As December steadily approaches, with the promise of warmer weather (at least in the Southern Hemisphere), colder drinks, and the well-deserved break we’ve all been waiting for, there is still the important task of Christmas shopping that needs to be tackled before we can unwind. Leaving your festive shopping to the last minute (we’ve all been there…) can often result in the mindfulness of our gifts taking the backseat as we race to find something suitable without burning a hole in our pockets. With a little help from us at Greenpop, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to find some incredible gifts without skimping on sustainability.

How to Celebrate Sustainably

Opting for greener gifts is a great and feasible way to be conscious of our consumption, minimise waste, and inspire our friends and family to think more sustainably. Instead of the last-minute purchasing of gifts that inevitably result in excess waste (no one really needs that extra pair of socks or exotic-smelling hand lotion), take a look at the selection of potential presents that combine care for your loved ones and environmental consciousness. 

Some of these gifts come from our incredible partners here at Greenpop, while others are simply Greenpop team favourites. Whether you’re buying for an uncle who isn’t too concerned about climate change, or a fellow environmental activist who is all about sustainable living, the selection of eco-friendly gifts available can make just about anyone happy! 

For the Nature Lovers

If you’re looking for a unique gift to celebrate the natural world, look no further!

Commitment to Conservation: Fund the planting of a one-of-a-kind tree for your friends and family and receive a bamboo tree ring or digital tree certificate that details the exact coordinates of its home forest. Each gift is fully customisable with a special message, giving a truly thoughtful gift that will grow for years to come. 

Sustainable Surprises: Give the beautiful gift of growth by purchasing a plant or tree from Shadowland Nursery— a lovely option to spruce up a friend or family member’s home without adding to their unused candle collection. 

Spread the Cheer: Add something special to your gifts by using Christmas cards and tags that grow! Embedded with seeds, the beautiful items from Growing Paper can be planted after Christmas, carrying the joy of the festive season far into the new year. 

Book Lovers:

For friends and family who love getting lost in a good book, Tree Encounters: Portraits and Stories from South Africa is a captivating collection of stories about the incredible trees that have shaped our country’s landscapes and culture. Check out page 26 for a special extract from Greenpop’s very own co-founder Misha Teasdale!

For the Pampered Princesses (or Princes) 

Cosmetics and beauty products are common go-tos when it comes to purchasing gifts, but frequently contain harmful chemicals and toxins that damage our skin and have severe environmental implications. Here are some eco-conscious alternatives for your loved ones to polish up, that won’t contribute to hazardous waste. 

Natural Beauty: From organic body oils to botanical-based blush, Wellness Warehouse has an impressive selection of all-natural goods and gifts. Take time to retire the synthetic beauty products and put both sustainability and skin first.

For the Little Ones:  Instead of the traditional choice of cute baby clothing for the young ones in your family, consider a natural lotion or cream that’ll last a little longer (we all know at the rate babies grow those tee shirts and shorts will be replaced in the blink of an eye). Oh Lief makes incredible skincare products for children that provide long-term benefits, ensuring your gift will truly keep on giving. They also offer special gift sets that come with an extra little surprise from us at Greenpop! 

Ethical Skin Care: Natural and ethically made skincare has never been more accessible! Weleda cosmetics contain plant extracts that are grown biodynamically on their own farm—meaning they only use local and sustainable farming products! You can even opt for carbon-neutral delivery with your order—these guys don’t play around when it comes to prioritising best practices.

For the Adventure Seekers

We all have some friends or family members who are just a little bit harder to shop for—maybe they have really specific tastes, or they’re just not very thrilled by materialistic things. For these folks, why not give the gift of an experience or special memory instead of an item that is bound to go to waste?

Picture Perfect: The gift of a Penda Photography Tour combines adventure, the outdoors, and the art of photography all in one. Pick from global photo tours, animal encounters, safari adventures, and more—the world is your oyster! 

Mountain Magic: For fitness-loving family and friends, a Klipspring Guided Hike adventure is an extra-special way to experience some of Cape Town’s natural beauty.  Hike through various routes around Cape Town and enjoy proper SA padkos along the way. What’s more, for every hike booked we plant a tree here at Greenpop! The perfect way to enjoy a slice of the Mother City while reconnecting with nature. 

