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Your holiday shopping guide for safe, non-toxic gifts

Find fun, affordable gifts—minus the hidden chemicals that could put loved ones’ health at risk.

Updated on December 14, 2023

A happy family purchasing non-toxic gifts at a street vendor
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In the rush of the holiday season, finding the perfect gift for friends and loved ones is often a challenge. To get your holiday shopping done fast, it can be tempting to grab the first items you see on the shelves or online. The fact is, though, certain go-to gifts can come with surprising health risks, depending on their quality and materials.

Here’s how to identifyShow More

A cast-iron filled with roasted potatoes and rosemary
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For the next top chef: Chemical-free pans built to last

Kitchen gift sets are everywhere this time of year. Just remember to look deeper than the packaging when making your selection. It’s helpful to know what the product is made from, rather than just the ingredients it’s “free from,” says Kristie Trousdale, MPH, Deputy Director of the Children’sShow More

Lidded jars filled with homemade pickled vegetables
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For the foodie: Smart kitchen storage

Busy households tend to accumulate heaps of plastic storage containers. This isn’t just a source of clutter—plastic may contain harmful chemicals that can enter your food.

Many plastic containers are made using bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA. The chemical is also found in items such as food canShow More

A collection of ceramic bowls and cups near a window
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For the coffee or tea lover: Lead-free teapots and mugs

The pleasure of curling up with a cozy cup of cocoa or pot of tea can make handmade pottery feel like the perfect gift. Just be sure to shop ceramics with caution—especially antiques, imported goods, or items from flea markets and street vendors.

“If you spot a beautiful handmade mug at a gift fairShow More

A woman fine detailing a handmade candle
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For a cozy holiday home: Non-toxic candles

Candles might offer a warm holiday glow but they are a source of smoke and potentially harmful chemicals. Fragrance chemicals in particular can worsen health conditions like asthma and allergies. Regardless of your sensitivity to fragrances, burning candles can release fine particles that reduceShow More

Preschool children making Christmas cards and gifts
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For the emerging artist: Fun, fabulous, and safe craft supplies

If you’ve ever watched a young artist at work, you know the chances of paint-stained skin and the stray taste of glue can be high. It’s best to prepare for the chaos in advance and keep harmful chemicals out of playtime.

The swap: When it comes to art gifts for kids, you can still buy fun supplies,Show More

A preschool-aged girl playing with wooden toys and puzzles
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For the future engineer: Better building blocks

There are thousands of building toys on the market, from magnetic blocks to plastic sets to wooden logs. The sheer variety of products can mean more room for hidden health risks. Blocks are made and sold across many countries, each with different safety standards. Even in the United States, toyShow More

A six-month old baby teething on a rubber ring
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For the baby: Satisfying teether toys, minus the harmful chemicals

A teething toy can be a thoughtful gift for babies (and parents), offering entertainment and relief from pain. “Teethers are a lifesaver,” says Trousdale. “But you want to avoid plastic teethers made from materials like vinyl or PVC plastic, which contain phthalates.”

Phthalates are a group ofShow More

A young boy hugging his teddy bear near a window
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For imaginative play: PVC-free dolls and stuffed animals

Dolls and stuffies are a staple of holiday gift-giving. But these simple, iconic toys can come with hidden risks, depending on their materials. “Dolls may be made with PVC, materials that contain phthalates, or other substances that children should not put in their mouths,” explains Trousdale.

PVCShow More

A young woman browsing incense in a shopping mall
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Finding the right balance

It can be tough to navigate holiday shopping while considering safety, Trousdale acknowledges. There are pros and cons for every product, and that’s where you have to weigh your priorities as the gift-giver. If you’re buying for kids, there are a few things to think about, she advises: “Is itShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Content current as of: May 31, 2023.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. PFAS Explained. Last Updated On October 25, 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) Factsheet. Page last reviewed: May 2, 2022.
NRDC. “Forever Chemicals” Called PFAS Show Up in Your Food, Clothes, and Home. April 12, 2023.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS. Last Updated On June 7, 2023.
Snyder, Christa. How to Season and Maintain a Cast Iron Pan. NC State University Cooperative Extension. February 17, 2023.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Bisphenol A (BPA). Last Reviewed: August 31, 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bisphenol A (BPA) Factsheet. Page last reviewed: April 7, 2017.
Mayo Clinic. What is BPA, and what are the concerns about BPA? March 24, 2023.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in Food Contact Application. Content current as of: April 20, 2023.
NYC Health. Health Department Issues Lead Warning to New Yorkers: Avoid Using Traditional Ceramic Ware for Food and Drinks; May Contain Lead. September 28, 2021.
Fralick M, Thomspson A, Mourad O. Lead toxicity from glazed ceramic cookware. CMAJ. 2016;188(17-18):E521-E524.
Lashbrook, Angela. Why You Should Test Your Vintage or Imported Dishes for Lead ASAP. Consumer Reports. October 14, 2021.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Questions and Answers on Lead-Glazed Traditional Pottery. Content current as of: October 27, 2017.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: Safety of Imported Traditional Pottery Intended for Use with Food and the Use of the Term "Lead Free" in the Labeling of Pottery/Proper Identification of Ornamental and Decorative Ceramicware. Content current as of: September 20, 2018.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Sources of Indoor Particulate Matter (PM). Last Updated On September 25, 2023.
Andersen C, Omelekhina Y, Rasmussen BB, et al. Emissions of soot, PAHs, ultrafine particles, NOx, and other health relevant compounds from stressed burning of candles in indoor air. Indoor Air. 2021;31(6):2033-2048.
Aurisano N, Huang L, Milà I Canals L, Jolliet O, Fantke P. Chemicals of concern in plastic toys. Environ Int. 2021;146:106194.
Williams, Alan. Many second hand plastic toys could pose a risk to children’s health, study suggests. University of Plymouth. January 26, 2018.
Wang Y, Qian H. Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health. Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(5):603. Published 2021 May 18.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Biomonitoring Program. Phthalates Factsheet. Page last reviewed: April 5, 2021.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Why phthalates should be restricted or banned from consumer products. March 10, 2021.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Phthalates in Food Packaging and Food Contact Applications. Content current as of: July 21, 2023.
Asimakopoulos AG, Elangovan M, Kannan K. Migration of Parabens, Bisphenols, Benzophenone-Type UV Filters, Triclosan, and Triclocarban from Teethers and Its Implications for Infant Exposure. Environ Sci Technol. 2016;50(24):13539-13547.
State of New Jersey. Department of Human Services. Office of Prevention of Developmental Disabilities. PVC – a major source of phthalates. Accessed December 12, 2023.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Understanding Exposures in Children’s Environments. Last Updated On July 13, 2023.

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