Stockings are the ultimate Christmas grab bag. Whether you go the traditional route – filling them with things like socks, chocolates, and oranges – or whether you always seek out new surprises, Christmas morning just isn’t as fun without them.
If you’re dreaming of having a green Christmas this year as well as a white one, eco-friendly stocking stuffers can help you achieve your waste-free goals this holiday season.
What to look for when buying eco-friendly stocking fillers
Cute knick-knacks are tempting, but keep in mind where these end up. It’s not being a grinch to remind others that every piece of plastic ever made is still in existence, polluting our soil, our seas, and ourselves.
Look instead for environmentally friendly stocking fillers – things that are made of natural materials, things that have been recycled, and things that will support a lifestyle of wasting less.
You don’t have to give up all of your staples, sometimes it’s as easy as looking for eco-friendly products to replace traditional gifts. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out this list of eco-friendly stocking stuffer ideas for all budgets.
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ZERO WASTE STOCKING STUFFERS UNDER $10
If you’re on a tight budget, or in search of some affordable gift ideas that will delight family and friends, these eco-friendly stocking fillers will fit the bill!
#1 Natural Charcoal Soap Bar
Was your family naughty or nice? Either way, this activated charcoal soap is the kind of coal they’ll be happy to receive for Christmas. Made of natural ingredients, you can be assured it won’t go to waste.
#2 Rainbow Stainless Steel Straws
These rainbow stainless steel straws are infinitely Instagrammable and will persuade anyone to ditch plastic straws for good. And as a feel-good bonus, they also come in plastic-free packaging.
#3 Plastic-free Lip Balm
Is Chapstick one of your stocking go-to’s? This plastic-free natural lip balm is the perfect alternative. It’s made from non-toxic ingredients and comes in several different flavors.
#4 Beeswax Candle Making Kit
If you’re looking for fun eco-friendly stocking stuffers for kids, you can’t beat this beeswax candle making kit from Eco-Kids. It’ll both entertain the little ones and make your home smell divine at the same time!
#5 Adjustable Juco Sandwich Bag
Encourage your family members to move away from plastic with this fun alternative to a ziploc sandwich bag. Using only natural fibres, it’s the healthier way to pack your lunch!
#6 Refillable Peppermint Hand Sanitizer
Plaine Products’ hand sanitizer not only smells amazing, but it’s zero waste too. When you’re finished, simply order a refill and send the aluminum container back to be reused.
#7 Kids Paper Origami Kit
Little ones will love making pets out of paper with this eco-friendly origami kit. Pop one in their Christmas stockings and they’ll be kept busy for hours.
#8 Vegan Dental Floss
Throw in some zero waste dental floss for a complete dental hygiene kit. This one comes in a stylish glass container and is enhanced with activated charcoal. An easy zero waste bathroom swap.
#9 Nut Milk Bag
This organic cotton nut milk bag makes creating your own nut or oat milk a breeze. A great gift for a health-conscious friend who likes getting creative in the kitchen.
#10 Stainless Steel Folding Spork
Everyone will love this eco-friendly stocking filler! The perfect combo of practical and fun, it’s ideal for anyone wanting to curb their plastic consumption, and it’s super handy to boot.
#11 Mesh Organic Reusable Produce Bags
Who couldn’t use a few more mesh bags? With three different sizes, these sustainable stocking stuffers make food shopping, home organization, and travel more eco-friendly.
#12 Stasher Reusable Snack Bag
Whether packing a snack or keeping things fresh, these small reusable snack bags are sure to come in handy. It’s so durable, you’ll never need a Ziploc bag again!
#13 Ivory Bath Soaking Salts
The perfect sustainable stocking stuffers for anyone who loves being pampered, these single-serve bath salts will soothe sore joints and help to reduce post-Xmas stress. As a bonus, the bottles are super cute and can be upcycled around the home.
#14 Skoy Scrub 2-Pack
Think practical items like kitchen scrubbers are a dull idea for Christmas? One look at these will change your mind. Beyond the colorful design, we love how they are machine washable.
Bonus: Keep the Classics
You don’t have to give up classic sweet treats! Citrus fruits are true zero waste stocking fillers (just remember to compost), and candy that’s packaged in recyclable foil or paper is ok for a treat too.
ECO STOCKING FILLERS LESS THAN $20
In the $10-$20 range, your choice of zero waste stocking stuffers is even more diverse! Below are some of our favorite fun and useful eco-friendly gifts.
#15 24-7 Reusable Bag
These colorful eco stocking fillers easily go from compact balls to bags and back again, ensuring that you’ll always be able to BYO-Bag. Zero waste gifts don’t get more versatile than these!
#16 Decorative Tea Infuser
Go beyond finicky metal clasps with this moon and stars tea infuser. Your tea leaves won’t escape, and it works for both teapots and mugs. The perfect stocking stuffer for tea lovers!
#17 Amber & Moss Soy Candle
P.F. Candle Co make non-toxic, eco-friendly candles with unique scents – and this amber & moss scented candle is just perfect for the festive season. They also come in a handy glass jar with a brass lid, making them both stylish and zero waste stocking fillers!
#18 Zero Waste Toothbrush Set
Give the gift of a more eco-friendly smile! This cute set contains four bamboo toothbrushes, bamboo fiber floss, and a cute bamboo carry case for travelling with your zero waste toothbrush!
