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Our October Product Drop Is Here! These 8 Items Are Perfect for Holiday Gifts

You'll be able to find something for everyone on your holiday list!

Written by
Briana Dodson
Published

We're saying it, and industry experts are saying it (just turn on the news): Shopping this holiday season is going to be even more unpredictable than ever before.

"If you want more certainty, it makes sense to shop early and support brands that share your values," says Laura Wittig, co-founder and CEO of Brightly and the Brightly Shop. "Rather than waiting until the last minute and having to buy a product that doesn't necessarily meet all of those criteria for you, we highly recommend doing it early, even if you don't want to."

This is why we're already talking about holiday shopping—and offering eco-friendly holiday gift kits in our October Product Drop, which is now available until October 10th. And in the latest episode of Good Together, Laura and Liza spotlight some sustainable products we can’t wait for you to discover this month.

Below, you'll find uniquely planet-positive options, as well as learn why this year's holiday shopping season will be a little different than years past.

Why Holiday Shopping Is Different this Year

One of the reasons why it's incredibly important to talk about shopping early this year is because of how much COVID has impacted the way we shop, and the global supply chain.

"The supply chain in America today is being stretched to the breaking point," Tyler Harris, vice president of distribution for Komar Brands, tells Brightly. "Goods are running late. Items will be shipped to the store at the last minute, and both retailers and wholesalers will be working to expedite goods however they can."

According to Harris, there are many reasons behind the supply chain issues, including people overspending, a lack of workers, and a record number of containers passing through the ports. Companies such as FedEx and UPS also have fewer people delivering your packages, so shipping time has seen a tremendous impact.

That's why thinking about shopping early will be better for you and the planet. Here are a few of our favorite holiday picks. You're sure to find something for everyone on your list!

8 Eco-Friendly Products Perfect for the Holidays

Why Laura Loves It: "Liza and I are chefs in the kitchen. We use Food Huggers, and we use the heck out of our Burlap & Barrel spices because they taste amazing. I made a dinner for somebody once and they loved it because the quality is so good."

This set includes:

  • Brightly Exclusive apron from Reluctant Threads (made with 100% cotton by artisans in India)
  • 3-pack of Food Huggers
  • Burlap & Barrel Spice Trio (Ground Black Lime, Smoked Pimentón Paprika, and Silk Chile Flakes)

Why Laura Loves It: "The idea behind this was somebody that's on the go that wants to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. I designed the bag that's included to have a really nice reusable, washable liner because it's good for all of those messes. There's also a bunch of pockets, and you can fit a ton of stuff in that bag."

This set includes:

  • Brightly x K'arst Exclusive Pocket Journal
  • Kennebecker Messenger Bag
  • Stasher Go Bag
  • Planet-Friendly Stickers

Why Liza Loves It: "Plaine has refillable shampoos, conditioners, and body wash. And something I use a lot when I'm traveling is an eye mask. Ettitude makes eco-friendly bedding out of bamboo, and they also have cute sleep masks for when you're traveling and trying to fall asleep on the plane."

This set includes:

  • Upcycled Cosmetics Bag
  • Plaine Products TSA-Approved Travel Set
  • Plaine Products Travel-Sized Hand Sanitizer
  • Ethique Plastic-Free Lip Balm
  • Ettitude Bamboo Eye Mask

Why Liza Loves It: "We're finally able to offer a Brightly exclusive hoodie! We have two colors—a very nice pink and sage green. It's Fair Trade and made with organic cotton. I've talked about it so many times, but one of the coolest things about this hoodie is that it includes the name of the artisan or factory worker who has been working on your hoodie on the tag. It's amazing."

5. Artisan Throw Pillows, $50-$60

Why Laura Loves It: "We have one pillow that we designed exclusively with some artisans in India, that pillow is amazing, we have pretty limited quantities of that. So it's most likely going to sell out pretty quickly. But we've also got a few other ones made with artisans around the world, too. So I highly recommend checking those out if you're in the market for new home decor, because that's another wat you can really support artisans."

Why Laura Loves It: "I'm obsessed with these beautiful leather scrap earrings that we have. They're handmade here in the United States. They're beautiful. They come in some really fun shapes and colors."

Why Liza Loves It: "It's my go-to shopping bag for sure! It's made of those upcycled water sachets in Ghana, and it's actually really sturdy. I take it shopping with me and I've already had it for 2 to 3 years."

Why Laura Loves It: "Renewal Mill is awesome because all of their cookies are vegan—it's really hard to make a good cookie that's vegan! And the brand uses upcycled materials for the mix themselves, which is preventing food waste."