You’re on this page searching for affordable Christmas gifts because you’re either strapped for cash, keen to stick to your financial plan or you’ve got a Kris Kringle/Secret Santa budget. Whatever brings you here, welcome. We hope this list of affordable sustainable gift ideas helps you with your Christmas shopping!
1. Boody business socks
These organically grown bamboo ones from Boody will do the trick for a Christmas gift, and they’re responsibly-made and sustainably designed and waste reduced to keep environmental impact to a minimum. It features a low-calf rise design and a fine knit for a cosy feel, the ideal business socks to match brogues and loafers. Good for your feet, good for the planet.
Priced from A$8.95. Purchase from the Boody website here.
2. Hemp jocks
Underwear is the standard Christmas gift for most men, so don’t reinvent the wheel here and just stick with what works. We recommend changing it up a bit though and going with a gift of hemp jocks. WAMA underwear are the pioneers of comfy hemp undies and they produce a couple of basic styles for men: boxers, briefs and trunks. All WAMA jocks are made of a blend of hemp, organic cotton and spandex for stretch and are available in S to 3XL. They’re natural, breathable and affordable too.
Priced from US$24. Purchase from the WAMA website here.
3. Natural flip flops (thongs)
For the laid back man who loves to get about town in casual comfort, a pair of Etiko fairtrade, natural flip flops/thongs will do the trick. We particularly recommend the Etiko x Sea Shepherd pair given the classic black and white style and the fact that each purchase directly contributes to support Sea Shepherd’s ocean conservation, with 10% of proceeds going directly to the ocean activism group. The flip flops are made of a blend of certified natural and recycled rubber in Sri Lanka.
Priced from A$29.50. Purchase a pair here.
4. Casual organic tee
For the gift of an fairtrade organic men’s tee, you can’t go past PACT’s range of basic tees. From basic block colours to striped, polo neck to crew neck, front pocket or not, there’s sure to be an organic t-shirt to suit that male gift recipient on your Christmas list. Best thing about this brand is that they’re super affordable, with tees starting at $13!
Prices range from US$13-$40 for tees. Browse PACT’s entire range of men’s tees here.
5. Inspiring business book
For the bloke who loves to read or runs his own business, give him the gift of an inspiring business book. We recommend ‘Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman‘ by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. The author is of one of the world’s most respected entrepreneurs in eco fashion as Patagonia was founded in the 70s and pioneered sustainability in the outdoor apparel market.
Priced $16.99. Purchase a copy of the book here.
6. Minimalist water bottle
The memobottle is the world’s most recognisable flat water bottle with an award-winning design that is stylish and minimalist. A great gift for the design-conscious and fashion forward. Responsibly manufactured, made of high quality plastic that is BPA and BPS-free and comes with a two-year warranty, the memobottle is the eco ‘it’ item and the gift recipient will have a ball showing it off!
Different sizes available. Prices start $29.95. Purchase here.
7. Wooden iPad stand
This sleek and contemporary wooden iPad stand makes a great Christmas gift for the male who has attachment issues with his iPad. He can prop up his iPad whilst watching a movie, playing games or just following an online recipe. Handcrafted from natural oak wood, it is available in a non-toxic oil finish and you can also have it personalised with your gift recipient’s name engraved on it for no extra charge!
Priced at AU$28.88. Great reviews on Etsy, purchase here.
8. Beard and shave oil
If you’re getting a gift for a guy sporting a beard, get him a natural beard and shave oil like this one from The Australia Natural Soap Company. This beard oil combines jojoba seed, rice bran and sweet almond oils to soften and condition the skin, nourishing it back to suppleness. It contains no nasties such as sulphate, parabens and palm oil, is handmade in Australia and is vegan-friendly. A beard oil that’s good for the man and the planet. Ideal to use after shaving or on massaged into the beard.
Priced at $19.95. Purchase here.
9. Everyday planner
If your gift recipient runs his own business or loves to be organised, this Frank. undated planner gives him the chance to plan the upcoming year without any restrictions. He can use the space to jot down notes, dream, plan or capture those fleeting ideas before they get misplaced! Contains words of wisdom and reflection exercises and pockets for receipts and other important keepsakes.
This NZ-based business also donates a school book to child living in poverty – and so far have donated 75,000 exercise books to kids in need. Of course once the diary is at the end of life, it can be recycled!
Priced at NZ$30. Purchase here.
10. Eco phone case
Cool guys deserve to be bought cool things. Pela Case is the world’s first 100% compostable, eco-friendly zero waste iPhone and Android phone covers. Comes in a range of colours and prints, the case is flexible, resistant and protects the phone as it should. It’s also biodegradable and compostable which means that if it ever comes time to part, your gift recipient can can just pop it in to a home compost bin instead of landfill.
Prices start from $29.95 (in the clearance section). Browse the range here.
11. Cord organizers
A practical Christmas gift, these Parker Clay Mesa Cord Tacos will keep life organised, travel frustration-free and leave your recipient’s tangled cord problems a distant memory. Made from premium leather and handcrafted in Ethiopia by skilled artisans, they come in a set of three. Perfect for stylishly bundling USB cables, earbuds and other electronic cords.
Available in seven colours (dark brown pictured below). Price US$24. Purchase here.
12. Cork belt
For the fashionable vegetarian and vegan man in your life, give him a Christmas gift of a stylish natural cork belt. Handcrafted in Portugal, this sustainable accessory is made from locally-grown cork extracted from roak trees.
Price A$25.54. Purchase from Etsy here.
Recommending reading:
- 3 Eco-Conscious Ways To Wrap Gifts This Christmas
- 20 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Thoughtful Gift Givers
- From Art Workshops to Vegan Cooking Classes, These ‘Experiences’ Make Purposeful Xmas Gifts
- 10 Sustainable and Ethical Fashion Podcasts to Tune Into
- 5 Ethical Fashion Books Newbies Must Read
- 15 Cruelty-Free and Vegan Xmas Gifts For Eco Beauty Lovers
- GlobeIn Artisan Boxes: Stylish and Affordable Fair Trade, Ethical and Eco-Friendly Xmas Gifts
Disclosure: All prices are correct at time of publishing. This curated list does not fully take into account all the ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying special attention to the supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. This list also includes affiliate links. Click here to read more about our policies.
Feature image via PACT.
