Going Green for the Holidays: Sustainable Holiday Gift-Giving
- Youth Environmental Alliance
- Dec 10, 2025
- 3 min read
by Nicole Castilla
The holidays are finally here, and many of you may be stressing about finding the perfect gift for your loved ones. This holiday season, look for eco-friendly gifts and choose sustainable options when shopping for presents! Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to incorporate sustainability into holiday shopping.
Give Experiences Over Material Gifts
Experiences are some of the most memorable things you can give someone—and did you know they are actually environmentally friendly? When gifting experiences, you help the environment by reducing waste that comes from gift wrapping or packaging while giving someone precious moments they will remember. Eco-experiences are a popular option, such as a day trip to a nature center, a kayak tour led by the Youth Environmental Alliance (YEA) in partnership with Expedition South Florida, a Florida Master Naturalist class or private class from YEA, a snorkeling excursion, or an eco-vacation led by YEA in partnership with Green Edventures Tours.
Shop Local or Secondhand
Whenever possible, shop at local businesses—I cannot emphasize this enough! Many large corporations do not take the environment into consideration, especially during the shipping process. When you buy from a local company, you reduce your carbon footprint, whereas having a product shipped to you increases it.
Thrifting is another great way to shop for holiday gifts. At thrift stores, you can find a variety of secondhand (and sometimes even brand-new) items—usually at bargain prices—all while helping the environment!
Shop With a Purpose
Waterlust link: https://waterlust.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1&rfsn=6931013.511b8b2&utm_campaign=6931013.511b8b2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=refersion
There are many sustainable businesses out there that care about the planet and sell great-quality items. Waterlust sells beautiful clothing, swimsuits, and accessories made from upcycled plastic. If you shop using our code, they donate to two incredible causes. Let your giftee know how their gift is giving back to the environment!
Stores such as REI and Cabela’s also have sustainability initiatives in place and give back toward conservation.
At REI, the mission-driven company strives to actively engage people in making the world a more sustainable place to live. According to their 2024 impact report, REI is on a mission to get as many people involved in saving the outdoor world as possible. What a fantastic goal for a business!
Cabela’s also gives back to environmental causes. Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops have an extensive history of donating to conservation initiatives across North America. The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to support conservation programs. When you shop at Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops and round up your purchase to the nearest dollar, that extra change is put directly toward conservation efforts.
Through their continuous support via grants, both REI and Cabela’s have contributed to the Youth Environmental Alliance’s environmental education and outreach programs, and we are so grateful.
The Youth Environmental Alliance also offers several exciting opportunities that can be given as gifts. From our eco-adventures to school or garden sponsorships, these meaningful gifts can make a difference in the lives of many—and they truly are gifts that “give back!”
Choose Email Gift Cards
If you are looking to give someone a monetary gift, seek out sustainable alternatives over physical money. Opt for email gift cards instead of tangible ones, which are usually plastic. By choosing to send a gift card electronically, you help alleviate the burden of plastic pollution. If you wish to give cash, payment transfer apps such as Venmo or CashApp are popular plastic-free, sustainable options.
Wrapping It Up
When giving gifts this holiday season, keep the environment in mind and remember to shop sustainably. At the Youth Environmental Alliance, we have plenty of gift options to choose from. Give the gift of giving by sponsoring a class, donating a dune, or gifting an environmental education adventure! Check out all the options at www.youthenvironmentalalliance.com/shop. To learn more about our environmentally conscious experience offerings, visit us at www.youthenvironmentalalliance.com/events or contact us at info@yeafrog.org!
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