A Sustainable Gift Guide

Experiences

Experience gifts are a great low waste, sustainable gift idea. Especially for that person in your life who just doesn’t need anything. They can vary in price range and there is usually something for everyone. My go to site for experience gifts is The Indytute. They have a great range of gifts, including lots of at home experiences to make these weird times stuck at home a little more interesting. And if you’re not sure which one to get them, they also have gift cards so the recipient can choose for themselves.

I’d also recommend having a look at your local indy businesses to see what they have to offer. You’ll be surprised how many businesses offer them. Local breweries or distilleries may offer tours, workshops and tasting experiences, or a local art shop may offer pottery or jewellery making classes. There are also plenty of virtual events happening at the moment, such as concerts and comedy gigs.

Shop Pre-loved

I love buying pre-loved gifts for people. It makes it a little more special, as you’ve had to hunt out the perfect gift for them. There are so many great options too – second hand books, vintage clothes & jewellery, vintage cameras, vinyls, puzzles, the list goes on. I’d recommend checking out your local charity shop, Depop, eBay, Vinted or Vestiare Collective.

Plants

I love gifting people plants, and they’re a great sustainable and affordable gift. Something that’s good for the home and good for the planet. And if you’re buying for the ‘I kill any plant I come within 2 metres distance with’ person in your life, go for something like a Jade plant or Snake plant, which are pretty indestructible. I also love giving people plant cuttings, its a great little project and will make them feel very accomplished.

You could also buy a herb or vegetable plant for the food enthusiast, new homeowner or just if you want to buy something a little more practical.

As well as checking our your local garden centre, I would recommend looking at Prick London, The Stem (delivers to London only), Plantee or Etsy.

Patreon Subscriptions

Supporting activists, educators, artists, podcasts or creators is a great gift for those who enjoy what these people produce. You’ll usually get extra content and you’ll be able to help them continue the amazing work they are doing. My personal suggestions would be Aja Barber, The Yikes Podcast or Earth By Helena.

Charity Gifts

This year more than ever charities need our support, so this is a fab gift idea that gives back. Whether you want to buy a refugee an emergency blanket or clean and safe water, supporting endangered species by adopting an animal, or buying a child living in poverty their dream gift. These gifts do the world of good. Besma who writes the blog Curiously Conscious has a whole gift guide which supports refugees so definitely check this out if you’re looking for more ideas.

Other ways to support charities this Christmas is to buy from charity shops (pre-loved gifts are also a great way to be more sustainable), buy from small businesses who are donating to charities this year and simply making a donation in the recipient’s name.

Support Small & Sustainable Businesses

This year I made a pledge to myself to buy from small and sustainable businesses. As easy as it easy to scroll through Amazon and have it delivered the next day, I wanted to make sure my money was going to businesses that needed it. So, I have made a list of some of my favourite sustainable and small businesses to check out for gifts this Christmas:

Fashion

Wow Sancho – Sustainable fashion, accessories & gifts

Girlfriend Collective – Sustainable activewear brand

Wasi Clothing – WOC owned, sustainable fashion brand

Socko – Sustainable socks made from Econyl

Mayari Co – Sustainable handmade Jewellery

Goh Totes – Sustainably tote bags

Little By Little – Sustainable jewellery

Off Cut Creations – Accessories made with offcut fabric saved from landfill

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Beauty

Narloa – Vegan and cruelty free skincare

Ede – Sustainable and organic skincare & wellness

Naya – Sustainable skincare

This Is Zero Living – Sustainable marketplace

Liha – Vegan and cruelty free skincare

Tanaka Soaps – Handmade vegan and cruelty free soaps

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Home & Lifestyle

Century General Store – Sustainable homeware & lifestyle

Our Lovely Goods – Soy wax candles, workshops & events

Aya Paper Co – Sustainable stationary

Authentic House – Sustainable subscription boxes

Noa – Vegan candles and sustainable homeware

The Thrifty Fleabag – Vintage homeware

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Food & Drink

Black Cow Vodka – Vodka made from leftover whey from grass-fed cow’s milk

Cake Or Death – Vegan letterbox brownies

Warner’s Honey Bee Gin – Gin which helps protects bees

Pentire Drinks – Non-alcoholic botanical drinks

Ncn’ean Botanical Spirit – Sustainable made whiskey

Discarded Banana Peel – Rum made from discarded banana peels

Merry Christmas!

E x