Our ethical Christmas gift guide
For Christmas gifts that won't sit on your conscience, check out our ethical gift guide, packed with brands that care about the environment, animals, sustainability, charitable giving and people over profit
Exclusive | 4 min read
Give ethical gifts this Christmas to those you love whilst supporting mindful companies that are doing something great. From CEOs that donate profits to charity, founders taking care of the environment or getting serious on sustainability, here's our list of ethical brands with great ideas to fill stockings, place under the tree or enjoy over the festive period.
Organised by your loved ones’ interests to inspire your Christmas shopping, we hope you’ll find some goodies that are a perfect fit.
*Some items were sent to us for review. We haven’t included the ones we don’t rate
For the one who loves sustainable fashion
Origin is the UK’s first 100 percent not-for-profit sustainable fashion brand. We love the new sustainable t-shirt and stud sets (£49.50), plus their card game Super Sapiens (£25). Children and adult fashion ranges are available and Origin are offering free Christmas delivery. Allow three days for arrival, though some handmade items will take around two weeks.
Shop now at Origin Africa
We love it because…
Origin drive humanitarian projects in the communities from which its fabrics originate in Mali, Ethiopia and Gambia. These include providing remote sanitation, building a HIV specialist clinic and launching a seamstress school to provide local job opportunities.
For the impossible-to-buy-for one
Scottish Made produce quality products made from sustainable Scottish wood and stainless steel. They have a range of gifts but our favourites are the oak serving platters engraved with ducks (RRP £36) and the ‘Gin is my tonic’ engraved oak bottle openers (RRP £16). Delivery costs £4.99 or free for orders over £45, and usually takes 1-2 working days.
Shop these and more now at Just Slate
We love it because…
their materials are harvested by a local, Fife-based, not-for-profit organisation that are dedicated to ensuring the future of Scottish woodlands. Buying from them supports small, rural and sustainable companies.
For parents embracing diversity and empowerment
Beautiful Box Of You
A perfect keepsake with an important message from Philly and Friends, a brand born of a desire to see children of all races represented. We love their Beautiful Box Of You (£17.99) 35 affirmation cards to help instil confidence and empower children. The front of the cards carry sweet quotes (‘I am wonderfully me’), while the backs contain affirmations for parents or guardians to read to the child (‘you are as fierce as a lion’). They come in a lovely box so it’s a perfect gift to keep and enjoy for years to come. UK orders take 2-5 days.
We love it because… for each book sold by this brand, the company puts a free book into the hands of an underprivileged child.
Shop this and more diverse children’s books, wall art and more at Philly and Friends
For the vegan in your life
We adore this vegan cheezeboard from Ilchester, makers of the world’s best-selling cheeze advent calendar. At just £6, it includes Melting Mature Cheddar, Blue Cheez, Mexicana Vegan Spicy Cheeze and its award-winning smoky Applewood. It’s stocked in Waitrose, Asda and Sainsbury’s and is available to buy on the supermarkets’ online shopping sites.
We love it because…
all items are coconut based, fortified with vitamin B12 and calcium, taste and melt like traditional cheese. Plus, the animal-free products are not only good for our animal friends, but the environment too.
Tyne Chease
Vegan selection box
Here’s another luxurious vegan alternative for your festive spread. Each £18.95 vegan selection box has 10 mini cheases. Our favourites are Truffle, Pink Peppercorn, Ethiopian Spice and Sundried Tomato.
We love it because… it’s handmade in North East England from cashew nuts, driving down the impact on the environment by slashing its manufacturing and transportation carbon foot-print.
Shop this and more at www.tynechease.com
For the one who loves nail glam
A lovely set of three nail colours from 516 Polish, including a gel shine top coat and a nail file for £32 (and £4.10 delivery).
There are over 40 colours of varnish to choose from in these customisable gift sets.
You can also pick up single pots of normal varnish from £5, gel colours from £10 and nail care accessories from £5, UV lamps (£30) and manicure trios for £15.
We love it because… all items are PETA certified, vegan, cruelty-free and non-toxic.
The brand is also the UK’s first indie nail polish brand championing ‘swatch diversity’ which means actively creating inspiration and more visual representation for people with deeper skin tones through inclusive imagery.
Shop the range at 516 Polish
For the one who loathes paper straws
A perfect stocking filler from The Silicon Straw Co., these reusable straws are vegan, child-friendly, dishwasher-safe and come with a handy cleaning brush.
Sets of six are available in pretty packaging and varying colours including rainbow for the kids (£10), or a Family Travel Tin Set with 8 straws folded into lovely little tins for easy access (£25).
We love it because… it was created by eco-conscious mum, Charlotte Walsh, who wanted to help cut down plastic use and leave a better world for her children.
Shop now at www.thesiliconestrawcompany.co.uk
For the one who loves being pampered
Place a square or two of these Seka Candles rose and geranium wax melt bars in your normal burner over an unscented tea light to fill your home with a gorgeous, calming aroma. The brand also has a special Christmas orange and cinnamon candle - but hurry, the festive wax bar version has already sold out. Prices start from £5.99.
