Congratulations! You made it halfway through December, and successfully managed to avoid the consumerist craze and shopping mania. However, you might be realizing that you got a little too anxious-avoidant with your holiday shopping, and you’re about to turn up to the holiday party, or your parents’ house, empty-handed. Don’t fret; Sustainable Baddie is here to save you from all things shopping stress. Put your credit card back in your wallet, close those “checkout cart” tabs, and tune in; take a deep breath, find your center – we got you. We made an extremely comprehensive list for all of you last-minute shoppers and gift givers. 

Girl, Make it Yourself! 

1. Coasters & Koozies

Cup koozies and coasters are simple shapes that are easy to make in bulk once you get the hang of things. If you’re a novice, you can easily master the simple square, and if you’re a seasoned knitter or crocheter, have a little fun with the design. No matter what, everyone could use more bev accessories. 

2. Beaded Gifts

Admit it, we have all had a “I’m gonna make jewelry!” phase. Whether you stuck to it or not, you might have a collection of plastic, glass, and clay beads hiding somewhere in your craft box. No beads to be found? Head to the jewelry section of your local thrift store –you can always take beads off of secondhand necklaces and re-design them into completely new pieces. With your leftover beads you can make funky decor, necklaces, bracelets, and even keychains for everyone on your list! 

3. Get out the CLAY

We love clay at Sustainable Baddie. It is effortlessly funky and always colorful. Polymer clay is not the most sustainable product on the market, but there are brands selling clay alternatives, like Sculpd. You can even make your own salt clay for simple crafts like clay rings, ornaments, jewelry holders, or even small pots for plants. 

Get Sentimental on ‘Em

4. Write a Letter

Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a well-written letter. Writing love letters doesn’t have to be a Valentine’s Day-only affair, and it certainly doesn’t have to be reserved for romantic love. It can mean so much to know that someone thinks you rock so much that they wanted to write it all down and tell you! We love gifts, and we are certainly not minimalists, but it is more sustainable to limit the things that we buy this time of year, so opting for a thoughtful letter is a good way to say, “Hey, I love you!” without putting more waste into the world. 

5. Make a Playlist 

Not much of a letter writer? A playlist is another go-to for an easy and quick last-minute gift. You could follow a distinct theme or just go off of vibes alone, but ultimately, people are in the market for new music any time of year (especially when the only song playing anywhere is “Frosty the Snowman”). No matter what kind of playlist you make, it will certainly make your giftee feel warm and fuzzy. It is a perfect susty gift idea too, because it produces absolutely no waste and will be loved and cherished for a very long time. 

6. Photo Gifts 

Another way to get sentimental with your last-minute gift is by paying sweet homage to your friendship or relationship through photos. You can easily thrift a funky frame from your favorite thrift store, make a detailed collage, or literally just print photos to look at together. Sharing a memory that your giftee can hold onto forever is a quick and easy way to make your special person feel especially appreciated.

7. Make A Donation 

A good way to show someone that they matter to you is by donating to an organization or movement whose mission resonates with the person in your life. Whether it’s for a cause that impacts them directly or one that they have invested time and energy into supporting, they will surely feel honored that you want to appreciate them through your generosity. 

Food is Medicine

8. Cookies & Treats

Maybe we are just sweets-obsessed, but there are very few things that make us as happy as having a homemade sweet treat to enjoy. We’ve all seen the Grandma’s Cookies episode of SpongeBob – cookies are truly the best way to show someone you care. Consumables are a great sustainable option and can be made on short notice as well!

9. Snack Bundles 

We all have a favorite snack – a sweet or salty treat that brings us the utmost joy. Our favorite snacks can cure a broken heart, make us feel satiated, nurtured, and satisfied. Gifting a collection of your besties favorite snacks is a great way to say, “I see you, and I know these Trader Joe’s Chili and Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips will send you into a state of bliss.” And if you’re lucky, your giftee might even share some of the wealth with you!

9. Bottle of Wine, Apertivo, or Kombucha

Gifting a fancy bev is a perfect quick gift idea for the more mature people in your life. We all know that one person who can tell you the tasting notes of that bottle of Gulp Hablo (that you bought because it looks pretty). Surprise them with an extra special bottle of wine, a fun new aperitif to add to their collection, or a small batch crafted kombucha. 

For a Later Date

10. Dinner/meal of their choice 

Everyone wants to be wined and dined, so promise your giftee that someday soon, they will be that lucky person. You can get them a gift card to a local spot they love, offer to cook them their absolute favorite dish, or take them out for a future date at their fav spot. No matter what, you are gifting someone a very sentimental evening that includes some wonderful quality time with you – who should be so lucky?

11. Concert or Show tickets 

If your bestie’s favorite musician is having a show in the near future, surprise them with some tickets. Especially if you know they would never gift it to themselves, it can mean even more! Don’t have a concert venue near you, or no shows of interest in the near future? Surprise them with something different,  like a comedy show, a local group concert, poetry reading, book reading, or even a live podcast show.You can make a whole evening of it! 

12. Take Something Off their Plate

The IOU-coupon Christmas gift gets a bad rep, but honestly, giving someone the opportunity to put their feet up and relax means a lot! Whether it’s your girl-bossing roommate, your rest-is-for-the-weak partner, or your can’t-stop-until-it’s-clean mom, anyone would be happy for you to take on one of their tasks for the day or week. It could be as easy as promising to cook dinner, organize their closet, or help them get set up for the new year. Offering a helping hand is one of the most underrated sustainable gift ideas, but we guarantee it will bring holiday smiles.