The Holiday season is right around the corner, and soon we will all be thinking of gift ideas for our loved ones. Now, did you know that Americans produce 25% more waste during the holidays than any other time of the year? 

So, what about we try to be mindful about waste and make thoughtful gifts for your family, and Mother Earth. Challenge accepted? 

If you would welcome a bit of inspiration, we catered a selection of environmentally friendly gifts that will for sure make anyone happy, even the ones who “don’t need anything”. And added bonus, most can be found in our local Santa Barbara shops!

We linked all the below ideas so your purchases are only one click away!

> Bath Kit, $50, The Refill Shoppe
Select your custom blend amongst over 50 scents in this beautiful kit made of glass-jared bubble bath, bath salt and body oil.

> Self-care set, $51, Sunkissed Pantry(Local)
A zero-waste set that includes Shampoo, conditioner bars, bath bombs and hair brush.

> The Chunky scarf, $65, Asher Market
A super soft and cozy scarf or shawl made of Alpaca blend, available in a variety of colors to match her wardrobe.

> Fresh flower subscription, starting at $65/mo, Blue Blossoms (Local)
Surprise her every month with the most beautiful bouquets made of fresh local seasonal flowers, arranged by this fantastic mother-daughter duo.

> Jade Harmony Yoga Mat ($84.95) and Mat Bag ($39.95), Jade Yoga
This sustainable yoga mat is made with natural rubber that will provide great stability, grip and comfort, while being an eco-friendly option. This beautiful handmade recycled sari yoga mat bag is made with recycled cotton from saris by Local Women’s Handicraft (LWH) in Nepal.

> Women’s better sweater fleece vest, $109, Patagonia (Local)
A Patagonia Bestseller that allies style and comfort. Perfect for chilly morning walks on the beach or hikes, these Fair Trade Certified™  sewn sleeveless jackets are made of 100% recycled polyester fleece.

> Socks that plant trees, $15, Uncommon Goods
Every pair of socks purchased will give back $1, enough to plant 10 trees, to Trees for the Future. Keep his toes warm with these organic cotton socks, while doing something great for our planet. 

> Metal safety razor, $25.99, Sunkissed Pantry(Local)
A stylish and plastic-free element to his routine. 

> Organic shaving soap, $11.99, EarthHero
A shaving soap made in the U.S. with organic ingredients and comes in plastic-free packaging. 

> Cail sunglasses, $70, Blue Planet Eco-Eyewear(Local)
Stylish frames made from natural and recycled materials that will play their part in reducing waste from landfills and oceans. 

> Men’s Nano Puff vest, $179, Patagonia (Local)
Another Patagonia bestseller, made of postconsumer recycled material and Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.

>  Zero-waste pet set, starting at $36, Sunkissed Pantry(Local)
A set that includes a pet shampoo bar, a paw balm, and gluten free delicious treats!

> Cooking class with local chef Pascale Beale, $105, Pascale’s Kitchen (Local)

> Surf lesson, $89, Santa Barbara Adventure Company (Local)

> Museum membership, $90, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (Local)

> Channel Islands Kayak Tour, starting at $124, Santa Barbara Adventure Company (Local)

> Luke light, $20, Unite to Light (Local)
For every solar light purchased, one light is gifted to someone who does not have access to energy.

> Membership to support environmental projects, $9 – $98 /month, Only One.
A digital action platform that empowers individuals to invest in environmental projects and take steps toward healing our planet and oceans.

> A donation to support local non-profits, Environmental Defense Center & Community Environmental Council
The EDC and CEC both play an important role in the preservation of our local environment. They are two non-profit organizations that Brighten Solar works with and supports. 

> Asher Market has great gift options for kids and women. It offers a large selection of clothing designed in California and sourced from recycled fabric purchased in Peru. Everything is made out of materials such as Pima cotton and alpaca wool for silky soft and high quality products.
535 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

> Sunkissed Pantry recently opened in Santa Barbara and offers zero-waste home and self-care essentials that are reusable, recyclable, and compostable. You will find self-care and cleaning products, pet products, jewelry, and candles. You are also able to bring your own containers to refill a variety of soaps, lotions, shampoos, and conditioners as well as buy teas and spices in bulk!
31 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

> Santa Barbara Apothecary Co.offers a variety of candles hand-poured and made from domestically harvested soy and cotton, and zinc-free wicks, with scents that represent California’s southern and central coast. You will also find reed diffusers and room sprays.
4 E Yanonali St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

> Pura Luna Apothecary offers herbal medicinals, self care and home products, and gifts made in house or by other women-owned/minority-owned ventures.
633 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Please note that Brighten Solar Co. (or any of its employees) does NOT receive any affiliate commission for referencing the above products and services. Our mission goes beyond helping people go solar as we believe in helping people consume more sustainably. We understand that researching sustainable options for our everyday needs is time consuming, so we took the time to do the work and research alternative products that we believe are better for the environment. This is an iterative project. We listed some local stores we tested and liked, but the list is not exhaustive and we will keep adding products and shops as we’re making great discoveries!