The 10 Best Sustainable Gifts Under $50
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When it comes to gift-giving, who says bigger and better makes for a more memorable gift? Sometimes the most thoughtful, most meaningful, and most unforgettable gifts are the ones that don’t break the bank and are better for our planet. It’s time to say more with less.
During gift-giving season, we look for thoughtful keepsakes and the chance to give back with our purchases. But in addition to being conscious of our values, we may need to be conscious of our budgets. Below is our roundup of gifts under $50 from brands that are fair trade, handmade, or sustainable, and all are on a mission to make the world a better place.
Looking for more ethically made and sustainable gifts for the holiday season? Check out our guide to the best wellness gifts for her (and him), gifts for minimalists, nontoxic gifts, and the best gifts for better sleep. Happy giving! 🎁
1. Well People Makeup
Best For | Clean beauty must-haves
Price | $12+
Imagine a natural beauty brand that’s EWG-verified, pregnancy-friendly, and affordable? Fortunately, it exists! Cruelty-free brand Well People is the purveyor behind makeup formulations that adhere to some of the highest standards in clean beauty, including banning over 2,500 ingredients in their formulas and exclusively working with Fair Trade Certified facilities to source their ingredients. Our editors are obsessed with everything Well People, from their pigmented curling mascara and nontoxic mineral sunscreen to their lightweight serum foundation and peptide lip balms. (P.S. They just launched a brightening and buildable under eye concealer that we’re adding to our carts immediately.)
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2. Our Place Kitchen Tools
Best For | Home chefs; dinner party hosts
Price | $25+
For a memorable holiday gift for anyone who loves both form and function in their home, we love Our Place‘s professional knives and elegant cooking utensils. Crafted from premium German stainless steel with a full tang, these knives are low maintenance thanks to their exceptionally sharp blades and guided grip, keeping them in pristine condition as your foodie chefs it up in the kitchen. Choose from a chef’s knife, serrated knife, and paring knife, AKA the three essentials every home chef needs. For a clean and minimally designed kitchen utensil set that can handle any type of cooking, Our Place’s utensils are made from BPA-free, dishwasher-safe silicone with an ergonomic nonstick handle for easy, breezy cooking.
3. Quince Mongolian Cashmere Gloves
Best For | Commuters
Price | $32
Quince’s Mongolian Cashmere Gloves are the perfect mix of cozy, chic, and practical. Made from 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, these gloves are unbelievably soft and lightweight, yet will still keep you warm during chilly mornings. The ribbed texture and adjustable long cuffs give them a timeless look that flatters everyone, plus they’re touchscreen-friendly! Available in a range of classic colors at just $32 (a steal for pure cashmere), these gloves add a touch of luxury to everyday travel.
4. MATE The Label Organic Cotton Socks
Best For | Homebodies
Price | $48+
The Organic Cotton Sock pack from MATE the Label is designed for maximum comfort and warmth, ideal for anyone who’s always complaining about cold feet (as noted by our editor!). These super-soft, eco-friendly socks are perfect to enjoy while lounging at home or running out for errands. Crafted from organic cotton, they use significantly less water and produce fewer emissions than conventional socks, and they’re free from harmful chemicals. Plus, they’re a stylish, seasonless staple you can feel great about — both for yourself and for the planet!
5. cocokind Sake Body Lotion
Best For | Cruelty-free skincare support
Price | $23
You can never have too much skincare, and cocokind’s Sake Body Lotion is a great pick for keeping the skin fresh and supple each day. Lightweight yet nourishing, this lotion delivers gentle moisture suitable for all skin types and helps smooth, soften, and replenish the skin for a healthy moisture barrier. It even offers a subtle exfoliation and long-lasting comfort without any fragrance (meaning you can gift it to anyone). Beyond its skincare benefits, the sleek bottle — crafted from upcycled, fully recyclable plastic — looks beautiful on a bathroom countertop or dresser, making it the perfect gift that’s practical, affordable, and beautiful.
6. Boll & Branch Plush Towels
Best For | Elevated bathroom essentials
Price | $49
Boll & Branch’s Plush Towels are an eye-catching gift for anyone who wants to bring style and sustainability into their bathroom. Thoughtfully designed to perform as beautifully as they look, these towels combine striking colors with velvety soft long-staple organic cotton that’s ultra-absorbent, fast-drying, and built to last. Each towel is GOTS- and OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they’re free from harmful chemicals and contaminants, which is a plus if you have sensitive skin. Choose from twelve shades and don’t forget to pair them with their matching Hand Towels!
7. Gato Dates
Best For | Healthy sweet treats
Price | $19+
An essential snack for those with a sweet tooth, Gato Dates‘ delicious treats take healthy snacking to a whole new level. The soft medjool dates are stuffed with creamy nut butter — like pistachio, cashew, almond, or peanut — and coated in rich dark chocolate for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Made with just seven clean ingredients and completely free from refined sugar, they’re vegan, gluten-free, and naturally addictive. P.S. They make the perfect stocking stuffer!
8. Loop Earplugs
Best For | Those who love complete silence
Price | $50
The Loop Dream Earplugs are a great choice for anyone who struggles with nighttime noise or simply wants to enjoy deeper, uninterrupted rest. Designed with comfort and innovation in mind, these earplugs feature a low-profile shape and ultra-soft silicone that stays comfortable even for side sleepers. With 27 dB of noise reduction, they effectively muffle snoring, city sounds, and other disruptions — helping the mind settle into peaceful slumber. Approved by leading sleep scientist Matt Walker and equipped with customizable ear tip sizes, they ensure a perfect, secure fit for all-night wear.
9. Pact Organic Tees
Best For | Last-minute gifts
Price | $24+
Scrambling for a last-minute gift for an acquaintance or someone new in your life? You can’t go wrong gifting a one hundred percent organic and Fair Trade T-shirt from Pact. Both men’s and women’s styles are available in a variety of colors and cuts, from tanks to boxy-cut tees to long sleeves. You won’t find a tee for more than $38, which is nearly unheard of for a high-quality organic cotton base layer. Grab a variety and snag a few for yourself too – you won’t regret it.
10. Who Gives A Crap Toilet Paper
Best For | Minimalists
Price | $42+
We bet you’ve never thought toilet paper could make someone’s wishlist this holiday season. It’s certainly made ours! Who Gives A Crap specializes in renewable and recycled toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, and garbage bags (essentials we all could use more of, but made with the planet in mind). Who Gives A Crap stands out as a company because they donate a whopping 50% to nonprofits like Fresh Life, which provides waterless toilets to communities in Kenya. And if you’re not a toilet paper expert, don’t fret – we recommend the 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper, their more premium option made with sustainably sourced bamboo fibres that are ultra-strong and feel cushy on the tush. 🚽
The Good Trade editors are a diverse team of writers, researchers, and sustainable product enthusiasts. Every recommendation is informed by hands-on testing, rigorous vetting, and years of reporting on the products and practices that shape our daily lives. We are not a marketplace, and we are not owned by a brand. Our editorial team maintains independent standards across every review and recommendation.
