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As an ocean lover, I am always on the lookout for great gifts, and this year I’ve got you covered. I always struggle finding presents for my friends and family – as an eco-minded person, I don’t like over-consumption and want to make sure my presents are personal and are not going to harm the planet – and I so I appreciate a good hand-picked list to draw inspiration from. With that in mind, I’ve done the research here so that you don’t have to, and I have put together this list of gift ideas for your ocean-dwelling friends.
Silver
Whale Tail
Necklace
I have a bit of a soft spot for nature-themed jewelry, and with so much out there it’s easy to find some to suit any taste – have a look around to find something your friends might like. Hemp is a super sustainable material, and this necklace is handmade in Harrisville, PA. By buying products like this, you support small businesses and make your presents far more meaningful. And even better, Etsy offsets the carbon emissions from delivery and packaging on this purchase!
Ocean
Themed
Socks
I have a bit of a soft spot for nature-Stylish, snug, and sustainable – what more do you need? These funky socks are made from cotton and recycled polyester, meaning they’re super soft and warm. Plus, they’re covered in manta rays! These socks not only shout “ocean lover” but they’re a fun, quirky gift that’ll definitely bring a smile to any sea enthusiast’s face.
Biodegradable
Phone
Case
If your friends are anything like me, they constantly drop their phones while outside having adventures. Unfortunately, phone cases are often made of plastic and therefore don’t break down at the end of their life. This case from Etsy is made from wheat straw and is 100% biodegradable. It also has anti-shock protection and a scratch-free finish to stop your friend’s phones from getting damaged while out and about. They are made in the UK but offer free international shipping.
Rackham
Aero 11′ Inflatable
Paddle Board
Paddle-boarding is one of the best ways to experience the water – it is peaceful, calming, and relatively non-intrusive to see the wildlife around you. This 11’ inflatable board is perfect for a beginner, as it is stable, light, and more packable than some others on the market. Perfect for a fun day out, an expedition down the river or just to have some time on the water!
Pendleton
Jacquard Tween
Hooded Towel
I always struggle with wild swimming in the winter – I hate getting out of the cold water and peeling off my wetsuit to be exposed to the cold air! Any ocean lover is bound to spend lots of time outside in the cold, so an easy way to get warm is vital. This cozy-looking towel robe is perfect for drying off after those chilly dips and is available in a range of colors and patterns. Your friends will thank you for keeping them warm!
Wetsuit
Bootyhook
Hanger
Sometimes, the sea can be very, very cold – and as someone who spends a lot of time in the water (and occasionally gets mild hypothermia…), I know that a good wetsuit is a necessity. As are wetsuit boots and gloves, because it’s easy to forget about how cold your hands and feet can get! This hanger provides an easy way to ‘hang’ wetsuit boots so that they dry quickly and cleanly, perfect for those camping trips where your friends might not always have a practical way to dry things.
Surf
Travel
Pack
If your friends are anything like me, they constantly drop their phones If your friends are keen surfers, they know the pain of constantly losing all their accessories in the back of the car. This kit is handmade in Australia (so they know what they’re talking about!) and made from responsibly sourced recycled materials. It provides a handy portable storage option for fins, sunscreen, wax, wax combs, keys and much more: and it all fastens and rolls up into a small pouch.
Patagonia
Plastic-free
travel cutlery
We all know the ocean is filled with plastic, and we can all do our bit in trying to reduce it. I find it so frustrating when I grab food on the go and end up accidentally using single-use plastic cutlery, so I have invested in a travel set that I can keep in my bag. This bamboo utensil set is a great present idea for your earth-conscious friends!
Pelican
Dayventure
Tumbler
This mug from Pelican is heavy duty so it will last a long time and will keep hot things hot and cold things cold for many hours. It has a leak-proof lid so it can be carried in a bag for the morning commute and can even be attached to a rucksack. Just make sure your friends don’t already have one – I’ve lost track of the number of mugs people have given me over the years!
Mermaid
Tail
Blanket
My friend got me one of these a few years ago, and I love it – it’s so warm and snug, and let’s face it, we all love pretending to be a mermaid. This one is handmade in Dallas and is available in lots of different colors and sizes so you can find the perfect blanket for your pals!
Ocean
Scent
Candle
We all love the smell of the ocean, right? Now your friend’s home can smell just like it! The essential oils combine the base smell of woody oakmoss with melon, a trace of violet and aromas of fresh citrus to create an aquatic scent that reminds you of the sea. This candle is handmade in North Carolina and is made of soy rather than paraffin, which is biodegradable and burns very cleanly, reducing the amount of harmful chemicals in the air.
Whale
Plant
Pot
Plants are a great way to lighten up a room – more oxygen, more greenery, and they’re generally nice to look at. So why not buy your friend a new plant and put it in one of these whale-shaped plant pots? Handmade from concrete in North Carolina, each piece is made to order so is completely unique! This charming pot adds a playful, oceanic touch to any living space, making it a delightful gift for your green-thumbed, ocean-loving friends.
Kids Nature
Explorers
Kit
A gift like this is perfect for your friends and family that have young children. It’s so important for kids to be connected to nature from a young age – and this kit will do just that! Handmade in North Carolina, it comes with a set of nature mindfulness cards to connect children to the magic of nature, a journal and twig-pencils for them to record their findings, a wooden compass and magnifying glass to investigate the world, and stickers to make the journals more fun.
Gifts Not to be Overlooked
Donate to a charity
Some people think this is a bit of a cop-out, but I love when my friends donate to a charity or adopt an animal in my name. It’s much more personal and actually makes a difference – and let’s face it, I don’t need more stuff! There are loads of great marine conservation charities to choose from, such as the Marine Conservation Society, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Oceana, PADI AWARE, and The Ocean Conservancy, so go and have a look if any of them work on projects a friend of yours would like to support. Keep an eye out for smaller, local charities as well, as these are the ones that really need your help!
Tickets to a local aquarium
If your friends and family enjoy visiting local aquariums, why not get them a ticket or an annual pass? There are loads of great organizations doing great work – just make sure they are focused on conservation and not exploiting the animals in their care!
Tickets to a museum
Share the gift of knowledge with your loved ones and get them tickets or annual membership to a local natural history museum. They can learn more about the ocean and the life it holds, while having a lovely day out with friends and family!
So, there you have it! These ocean-loving gifts are not just cool, they’ll help you explore. This list should take the stress out of finding that perfect present and make gift-giving fun again. Hope it helps you surprise your beachy pals while also giving a high five to Mother Nature.
