Sustainability and style are the name of the game in our eco-conscious Christmas present guide.
Christmas is all about choosing thoughtful gifts – and not just for the recipient, but for the planet too. Whether you’re buying for kids or adults, we’ve compiled an edit of presents from eco-conscious brands focused on creating beautiful gifts that tread lightly on the planet – all whilst delighting your lucky loved one this Christmas.
Eco Friendly Cleaning Hamper, £50
It's fair to say that useful presents are what Christmas gifting is about this year for us and Seep's carefully edited selection of cleaning kit is ideal for the friend that keeps a tidy house, while caring about the planet. All the products have impeccable sustainability credentials. To view the full range, click here.
Six Chickens, £13
Yes, you read correctly. You could gift half-a-dozen hens to a mother in need, not only to feed her family with a rich source of protein, but also provide her with a source of regular income, selling eggs too. Your loved one will receive a gift card, explaining the impact their gift has made. Buy it.
Desk Buddy Gift Set, £53
This reusable, ceramic coffee cup and water bottle set from Frank Green in minty green will set your loved one up for all-year-round sustainable drinks choices – on the go or at the office. Buy it.
Various Trees, from £35
The Present Tree will send a beautiful wrapped organic specimen to your chosen recipient, accompanied with a story of its ancient origins and meaning. Why not give myrtle for love and joy; wild pear for health and happiness; or fern for new beginnings & good fortune? A beautiful and thoughtful gift idea. Buy it.
Mini Golf Set, £32
Created using natural rubber, wood and organic water-based dyes, this sweet miniature golf set will help with children’s hand eye co-ordination and can be used inside or out. Buy it.
Shaving Kit, £30
If you are keen to encourage sustainable swaps with your gift choices this year, this lovely shaving set includes a stylish silver safety razor that can be refilled infinitely. Plus, there is a 100 per cent natural orange and lavender shaving soap inside to ensure their first shave is a sweet success. Buy it.
Petrel Sunglasses, £90
These stylish sunnies are handcrafted with certified sustainable beechwood – perfect for winter on the slopes or sunnier months ahead. Buy it.
Candle Starter Pack, £60
Pott, the original refillable candle company, has put together a gift duo of its hand-crafted ceramic candle pot and matching match pot – all made by British potters. Both are refillable vegan natural candles with cute-coloured matches. A zero-waste approach to chic home fragrance. Buy it.
Seedball Selection, £15
A beautiful idea for teacher gifts, stocking fillers or secret Santas, each illustrated matchbox contains seed balls chosen to provide a natural and colourful mix of wildflowers to attract a wide diversity of pollinators, wildlife and insects to your garden. Buy it.
For The Love Of The Environment Box, £35
This wonderful gift box includes a handmade bird nester; a natural, cosy nesting wool to line winter nests; gourmet bird food to keep them fed through the hunger gap; and a conservation guide on birds with plenty of tips on how to care for your feathered neighbours. A thoughtful gift for a garden wildlife lover. Buy it.
The Winter Skin Essentials, £71
Five full-size products from Upcircle Beauty, each is designed to nourish and hydrate winter skin. The true beauty of it? It’s packed with repurposed fruit, vegetables and coffee grounds from the food manufacture industry. Buy it.
Discovery Set, £30
A great introduction to the sustainable fragrance brand Sana Jardin, which empowers female flower farmers by providing them with fair pay and the opportunity to utilise the by-products from perfume production to create their own income streams. This discovery set includes a sample of each of its scents, plus a £30 voucher off a full size bottle once they have chosen their new favourite. Buy it.
Knicker Subscription, from £9
Stripe & Stare’s super-soft, colourful knickers are sustainably made from natural Tencel, making them breathable, comfortable – and 95 per cent biodegradable. You can choose to give anything from one to four pairs a month with this subscription offer. Buy it.
Wooden Double Decker, £44
A sweet, retro bus made with sustainable FSC-certified wood and complete with seven peg figures for imaginary play. A classic toy that will charm for years to come. Buy it.
Blue Bright Stripe, £12
Jollie’s organic cotton socks come in a cheerful orange stripe. Not only are they a great gift that will keep your loved ones’ toes toasty, but with each purchase you will be donating a pair to Shelter, to help clothe a person in need. Buy it.
Yoga Mat, £75
Made from 100 per cent natural rubber and plant-based dyes, this non-slip yoga mat is just the thing for any wannabe yogis to kick off their New Year practice, sustainably. Buy it.
Rather than a thing to remind them of you, why not actually gift your loved ones some quality time with you? It could be a thoughtfully planned day together or lending them a hand (or some muscle) with a DIY task. Perhaps you have a skill they’d like to learn – could you gift them a series of lessons?
Rather than a gift that is going to run out or gather dust, why not gift an experience that will create memories to last a lifetime? It could be a spa day a deux, a special meal or taking a class to start a new hobby together.
Most people have a charity close to their heart. Why not give your family members a donation to their special cause in their name to make an impact?
Finding a one-off vintage gift will ensure your recipient has a truly unique present to unwrap. Or why not put together a stack of second-hand books, curated to their interests to see them through the following year?
Some of the most thoughtful gifts are homemade. Whether you go for foodie treats or hand-sewn treasures, pouring love into something you have created with time and effort is sure to delight those on your gift list.
By Lydia Mansi
October 2022
The Seep Company
Eco Friendly Cleaning Hamper, £50
It's fair to say that useful presents are what Christmas gifting is about this year for us and Seep's carefully edited selection of cleaning kit is ideal for the friend that keeps a tidy house, while caring about the planet. All the products have impeccable sustainability credentials. To view the full range, click here.
