Your holiday shopping guide for safe, non-toxic gifts

For the next top chef: Chemical-free pans built to last

For the coffee or tea lover: Lead-free teapots and mugs

For a cozy holiday home: Non-toxic candles

For the emerging artist: Fun, fabulous, and safe craft supplies

For the future engineer: Better building blocks

For the baby: Satisfying teether toys, minus the harmful chemicals

For imaginative play: Pvc-free dolls and stuffed animals

1 of 10

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 identify hidden health hazards associated with popular product categories—plus how to find affordable, non-toxic gifts for everyone on your list.

Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Per- ... + 25

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.

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.

Recommended for you