2025 Giving Good Gift Guide: The Dr. Casey Edit. 22 Sustainable Gifts for the Active, Socially-Conscious & Science-Minded
2025 Giving Good Gift Guide: The Dr. Casey Edit. 22 Sustainable Gifts for the Active, Socially-Conscious & Science-Minded
Our Chief Dental Officer Dr. Casey Lau, DDS, shares the gear that survives his life as a dentist, snowboarder, and dad—without trashing the planet.
Finding the perfect gift is usually a battle between "eco-friendly" and "actually works." As a dentist, I don’t believe in compromises. I always look for products that are backed by science, designed to last a lifetime, and responsibly made. And these days, it feels especially important to me to buy from small businesses.
After careful thought, here is my list! From the slopes to the dental clinic to the chaos of raising three kids, these are the sustainable tools and responsible brands I personally use, trust, and am gifting this year (and some that are on my personal wish list! *Hint hint to any of my family members who say they don't know what to get me!*)
What do you think of my recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy holidays!
-Dr. Casey Lau, DDS
ELIMS Chief Dentist & Co-Founder
The Oral Care Essentials
As a dentist, these are what I'm gifting as a foundation for a sustainable oral care routine.
1. Elims Holiday Bundle (The Ritual Starter Set)
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "This is the intersection of clinical efficacy and sustainable design. The bundle includes our Reflection toothpaste (reminerializes enamel) and Magic Melt-Away Masks and premium bamboo brushes, offering a complete oral care upgrade without the plastic waste." Shop Now
2. Elims Bamboo Brush Heads (Sonicare Compatible)
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "I love my Sonicare toothbrush, and if you are like me, you’re tossing those brush heads every 3-4 months. These sustainable bamboo heads give you that sonic clean we dentists love, but with significantly less plastic going into the landfill." Shop Now
For The High-Performance Traveler
Gear that handles airports, trailheads, and everything in between.
3. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack (Del Día Edition)
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "This is the ultimate 'one-bag travel' piece that opens like a suitcase but carries like a backpack. The 'Del Día' line is made from 100% repurposed fabric remnants, meaning no two bags are alike and fabric is saved from the landfill." Shop Now
4. Patagonia Black Hole® Duffel 55L
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The gold standard for durability. It’s made from 100% recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing, and it’s tough enough to handle all my snowboard gear or a family weekend trip." Shop Now
5. Arc'teryx Atom Hoody
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The most versatile jacket on earth—I wear it under a shell snowboarding or over scrubs. It’s now Fair Trade Certified™ and uses dope-dyed fabric, which requires significantly less water and energy to produce." Shop Now
6. Peak Design Tech Pouch
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "As someone who loves obsessive organization, this keeps my cables and drives in perfect origami-style pockets. Plus, the exterior is weather-proof and made from 100% recycled nylon canvas." Shop Now
7. Grayl UltraPress® Purifier Bottle
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "For the serious adventurer, this filters viruses and bacteria in seconds so you can drink from a hotel tap or a stream. It completely eliminates the need to buy single-use plastic water bottles while traveling." Shop Now
8. Nimble CHAMP Portable Charger
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "A tech essential that doesn't create new plastic waste. It’s small, powerful enough to fast-charge devices during long clinic days, and housed in 72.5% certified recycled plastic." Shop Now
Wellness, Recovery, & The "Dentist Life"
Science-backed tools to recover from work and workouts.
9. Oura Ring
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The ultimate health tracker for active parents because it focuses heavily on sleep and recovery scores. It’s made of titanium—a material we dentists love for its durability and biocompatibility." Shop Now
10. Lifepro Legra Hand Massager
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "Dentistry is incredibly demanding on the hands and wrists. This heated massager is a lifesaver for healthcare workers, climbers, or anyone with arthritis who needs daily relief." Shop Now
11. Therabody Theragun Mini
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The pocket-sized version of the famous percussive therapy device. I pack this for all of my snowboarding trips for immediate muscle recovery and I use it regularly at home a long day hunched over patients." Shop Now
12. Allbirds Wool Dwellers (Slippers)
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "After a day in running around my dental office or snowboarding, these are essential. They use ZQ Merino wool (highest animal welfare standards) and a midsole made from SweetFoam®, derived from sugarcane. These are so comfy, my teenage son tries to steal them from me!" Shop Now
The Sustainable Smart Home
Practical, high-design items that reduce waste.
