Do you want to buy healthier gifts, that don’t break the bank?
Check out these 12 ideas for affordable nontoxic gifts under $25 that you can give to loved ones, friends, or co-workers.
12 Affordable Nontoxic Gifts (for under $25!)
1.Socks for Sensitive Skin.
Every year our toes end up naked,poking through the holes in our socks. Warm socks (thick and comfy) are a special treat for the feet. What could be more useful than a pair of thick, organic cotton socks that are free of toxic dyes and finishes?
Everyone should have a pair!
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Clothing that doesn’t off-gas toxic chemicals (which we end up breathing in)
- Warm feet
- Support for organic clothing companies
Where to find:
- Maggie’s Organics, Organic Cotton Crew Sock – Allergy, Natural (color). Cost: $9.00
2. Chip Clips (made of metal).
Open crackers, chips, and bags of veggies need a good chip clip to keep them fresh. Plastic clips can have a weak grip and are made of plastic (no type of plastic is healthy).
Metal binder clips make for healthier affordable chip clips! Plus, they have a tight grip which helps your food stay fresh.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Fewer plastics in the home = fewer chemicals in the home (chemicals in plastic contributes to poor indoor air quality)
- Fresher food
- Fun alternative to the “norm” that’s very cost effective
Where to find:
- Office supply stores
- Office Depot, Medium binder clips pack of 24. Cost: $3.99
3. Upgrade Kitchen Utensils.
People that like to cook love a good set of kitchen utensils. If they’re using the healthiest type of cookware, it’s made of 100% ceramic (and likely comes from Xtrema).
For these folks, buy solid hardwood cooking utensils with nontoxic oil finishes.
If you’re buying for someone that uses stainless steel or cast iron pans, you could buy stainless steel utensils (ladle, whisk, mixing spoon, spatula, tongs).
Stainless steel mixing spoons are great for seasonal cookie baking and for every day cooking!
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- No more melting plastic spatulas and mixing spoons that can leach into food while cooking
- High quality cooking utensils that make people feel“special” or “fancy”
- Easier to cook, bake and mix foods
Where to find:
- William Sonoma carries Wooden Slotted Spatula. Cost: $5.00
- Kohl’s carries Kitchen Aid Stainless-Steel Tongs. Cost: $12.99
- Target carries Made by Design Stainless Steel Cooking Spoon. Cost: $6.00
4. Ceramic Travel Mug (preferably with ceramic lid).
Do you know a coffee or tea lover? Do they fill up their mug as they walk out the door each morning? Insulated ceramic mugs are great for grabbing coffee on the go. Many coffee shops give a discount to people when they bring their own mug.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Non-leaching coffee mug. Ceramic is one of the healthiest materials available! Plastic, foam and stainless steel can leach chemicals and metals into our beverages.
- Saving money when buying coffee from cafés that offer a BYO mug discount (every bit of savings matters!)
- Insulated ceramic mugs can keep beverages hot
- Less waste in our landfills and oceans from plastic and foam that doesn’t decompose
Where to find:
- Etsy has customized ceramic mugs and unique designs. Make sure the glaze is lead-free or complies with U.S. lead dinnerware regulations. Cost: Varies
- Bed Bath & Beyond carries this black and grey ribbon design, which is one of several ceramic travel mugs they stock. Cost: $9.99
5. Organic Lifestyle Made Easy book.
Do you know someone looking to live an organic, chemical-free lifestyle? Do they have an autoimmune disorder and just want to feel better?
Whether they’re just starting your organic lifestyle or continuing to improve it, this book is filled with easy ways to create your best chemical free household. I don’t just say that because I wrote the book. I say that based on feedback from others. Read some of the customer reviews here.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Saving thousands of hours sorting though conflicting information
- Suggestions for finding products that are the most organic,chemical free available
- Objective advice – no funds were received from companies mentioned in the book
- Saving money by buying the “right” chemical free products the first time around
- Healthier lifestyle and home environment, that may lead to a healthier, happier life
Where to find:
- Live Life website Organic Lifestyle Made Easy, How to create a chemical-free household one step at a time. Cost: $15.99
- Amazon (buy on Amazon Smile to donate a percent of proceeds to a non-profit of your choice!) Cost: $15.99 for paperback or $5.99 for Kindle version
6. Metal Lunchbox Purse.
I received this gift for Christmas in 2017. It’s incredible how many people, young and old, stop me to comment on my purse. “What a great idea!” is the comment I hear most, followed by “How cute and trendy!”
I’ve made friends because of my metal lunchbox purse. True story.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Easy to clean purse – just wipe clean!
- Large holding capacity. So many things fit nicely into this design.
- Easy to find purse contents
- New friendships could develop from this conversation piece
- Affordable option (vs. organic cotton purse)
- Nontoxic material used instead of standard vinyl or synthetic material
Where to find:
- Amazon carries a black metal lunch box. Cost: $18.75
- Amazon also has it in plain metal, silver color. Cost: $18.90
7. Gift Certificate for Organic Coffee or Tea.
We don’t often treat ourselves to a few hours of enjoyment. Time to sip coffee and read, or share tea and tales with friends are a luxury for us these days.
