10 Eco-Conscious Holiday Gifts for Outdoor Enthusiasts in 2021

Each year, I find myself looking to spend money on gifts that are better for the planet and our society as a whole. This gift guide features sustainable and eco-friendly products that can help reduce waste while supporting companies that are working to make the world a better place. By purchasing from brands with sustainability in mind, you are making the choice to help create a safer future for us and the planet.



This Patagonia flannel is super cozy, soft and will last for years to come. I own two of these Fjord Flannels and I love the style and durability. They are great for daily casual wear, hiking in the mountains or working on the land. Made with organic cotton, which reduces CO2 emissions by 45% and water usage by 90% compared to conventionally grown cotton. If your Patagonia garments begin to fail, you can send them in to be repaired through their Worn Wear program!



These blankets are eye catching with their puffy design and unique patterns. They are packable and lightweight at 2 pounds- perfect to take on that epic road trip you’ve been planning. Finished with protective DWR, rain and stains won’t stand a chance. The best of all? This blanket is made with 100% recycled polyester fill and 30D ripstop fabric.



Soft to the touch, flexible and beautifully designed, Pela cases are the world's first truly sustainable phone case. They are durable enough to protect your phone from drops and scratches and are also compostable! The Pela Case is made of flax shive and a plant based biopolymer. Pela is committed to create a waste free future by donating a % of every sale to Ocean Cleanup and Preservation Initiatives.



Lightweight and warm, these jackets are on the top of the list for hiking and backpacking adventures. I’ve owned my Ghost Whisperer for 5 years and have taken it on all of my thru hikes. It always performs spectacularly. Once it wears out, I’ll likely get a new one because look at those colors! Mountain Hardwear is bluesign approved which guarantees that the products were manufactured with responsible use of resources and the lowest possible impact on people and the environment. Partnering with Allied Feather & Down, you can track where your down came from by scanning a QR code on the inside tag.


Stasher Bags


Want to ditch ziplock bags? These are the perfect solution. This is one item that would be a perfect gift for those who like to go on day hikes, road trips, picnics or simply want to reduce their footprint. They are made of platinum silicone and harbor no toxic chemicals. You can put them in the freezer, dishwasher, or microwave. They can be washed and reused over and over, reducing your need for single use plastics. A portion of every Stasher sale goes to nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating our oceans.



I have found the perfect massage ball for relieving tension and muscle pain, not too firm and not to soft… and best of all- they are made from 100% sustainable cork. Being lightweight, they are great to take along on your hiking or backpacking trip. I have brought them on thru hikes and also keep a small one in my bag at all times. I like them so much I bought my mom a set for Mother’s Day. Also great for stimulating fitness recovery, reducing stiffness, and improving mobility.



Looking for a heavier duty camp blanket? The Pendleton Yakima Camp Blanket is just that. With classic designs and color ways, this wool blanket will not only keep you warm, it will stand the test of time with its durable fibers- 4 times more durable than other natural fiber to be precise. You can feel better that Pendleton wool buyers know each grower by name, with relationships spanning generations. Much of their wool is grown in Umatilla Country, Oregon, near the Pendleton mill. Other wool is sourced from responsible farmers around the globe. When a wool item has reached its end use, it can be recycled to create new textiles, insulation and more. When disposed of in the right soil conditions, wool will naturally decompose, slowly returning valuable nutrients back into the earth!



Polarized to protect your precious eyeballs from the sun’s harsh rays, I love the look and the lightweight feel of these Sunski Dipseas sunglasses. These have been with me on 2 thru hikes and although the fancy mirror coating has worn off (recently learned this was a bad batch), the positive is that Sunski provides a lifetime warrany on their products. Sunski invented a way to turn scrap plastic into recycled frames. Instead of going to a landfill, their SuperLight recycled resin gets a new life of your adventures.



