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12 Presents for the Most Hard-to-Gift People in Your Life

Not everyone is easy to shop for. These presents are perfect for even the most hard-to-gift people in your life, from adventurers to foodies.

presents for hard to gift people
Written by
Tehrene Firman
Published
Finding the
perfect gift
isn't easy—which is why
57% of Gen-Z and millennials
have admitted to returning something they've received in the past. While these returns might not seem like a big deal, the sad reality for the planet is most don’t make it back onto store shelves. Instead,
they wind up in landfills
.
If you're struggling with what to buy for the hard-to-gift people in your life, fear not. In a recent episode of
Good Together
, Brightly's founder Laura Wittig—a sustainable gifting pro—shared some of her top picks and tips. Starting with thinking about what you're going to give people early.
"I try and keep a notebook—or at least an Apple Note—throughout the year of what people could want," she says. That way, once it comes time to buy a meaningful gift, you already have some clues as to what the people in your life will really enjoy.
Sometimes, that's gifting an
experience
: "We're members of our local zoo,
Woodland Park Zoo
. They do so much work with conservation. So we like to say, 'Hey family members—if you'd like to, you can help us 'adopt' an animal. Or you can help us with that membership that we like to do."
That's also giving physical gifts, and there's something even the most difficult-to-shop-for people will enjoy. Here are Wittig's top sustainable picks to get you started.

12 Presents to Give the Most Hard-to-Gift People in 2022

For the Foodies

1. Reusable Silicone Baking Mat, $29

There's no need for single-use
parchment paper
when you have a reusable silicone baking mat on hand—one of Wittig's go-to gifts for the foodies in her life.
"It's actually made from silicone, which is made from sand—fun fact. And it has reinforced fiberglass mesh on it," Wittig says. "It's also replacing the need to use butter, grease, and oils when you're cooking."
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2. Reusable Bowl and Pan Covers Set, $30

These reusable bowl and pan covers are easy to use, easy to clean, and help reduce waste in your kitchen. "If they get gross, you can throw them in the dishwasher," Wittig says. "And they're made of recycled plastic bottles."
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3. Reusable Silicone Muffin Mold, $63

Wittig is also a fan of the reusable muffin version, which she uses for food prep for her daughter. "I
pre-make a lot of her food
and freeze it in these little single-serving discs," she says.
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For the Adventurers

4. Rechargeable Lighter, $30

A rechargeable lighter is an essential, whether for building fires or
lighting candles
. This one utilizes a lithium-ion battery to generate a flame, which cuts harmful butane out of the picture.
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5. Stasher Bag Bundle, $36

Someone who's always on the go will get a lot of use out of a set of reusable silicone bags that reduce plastic waste.
"We're big fans of making sure that when you go out on your hike or your
camping excursion
, you're safe and well-fed," Wittig says. "We really like our Stasher bags; they're really useful for bringing your own snacks in."
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6. Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler, $26

This
reusable bottle
is built for coming along on all of life's biggest adventures. It has a built-in flip straw for easy sipping, a handle, and double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps drinks cold for hours.
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For the Homebodies

7. Ettitude Waffle Bathrobe, $79

A robe that's both comfy and sustainable? Wittig loves gifting Ettitude's
Waffle Bathrobe
, which is moisture-wicking, free from harmful chemicals, and hypoallergenic. Ettitude also donates a portion of every purchase to 1% for the Planet, a network of environmental partners that are working to solve the planet’s problems.
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8. Clevr x Brightly Vegan Matcha Latte Set, $40

No homebody wants to leave the house to get their favorite morning beverage from a
coffee chain
. That's why this kit is such a hit: It contains both Clevr's buzzy matcha latte powder and Brightly's reusable ceramic travel mug.
"It seems like a milk-based treat that you'd get if you went to like a Starbucks or another
coffee establishment
, but it's actually vegan," Wittig says. "It's really tasty. You can actually froth it up."
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9. Kindthing Bamboo Pajamas, Prices Vary

Pajamas are the ultimate homebody gift, and
Kindthing
makes eco-friendly options for babies, children, and adults from modal fabric.
"When I had my baby about a year ago, I got sucked into the world of bamboo baby pajamas," Wittig says. Modal is a skin-safe material that's even gentle enough for little ones with skin conditions like eczema.
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For the Clean Beauty Buffs

10. Reusable Bamboo Charcoal Makeup Remover Pads, $24

These reusable makeup remover pads help reduce waste in the bathroom. They're made from OEKO-TEX certified bamboo velour and even have a special pointed tip for easy makeup removal.
"I'm obsessed with these—we sell out of them all the time on Brightly," Wittig says. "You can throw them in the wash."
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11. Leaf Shave Plastic-Free Razor, $84

Billions of disposable razors and refill cartridges are sent to landfills
every year
. This reusable
safety razor
solves that problem. "We're all kind of going back to old-school methods of using these safety razors with replaceable blades, and they work really well," Wittig says.
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12. Kate McLeod Solid Body Moisturizer with Case, $45

There's no need for plastic lotion bottles with this
bar version
on hand. "They work so well on your skin—it's amazing. You kind of glide it over your skin and it melts in," Wittig says. "It also comes in a reusable bamboo canister."
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