Christmas is just around the corner, along with the desire to give gifts to loved ones without fuelling consumerism: here are the proposals from startups.
Christmas is almost here: city streets are beginning to fill with lights and the first decorated trees, while shop windows are starting to glow in red, green and gold, showcasing the most varied festive packaging. Some argue it's merely a way to boost retailers' sales, while others love the holiday atmosphere and welcome a little warmth during these cold winter days. Whatever your view, there are sustainable Christmas gifts that can help us make the people we love happy without burdening the environment, combining ethics and originality. From organic products to handmade items, from shared toys to responsible travel, the proposals from these ten Italian startups also allow us to support innovations aimed at making the world a better place.
For many of us, Christmas is synonymous with lavish tables. Nobody, however, wants it to become synonymous with food waste. Why not send this message by supporting a Turin-based startup born with the very goal of promoting the circular economy? The craft beers from Biova Project, produced from unsold bread, are perfect for raising a toast during the festivities. From 2019 to 2025, the company has recovered as much as 16.6 tonnes of bread, saving 11 tonnes of malt and 138 tonnes of CO₂. Among the various offerings, there is also a gluten-free beer and, for those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, a kombucha made by recovering the albedo of Sorrento Igp lemons, which is normally discarded during citrus processing. The Christmas gift sets, customisable and made with eco-friendly materials, contain six 330-millilitre beers each, but browsing the website you can also find other options.
It's the perfect gift idea for: those who love trying new flavours or are looking for an anecdote to share at the table, the fan of "pizza and TV series" evenings, the friend who has invited you to dinner. It's also an excellent idea for a corporate gift.
Speaking of lavish tables, the gift boxes from Boniviri contain products grown by small Italian farms committed to a shared journey of protecting biodiversity and enhancing local territories. Boniviri, meaning "people of value", was born from the desire of three young Sicilians – Corrado, Sergio and Alessandra – to champion the work of farmers who care about quality and sustainability, both environmental and social, helping them reduce their environmental impact and promote ethical and transparent supply chains. All packaging, including corporate sets, is plastic-free, customisable and accompanied by a message of the buyer's choice, as well as a brochure featuring recipes and stories of the growers behind the products. There are options designed for lovers of organic wine and oil, almonds (both sweet and savoury), herbal teas made from medicinal plants grown in harmony with nature, and many other options.
It's the perfect gift idea for: wine aperitivo lovers, the friend who can't wait to curl up on the sofa with a blanket and a herbal tea, friends or relatives who love to cook, your own work bestie (that is, the colleague who always has your back).
Handmade, cool and sustainable. These are the adjectives that best describe the artisan products to be found on the marketplace of Ta-daan, the first digital platform that tells the story of the art of craftsmanship in a modern key, founded in Italy by a team of young women. From rugs to tablecloths, from candles to jewellery, through to accessories and clothing, every single creation tells the story of the artisan who brought it to life. A handy Christmas gift guide is available on the website, organised according to the personality and passions of the intended recipients. The sustainability indicators make it easy to identify various types of products, such as those made with vegan or recycled materials, or those free from plastic and other synthetic ingredients. Those living in Milan can also visit the pop-up shop that will remain open at via dei Mercanti 8 until 23 December.
It's the perfect gift idea for: those who want to support a women-led business, art lovers, someone who has just moved and is looking for a unique piece of jewellery to show off or a distinctive object to decorate their home.
For the little ones, finding toys under the Christmas tree is often a cherished tradition. To fulfil their wishes without filling the house with objects destined to be forgotten, you can turn to Italy's first toy sharing service: Club dei giocattoli, created by Milvia and Alessandra, two mothers passionate about the digital world, to allow children to play in ever-new ways, consciously and without waste. By selecting the "cubotto fai da te" option, you can choose four toys to rent for one month at €29.99, then decide whether to buy them or return them. Among those available are, for example, coloured peg boards, stacking cubes and rings, toy car tracks, books, musical instruments, puzzles and board games. All returned toys are carefully checked and sanitised before being made available to users again. There is also a "cubotto a sorpresa" (surprise box) and a "cubotto delle esperte" (experts' box): the latter allows you to rent three PlanToys games and a Gribaudo book, personally selected by the Club's experts, for a period of between one and three months.
It's the right gift idea for: anyone with a son or daughter aged zero to twelve, relatives to play tombola with, or friends to spend New Year's Eve with over a board game challenge.
"Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you choose", as the saying goes. Why not use the winter holidays to start planning a day trip or getaway ahead of spring? Maldavventura, as its name suggests, is the perfect tour operator for those always in search of new adventures in nature: from trekking to cycling excursions, to on the road trips across Europe and beyond, there are countless options designed for those who want to recharge with a weekend in the open air, off the beaten tourist track. You can choose between guided or self-guided tours, and there are also more extreme alternatives requiring excellent fitness, for those seeking pure adrenaline. Taking part also means joining a community of people eager to "grow richer with every step or pedal stroke", to use the words of Maldavventura founder Giuseppe Gaimari.
It's the right gift idea for: the cyclist, the hiking enthusiast, anyone living in a big city who longs to spend time surrounded by nature; the friend or colleague who works too hard; anyone who needs to rebuild self-confidence by accomplishing something remarkable.
For those who prefer calm to adrenaline, there is an option designed to immerse yourself completely in nature and disconnect from the rest of the world, rediscovering peace and serenity while enjoying simplicity and tranquillity – "the true luxury of our times", according to the founders of Friland. The Friulian startup works with landowners in unspoilt locations to offer stays in mobile mini homes, made of wood and fully self-sufficient: they run entirely on solar energy, eliminate land consumption and guarantee a 65 per cent reduction in water use. The goal is to travel in a way that respects the planet, admiring its beauty without leaving a trace. You can choose from captivating destinations in Friuli, Tuscany and Veneto, filter for animal-friendly options, and also purchase gift cards — one of which supports the association "Io non ho paura del lupo", committed to wolf conservation in Italy.
It's the right gift idea for: those who love hiking (even with their four-legged friends), anyone looking for an authentic experience, those who need a period of digital detox or want to try forest bathing. It is also a romantic gift idea to share with your partner.
After returning from a trip, it's lovely to settle back into the comfort of home. The Radoff devices for monitoring indoor air quality are designed to make your own home even more comfortable and to breathe clean air every day – not just when you're up in the mountains. They allow you to monitor levels of fine particulate matter, radon and carbon dioxide, as well as parameters such as temperature and humidity. There are also solutions designed to automatically purify indoor environments, eliminating the main pollutants. They are easily set up via the Radoff smartphone app and will delight anyone who loves tech innovations with a positive impact on health. "Take a deep breath and freely enjoy everything that makes you feel good": that is the motto of the startup, born in a small village in Sardinia and grown to the point of establishing itself in Emilia-Romagna, where the devices are developed. Perfect as a gift heading into the new year, with the wish to fully savour everything it has to offer.
It's the perfect gift for: city dwellers, remote workers, people who have recently bought a home or who run a venue or small business; the friend who loves tech gifts, or the relative you want to impress with a green-minded innovation.