We love it because…
it smells delicious and is stocked on Simply Noir, a brilliantly curated online marketplace aimed at supporting Black-owned UK independent businesses. The site showcases a ton of amazing small businesses specialising in everything from homeware, to kids toys, beauty and more. The wax melts are made from soy and coconut wax, are vegan-friendly, not tested on animals and include no dyes. Plus, who doesn’t love free UK delivery?
*Shop now at Simply Noir
For the jewellery lovers
If your loved one adores sea-life, they need to know about Honu’s ocean inspired jewellery, which has a range of sea-themed necklaces, bracelets and rings. The Tiny Sea Turtle Ring in Sterling Silver (£20) is our favourite.
Free worldwide shipping for orders over £35. Allow seven working days for UK delivery, and 15 for international. You can also pay in monthly instalments using Klarna and Clearpay.
We love it because… for every Honu purchase, the company donates a portion of the proceeds to the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
Plus, these beautiful pieces are recyclable and come in plastic-free packaging.
Shop now at www.shophonu.com
For the ones interested in mental wellbeing
Written by specialist men’s health author Jim Pollard, the Men’s Health Manual (£12.99) is packed full of realistic, practical and easy-to-follow advice for men on mental and physical wellness. It focuses on recognising problems and acting on them with tips on staying active, eating well and staying well. Delivery is £2.99 with next-day dispatch.
We love it because… it’s the first men’s health book built on the foundation of mental health and wellbeing, with 25p from each copy sold going to the Men’s Health Forum charity.
We also love Forest Bathing, by Sarah Devos and Katriina Kilpi.
*Shop both now at Haynes
For eco-conscious families
These beautifully soft bamboo and cotton socks for babies (£15 for a box of 4, aged 6-12 months) can be used as hand puppets when babes have outgrown them - and let’s face it, that’ll be in the blink of an eye. The box itself has a colour-me-in backdrop - perfect for the kiddos who are more interested in the boxes than the presents under the tree.
The Critically Endangered Socks baby range was launched in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature and the business aims to protect critically endangered animals by raising awareness (we love the founder’s story) and leading the way for sustainable fashion. Delivery costs £1.50. More stock will be added at the end of November.
We love it because… the quality socks are built to last so they have a long-life and low environmental impact, are made with sustainable materials, and support a number of charities including WWF (UK), Friends of the National Parks Foundation, International Elephant Foundation, Wildcats Conservation Alliance, Oceanic Society, and the Whales and Dolphin Conservation.
Shop now at Critically Endangered Socks
For the one who loves a fancy cuppa
Make that special person’s cuppa even more calming with this gift set from Rose and Dragon that pairs three flavoured teas with mindfulness cards and at-home tea meditation. The December box combines festive flavours that are indulgent yet healthy: ‘Fireside Feelings’ (black tea with cocoa, almond and spices), ‘Cranberry Mimosa’ (white tea, green tea and dried cranberry) and ‘Winter Wonderland’ (coconut tea with fruit pieces and spices).
A one-off box costs £20, a subscription box for a month costs £16.99 (14p a cup), three months will set you back £54, six months at £105 and 12 months at £200.
We love it because… the brand encourages positive mental wellbeing and their teas are ethically sourced and sustainable, with packaging made from plants or recycled materials.
Shop now at Rose and Dragon
For the puzzle loving adventurers
Stories are more than fairytales and castles. With this vibrant jigsaw puzzle, you can teach your little adventurer stories of heroic women throughout history: activists, scientists, queens, artists and sporting champions, from Ada Lovelace to Serena Williams. For ages 5+, the 100 piece Rebel Girls jigsaw puzzle is gorgeous and only £10.50.
We also love the circular Rainbow jigsaw puzzle, celebrating all the heroes helping us through Covid-19 this year from nurses to Captain Tom Moore.
Standard delivery is £2.95 and takes 3-5 working days.
We love it because… these puzzles are educational, inspiring, diverse and empowering for kids. Also, £2 from each Heroes jigsaw sold will go to The Samaritans. Plus, the boards are made from 100 percent recyclable material.
Shop these and more at Gibson Games
For kids who love to build
Help your little one reach for the stars with this beautifully crafted wooden rocket ship (£99.95 and free delivery to UK mainland) from Hippychick. Inside, there are 12 differently themed rooms, from operation stations to laboratories, to set imaginations alight.
The ship opens and closes with solid wooden screws and a screwdriver so children can build dexterity and fine motor skills, combining construction and role play into one. This product is on the pricier end, but there are cheaper wood based toys available too, including a cute stacking rainbow (£39.95). Free delivery to UK Mainland.
We love it because… the toys are made from sustainable wood, toxin-free paints, and encourage imaginative play. Great for getting kids to ditch screen-time. We also love that this business started on the dining table of the founder, Julia Minchin.
