The Gift of Growth

Modern Sprout makes it easy to spread joy wherever you go — quite literally. The company makes charming seed bombs, seed paper confetti poppers, and seed-stuffed ornaments, all containing seeds for plants that can adapt to a variety of soil types and climates. You’ll love receiving photos of the plants and flowers when they grow. ($1.50 and up) 

The Gift of Conversation

Finding entirely plastic-free baseball caps for our own line of merch was surprisingly difficult, but we did it! Embroidered with mostly cheeky (and some sweet) phrases, these organic cotton ball caps are surefire conversation-starters. Our advice columnist’s top pick is energy efficient, my newsletter producer plans on getting fermented for herself and her sisters, and pollinator pairs perfectly with the gifts from Modern Sprout above. ($34.95)

The Gift of Feeling Cleaner Than Ever Before

I don’t remember how it happened, but about a decade ago an influencer convinced me to buy a tongue scraper. Now, I can’t even go away for the weekend without it. It’s just a little thing, but it will last for years and make your giftee feel fresher every single day. ($9.99)

The Gift of Chic Schlepping

A good tote is useful for hauling stuff around; a great one makes you look great while you’re hauling. Out of the Woods’ Pure Cord Shopper does it all. The clean, structured silhouette and sturdy rope handles look simultaneously boho and nautical, and it’s made from the brand’s durable, lightweight Supernatural Paper. Like Bluedot Living, Out of the Woods is a 1% for the Planet member company and donates to environmental causes with every purchase. ($26)

The Gift of Flavor

The problem with wine is that it’s impersonal and easily forgotten. Figure Ate’s Naturally Fermented Persimmon Vinegar delivers a bright tang that will invigorate your friends’ meals for months to come. Because Figure Ate is part of the non-profit White Buffalo Land Trust, every purchase supports expanding regenerative agriculture and restoring Southern California lands for generations to come. ($18.99)

The Gift That Keeps Blooming

Unwilted crafts incredible paper flowers by hand. The brand’s big bouquets are incredible. But a single bloom tucks perfectly into a cup filled with pens or makeup brushes, and is all that’s needed to remind someone just how much you love her every single day. ($19 and up)

The Gift That Makes Laundry Less of a Chore

Plastic dryer sheets are wasteful and full of chemicals. Friendsheep’s adorable Fair Trade dryer balls not only get the same job done, and they’re so cheerful that I think they make laundry a bit less of a drag. From footballs to butterflies to penguins to patriotic stars and stripes, there’s a set for everyone on your list. Friendsheep plants a tree for every item sold, and has planted over a million trees so far. ($21 and up)

Want to get in touch? I’d love to hear from you. Tell me about your favorite sustainable products and anything else that’s on your mind — email marketplace@bluedotliving.com. I’ll see you again Monday after next.

– Elizabeth Weinstein

Elizabeth Weinstein, Bluedot’s Marketplace Editor, lives in Manhattan with her husband; papillon Finley; and cats SanDeE* and Modell. When she’s not asking the folks at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom to try on their most sustainable sneakers in a size 9½, she can be found at the Union Square Greenmarket or gardening on her rooftop terrace.