Here’s another way to reduce your reliance on single use plastics- Bee’s Wrap! Made of beeswax and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton, it’s washable, reusable and fully biodegradable. It’s easy to clean and is naturally antibacterial, so it will keep your food fresher longer. They use beeswax and plant-based waxes that are responsibly sourced. Bee’s Wrap may cost a little extra upfront, but in the long run the cost evens out.



Taken on many of my adventures, this Fjallraven Kanken backpack is ultra popular among outdoor lovers and for good reason. These backpacks are durable, minimal yet well-designed and ultra versatile. I take this backpack on hikes, use it for travel, to store my camera gear and for transporting my laptop. When designing and producing their products Fjallraven keeps sustainability in mind. They place strict standards on themselves and their suppliers in order to develop the clothing and gear that lasts for generations. In addition to the laptop backpack, I also own a Mini Kanken Backpack for daily use!


Links in this post are affiliate links from which I may or may not receive a small commission when you make a purchase. These links help to keep this blog going and provide you with useful information. :)

Unique Cabins and Airbnbs

Over the years, I have traveled for work as a jewelry designer, often looking for quaint, affordable lodging. Stays in cabins and cottages are much more cozy and welcoming than hotels (although hotels have their place too!). Only more recently have I begun to document these accommodations to remember the whole experience. I am in love with unique architecture, so I thought I’d share some of the places I’ve been lucky enough to stay!


First time booking with Airbnb? Use my referral link to save up to $55 on your first booking!


Little Black Cabinο»Ώ

Cosby, Tennessee


Talk about rustic, this tiny cabin is off the beaten path, surrounded by a small community of vintage campers and tipis you can rent. The property is named Camp Grits and owned by Rosie, Jim and family who also live on the property. The cabin was built by Jim from locally milled wood and reclaimed materials.

Freshly baked bread, almond milk and eggs await you every morning. The only electricity is generated by solar power and collected rainwater comes out of the tap. Be prepared to start a fire in the Norwegian wood burning stove if it’s cold outside, as this is the only way, other than a shot of whiskey and a pile of thick wool blankets, that you’ll stay warm. Heat up your tea in the kettle on the stove and use the remainder of the warm water for dishes after breakfast.

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There is a wood fired bathtub on the property (unfortunately we didn’t get to experience this as we were too busy hiking), a public bathhouse, and a private outhouse for the Little Black Cabin. No flushing toilets here, but the outhouse is rather charming, decorated with interesting bits and bobs.

Chickens roam the property and roosters crow in the morning, which always made me smile, but earplugs may be your friend.

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Blue Lizard Tipiο»Ώ

Terlingua, Texas


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A few years ago, I helped my friend move to California from Cincinnati by driving across the country. Once we hit Texas, we visited a place called Terlingua near Big Bend National Park. We ended up booking a tipi in the middle of nowhere. It was magical, but sadly, we only stayed one night.

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The morning after our stay, we took a short walk around the property and met the owner, Ronda, a super cool lady who we would have loved to talk with much longer! We were greeted by her pet burro as we chatted.

Ronda owns the remote piece of land and rents out stationary campers, tipis and even a boat to guests. Her home was also on this land- a vintage camper with a portrait of Willie Nelson painted on the side. Desert vibes off the charts.

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The Sylvan Float Treehouseο»Ώ

Slade, Kentucky


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Childhood dreams do come true. Canopy Crew makes these dreams possible with their floating treehouse in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. If you live in the midwest, you are likely familiar with this area of geologic magnificence (because it’s the only great hiking within hundreds of miles, especially within reach of my home in Cincinnati).

This cabin is tiny, yet there is enough room to fit two people comfortably. There is a small kitchen with pots, pans and utensils provided to cook a simple meal. We loved sleeping in the lofted bed, with the windows cracked and the sounds of nature lulling us to sleep.

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For being a backcountry accommodation with no frills. this space is cozy and made cozier with a unique hammock built right into the deck. Water is provided and and a composting toilet is located at ground level.

