A Guide to Budget-Conscious, Sustainable Gift Ideas
Handcrafted straw tote, the Jude | $62
Spreading joy over the holidays feels much more attainable when the gifting part falls into place, which usually means that the process isn’t overwhelming, nor is it over budget. But to find sustainable gifts (that are surprisingly affordable) that can be used over and over again is truly the icing on the … Christmas cookie. We’ve rounded up 15 sustainable fashion and home accessories from our collection that are under $100 as well as a few other ideas to make gift giving a little easier.
A chic basket bag or straw tote is the gift that keeps on giving - it’s a favorite for farmers’ market runs, park picnics, beach days and everything in between. Our Leah collection features five different palm straw basket bags under $100 to choose from: Magnolia Tote ($59), Jude Tote ($62); Sunset Basket ($62), Juniper Tote ($79), and Sierra Tote ($89). Each item has been handcrafted by artisans in an ethical trade environment using sustainable palm straw materials. The handbraiding technique that the artisans use has been passed down for generations and preserved through each work of art - sometimes taking up to several days to complete one straw bag. The Magnolia and Juniper straw totes are our most popular styles with their classic shape and design. The Sunset basket is the perfect companion for a picnic or hauling snacks for a Saturday morning soccer game. The Jude bag is a great fit for a fashion girlie, and just about anyone would love the oversized look and feel of the Sierra straw tote. A reusable bag has honestly never looked so good! Your girl friends and family will be pleased that they were gifted something as special and unique as they are.
Sustainable palm straw hats: Moonlight | $62 and Vagabond Gambler | $62
A hat can be an unexpected and fun gift - something that she wouldn’t always treat herself to, but loves nonetheless. Our Leah hats are handcrafted by artisans using palm straw and premium wool felt sourced through ethical means. Our seven sustainable hats under $100 can cater to a variety of personal styles: the Telescope Sunhat ($59), La Playa Fedora ($69), and Vagabond Gambler are great options for the person that’s always gardening or considers herself “outdoorsy.” The Golden Cowboy ($80) and the Moonlight Rancher ($80) are for the coastal cowgirl, she’s always on trend and not afraid to make a statement with her style. The Rio Visor ($39) is a nice option for teachers and travelers with the velcro adjuster in the back it’s sure to be a perfect fit. Last but not least, the Leah San Cristobal Fedora ($59) has always been our bestselling straw hat - its flattering crown shape and structured brim makes it a go-to style for pretty much any setting. All of our hats come in two sizes with most having inner-sewn adjusters for a custom feeling. If you’re looking to add a little something extra to your gift and still stay within budget, our genuine leather hatbands start at $15, with some that have been upcycled from extra materials.
Torrey Circle basket, large | $30
Coming up with a more personal gift can sometimes feel daunting, but a great place to start is with a gift basket and fill it with items she’ll love - from the hostess with the mostest to your neighbor, teachers, or caregivers. Our handcrafted baskets are available in two styles, with three different sizes for each: the Torrey circle basket ($20-30) and the Cardiff straw basket ($30-$39). We love using the Cardiff basket as a houseplant holder, put a beautiful poinsettia for the holidays or an air purifying snake plant for wellness benefits year ‘round. The Torrey straw baskets are perfect for a fresh loaf of bread, pastries, Christmas cookies, or even toiletries, giftcards, the possibilities are endless. Speaking of giftcards… an e-gift card to your favorite local shops also makes a wonderful gift idea, because supporting small businesses is always in style.
More sustainable gift ideas we love are: something thrifted (pottery that can be upcycled to a beautiful vase, or something fun like cowboy boots, jewelry, or even board games) and reusable items for picnics and lunches to-go like modern bento boxes and beeswax wraps. What are you gifting to your friends and family this holiday season? Is sustainable gifting something you keep in mind? We would love to help you find the perfect gifts and make shopping a little more enjoyable. For any questions or help you can DM us on Instagram @Leah_California, or email customer.service@leahcalifornia.com. Happy holidays and happy shopping!