6 Gifts for Conscious Giving

Clean up in aisle 8!

This season, opt out of the frenetic. Instead, say yes to the meaningful, the nourishing, and invest in thoughtful gifts that restore our connections with our bodies, each other and the Earth. We asked some OMD’ers what’s on their holiday wish lists: tips to support local food economies, make low-waste life look sexy and how to support the best versions of ourselves.

Where you shop matters. Yes, yes, we know many of you know this. And we know it’s not always possible. Large corporate chains and big agriculture have put local grocers and smaller farms out of business. It’s that simple. Every purchase you make, whether for a spicy applesauce or seasonal jam, can be a vote of your values and what matters to you. This year, consider gifting a membership to a Community Supported Agriculture boxes for a gift of fresh local produce, or visit your nearby farmers market for a smorgasbord of assorted stocking stuffer-worthy “value-added” treats. Local honey. Jams from your favorite berry farm. Olive oils, spiced nuts and more.

We love to unwind while reading or listening to an audiobook on long commutes, walking around the neighborhood or while cooking in the kitchen. That’s why we love Libro.fm. It supports local business, offering any titles your favorite bookshop carries — and for the same price of an Audible subscription. What are a few OMD “staff recommends?” Jessica recommends novel Circe by Madeline Miller. Karen loves the witty and funny novel The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine and the powerful, urgent How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi. Renee suggests the deep and hopeful, The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilderson and Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. And Zakiyaa is all about Wookwan’s Korean Temple Food and Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.

Mushrooms are nourishing, immune and energy-boosting and their medicinal powers are once again en vogue. There’s a new documentary, Fantastic Fungi, from Louie Schwartzberg, and book with the same title. We’re also big fans of Paul Stamets’ Fungi Perfecti products, or, if you like a little morning coffee buzz with ‘shrooms, try Four Sigmatic’s coffee (brownie points for being fair trade) that’s spiked with lion’s mane to start mornings off right. Perfect for creatives and the caffeine-obsessed in your life.

#OptOutside for a deeply meaningful all-access passport to national parks across the country. The America the Beautiful pass is a perfect gift for the outdoorsy, Earth-loving adventurer in your life. Give the gift of inspiration and majesty while also supporting our resource-strapped U.S. park system. We dare you not to get one for yourself!

We all have someone in our lives who have a permanent extra morning appendage — a cup of steaming hot liquid motivation in their hand (coffee, tea, maté, anyone?). Those single-use cups stack up, and most of the time, aren’t even recyclable. We got you covered, though. Take a look at KeepCup. They offer all different sizes and shapes of reusable cups and have even teamed up with Sea Shepherd to support their work to protect ocean wildlife. If you’re looking for some java to pair it with, try supporting a brand with heart, like Bitty & Beau’s Coffee–– the company is operated by people with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Have a plant-curious person in your life or are you looking to share your passion for delicious plant-based foods? Snap up a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant — from quick-and-easy spots like Veggie Grill or sweetgreen, to a more high-end joint, it doesn’t matter — food is the fastest way to someone’s heart and can be a gift of health. Check out Happy Cow for a list of restaurants near you.