap them in a bandana or scarf, for example. And homewares? How about wrapping them in reusable cloth napkins a la these Shibori dyed beauties?

I love that you could gift a set of napkins or linens, while wrapping them in a piece from the set. It’s like a little preview of the beautiful gift to come!

TerraKlay’s napkins come in multiple colorways, and I love how vibrant the blues and reds are for the holidays. We’ll share more about how these babies can be used for their *actual* purpose soon, but I just couldn’t resist turning them into the world’s loveliest fabric gift wrap.

 

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How are you leveling up your holiday gifts this year? Find more sustainable gift ideas in our gift guide and sustainable directory.

The post Fabric Gift Wrap with Shibori Dyed Fabric appeared first on Eco Club.

That said, everybody’s gotta budget! And it’s frustrating to want to align your shopping habits with your values, but feel like it’s impossible to fit those gifts into that budget. So we wanted to round up some sustainable gift ideas that are affordable to a wider range of consumers, that are still thoughtful and substantial. Plus, the brands below are some of my favorites for recommending to friends just getting started on their own sustainable living journeys.

our favorite affordable sustainable gifts

From top to bottom, left to right: Capricorn Bandana from Bon Femmes, Olsen+Olsen Organic Beeswax Wraps, Hand Dipped Incense Sticks from DIGS, Baby Gingham Bubble Romper by Lola & Stella, Vintage Twisted Candles from milkteeths (love the idea of snagging a vintage version of these trendy twist candles!), Slow North Eye Mask Therapy from Eco Vibe, Mountain Pieces Print from Holistic Habitat, High Maintenance Plant Pot from Eco Vibe, Golde Pure Matcha from Minna, Habit Cosmetics Nail Polish in Call It Chartreuse, Au Naturel Art Print by Wilde House Paper, Sunburst Gem Headband by Llani, Groovy Comida Kitchen Towel by Wasi Clothing, Miraflores Wicker Shopper Bag From Woven Rosa, Desert Daydream Crochet Potholders from Holistic Habitat, Nana + Livy Choco Soap Bars (which are palm oil free!), & Hibiscus Mirror by Quinta Esencia Studio

more affordable sustainable gifting tips

The designers above are lovely when it comes to buying new products for family and friends, but that’s not the only way to gift sustainably. Here are a few more ideas for thoughtful gifting, that are even more affordable and eco-conscious:

1. Go vintage. Source a thoughtful item from Etsy or another vintage marketplace with the recipient in mind. I love to find vintage pieces for friends because you can go off of themes you know they’ll want + like, while offering something completely unexpected.
2. Thrift. Similarly, you can shop in-person at your local thrift or consignment shop. This is a great way to hunt for gently used (and therefore cheaper) items based off of current trend or brands you know the recipient is into. Thrift shops are also a great place for nostalgic gifts! I love finding old, meaningful books and quirky glassware.
3. Look for a “reuse” shop in your area. I’ve lived in a few cities over the years that have little hole-in-the-wall creative reuse storefronts that are goldmines for craft materials and gift wrap. This is a great way to make your own affordable sustainable gifts or personalize the ones you already have.
4. Organize a Secret Santa. Last year our group of friends opted for a Secret Santa gift exchange for the first time. It was easier on all of our wallets because we each only purchased one gift, and had an agreed upon price limit. But it was also a lot of fun! We got to see what everyone got each other and it became its own experience.

How do you make holiday gifting more sustainable and affordable? Share your tips with us!

The post Sustainable Gift Ideas Under $50 appeared first on Eco Club.