5 Affordable Sustainable Gift Ideas

Always on the lookout for ethical and sustainable brands at more affordable prices to help you dollar go further and impact more people, today we're doing a gift roundup from a wonderful (new to us) brand that we just discovered has a Sample Sale page for the rescued materials and damaged items they've refurbished to keep out of landfill, and they just happen to all make excellent gifts and stocking stuffers. 

Von Holzhausen Brand Standards

Von Holzhausen is a vegan leather accessories company based in Los Angeles. They boast a commitment to ethically made products, practice giving back by supporting a women's homeless shelter in the City of Angels, and are on a mission to reduce plastic through better, durable plant based leather alternatives. Plus, we found their blog quite insightful and highly recommend you take a look when you're curious to learn more about plastic pollution and plant based leather alternatives. Learn more here.

*Important Vegan Leather Disclaimer

Buyer beware. Many brands today tout vegan leather to gain your purchase, but unless it is planet based leather it is simply a new name for pleather, the sinister plastic alternative to nature's most long lasting biodegradable material. We actually love real leather because it is natural, durable, and ages beautifully over time and wear and is sourced as a byproduct of the meat industry so uses the full animal rather than wasting something nature gave us. Plant based vegan leathers are also an excellent option as they are made from crop waste like banana and pineapple leaves, coffee, mushrooms and more. Our promise: We will never recommend a vegan leather product to you that is actually made from plastic as this greenwashing is leading well-meaning shoppers like yourself to purchasing even more plastic. 

5 Sustainable Gift Ideas When You're on a Budget

We've highlighted our favorite giftable accessories from Von Holzhausen's Sample Sale section where you'll find deeply discounted items made from rescued materials and refurbished goods that are being diverted from landfill. These are still beautiful items so your friend or family need not know you saved a pretty penny while gifting them such a luxurious sustainable accessory.  Here's our top picks for you.

1 | Macbook Portfolio for your career friend
This sleek black vegan leather Macbook Portfolio will make quite an impression when your friend pulls it out at a meeting. Complete with a pocket for cable and pen, it has everything they'll need to be prepared for their next pitch. We picked black because it is chic and timeless, however there are other sizes and colors available here.

2 | Micro Cell Phone Purse
What millennial woman hasn't craved the cell phone purse Cher Horowitz sports at tennis in the cult classic Clueless? Well his micro mobile purse is the grown up version and it's darling. We love it in oat to go with any outfit, but multiple colors are available here.

3 | Hunter Green Apple Watch Band
Add some style to the generic Apple Watch with this classic vegan leather watch band. We picked hunter green because we love the classic Ralph Lauren vibes it's giving but you can shop from multiple colors are available here.

4 | Classic Coaster Set
Maybe you have a friend with a new home you'd like to bring a housewarming gift to. Nice quality coasters tend to be one of those items we don't splurge on ourselves but always enjoy when we have them. It's those small details that make any home feel extra luxurious. We are obsessed with this cognac and sky blue color combo, but if you prefer there are other options available here.

5 | Vegan Leather Napkin Rings
These darling napkin rings are simple yet super elegant. For the perpetual host (maybe that's you) it's a simple way to elevate your dinner table. We think this black is super chic however, other color  options available here.

These are just a few of the many beautiful gifts you can shop at Von Holzhausen. They even offer furniture reupholstery and car interiors, which is pretty neat and rare to find, so they are so much more than just  a vegan leather handbag brand. Shop their full collection of designer bags, accessories, and even candles here.

SHOP VON HOLZHAUSEN

Disclaimer: Von Holzhausen will pay us a small commission on any sales from our referrals. We do this to support our team's work, while keeping the value to you high but the cost free. We will never recommend brands we do not personally believe in their standards and will always be transparent about their impact to the best of our ability.