Eco-Friendly Christmas Gift Guide for Kids!
Welcome to my season of stress! Oops, I meant joy. ? Christmas time is meant to be a season of hope and, for my family, also a gratefulness for our born Savior. It’s a time to love one another and get in some sweet family time, but for me it usually ends up being one of the most stressful times of my year. To be fair, I’m type “A” which means I like to be the best (NOT that I hit it, but #goals, right?). This translates as “Push yourself to within an inch of your sanity to try to make Christmas good!!!” Ever feel like that?
I made a pact with myself a few years ago though to CHILL. My babes and hubby were like pins on a bowling lane with me (the ball) barreling through with little regard as I went. “It’s for them.” I would tell myself, as I brushed off and forgave my stress snap or bad mood.
I know that I’m not the only one come “Black Friday” when we’re all about to lose our religion over the hottest new item.
No, I can’t do it anymore. I want quality for my kids, not quantity. I needed a list full of companies that I could trust and items that were made with love, that are more eco-friendly, and that would hopefully last through the years.
So I found one…or made one rather. Hopefully, if you’ve read any of my other eco-friendly product pages, you can see that I’ve tried my best to be intentional in my choices, but sometimes convenience (especially with gifts at Christmas) would win out. If I’m honest sometimes it still does in other areas, but now I’ve set my type “A” personality onto a new path, one in which the gift choices are easier because there are fewer.
My new #goals include working with trustworthy companies who provide quality toys that keep our planet in mind. I want to give my babies a new found freedom to enjoy each item. One at time. To love their new and exciting things without creating the “open, toss, next gift” extravaganza that Christmas has become. *MORE, MORE, MORE* Now, my family has time to focus on what really matters at this time of year: the birth of Jesus Christ and the blessing of family time.
My Eco-Friendly Gift Guide for Kids!
9 Great companies + My favorite gifts + a few Honorable Mentions!
1. Finn and Emma
Organic and Eco-Friendly
This brand has some of the sweetest gifts. Their company sells organic cotton clothes for babies up to 4t plus they have lots of cute accessories like teethers and play gyms too! Their knack for mashing “classic with contemporary” has not gone unnoticed! I love their earthy style! They also value fair trade and use quality materials both of which are key factors when it comes to me trusting a company. My littlest babe has two of their adorable shirts, and I’m obsessed. They are so soft! Their type-print shirts had me at “pumpkin” this year.
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Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that if you click on the links and purchase the items, I will receive a small affiliate commission at zero cost to you. This post also contains sponsorships. This means that some of the products on this page I received free of charge to review. All of the opinions on this post are my own.
2. Green Toys
Eco-Friendly
You’ve probably seen these guys before. They’re the company that uses milk jugs to make toys right here in the U.S.! Although these are plastic, I think you have to give a little when it comes to kids toys especially when it comes to recommendations. I get that not everyone will want to spend big on those prime wooden toys. I’m a real consumer too, and these toys are affordable.
Our society is so linear that we are literally drowning in plastic and we can’t even see it. Although my goal is to be as plastic-free as possible, I’m happy to give my money to companies like this who are trying to make use of what is recycled.
3. Plan Toys
Organic and Eco-Friendly
This company has some of the most unique designs! I’m really digging their cute little chicky egg stackable! They also provide a really informative breakdown of their production from tree to child which shows that at the very least they care enough to make the effort to be transparent about their process. You’ll appreciate their site in general. It allows you to get specific and really hone in on your child’s needs. They’ll have you covered in quality wooden type toys from 0 months to 3+years.
4. Under the Nile
Organic
Oh, snap. We’re talking organic Egyptian cotton. Yum. This company sells everything from towels and rugs to clothes and toys all dedicated to fine quality materials. I love their quirky dolls and stuffies. You should definitely check out their “Story” page too. They talk all about their organic cotton, biodynamic farming style, and ethical manufacturing. It’s easy to get down with companies who care.
