A Guide to More Sustainable Gifts for Every Zodiac Sign
All illustrations by Niege Borges
The Most Sustainable Gift is One That Someone Actually Uses Over and Over Again
There’s nothing quite like seeing that smile on your loved one’s face when they’ve realized you’ve given them the perfect gift because you know them so well. The best part of hitting the nail on the head is knowing that the gift you’ve given is going to be in use longer, which means it will likely have a lower carbon footprint per use and may stay out of the landfill (forever?!) — this holiday season, we want to help you give the perfect gifts so that Mother Earth is smiling, too.
Have no fear! Finch, with a little help from your giftee’s Big Three, is here to round up this year’s best gift ideas based on the most telling, foolproof method: horoscopes! (Ok, yes, and science, too...duh). All you need is your loved one’s birthday and then we can point you in the right direction and help you master the skill of gift giving.
Okay, I know I could’ve flipped to the back of literally any tween magazine in the past 10 years to learn a little more about horoscopes, but could you remind me?
Your horoscope is a snapshot of where all the stars and planets were located in the sky when you were born. Your sun sign is based on when you were born — if you say you’re a Libra, your sun was in Libra when you were born.
Disclaimer: Rest assured that we’ve assessed social and environmental considerations when making this gift guide, even though not all physical products have been put through the wringer of our proprietary algorithm (yet). We also don’t get any cut of the sale if you decide to buy these products; we just really love them.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21):
Funny, friendly, and with #nofilter, your favorite Sag is likely a world traveler with a passion for new adventures. With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, they’re probably gunning to get somewhere new.
Joro Carbon Offsets
Purchase the archer in your life carbon offsets to balance out the impact of their next trip using Joro. They help you to calculate the footprint of any purchase (including a flight!) to reduce and offset effectively.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 9):
These Goats almost might be the GOAT. They’re determined to take advantage of every foothold, always climbing. With an eye for beauty and a taste for the finer things in life, get your Capricornian friend Caraway’s non-stick ceramic pans.
Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Pans
They’re PFAS-free and built for longevity, so your Cap will be using and appreciating it for a longtime.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR AN AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18):
These enigmas are eccentric and love people, but really need their own space… and they’re all about joy. How better to spark joy Marie-Kondo-style than to get your water bearer the gift of an experience, rather than something material.
Yoga & Mindfulness Gift Certificate
The SHALA online is a studio where you can practice intentional yoga and find mindfulness… from the comfort of your own home.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20):
Our beloved pisces are in their feels all the time. For better or worse, they’re highly empathetic, compassionate, and feel everything more deeply than most.
Bearaby Weighted Blanket
Give them the grounding comfort they need with a Bearaby weighted blanket, made of 95% plant-based materials that are FSC, OEKO-TEX, and Fairtrade certified.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR AN ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19):
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, which makes sense since all of the Aries we know love to be number one. These natural leaders crave constant activity and love to explore.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20):
These charming bulls love indulgences and worldly pleasures. They know the value of a dollar, and are all about a return on investment.
The RealReal Gift Card
Give them (reused) champagne on a Bud Light budget with a gift card from The RealReal, where they can buy second hand designer goods at a discount.
They will thank you for the drip, and the planet will thank you for reducing waste by keeping that drip in use.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 21):
These twin air babies aren’t two-faced, but rather can see all sides of something, including the value of stuff that works well and is good for the planet. They are outgoing and out of the ordinary, love big bright colors, and are always ready for adventure.
Cotopaxi’s Del Dia Backpacks
Prepare them for their next escapade with a one-of-a-kind backpack from Cotopaxi’s Del Día collection, then give it a spin with a starlit hike under Pollux and Castor (the Gemini twins). Every Del Día bag is made of high-quality leftover fabric other companies were planning on throwing out.
This diverts waste away from the landfill, and gives those forgotten scraps another chance to carry your stuff. And, since the bag makers at this B Corp Certified company are given full creative control of the colorful fabric scraps, no two bags are alike.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 22):
The crabs in your life may get a bad rep for being a bit… well… crabby. But those who are fortunate enough to crack the Cancer’s hard shell tend to find a soft, tender (and delicious with butter!) center.
But be warned, once you get through to these loyal, caring, and protective folks, you may never be able to escape the grasps of their love… for better or for worse. So, if you can’t break free, you might as well make it look good.
4ocean Bracelets
Decorate their claws and show some love to the cardinal water sign with a bracelet (or set of bracelets) from 4ocean.
This group pulls a pound of plastic from the ocean with every bracelet purchase, and they are closing the loop, taking back products at the end of their life to make sure they can see a second life.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22):
Our high school chemistry teachers taught us oxidation and reduction by telling us that LEO the Lion says “GER”, but we are here to tell you that Leo the Lion says “Grandeur!” While Leo’s are widely known for their confidence, natural leadership abilities, and generosity, they also tend to choose the luxurious material goods over the worldly experience.
Vrai Diamonds
If you are looking to really splurge on your Leo lady or lord this holiday season, get them jewelry from Vrai.
They source their synthetic, lab-grown diamonds from The Diamond Foundry, a Certified Carbon Neutral diamond grower powering their facilities with 100% fossil fuel-free energy sources.
Lab-grown diamonds have the exact same chemical structure as natural ones and look identical, even under a microscope, all while costing 20-30% less, and being better for people and the planet. To learn more, check out our blog post about sustainability in lab-grown diamonds!
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A VIRGO (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22):
Practical and discerning, these earth babies have the purest of intentions with a modest and conscientious nature. They’re hard on themselves and possibly the least likely of the signs to “treat yo’self.” Grab them a local spa gift certificate and our favorite pair of organic cotton sneaks, which are made by workers who are ensured a fair and living wage.
Veja Sneakers
Grab them a local spa gift certificate and our favorite pair of organic cotton sneaks, which are made by workers who are ensured a fair and living wage.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 23):
These charming, clever librans behave with fairness and keep everything on an even keel. They’re flirtatious and people pleasing, but often struggle to commit.
Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin - A Game of Stories
Treat them to this game, and a splurge on dinner out for just the two of you.
Just make sure you choose the time and place, or your date may never end up happening.
SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR A SCORPIO (OCTOBER 24-NOVEMBER 22):
These sizzly scorpions are a strong, powerful type who know what they want with passion and intensity. They also expect total loyalty, so don’t f*ck up and order something that won’t be delivered until January, lest they think you forgot about them.
Personal Fav Whet Plant-Based Sex Serum
They’ll enjoy getting drunk in love with this plant-based sex serum.
We can all get a bit shop-happy during the holiday season and it’s important to be mindful of purchasing for the sake of purchasing. We encourage you to think about both what gifts you’re giving and what you want the impacts of those gifts to be.
Illustrations by Niege Borges