#19 Potmaker Paper Pot Press
A unique eco stocking stuffer for plant lovers, this little press allows you to turn old newspapers into pots for seedlings. Made from sustainably-sourced materials, it makes an excellent addition to your gift list.
Related Reading: The Eco-Friendly Xmas Tree
#20 Foxtail Recycled Cotton Socks
What’s a Christmas stocking without a pair of socks? Make them extra eco this year with these sustainable ones made of recycled cotton.
#21 KooShoo Organic Hair Ties
These zero waste hair ties are the ideal sustainable stocking filler for kids and adults alike. They double up as a fun and colorful bracelet when worn around the wrist making them the perfect multitasker.
#22 Organic Shaving Soap
Encourage the men in your life to pamper themselves too. They will love the smooth shave they get with this plastic-free shaving soap.
#23 Bamboo Utensil Set
If someone doesn’t have a travel set of utensils yet, help them be sustainable on the go. This set comes with a bamboo spoon, fork, knife, and chopsticks, and comes in a handy carry pouch made from recycled plastic bottles. It’s an essential start to any zero waste to-go kit!
#24 Zero Waste Shampoo and Conditioner Sampler
Ethique’s shampoo and conditioner samplers make great zero waste stocking stuffers for those who want to see what works best before making the switch to shampoo bars.
#25 Lavender Dryer Bag
This heavenly scented dryer bag is the gift that keeps on giving. Filled with dried lavender buds, it’ll give the recipient sweet-smelling laundry year-round (find other eco-friendly dryer sheet alternatives here).
#26 Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
These reusable cotton rounds are perfect for both application and removal, and they even come with a mesh laundry bag for machine washing. Their compact size makes them ideal for stocking stuffers!
#27 Eco-Kids Finger Paint
Finger paint is always popular with kids, and this eco-friendly and non-toxic version will make sure they stay safe while playing. Pop a box in your children’s stockings and they’ll have homemade entertainment at their fingertips! (PS – see more ideas for eco-friendly gifts for kids here).
#28 Organic Underwear
If you always include underwear in stockings, go for a more eco-conscious option. Knickey’s ethically made underwear is made of 95% organic cotton and can be sent back for recycling when worn out.
ECO-FRIENDLY STOCKING FILLERS LESS THAN $30
Looking to splash out a little more on small gifts? These eco stocking fillers fit the bill for kids, pets, and even that hard-to-buy-for friend!
#29 Recycled Wool Sock Puppets
You can’t beat these adorable sock puppets when it comes to eco-friendly stocking stuffers for kids. Choose from a dog, frog, giraffe, elephant, unicorn, or dragon – all made of recycled wool.
#30 Cork Wallet
This sustainable, vegan wallet is everything you’d want out of a money holder. Made of beautiful natural cork, it has space for both cash and cards and the RFID protection makes it a great stocking stuffer for your travel-loving friends too.
#31 Linen Bread Bag
One for the Francophiles in your life! This chic bread bag is made out of stonewashed linen which keeps your bread fresher for longer. Plus, it looks super stylish while doing so!
#32 Bracelets Made from Recycled Materials
Go beyond zero waste stocking stuffers with these bracelets made from recycled glass and plastic. For each one sold, 4Oceans removes one pound of plastic waste from the ocean.
#33 Eco Beanie
Keep heads warm with this beanie made from 100% post-consumer recycled content. It’s unisex, comes in a range of colors, and makes the ideal eco-friendly stocking stuffer.
#34 Natural Black Mascara
It’s almost impossible to find natural, zero waste mascara, but this vegan, cruelty-free mascara comes close. A great environmentally-friendly stocking stuffer for the beauty queen of the household.
#35 Mini Kids Solar Lamp
One of the best sustainable stocking stuffers for kids, this cute flower-shaped solar lamp introduces kids to renewable energy. Just 5 hours of charging will produce up to 50 hours of light!
#36 Eco Friendly Ear Buds
Made with FSC-certified wood and recyclable aluminium, these earbuds are more sustainable (and stylish!) than most, and House of Marley plants a tree for every item purchased.
#37 Hydroflask Coffee Mug
Great for camping or commuting, this insulated stainless steel reusable coffee mug has a press-in lid to make sure your coffee, hot chocolate, or tea makes it to your mouth.
#38 Collapsible Dog Bowl
Don’t forget about Fido! If your furry friends have their own stockings (like ours do!) this recycled polyester dog bowl means they’ll always be prepared when out on adventures with you.
#39 Reusable Vegan Food Wraps
These reusable food wraps are versatile must-haves in any zero waste kitchen! Vegan-friendly and compostable at end of life, they’ll give the gift of fresh food.
#40 3-Tiered Tiffin
You might have to stretch your stocking to fit this three-tiered tiffin, but it’ll be worth it. Kids and adults alike will appreciate this zero waste lunch box.
While Christmas may too often be about stuff, if you gift the right kind of stuff, you can help others waste less in the long run.
With a few eco-friendly swaps, thoughtful additions, and sustainable alternatives to our favorite stocking stuffers, this year you can hang your stockings by the chimney with pride.
Looking for more ideas for kids? Check out these fun children’s books about sustainability!
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