5. Oli & Carol
Natural and Eco-Friendly
This brand was originally based in Barcelona. Exotic, right? I love that it was created by these two gorgeous sisters who were ready to serve us with natural rubber toys (mostly teethers) for our little ones. They also dedicate time each year to help under-privileged students receive the resources they need for a “safe and enriching learning experience”. They have so many cute designs, but there’s something particularly sweet about “Elvis the duck”. I’ve also got my eye on that “Clementine” chewy probably because I have my own little Clementine at home.
Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that if you click on the links and purchase the items, I will receive a small affiliate commission at zero cost to you. This post also contains sponsorships. This means that some of the products on this page I received free of charge to review. All of the opinions on this post are my own.
6. Poppie Toys
Natural and Eco-Friendly
This company has some of the cutest rattan toys you’ve ever seen! I’ve become slightly obsessed with this style since it came back. It’s a little pricey, but rattan is so clean and feels wonderfully natural plus it adds a handmade essence to any room. I’m one who can always appreciate well-done wood work. There’s no doubt that you’ll get what you pay for!
Images: Poppie Toys.com
Poppie Toys Wooden Barista, Poppie Toys Rattan Bow Chair, Poppie Toys Rattan Doll Bed, Poppie Toys Rattan Bunny Chair, Poppie Toys Rattan Table
Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that if you click on the links and purchase the items, I will receive a small affiliate commission at zero cost to you. This post also contains sponsorships. This means that some of the products on this page I received free of charge to review. All of the opinions on this post are my own.
***Side note: In my experience, when it comes to “eco-friendly” I’ve almost always paid a little more. I think that it’s pretty much expected given that eco-friendly companies are investing more into production and resources. The main thing is to do your research because sometimes the opposite is true, and just because a company says “eco-friendly” doesn’t mean that it’s worth a price gauge. Consider that some things are naturally “eco-friendly” and also that some companies like to greenwash to suck in consumers. So buyer beware!
7. Tender Leaf
Natural and Eco-Friendly
There’s just something about wooden toys, right? I know that most of my favorites here offer similar styles, but the “eco” thing is why you’re here! It’s why I’m here too! I needed companies like this one to exist – to offer me toxin-free paints/dyes, ethical standards, and straight up some of the cutest(and most affordable) toys you’ve ever seen. They have so many great collections, but it makes ME feel like a kid looking at all of their make believe toys. My kids love toys like this, and, as a parent, there’s not much better than seeing your dearie’s eyes off the TV and entranced by a world of make believe and wonder like these toys provide.?
8. The Small Folk
Natural and Eco-Friendly
Here’s another unique company! Not everything is eco from what I’ve seen, but they do have some nice options for wood and felt! They’re a little pricey too, but I have seen some reasonable deals on their site. What I try to remember is that it’s an investment. I don’t want to have to turn around and buy similar products year after year because my wild kiddos have Tasmanian deviled them into oblivion! It’s hard to hurt a wooden toy, and that’s a HUGE plus for this mama!
Images: The Small Folk
9. Oompa
Natural and Eco-Friendly
You’ll definitely want to check out their “about me” section! This company takes no prisoners when it comes to plastic. They’re sticklers to their “no plastic toys ever” motto, and we’re all thankful for it! They’ve used their high standards to ensure that your purchase will be nothing but the best. Oompa is a site that also sells some of the other brands that I’ve mentioned here already like Tenderleaf! Below are samples of the cute thing you can find on their site!
Images: Oompa.com
Honorable Mentions:
As you can see, there are so many paths you could take when trying to do the flip flop to eco-friendly toys. I know how easy it is to hop in the car, go to Target, and grab something quick off the shelf. But hold your ground if you can. These companies are doing great things to not only try to inspire your littles to be less driven by technology and more inspired by their own imaginations, but also they’re trying to deliver quality products with our planet in mind.
No matter what you choose, I’d love to go on this journey together where we try to guide our babes towards a life filled with simple pleasures. Watching my kids get fun and creative WITHOUT a device is priceless to me, and I can’t help but think that maybe they’re the ones who’ve got it all figured out.
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