13. FoodCycler Eco 3
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "With 3 kids, we cook A LOT and also create a lot of food waste, unfortunately. When we started composting, we practically had no trash! This odorless indoor device grinds and dries food scraps into fertilizer overnight. It massively reduces our household waste footprint without the mess of traditional composting." Shop Now
14. Birdfy Smart Feeder with Solar Panel
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "A great way to get the kids interested in nature and biology right in the backyard. The AI identifies bird species, and the solar panel keeps it running with clean energy." Shop Now
15. Aerogarden Sprout
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "I'm hoping someone tells my wife this is at the top of my wish list this year because I love cooking with fresh herbs year-round (without the plastic clam-shell packaging from the grocery store). Plus, it uses energy-efficient LED lights to grow plants faster and cleaner." Shop Now
16. Fellow Carter Move Mug
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "This is the only travel mug that actually fits in my car cup holder and doesn't spill. The ceramic interior preserves the true taste of the coffee—science wins again." Shop Now
17. Blueland Holiday Hand Soap Duo
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "Blueland uses the same 'tablet' form factor innovation that we love in oral care. You buy the glass bottle once and refill it with dissolvable tablets, eliminating single-use plastic." Shop Now
18. Stasher Bags
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The practical, platinum silicone alternative to Ziplocs. They are dishwasher safe, endlessly reusable, and perfect for packing kids' snacks or organizing loose items." Shop Now
19. Coyuchi Air Weight® Organic Towels
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "If you’re gifting home goods, quality matters. These are GOTS-certified organic cotton and designed to dry quickly, which means less time in the dryer and less energy usage. Plus, these towels are super cozy!" Shop Now
Stocking Stuffers & Family Favorites
Small gifts with big impact.
20. Tony’s Chocolonely 'All I Want for Christmas' Bar
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "This is my oldest son and niece's favorite chocolate. Plus, I love that Tony's fights inequality with fully traceable, slave-free beans—even the bar's uneven pieces are designed to symbolize the unfair distribution of wealth in the industry. Bonus: the pretzel-toffee crunch is unbeatable." Shop Now
21. Pela Phone Case
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The world’s first compostable phone case. It provides great protection for my phone but won’t sit in a landfill for 500 years when I eventually upgrade." Shop Now
22. Burt’s Bees Organic Family Pajamas
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "A holiday classic for our family of five. They are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, so they are soft on the kids' skin and free from harsh chemical dyes." Shop Now
Well, that's it! My top gifts for everyone in my life. I hope you enjoyed this list and have a wonderful holiday season!
-Dr. Casey Lau, DDS
ELIMS Chief Dentist & Co-Founder
2025 Giving Good Gift Guide: The Dr. Casey Edit. 22 Sustainable Gifts for the Active, Socially-Conscious & Science-Minded
Our Chief Dental Officer Dr. Casey Lau, DDS, shares the gear that survives his life as a dentist, snowboarder, and dad—without trashing the planet.
Finding the perfect gift is usually a battle between "eco-friendly" and "actually works." As a dentist, I don’t believe in compromises. I always look for products that are backed by science, designed to last a lifetime, and responsibly made. And these days, it feels especially important to me to buy from small businesses.
After careful thought, here is my list! From the slopes to the dental clinic to the chaos of raising three kids, these are the sustainable tools and responsible brands I personally use, trust, and am gifting this year (and some that are on my personal wish list! *Hint hint to any of my family members who say they don't know what to get me!*)
What do you think of my recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy holidays!
-Dr. Casey Lau, DDS
ELIMS Chief Dentist & Co-Founder
The Oral Care Essentials
As a dentist, these are what I'm gifting as a foundation for a sustainable oral care routine.
1. Elims Holiday Bundle (The Ritual Starter Set)
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "This is the intersection of clinical efficacy and sustainable design. The bundle includes our Reflection toothpaste (reminerializes enamel) and Magic Melt-Away Masks and premium bamboo brushes, offering a complete oral care upgrade without the plastic waste." Shop Now
2. Elims Bamboo Brush Heads (Sonicare Compatible)
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "I love my Sonicare toothbrush, and if you are like me, you’re tossing those brush heads every 3-4 months. These sustainable bamboo heads give you that sonic clean we dentists love, but with significantly less plastic going into the landfill." Shop Now
For The High-Performance Traveler
Gear that handles airports, trailheads, and everything in between.
3. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack (Del Día Edition)
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "This is the ultimate 'one-bag travel' piece that opens like a suitcase but carries like a backpack. The 'Del Día' line is made from 100% repurposed fabric remnants, meaning no two bags are alike and fabric is saved from the landfill." Shop Now
4. Patagonia Black Hole® Duffel 55L
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The gold standard for durability. It’s made from 100% recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing, and it’s tough enough to handle all my snowboard gear or a family weekend trip." Shop Now
5. Arc'teryx Atom Hoody
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The most versatile jacket on earth—I wear it under a shell snowboarding or over scrubs. It’s now Fair Trade Certified™ and uses dope-dyed fabric, which requires significantly less water and energy to produce." Shop Now
6. Peak Design Tech Pouch
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "As someone who loves obsessive organization, this keeps my cables and drives in perfect origami-style pockets. Plus, the exterior is weather-proof and made from 100% recycled nylon canvas." Shop Now
7. Grayl UltraPress® Purifier Bottle
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "For the serious adventurer, this filters viruses and bacteria in seconds so you can drink from a hotel tap or a stream. It completely eliminates the need to buy single-use plastic water bottles while traveling." Shop Now
8. Nimble CHAMP Portable Charger
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "A tech essential that doesn't create new plastic waste. It’s small, powerful enough to fast-charge devices during long clinic days, and housed in 72.5% certified recycled plastic." Shop Now
Wellness, Recovery, & The "Dentist Life"
Science-backed tools to recover from work and workouts.
9. Oura Ring
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The ultimate health tracker for active parents because it focuses heavily on sleep and recovery scores. It’s made of titanium—a material we dentists love for its durability and biocompatibility." Shop Now
10. Lifepro Legra Hand Massager
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "Dentistry is incredibly demanding on the hands and wrists. This heated massager is a lifesaver for healthcare workers, climbers, or anyone with arthritis who needs daily relief." Shop Now
11. Therabody Theragun Mini
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The pocket-sized version of the famous percussive therapy device. I pack this for all of my snowboarding trips for immediate muscle recovery and I use it regularly at home a long day hunched over patients." Shop Now
12. Allbirds Wool Dwellers (Slippers)
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "After a day in running around my dental office or snowboarding, these are essential. They use ZQ Merino wool (highest animal welfare standards) and a midsole made from SweetFoam®, derived from sugarcane. These are so comfy, my teenage son tries to steal them from me!" Shop Now
The Sustainable Smart Home
Practical, high-design items that reduce waste.
13. FoodCycler Eco 3
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "With 3 kids, we cook A LOT and also create a lot of food waste, unfortunately. When we started composting, we practically had no trash! This odorless indoor device grinds and dries food scraps into fertilizer overnight. It massively reduces our household waste footprint without the mess of traditional composting." Shop Now
14. Birdfy Smart Feeder with Solar Panel
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "A great way to get the kids interested in nature and biology right in the backyard. The AI identifies bird species, and the solar panel keeps it running with clean energy." Shop Now
15. Aerogarden Sprout
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "I'm hoping someone tells my wife this is at the top of my wish list this year because I love cooking with fresh herbs year-round (without the plastic clam-shell packaging from the grocery store). Plus, it uses energy-efficient LED lights to grow plants faster and cleaner." Shop Now
16. Fellow Carter Move Mug
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "This is the only travel mug that actually fits in my car cup holder and doesn't spill. The ceramic interior preserves the true taste of the coffee—science wins again." Shop Now
17. Blueland Holiday Hand Soap Duo
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "Blueland uses the same 'tablet' form factor innovation that we love in oral care. You buy the glass bottle once and refill it with dissolvable tablets, eliminating single-use plastic." Shop Now
18. Stasher Bags
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The practical, platinum silicone alternative to Ziplocs. They are dishwasher safe, endlessly reusable, and perfect for packing kids' snacks or organizing loose items." Shop Now
19. Coyuchi Air Weight® Organic Towels
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "If you’re gifting home goods, quality matters. These are GOTS-certified organic cotton and designed to dry quickly, which means less time in the dryer and less energy usage. Plus, these towels are super cozy!" Shop Now
Stocking Stuffers & Family Favorites
Small gifts with big impact.
20. Tony’s Chocolonely 'All I Want for Christmas' Bar
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "This is my oldest son and niece's favorite chocolate. Plus, I love that Tony's fights inequality with fully traceable, slave-free beans—even the bar's uneven pieces are designed to symbolize the unfair distribution of wealth in the industry. Bonus: the pretzel-toffee crunch is unbeatable." Shop Now
21. Pela Phone Case
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "The world’s first compostable phone case. It provides great protection for my phone but won’t sit in a landfill for 500 years when I eventually upgrade." Shop Now
22. Burt’s Bees Organic Family Pajamas
Why Dr. Casey Recommends It: "A holiday classic for our family of five. They are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, so they are soft on the kids' skin and free from harsh chemical dyes." Shop Now
Well, that's it! My top gifts for everyone in my life. I hope you enjoyed this list and have a wonderful holiday season!
-Dr. Casey Lau, DDS
ELIMS Chief Dentist & Co-Founder