Concern Worldwide
Six Chickens, £13
Yes, you read correctly. You could gift half-a-dozen hens to a mother in need, not only to feed her family with a rich source of protein, but also provide her with a source of regular income, selling eggs too. Your loved one will receive a gift card, explaining the impact their gift has made. Buy it.
Frank Green
Desk Buddy Gift Set, £53
This reusable, ceramic coffee cup and water bottle set from Frank Green in minty green will set your loved one up for all-year-round sustainable drinks choices – on the go or at the office. Buy it.
The Present Tree
Various Trees, from £35
The Present Tree will send a beautiful wrapped organic specimen to your chosen recipient, accompanied with a story of its ancient origins and meaning. Why not give myrtle for love and joy; wild pear for health and happiness; or fern for new beginnings & good fortune? A beautiful and thoughtful gift idea. Buy it.
Plan Toys
Mini Golf Set, £32
Created using natural rubber, wood and organic water-based dyes, this sweet miniature golf set will help with children’s hand eye co-ordination and can be used inside or out. Buy it.
Wearth London
Shaving Kit, £30
If you are keen to encourage sustainable swaps with your gift choices this year, this lovely shaving set includes a stylish silver safety razor that can be refilled infinitely. Plus, there is a 100 per cent natural orange and lavender shaving soap inside to ensure their first shave is a sweet success. Buy it.
Birds
Petrel Sunglasses, £90
These stylish sunnies are handcrafted with certified sustainable beechwood – perfect for winter on the slopes or sunnier months ahead. Buy it.
Pott Candles
Candle Starter Pack, £60
Pott, the original refillable candle company, has put together a gift duo of its hand-crafted ceramic candle pot and matching match pot – all made by British potters. Both are refillable vegan natural candles with cute-coloured matches. A zero-waste approach to chic home fragrance. Buy it.
Peace With The Wild
Seedball Selection, £15
A beautiful idea for teacher gifts, stocking fillers or secret Santas, each illustrated matchbox contains seed balls chosen to provide a natural and colourful mix of wildflowers to attract a wide diversity of pollinators, wildlife and insects to your garden. Buy it.
Amnesty International
For The Love Of The Environment Box, £35
This wonderful gift box includes a handmade bird nester; a natural, cosy nesting wool to line winter nests; gourmet bird food to keep them fed through the hunger gap; and a conservation guide on birds with plenty of tips on how to care for your feathered neighbours. A thoughtful gift for a garden wildlife lover. Buy it.
Upcircle Beauty
The Winter Skin Essentials, £71
Five full-size products from Upcircle Beauty, each is designed to nourish and hydrate winter skin. The true beauty of it? It’s packed with repurposed fruit, vegetables and coffee grounds from the food manufacture industry. Buy it.
Sana Jardin
Discovery Set, £30
A great introduction to the sustainable fragrance brand Sana Jardin, which empowers female flower farmers by providing them with fair pay and the opportunity to utilise the by-products from perfume production to create their own income streams. This discovery set includes a sample of each of its scents, plus a £30 voucher off a full size bottle once they have chosen their new favourite. Buy it.
Stripe and Stare
Knicker Subscription, from £9
Stripe & Stare’s super-soft, colourful knickers are sustainably made from natural Tencel, making them breathable, comfortable – and 95 per cent biodegradable. You can choose to give anything from one to four pairs a month with this subscription offer. Buy it.
Kid’s Concept
Wooden Double Decker, £44
A sweet, retro bus made with sustainable FSC-certified wood and complete with seven peg figures for imaginary play. A classic toy that will charm for years to come. Buy it.
Jollie’s
Blue Bright Stripe, £12
Jollie’s organic cotton socks come in a cheerful orange stripe. Not only are they a great gift that will keep your loved ones’ toes toasty, but with each purchase you will be donating a pair to Shelter, to help clothe a person in need. Buy it.
Yogibare
Yoga Mat, £75
Made from 100 per cent natural rubber and plant-based dyes, this non-slip yoga mat is just the thing for any wannabe yogis to kick off their New Year practice, sustainably. Buy it.
5 Other Ways To Give More Sustainably
Give Your Time Or Expertise
Rather than a thing to remind them of you, why not actually gift your loved ones some quality time with you? It could be a thoughtfully planned day together or lending them a hand (or some muscle) with a DIY task. Perhaps you have a skill they’d like to learn – could you gift them a series of lessons?
Give Experiences
Rather than a gift that is going to run out or gather dust, why not gift an experience that will create memories to last a lifetime? It could be a spa day a deux, a special meal or taking a class to start a new hobby together.
Give To Charity In A Loved One’s Name
Most people have a charity close to their heart. Why not give your family members a donation to their special cause in their name to make an impact?
Give Second-Hand Or Vintage
Finding a one-off vintage gift will ensure your recipient has a truly unique present to unwrap. Or why not put together a stack of second-hand books, curated to their interests to see them through the following year?
Give Homemade Presents
Some of the most thoughtful gifts are homemade. Whether you go for foodie treats or hand-sewn treasures, pouring love into something you have created with time and effort is sure to delight those on your gift list.
By Lydia Mansi
October 2022
Read More
Lydia Mansi
Lifestyle Editor
Lydia is an all-round lifestyle guru, tireless champion of women in business and our resident expert on beauty.
FIND OUT MORE
