Many of us have had our lives turned upside down by the pandemic. For anyone looking to support a good cause while they shop, here is my wish list of ethical Christmas gifts.
Ethical Christmas Gifts
- Eco friendly perfume. Prosody London is undoubtedly the most eco conscious of perfumeries I’ve ever come across. The British made perfumes are vegan, cruelty free and ultra eco friendly, using only sustainable wood, processes that protect natural water supplies and 90% organic ingredients. With a range of luxurious scents it’s no wonder the brand has a cult following. Their travel set 10ml sprays bottles are handy on a flight and a great way to discover the collection. Prosody London Travel Set, £110 GBP.
- Jewelry supporting war torn communities. Ishkar is part marketplace, part storytelling project. Helping jewelers, weavers and artists in war-torn countries connect to the international market, it features some of the most beautiful jewelry, homeware and textile gifts on earth. Each piece is lovingly listed with its own story, including the heroic journey behind the artisans themselves. Their gorgeous Zohak necklace includes a supplementary donation to the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, an organisation which supports Afghan artisans with training and business support. Zohak necklace – Lapis, £185 GBP.
- Soap for trees. Every time you spend £10 or more at Little Danube, they’ll plant a tree for you. The natural, vegan soap company founder is a fellow Expater and each bar is a fragrant memory of her adventures abroad. I’ve stocked up on their non scented Kiliya bar which doubles up as a facial wash, as well as their Galati which is effective against germs, but won’t dry out hands. Galati antimicrobial soap, £6 GBP littledanube.co.uk
- A yoga mat supporting survivors of human trafficking & sex slavery. CorkYogis mats are made with sustainable cork and recycled rubber to offer incredible grip. Cork is natural antimicrobial material, making these mats perfect for the sweatiest of yoga, pilates or other home exercise routine. 10% of all proceeds are donated to the Destiny Reflection, an organisation that supports survivors of human trafficking and sex slavery. Classic Cork Yoga Mat, £65 GBP.
- A gift box supporting brain cancer patients. After sisters Lucy, Anna and Sophie found their mother diagnosed with a brain tumour, they became acutely aware that we all love a hug, but sometimes we can’t always be there to deliver it in person. From here Box of Hugs was born. They offer a range of elegant, ready made and build your own gift boxes, for all types of occasions. My favourite is the Little Box of Calm of which £5.00 goes to The Brain Tumour Charity. Little Box of Calm, £39.99 GBP.
- A fair trade food hamper. Social Stories Club source high end products, each with a unique story of social impact. Each biodegradable box or reusable hamper includes treats which empower artists with disabilities, reduce landfill waste or provide education for young girls. UK delivery is free, and gift boxes are shipped globally. Vegan Treats Gift Hamper, £61 GBP.
- Baby clothes supporting orphans. From Babies With Love stock beautiful Christmas gifts for babies, children and their parents, including luxury candles, fairtrade organic chocolate and organic cotton babywear. All profits from their unique, ethically sourced gifts go to orphaned and abandoned children around the world. UK delivery is free on orders over £40.00 and international shipping is available. Duck organic baby grow gift set, £56.70 GBP.
- Toys which help the environment. Green Toys are BPA free, made entirely from recycled plastic in California, and boxed in recycled packaging too. Every pound (half a kilo) of recycled milk jugs used to create a Green Toys product saves enough energy to power 3,000 AAA batteries, a TV for three weeks, or a laptop computer for one month. While they might seem expensive, the plastic is a lot sturdier than that of most toys – my kids’ sand play set (bought five years ago) is still going strong. They ship to the US, UK & within Europe only. Sand Play Set, £16.49GBP
- Flowers supporting small businesses. In the US, Urban Stems florists work directly with Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms and invest in the people who work there. They offer next day delivery in the US (and same delivery in NYC & DC). Meanwhile in the UK, The Flower Shops is a family run British business providing a platform for independent florists. With same day delivery, they make a great option for a last minute gift to anyone living in the UK. The Flower Shops Hatbox of flowers, £33.99.
- Books which support local book shops. Bookshop is an online bookshop supporting local, independent book shops in the UK. 75% of their profit goes to book stores, publications and authors. So far Bookshop is only available in the UK & US, but fingers crossed Europe will follow soon.
For more ideas, check out my 10 thoughtful gifts for cheering someone up during lockdown.
