Want to use your holiday gift budget to do some good in the world? If you’re looking for charitable gift ideas, ways to help support nonprofits, and gifts that give back, you’re in the right spot my friend! I’ve done all the work for you to hunt down 25+ unique Christmas gifts that support ocean causes. Before you know it they’ll be doing a happy dance in the sand!
The holidays are a time for giving gifts, and I love finding the perfect gift for someone. But what’s even better is when you can pay it forward and double your impact by choosing a Christmas gift that gives back. If you have a friend or family member who practically lives at the beach or maybe it’s you who’s dreaming of a tropical vacation, why not give a gift that also supports an ocean cause?
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Gifts That Support Ocean Causes
For the Beach Lover…
1. Sand Cloud Beach Towel:
Say goodbye to gritty, sand-covered towels with this must-have beach accessory. Sand Cloud towels are sand-resistant, lightweight, dry quickly and are packable! It’s a great gift idea for any beach lover, and you can feel good giving it because the company’s mission is to save marine life, and 10% of profits go towards marine conservation.
2. Boompods Water-Resistant Bluetooth Speaker:
Bump up the beach vibes with a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that lets you take your favorite tunes right to the shoreline. The Soundflare Ocean Speaker is made from 100% ocean-bound plastic, lights up and syncs to your music, and is portable enough to throw in your beach bag! Whether you’re sunbathing or riding the waves, this mini bluetooth speaker is the ideal companion for a day of sun, sea, and sound.
3. Low Tides Beach Chair:
Sit back and relax in style with a foldable beach chair from Low Tides that not only provides comfortable seating but also comes equipped with a headrest, cup holder, and even a bottle opener! Not only that, but they’re also made from aluminum and upcycled ocean plastic and the fabric is 100% recycled REPREVE®.
4. Igloo x Parks Project Cooler:
What’s a beach day without a cooler to bring your snacks in? For the outdoorsy type on your list, this limited-edition Igloo Cooler is not only adorable but also made from recycled materials and the sale of each one gives back to conservation efforts. Talk about a gift that supports ocean causes, this one is a winner in my book!
5. Sea 2 See Sunglasses:
A great pair of sunglasses is a wonderful Christmas gift and comes in handy at the beach, but also in everyday life. If you like the idea of turning ocean trash into treasure, you’ll love this eyewear company, because they partner with fishermen to gather ocean plastic and up-cycle it to create stylish glasses. Sea2See sunglasses are super stylish and also a great gift that gives back.
6. Castaway Sun Hat:
Let’s talk about the ultimate beach buddy – the beach hat! Plus when you shop with Castaway Hat Co, each hat sold means a pound of plastic is removed from waterways. Their hats are stylish, functional, and even have a warranty. This would make a great gift for anyone who loves the outdoors.
For The Jet-Setter…
7. GOT Travel Bag:
This will become your gift recipient’s new travel BFF – the GOT travel bag. Not only are they stylish, but also made from recycled plastic! GOT gathers plastic pollution, processes it, and turns it into these stylish bags. They are several styles to choose from, but all the designs are very timeless, classic and unisex.
8. Reusable Ocean Bottle:
Hydration is key, and a reusable water bottle is a game-changer. A really unique option is from the brand Ocean Bottle. Their recycled stainless steel water bottles have a 10-year warranty, but even better – when you buy an Ocean Bottle reusable water bottle, you fund the collection of 1000 ocean-bound plastic bottles before they enter the ocean. This is definitely a wonderful gift idea for supporting ocean causes.
9. Solgaard Luggage:
Bid farewell to cheap luggage that doesn’t hold up over time. For the travel lover in your life, Solgaard specializes in eco-friendly recycled luggage equipped with cutting-edge features like zipper-less designs, 360⁰ rotating wheels, built-in locks, TSA-approved locks, and an integrated solar USB charger.
10. Nimble Portable Power Bank:
For anyone on your list that travels, a portable power bank is an electronic savior! This one is from Nimble, whose motto is “tech for good”. They’re a certified B Corporation, partner with 1% For the Planet, and their business model diverts tons of waste from waterways. Their eco-friendly portable chargers would make a wonderful gift and give back!
For The Homebody…
11. Conscious Step Socks:
Socks that protect oceans? Yes you heard that correctly! Conscious Step socks have a collection of ocean-themed socks that you can buy individually (or in a bundle) and each pair donates $1 to Oceana to support their work to protect and restore the world’s oceans. With each step, you are supporting ocean causes!
12. Malibu Apothecary Candles:
Transport yourself back to the beach with the flicker of a candle. When you buy a Malibu Apothecary candle, you are supporting their mission to create cleaner fragrances for a cleaner coast, because they donate 5% of online profits to coastal conservation. Win, win!
13. A Zero-Waste Starter Kit:
For the eco-conscious homebody, a unique gift idea is this Zero-waste starter kit! It includes sustainable everyday essentials – 16 of their top-rated 100% plastic-free products across the Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry, and On-the-Go to help cut back on plastic waste.
