Black Friday Gifting Guide: Sustainable Presents That Make a Difference

What kind of shopper are you? The meticulous planner with a wishlist or the 'buy now, regret later' kind? We are writing this post with the first category in mind. 

Many people, especially those with eco-conscious values, are critical of Black Friday as a concept for one obvious reason: the mindless overconsumption it promotes. But what if we turn this Black Friday into an earth-friendly affair?

Here is a curated list of the most useful, fun, and unique Black Friday presents you can buy for yourself, your family, and friends.

Home and Kitchen

1. Bamboo or organic bedding, which comes in various patterns and colours, is good for the environment and soft on the skin. 
2. Air-purifying plants in decorative clay pots are a great option for your plant-loving friends. 
3. Organic cleaning products and fragrances that use non-toxic ingredients. 
4. Reusable alternatives for everyday products like lint removers, UNpaper towels, produce bags, etc. 
5. Cast-iron cookware, glass jars, or French press pour-over coffee makers are great options if your friends or family are setting up their new kitchen. 
6. Compostable palm leaf and bamboo dinnerware that comes in handy while hosting parties. 

Kids and Toys

1. Wooden building blocks and puzzles painted with non-toxic paints. They are safe for babies and toddlers who tend to put anything in their mouths. 
2. Recycled paper, beeswax crayons, plant-based glue and eco-glitter for their art projects. 
3. Kinetic sand or Mad Mttr in place of the regular Play-Doh. However, ensure the child is a little older, as ingesting kinetic sand may have some side effects. 
4. Plush toys made with organic cotton and hand-knit dolls can be a special option for the baby's first doll.  
5. 100% recycled plastic or wooden alternatives for fire trucks and excavators (or any toy for that matter). 

Personal Care & Beauty

1. Vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics make a great gift for eco-enthusiasts. Create a hamper with their favourite products and they will love it. 
2. Bamboo toothbrushes, neem wood comb, reusable cotton rounds and eco-friendly beauty blenders are some essentials that will always need restocking. 
3. Natural or essential oil-based perfumes for a perfume aficionado friend. 
4. Eco-friendly shampoo bar, Epsom salts, shower steamers and body scrubs for those nice long baths after a long day.  
5. BPA-free silicone face sheet masks instead of single-use ones. 

Miscellaneous ideas

1. Rechargeable or solar-powered batteries are a very practical and useful gift. 
2. Adjustable laptop desk made of fair-trade wood. 
3. Solar glow string light for the upcoming festive season. 
4. Winter jacket or scarf from an authentic, sustainable fashion brand. 
5. Recycled polyester, or hemp backpacks and diaper bags for parents. 
6. Organic latex pillows for quality sleep. 
7. Non-slip yoga mat made from natural rubber or cork.

There is almost an eco-friendly alternative for every product in the market, and we have only listed a few here. Buying gifts during Black Friday is a long-standing tradition, especially because it marks the start of the holiday season. However, ensuring they are carbon-negative is equally important. The thumb rule to follow for this season is 'Need over trend and quality over quantity.'