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Show your love for the planet and your loved-ones with these green gift ideas.
Meaningful gifts donโt need to be extravagant or wrapped in glitter โ they just need to come from the heart. Whether itโs a thoughtfully chosen book, a locally made treasure, or an experience that encourages adventure, the best presents invite us to connect with each other, our communities, and the planet we share. This season, weโve gathered a few of our favorite ideas for gifting sustainably, locally, and with joy.
If you want to dress up your gifts while minimizing waste, check out Wrappilyโs gift wrap. With wrapping paper printed on 100% recycled newsprint and ribbons that are compostable and biodegradable, you can celebrate your favorite festive traditions while staying conscious of your environmental impact. We also love Cute Root Holiday Cards, zero-waste greeting cards that never need to hit the landfill or recycling bin. Each compostable card is plantable! After a quick soak and germination period, the cards can be planted and will eventually sprout a small garden of non-invasive wildflowers.
Books
When I give someone a book, I love including a gift certificate to a local bookseller. More than the book itself, the gift is the joy of reading โ and I want my friends to explore the stacks for themselves. Visit Bunch of Grapes (23 Main St., Vineyard Haven) or Edgartown Books (44 Main St., Edgartown) to support our Islandโs indie booksellers.
Print Ainโt Deadย
Print Ainโt Dead is a forthcoming anthology from Mountain Gazette, the iconic outdoor magazine celebrating its 60th anniversary. Bluedot Living contributor Miles Howard is among the writers featured in this collection, alongside the likes of Edward Abbey and Hunter S. Thompson.ย
Reflecting on the anthology, Miles says, โAt a time when we are constantly being told โ by people with way too much money and power โ that audiences do not want these kinds of stories anymore, I think itโs important to highlight anything which reminds us of the ground truth.โ Print Ainโt Dead is a great gift for readers who want to keep these stories alive.
Nothing More of this Land by Joseph Lee
In Nothing More of This Land, journalist and member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe Joseph Lee takes the reader through a sweeping narrative of Indigenous life. From Marthaโs Vineyard to Alaska, Lee explores how Native communities are reclaiming and resisting stereotypes, and confronting legacies of colonialism. Nothing More of This Land is a meaningful gift for readers interested in history, social justice, and the stories that connect us all.
Water Borne by Dan Rubinstein
Journalist Dan Rubinstein embarks on a 1,200-mile stand-up paddleboard adventure to explore the power of โblue space,โ the mental and physical benefits of being near water. Water Borne blends travel writing with science and shows the reader how rivers, lakes, and shorelines can inspire joy, wellness, and activism. This Bluedot favorite is a refreshing read for anyone who loves spending time by the water.
Local Goods
On the Vineyard, we are lucky to have a vibrant community of local businesses, farms, and artists. Weโve rounded up a few of our favorites, but there are countless options beyond what weโve featured here. You can find plenty of products including candles, soaps, pottery, and preserves at Martha's Vineyard Made.
Also, be sure to visit the Vineyard Artisans Festivals and Featherstoneโs Holiday Gift Show. From handmade knits and jewelry to teas and home decor, the Islandโs artisans never disappoint with their skill and creativity.ย
29th Annual Vineyard Artisans Thanksgiving Festival
Ag Hall (35 Panhandle Rd., West Tisbury)
November 28 and 29, 10 a.m. โ 4 p.m.
18th Annual Vineyard Artisans Holiday Festival
Dr. Daniel Fisher House (99 Main St., Edgartown)
December 20 and 21, 10 a.m. โ 4 p.m.
Featherstoneโs 23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show
Featherstone Center for the Arts (30 Featherstone Ln., Oak Bluffs)
November 12th โ December 17th (closed on Thanksgiving), 12 p.m. โ 4 p.m.
A Snack-Filled Tote from Morning Glory
For the avid snacker, pick up a tote bag from Morning Glory Farm and load it up with delicious goodies. From beach plum jelly to fresh flowers, Morning Glory has everything you need for fabulous stocking stuffers and hostess gifts.
Visit Morning Glory Farm, 120 Meshacket Road, Edgartown; or shop online.
A Disc Golf Kit from Lazy Frog
Gateway golf discs are made from 100% recycled plastic, and disc golf is a low-impact way to spend some time getting active outdoors โ weโve got a great disc golf course in the State Forest. You can find Gateway golf discs (and kidsโ toys made from recycled plastic!) at Lazy Frog in Oak Bluffs.
Visit the shop, 42 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs; or shop online.
Experiences
The best gifts are often the hardest to pack into boxes, and the most sustainable gifts are the ones that wonโt sit on a shelf gathering dust. These experiential gifts are some of our favorites.
Masterclass
Whenever sustainable gift-giving comes up, Iโm quick to pitch a subscription to Masterclass โ not just for diversity of content and educational value, but also because it's one of the favorite gifts Iโve received in recent memory.
For those interested in sustainability, food systems, and the natural world, Masterclass has no shortage of eco-conscious content. Ron Finleyโs course on guerrilla gardening teaches practical tips for growing your own food in an urban setting. Michael Pollanโs deep dive on intentional eating challenges you to recontextualize your relationship with food. Jessie Krebs teaches wilderness survival skills. Jane Goodall shares stories from her work in conservation. And the list goes on! Thereโs sure to be something among Masterclassโ hours of content to satisfy the lifelong learner.
Headspace
Finding time for rest and relaxation can be difficult โ a subscription to the Headspace app can make that a little bit easier with guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and tranquil soundscapes.
Park Pass
A Parks Pass offers access to over 2,000 National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands. If you know someone who loves traveling and spending time outdoors, a Parks Pass is the ultimate ticket to adventure. From seaside cliffs to desert canyons, this gift keeps on giving for the whole year.