Forest Fantasy:  Another great way to experience the natural world is to book a night in Africa’s southernmost forest and wander through the magic of Platbos in the Uilenkraal Valley. Visit Greenpop’s Uilenkraal Valley Forest Restoration Project, and walk beneath a canopy of ancient milkwood trees. Oh, and while you’re there take a look at the incredible work we’re able to achieve, with the help of our partners, donors, and supporters like you from across the country (and the world).

Outdoor Expeditions: Booking a group outdoor adventure is the perfect way to surprise the whole family! With Journey South, you can choose exciting expeditions like rafting down the Orange River, riding horses along the Wild Coast beaches, or hiking the famous Otter Trail! You can even opt for conservation trips, taking part in hands-on projects protecting baby turtles, rhinos, and more! 

E-Bike Experience: Combine practicality with environmental consciousness this Christmas and treat fitness lovers to a cleaner and greener mode of transport. With an energy-efficient Chilled Squirrel E-bike, you’re gifting not just a mode of transport but a more sustainable, active way of life. What’s even better is that with every e-bike sold, Chilled Squirrel plants a tree with us at Greenpop! 

For The Life of The Party:

The holidays are certainly a time to let your hair down, and for those who like to celebrate with a good drink and dance, these gift options are the perfect way to combine fun and environmental friendliness.

Festival Fun: Gift a ticket to our transformative Reforest Fest 2025 where your loved ones can spend an incredible weekend dancing under the stars, eating delicious food, and helping to restore Africa’s southernmost forest! 

Wine Time: A bottle of good wine is always appreciated, and regional specialists Boland Cellars know how to make a good bottle of vino. Boland Cellars are committed to excellent quality wines and environmentally conscious practices! 

Bring the Bubbles: A festive celebration isn’t complete without bubbly cheers of champagne. In the spirit of sustainability, why not celebrate with a bottle of Van Hunks sparkling wine, where every purchase plants a tree! 

Sustainable Style: 

Since clothing is something you really can’t live without, gifting a sustainable addition to someone’s wardrobe is the perfect way to spice up someone’s style while steering clear of the impacts of fast fashion.

It’s Better With Hemp: Hemporium offers an extensive selection of eco-friendly hemp clothing that boasts quality, comfort, and durability while bringing something unique to your usual rotation of go-tos. 

Grounding Footwear: ​​Merging style with environmental responsibility, each pair of Earth Sole shoes is crafted from eco-friendly, durable materials. Unlike fast fashion, Earth Sole shoes are built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements—and with every sale, they support our Forests For Life Programme!

Eco Eyewear:  As we brave the hot Dezemba weather here in South Africa, a pair of eco-friendly Ballo sunglasses will definitely come in handy. Their plant-based, recycled, and handmade frames come with the highest quality mineral glass lenses and don’t skimp on sophistication—they’re absolutely gorgeous and great for the environment too! 

Last Minute Saves 

If, despite your best efforts, you’ve run out of time to search for sustainable gifts for your entire extended family, you’re still in luck on your mission to protect the planet. There are still some crucial steps you can take to make your Christmas purchases a whole lot easier (and more eco-friendly). 

Planet-friendly Packaging: If you can avoid it, why not ditch the plastic and opt for paper packaging, and recycle or save your wrapping paper for next year?

Handmade for the Holidays: Handmade gifts are completely underrated and totally unforgettable! Giving someone a present you’ve hand-crafted—maybe a batch of muffins, a memory scrapbook, or a special piece of art—is a lot more thoughtful (and eco-friendly) than something generic and store-bought! 

Local is Lekker: If all else fails, opting for local is a great way to support small businesses and reduce harmful shipping impacts. Supporting smaller brands is usually more sustainable for the planet, and helps build up local communities. Products from these kinds of brands are often hand-crafted and quirky, ensuring completely unique gifts for your loved ones. 

 So, whether you’re looking for your baby cousin, your best friend, or your brother,  there’s a greener gift just waiting to be given.  Let’s use the time that we have now,  to harness our gratitude for the planet and aim for a sustainable celebration ahead!