Give a gift certificate to a café that serves organic coffee or tea. It makes people feel special and “gives permission” for them to take a little time for themselves.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Coffee or tea without pesticides
- Time with friends or family
- Relaxation and de-stress time (ahhh, so relaxing just thinking about it)
- Time for one’s self
- Feeling of joy, relaxation and fun in this hectic world
Where to find:
- Local small business café.
- In the Southeast Wisconsin area, Anodyne Cafe, Brewer’s Two Café, Café Manna, and Colectivo Coffee locations(Chicago, IL, Milwaukee, WI, Madison, WI) often serve organic.
8. Nontoxic Picture Frame.
Picture frames made of ceramic,solid hardwood or metal make great gifts. Especially when there’s a personal picture in them! Frame one of your favorite pictures to give as part of the gift. When buying solid hardwood frames, be sure that it has a nontoxic finish in order to give the healthiest gift.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Personalized gift with meaning
- Fewer chemicals off-gassing into the indoor air environment
- Less plastics and related VOCs (volatile organic compounds)in our environment
Where to find:
- Bed Bath and Beyond ceramic and metal frame.* Cost: $19.99
- Kohl’s metal picture frame for baby.* Cost: 19.99
9. MACC Fund Ornament 2018.
Designed by a child with cancer and made of ceramic, MACC Fund annual ornaments are a great nontoxic holiday gift.Not only are they chemical-free, but your purchase goes towards a good cause.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Self confidence to the child that designed the ornament
- Donation to an organization fighting childhood cancer
- Nontoxic ceramic ornament that’s not off-gassing chemicals in to the home
- Love for children and families throughout the U.S. that are affected by childhood cancer and blood disorders
Where to find:
- MACC Fund’s website has an online store. Cost: $10.00
- Local stores carry them. Often times they’re next to the check-out register. Cost: 10.00
10. Custom Painted Ceramic Piece.
Paint your own ornament or figurine with nontoxic paints, and give it as a gift. Add a magnet to the back for a gift that can hang on the fridge year round.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Home-made gifts made with love
- Nontoxic decor for the home
- Non-absorbent figures or magnets (plastics and wood can absorb fragrances and chemicals from the retail environment and around them, but ceramic does not)
Where to find:
- Walmart carries simple star ornaments made of ceramic bisque (fired ceramic that’s not glazed). The pack of 6 ornaments can be painted or colored. Be sure to use nontoxic paints.Cost: $14.94
- Amazon has a pack of 12 ornaments that includes 4 different shapes. Cost: $23.50
- Michael’s offers many shapes and styles of paintable ceramic figures and ornaments. Cost: $4.00
11. Clay snack container.
Looking for a fun, unique, healthy gift? M&M or snack containers are a fun and practical gift that can be used year-round!
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Plastic free, non-leaching food storage container
- Smiles every time it’s used
- Supporting a small business that creates quality products
- One-of-a-kind gift
Where to find:
- Bryan Becker Clay Werks makes and carries hand made pottery for one of a kind, practical gifts made of clay. Cost: $25.00
12. Donation to a Charity.
Do your friends, colleagues and family “have it all?” Make a donation in their name. Choose one of their favorite charities.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Clutter-free home (not adding to clutter commonly found in homes)
- Ultimate gift of giving to others
- Chemical-free gift
- Helping people, researchers, scientists, health professionals – recipients and all those involved in the organization
Where to find (just a few of MANY places):
- Make a Wish Foundation. Donate on the local, national or international level.
- Environmental Working Group. Contribute any amount you’d like.
- Chemical Injury Information Network. When you donate, you become a CIIN member.
Bonus Idea
One-year Subscription to Thrive Market.
Organic food eaters will love Thrive Market. This online grocery store sells packaged non-refrigerated food and is great for buying staple dry foods. Cereal, soup,nuts, granola, oatmeal, flower, pancake mix, spices, olive oils are all sold here for 25-50% off retail prices.
The gift you’ll really be giving:
- Money savings while eating healthier foods (I’ve saved over $800 this year alone!)
- Easy access to organic foods for people living farther away from grocery stores
- Convenience of online shopping and delivery to the door step
- Encouragement of others to eat organic
Where to find:
Thrive Market membership for one year. Cost: $59.95 which includes a 30-day free trial period. Share the cost with two other people to make this a group gift that costs only $20 per person!
Final Thoughts
Buying organic, chemical-free gifts doesn’t have to cost a ton. In fact, many are affordable. Give your family and friends’ nontoxic gifts this holiday season. You’ll be giving more than a simple item – you’ll be giving the gift of love and health.
Reader Note: Please know that very often companies will carry both toxic and nontoxic products (even under the same brand name), so use caution when choosing products. This article contains some items I’ve used myself when creating a chemical-free home. I do not receive funds from any of these companies, and simply wanted to provide one or more ideas for where to find the item.
*A few of these items I have not seen or used personally.Items notated with a “*” indicate no personal experience, and suggestion is reliant on internet description (which may or may not be accurate in my experience over the years).