Chill out in this hammock built right into the deck.

Chill out in this hammock built right into the deck.

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The Canopy Crew has built many interesting treehouse cabins in this area. Check them out for more!


Getaway House

Lisbon, Ohio


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Getaway House is a unique little cabin built from a shipping container. Their whole idea of a β€œgetaway” is to relax and unplug from the hustle of daily life. In each cabin is a lockbox for your cell phone to let go of distractions and to enjoy the simplicity of nature.

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The interior is absolutely gorgeous with the walls and ceiling lined with raw wood. Although tiny, the cabin is well laid out for comfort, complete with a queen size bed, dinette, kitchen and bathroom.

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There is an outdoor area with a picnic table, fire pit and chairs to lounge around the fire. We enjoyed cooking dinner, making popcorn and roasting marshmallows over the fire. A s’mores kit was provided during our stay.

Keep in mind that these cabins are not super secluded. There is a whole army of them in a forested loop, fairly close to one another, but it still feels private. I would go back just to hang out and relax in the beautiful interior. The company that rents these cabins has many other outposts, check their website for one near you!


Tahoe Vista Cabin

Tahoe Vista, California


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Darren and I stayed at this Lake Tahoe cabin late in the ski season. We wanted an affordable, cozy spot with fully equipped kitchen so we could ski all day and come back and cook some delicious meals. This 2 bedroom cabin, filled with beautiful modern design and functional style hit those marks.

One evening, we used the provided snowshoes to hike up some neighborhood trails as a snowstorm raged on.

Once we became too sore to ski any longer we explored around the lake, making sure to catch the sunset.

As the snow continued to fall the next morning, we fueled up with a simple breakfast and hit the hot tub, one of the shining features of this cabin! The snow drifts were so tall they hovered over the top of the tub. All in all a nice little spot tucked into a safe neighborhood.

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Suite sul lago

Limonta, Lombardia, Italy


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In 2018, we left the states to travel around Switzerland for a few weeks with a quick jaunt into Italy. We decided to dip down to Lake Como and stay at this Airbnb with a view. The apartment is small, yet leaves nothing for want. The flat is an architect’s getaway spot that she rents out to travelers.

The morning coffee and evening wines were enjoyed on the patio overlooking Lake Como’s insanely gorgeous views. You can’t go wrong with any Airbnb rental around here. I had such a tough time settling on one, but I usually go for the most affordable with style and function taken into consideration.

While in Italy, you bet we ate pizza and gelato, fish and drank Italian wine. We explored the beautiful city of Bellagio and some unique gardens- I Giardini di Villa Melzi, pictured below.


Eucalyptus Forest Hot Tub + Cottage

Berkeley Hills, California


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When visiting my friends in Berkeley, California, I stayed at an Airbnb guest house in the Berkeley Hills. I only took photos of the hot tub in the beautiful eucalyptus forest. The owners live on the property and you must use their private gated entrance to access the cottage. I love these types of stays because they have a lot of personal charm and special touches added by the owners. In this case, the owners were textile designers and displayed and used their textiles throughout the cottage. I don’t have photos of the inside since I was busy with friends, but the mini forest in the city stole the show.


Berggasthaus Fluhalp

Zermatt, Switzerland


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Mid-way through our journey around Switzerland in 2018, we decided we wanted a rustic lodging experience with lots of hiking. Berggasthaus Fluhalp with a view of the iconic Matterhorn was just that. The trip began with a hike up to the mountain hut with our belongings for a few nights. Each guest room faces the Matterhorn, a room with quite the view.

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The rooms are tiny and feature 2 twin beds. We caught sunrise both mornings at the hut.

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There is nothing but trails and mountain huts scattered around the landscape. We hiked to many lakes and to the glacier just a short distance behind the hut. On our hike, we stopped at another hut to eat lunch and came back in time for dinner. Breakfast and dinner are both provided.


Thank you for reading! Stay tuned, I hope to add more to the list!