Accessories

Western Living’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for the Eco-conscious

Keep the earth in mind when shopping this year.

By Alyssa Hirose /

This should be all of us now€”while thinking about the climate crisis isn€™t very festive, this time of year is particularly wasteful. Here's a roundup of gifts that are extra-mindfully made.

A Charcuterie Board Made from Fallen Trees

The Ashleigh extra-large charcuterie board ($260) from Bowyer and Toulson is handmade in Ladner, B.C., with wood sourced from fallen trees around the Vancouver area. This specific board is made from a maple tree, and is perfect for displaying other local goods (like cheese). providehome.com

3D-Printed Shoes

Another step in the sustainable direction? 3D-printed shoes, which don't produce any extra fabric or offcuts (each part is made to be exactly the right size). Vancouver-based Casca's Avro knit shoes ($168) were developed in collaboration with orthotic experts, so they€™re easy on your feet and on the planet. casca.com

Festive Reusable Swedish Dish Cloths

For a paper towel-free kitchen, there'sthe Swedish dishcloth: an extra-thin, extra-strong, quick-drying cloth that can be washed and reused. Ten and Co's holiday set ($12) comes with cranberry-printed and €œFalala€-themed designs. tenandco.ca

A Countertop Composter

This countertop appliance from a Quebec-based startup is taking the gross out of composting. The Tero ($595) is a compost device that odourlessly dries and grinds food waste, reducing the volume by 90 percent. What remains can be used to fertilize your giftee's lawn or garden. teroinnovation.ca

An Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bar

Your giftee will be a little closer to living plastic-free with one of Island Soap Co.'s shampoo bars ($12). Each bar lasts up to 60 washes, and there'sno bottle left behind. saltspringgoods.com

A Sweater That Will Last Forever

We love the transparency of Ecologyst's Victoria factory/retail store (the sewers make the clothes before your eyes!) and how all of their goods come with a lifetime guarantee. All that in mind, the Fisherman sweater ($395) is a solid investment. ecologyst.com

READ MORE: The Best 2021 Holiday Gifts for Fitness Lovers

Alyssa Hirose

Alyssa Hirose

Alyssa Hirose is a Vancouver-based writer, editor, illustrator and comic artist. Her work has been featured in Vancouver magazine, Western Living, BCBusiness, Avenue, Serviette, Geist, BCLiving, Nuvo, Montecristo, The Georgia Straight and more. Her beats are food, travel, arts and culture, style, interior design and anything dog-related. She publishes a daily autobiographical comic on Instagram at @hialyssacomics.