The 4 best sustainable gifts to give your friends and family over the holidays

• When it comes to holiday shopping, it's always good to think responsibly.
• From vouchers to homemade hampers and Lego flowers, sustainable gift options are unlimited.
• Business Insider has rounded up the best gift ideas that won't hurt the planet this festive season.

Shopping for holiday gifts can be stressful, especially if you're trying to be environmentally responsible with your choices.

But it doesn't have to be. Whether you're looking for a Secret Santa exchange or something special for a loved one, there are plenty of presents that won't hurt the planet. Here are some of Business Insider's favorite sustainable gift ideas.

Gift cards

Some family members can be more difficult to shop for, either because they aren't materialistic or perhaps they're very particular.

That's where gift cards can come in handy, and it's even better if you can find one for a sustainable experience rather than a product. Many websites including Virgin Experiences offer sustainable experience gifts, such as eco sailing tours or sustainable wine tours.

If you want to DIY it, consider making your own gift card for a homemade three-course meal using locally and responsibly sourced ingredients.

Thrift store finds

My partner and I have a shopping tradition that we follow every time we visit somewhere new. We usually go to a local market, set a budget, and go our separate ways in a bid to surprise one another with a gift or souvenir.

This is something you could easily adapt for a more sustainable approach. Instead of buying your partner or BFF a brand new gift, take them to your local thrift store or an eco-friendly market and buy one another a present using a shared budget. You can't go wrong with a second-hand scarf, a wooly hat, a book, or a board game.

Ethical flowers

It's tempting to send flowers to loved ones over the holidays, especially if you can't be there in person to celebrate with them.

But consider choosing a florist that is carbon neutral, such as Flowerbx, or opt for a company that forgoes or reduces plastic packaging.

Alternatively, if you want to change things up, you could gift a bouquet of Lego flowers. The company is committed to using renewable materials, and in 2018 it began making floral- and plant-themed Lego products using bio-polyethylene, a plant-based plastic made from ethically-sourced Brazilian sugarcane.

The sugarcane is recognized by the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard for responsible sourcing and trading, the Lego website states.

Homemade gift basket

Holiday baskets are a classic gift, especially during the festive season. But have you thought about creating a hamper filled with homemade gifts rather than store-bought products?

If you're crafty, you could make some gifts from scratch using sustainability blogs for inspiration. For example, Going Zero Waste suggests making a homemade body scrub using natural ingredients such as sugar, unrefined raw honey, lemon, and almond oil.

You could also include some baked goods, such as homemade Christmas cookies, or you could make your own chocolate treats using a mold. Make sure to wrap the goods in recycled paper or a reusable container.