Shop now at Hippychick
For the happy campers and hikers
Is there anything worse than a flask that won’t keep your drink warm, or leaks everywhere? We absolutely love the Ohelo Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler (£30). It has some sort of magical wizardry that keeps your drink steaming hot for absolutely HOURS and doesn’t leak.
We really rate the non-spill lid and the way the twist-to-drink functions so you can sip a drink whilst laying down from any angle. Our founder suffers chronic pain and spends hours working on Lacuna Voices whilst laying on her side. Having a cup she can drink out of without having to sit up is a dream.
We love it because…
Five per cent of profits are donated to sustainable charities, all products are lead free, unlike most insulated water bottle brands, products are endlessly recyclable, packaging is plastic free and made from recycled materials and the company’s distribution centre is 100% powered by renewable energy.
Shop the range of colours and designs at Ohelo.
For knowledge-hungry teens
we love it because…
This easy-to-read pocket manual (£6.99) teaches youngsters about the ten biggest environmental challenges in today’s world, such as climate change and food production. Written by Greenpeace campaigner, Catherine Barr, the Eco Warrior Pocket Book features inspiring quotes from the likes of David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg, and offers young minds tips and advice on how to become an eco-warrior. Delivery is £2.99 with next-day dispatch.
Shop now at Haynes
For the outdoorsy types
These comfy fleeces and jumpers aren’t any old dad jumpers. Sherpa’s Adventure Gear Rukum Yak Sweater (£180) is made using yak hair collected by hand during yak moulting season in Nepal.
That makes it strong, light and sustainable. We also love the women’s Kohima Sweater (£75), the men’s Bodhi hat (£30) and the unisex Jhola bag (30).
Free UK delivery usually takes around five days.
We love it because… one per cent of revenue from the yak fibre clothing financially supports herders in Nepal with health and education programmes. With every item you buy, the company provides one day of schooling for a Nepalese child.
Shop now at Sherpa Adventure Gear
For the yogis
Spice things up for the yoga-lover with these eco-friendly, recyclable yoga and Pilates DIYogi mats that can be written or drawn on using markers. Colouring is a popular mindfulness trend so adding this activity to exercise can make for even more relaxation. Priced at £89, they offer free UK shipping in 1-2 days.
We love it because… with each mat sold, DIYogi donates £1 to Clear Blue Seas, a non-profit organisation working to remove high quantities of plastic from our oceans without affecting marine wildlife. In recent months, they’ve donated five per cent of profits to the World Health Organisation in their ongoing efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Shop now at DIYogi
For the home-birds
Luxury homeware brand Adriana Homewares describes itself as having ‘big dreams and a big heart’. Each product - including scarves, cushions and throws - is sustainably produced in Yorkshire ‘from fleece to finished product’. Prices start from £25 with mum and kiddo matching scarves, but our favourite is the Raspberry Rydale Scatter Cushion (£85). Free UK delivery in 5-7 days.
We love it because… it’s local, sustainable, handmade and beautiful. What’s not to love?
Shop now at Adriana Homewares
For the chronically ill loved one
Hurry! Almost sold out!
These Spoonie Survival Kits are for people living with chronic illnesses to remind them that they’re not alone and someone is thinking of them.
we love them because
They’ve been created for chronically ill people, by chronically ill people, with 50 per cent of all sales income donated to chronic illness charities. It’s also an enterprise with a heart, with all gift bags put together lovingly by chronically ill or disabled team members who volunteer their time to help others like themselves feel just a teensy bit better for a moment.
The contents are a secret but our chronic pain suffering founder has had eyes on them and reckons they’re fab. Information on contents for the insomnia, chronic pain, self-care and chronic fatigue bags can be requested via the website. You can also purchase a sterling silver spoonie necklace for £14.99.
Shop now at Spoonie Survival Kits
For the tree lovers
Tentree has a strong, deep-rooted passion to support the planet and local communities. This gorgeous tree range of soft Merino wool Juniper mittens are made ethically and priced at £29.95 a pair. The Juniper Beanie is made from four recycled water bottles and Merino wool (£34.95). Standard delivery is 3-5 working days (£3.95) and orders for Christmas must be placed before Friday 18th December.
We love it because…
when you buy any of the tree-themed gifts, tentree will plant 10 trees at reforestation projects around the world. They also make use of recyled plastic water bottles to make some of their fabrics. Genius!
Shop now at tentree
For the skincare fans
Consciously Pamper Box
This pamper box of six quality goodies including luxurious soap, lip scrub and hand cream. All products are natural and plant-based. From Conscious House London, the gift box costs £38 and standard delivery is £1.50.
Consciously pamper box
We love it because… Conscious House London was started by two friends who want a more sustainable, waste-free world and donate 10% of profits to SEED Madagascar and Mind.
Shop now at Conscious House London
Merry Christmas from us! Wishing you all a happy, healthy, pandemic-free 2021 xx
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