In 1963, Andy Williams famously sang that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s hard to disagree; the cold weather and long nights give us all the perfect excuse to gorge ourselves on mince pies, decorate everything in sight and spend evenings cuddled up with the ones we love. On the other hand, we’re expected to buy gifts because, capitalism. So how do we show how much we care without feeding into a system of over-consumption?
Luckily, the internet is teeming with brands genuinely committed to sustainable manufacturing. Whether it’s soap, chocolate, clothes or makeup you’re after, we scoured the web for a selection of ethical gifts you can stock up on for your loved ones.
It’s the little things that turn a house into a home. That’s why gifts like this lightweight tasselled towel, made by Luks Linen, are guaranteed to be warmly received. Better still, the company is committed to supporting master weavers and family ateliers in Turkey. It’s stylish, functional (it doubles up as a scarf) and it’s ethically made – what’s not to love?
Luks Linen The Su Turkish Towel, £17, available at Wolf and Badger
Decorator’s Notebook is the perfect website for beautiful stocking-fillers. Founded in 2013, the business partners with artisans worldwide to support their trades and showcase their handcrafted products. This earthenware mug is just one example; made by potters in rural Vietnam, the distinctive scratch pattern and generous size (perfect for caffeine-lovers) make it an ideal gift with a personal touch.
Decorator’s Notebook Indigo Scratch Mug, £12.95, available at Decorator's Notebook
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Historically, diamonds have had a monopoly on the jewellery market because they’re easier to source than their coloured gemstone counterparts. Mining company Gemfields has sought to rectify this, sweeping the globe for precious stones like emeralds, amethysts and rubies which are then transformed into stunning jewellery by designer partners. These 18-carat gold earrings are just one example; inspired by one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls, they’re distinctive and timeless, with the rubies responsibly sourced from the Gemfields mine in Mozambique, where the company has set up schools, health clinics and agricultural projects to support the local community. These are the ultimate guilt-free indulgence.
Aya x Gemfields Mosi-Oa-Tunya Earrings, £670, available at Aya
Established in 2008, Mayamiko is a brand whose aesthetic is rooted in African prints, bold colours and classic silhouettes. Made by tailors, pattern cutters and seamstresses in Malawi, this eye-catching dust coat is bang on trend and easy to work into any wardrobe (take a look at our recent style guide for tailoring tips!). Better still, a £1 donation to the company’s namesake charity is made with every purchase.
Mayamiko Jamila Dustcoat, £60, available at Mayamiko
Earlier this year, Rihanna created what once seemed impossible: a beauty line genuinely committed to diversity. The endless shades of foundation may have been the real game-changer, but the iridescent Galaxy palette is also well worth buying for the beauty lover in your life. A mix of shimmering neutrals and a few bold statement colours, this new release has something for everyone – oh, and it’s 100% cruelty-free.
Fenty Beauty Galaxy Palette, £39, available at Harvey Nichols
It’s not often that chocolate gift sets look as good as they taste. Arthouse Meath – a collective of artists with various learning disabilities – has created the exception to the rule, wrapping their handmade chocolate bars in packaging emblazoned with unique designs. Instructors work alongside the artists to help them fully realise their vision, while all profits generated are funnelled back into the organisation to nurture the talent of creatives living with disabilities.
Arthouse Meath Luxury Chocolate Gift Set 2, £12, available at Arthouse Meath
Founded way back in 2003 as a menswear label, Thought has since blossomed into a respected fashion brand and one of the founding partners of the Ethical Fashion Forum. All products are made from natural fibres, like these striped fingerless gloves – perfect for texting on the move as the temperature continues to drop.
We Are Thought Elford Organic Wool Gloves, £24.90, available at We Are Thought
Scented candles are both luxurious and comforting but it’s tricky to find brands which are non-toxic and ethically made. M&J London seamlessly fills this gap in the market. Not only is the brand completely transparent, the candles are high-quality and beautifully packaged. This blend of sweet but wintry smells is guaranteed to make the perfect gift, and a donation is made to nia – which offers services to victims of domestic violence – with every purchase.
M&J London Cranberry, Pumpkin & Maple Syrup Candle, £23 for size small, available at M&J London
It was in 2009 that Sarah Corbett launched the Craftivist Collective. Based on the idea of ‘gentle activism’, craftspeople from around the country regularly gather to stitch, connect and engage in tricky conversations, all with the common aim of making some form of change. Some projects have their proceeds donated to charity, whereas others simply aim to make someone’s day a little better. This endlessly useful tote bag is the perfect introduction – stitch your own love letter to a friend, relative or partner for a handy yet meaningful gift.
Craftivist Collective Tote Bag, £9, available at Craftivist Collective
When Lauren Mahon was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31 years old, she was left with no income and no young survivors sharing their stories. So she started to share her own. By coining the #GIRLvsCANCER hashtag, she created an online community and now a business which funnels a portion of its profits back into cancer charities. Now a survivor, Mahon creates tongue-in-cheek ‘Tit-Tees’ to raise awareness – choose from playful slogans, dainty bee-stings or Sarah Lucas-style fried eggs to support a worthy cause this Christmas.
GirlvsCancer Melons Tit-Tee, £28, available at GirlvsCancer
Much has been written about London-based brand Birdsong, and rightly so. Not only does it stock some seriously desirable clothing, every garment is made by women artisans and modelled by a diverse range of beauties – no Photoshop allowed. The attention to detail on every garment is evident, but the ruffled empire line on this floral top creates an especially distinctive silhouette which works just as well at the office as it does on a night out.
Birdsong Demeter Ruffle Top, £85, available at Birdsong
Despite being established in 2016, British homeware brand One Nine Eight Five is already building a reputation for its unique pieces emblazoned with hand-drawn prints. Art and film provide key inspiration for the varied designs, which are then brought to life by local craftspeople. The abstract line drawing on this throw is also imbued with a powerful message about the ways in which media distorts the self-perception of young women; buy this for an art lover and 15% of your cash will be automatically donated to eating disorder charity Beat.
One Nine Eight Five ‘Woman’ Throw, £165, available at One Night Eight Five
Over the last 26 years, People Tree has been devoted to making fashion-forward pieces without compromising ethics. Not only does the brand use natural fibres, work with Fair Trade organisations and support garment workers, it creates genuinely desirable staples like this cosy fringed jumper. Perfect for the winter months and, handily, the exact same shade as the mulled wine plenty of us will be spilling throughout Christmas party season!
People Tree Rilla Fringed Jumper, £135, available at People Tree
East London-based brand The Soap Co. was founded on an ethos of simplicity and transparency. Its packaging may be simple but its products are high-quality, free of parabens and handmade in the UK by disadvantaged workers. Instead of offering countless options, the website focuses on a few tried-and-tested scents. This citrus gift set is guaranteed to give anybody the zesty pick-me-up we all need during those morning showers – plus the soap is perfect for frequent travellers.
The Soap Co. Citrus Gift Set, £30, available at The Soap Co.
Over the last few years, Rêve en Vert founders Cora Hilts and Natasha Tucker have been scouring the globe to find ethically made, high-end fashion. The result is an extensive online hub populated by a curated list of designers committed to sustainability. Refreshingly, there’s something for everyone, meaning you’re guaranteed to find something for your fashion-forward friends. We particularly love this corduroy jumpsuit by Mara Hoffman – team with brogues and a roll-neck for a casual look, or go full '70s glam with platforms and statement accessories.
Rêve en Vert Idola Corduroy Jumpsuit, £295, available at Rêve en Vert
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