14. Clam and Clasp Necklace:
Adorn yourself with ocean-inspired jewelry that captures the essence of the sea. This Clam and Clasp necklace is not only unique and beautiful, but made from sustainably-sourced seashells and either 14K gold or sterling silver plating. 20% of proceeds are donated to ocean conservation!
15. Pela Phone Case:
Have you heard of Pela phone cases? They have awesome designs and a big commitment to sustainability. In fact, they donate a percent of every sale to Ocean Cleanup and Preservation Initiatives. Plus, who couldn’t use a new phone case to start of the New Year?
16. Ocean Themed Bullet Journal:
Have soemone on your list who loves to write or journal? Check out this Limited Edition Tsuki Ocean Ring Bound notebook, designed in honour of some favorite animals of the deep sea. With thick white pages, a strong gold spiral spine + eye-catching gold foil illustrations scattered across an eco-friendly card cover, these notebooks are not only beautiful, but give back. To help our wonderful oceans, a portion of proceeds from this collection will be donated to the Blue Marine Foundation + Save the Whales.
For The Kiddos…
17. Planet Buddies Headphones:
These adorable and kid-friendly headphones would be a wonderful present for any children you’re shopping for! Not only do they have precious designs, they can withstand drops and are eco-friendly, made from 50% recycled materials. Definitely a fun and practical gift, but also one that helps support ocean causes.
18. Plush Sea Turtle:
I received this as a gift last year and absolutely loved it! How it works is you purchase a plush stuffed animal from Find Your Legend. They partner with different marine animal charities whose mission is to help save injured animals and remove plastic ghost nets from our ocean.They are so many animals to choose from, I have the plush sea turtle. This is a wonderful gift and teaches kids about ocean conservation and helps develop a love of animals.
19. Stickers For A Cause:
I am the kid who loved and collected stickers growing up. And when I came across this kid-founded sticker company, I had to share! The goal is to raise $1,000,000 by the time he turns 18 to save our oceans and beaches. The proceeds of each sale is donated to help oceans become healthy and thriving. These stickers are super cute ya’ll!
20. Mission Ocean Board Game:
For an educational gift that’s also fun and gives back, take a look at the Mission Ocean Board Game! In this cute board game, players race to collect plastic waste floating among the waves and take it to the ship, cleaning up the water to protect sea creatures. Part of the sales proceeds goes to The Ocean Cleanup nonprofit to directly support their efforts on the ground.
For The Ones Who Don’t Want Anything…
22. Lottery Tickets For Good:
I love this concept, which is a unique spin on lottery tickets, because each scratch off benefits a cause. On their website, you have a few choices of the charities your money will go towards, and often they have options for ocean causes.
23. Plant a Tree In Their Honor:
The nonprofit SeaTrees focuses on saving coastal ecosystems by planting trees. What’s cool is that on their site you can choose what type of tree to plant, like mangroves and more!
24. Symbolically Adopt a Marine Animal:
Organizations like Oceanic Society, National Marine Life Center and many more make this possible, and often times you will receive photos, updates and even an adoption certificate.
25. Make a Donation in Their Name:
Another no-wrap gift idea is to donate funds to an ocean conservation group or marine animal nonprofit. Here’s a list of ocean causes to check out.
26. Give a Gift Card:
When all else fails, a gift card is a great way to let the recipient pick out their gift themselves. A few sites that have charitable giving built into their business model are: United By Blue, Patagonia, and Waterlust.
Want more? Check This Out
If you still haven’t found the perfect gift that will give back to ocean causes, here are a few of my other blog posts that I think you may find helpful:
- Shop These 10 Companies That Help Save the Ocean
- Reef Safe and Biodegradable Sunscreen (could be a great stocking stuffer!)
- Guide To Sustainable Swimwear (a gift card for anyone on your list traveling in the New Year)
Gifts That Give Back To Ocean Causes
In a season overflowing with joy and generosity, why not extend your warmth to the oceans we hold so dear? These unique Christmas gift ideas not only bring smiles to your loved ones but also contribute to the preservation of our precious marine ecosystems.
So, as you embark on your holiday shopping journey, consider the ripple effect your choices can have on the world. Let’s make this Christmas not just a celebration of love and togetherness, but also a beacon of hope for the oceans that sustain life on our planet.
As you wrap up your gift-buying spree, envision the impact each thoughtfully chosen present can have. Whether it’s the reusable ocean-themed tote bag that reduces plastic waste or the symbolic adoption of a sea turtle, every gesture counts.
By supporting causes that strive to protect our oceans, you’re becoming an ambassador for change. Let this festive season mark the beginning of a new tradition—one where the spirit of giving extends beyond the gift itself, reaching far into the depths of our shared responsibility for the environment.
So, CHEERS to a Christmas filled with laughter, love, and a touch of eco-conscious magic that leaves the world, both above and below the waves, a better place for generations to come.
