Christmas is a time full of joy and gifting items to other people in your life. It can also be a time when we overconsume, buy too many poorly created items, and waste a ton of resources.
But it does not have to be that way in 2022. We have found five ethical Christmas gifts that would make the perfect present for anyone in your life and can help the planet at the same time. The perfect combination if you ask us.
Shopping ethically means that you are conscious about the impact you might have on the planet and its people. It can sound like a difficult task when you are just starting out, but it does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be so easy.
What to look out for when you are trying to shop more ethically
Certifications: Some larger companies have paid to have their organization certified as ethical through several ethical or cruelty-free certifications. It is an easy way to see how responsible a company might be.
Some to look out for are FSC, BCorp, Soil Association Certified, and the leaping bunny.
For example, Brewdog, Beeswax Wrap Co, Keepcup, Cheeky Panda, and World of Books are all BCorp-certified organizations.
Avoid buying items that use buzzwords: Greenwashing is a massive marketing tactic and can falsely claim that something is ethical or eco when the item or company themselves are not ethical or responsible in the slightest.
For example, the use of the words conscious, cares, made using sustainable materials, and recycled are all buzzwords that companies have used, which have been proven to be false advertising in many cases.
So, here are the five ethical Christmas gifts chosen for you.
5. A Climeworks gift card to remove carbon from the air – an ethical gift to help the planet
Climeworks would be the perfect gift for those eco-warriors in your life. Climeworks is an organization that works efficiently to remove carbon dioxide directly from the air and then safely store it to avoid adding that carbon into the atmosphere.
This makes it the perfect choice for anybody who might be looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The brand works with big organizations, such as Microsoft and Shopify, to help them remove their carbon footprint, but it is also available to individuals.
It is a great carbon capture gift for those in your life who are worried about the climate. This ethical gift can help the planet and make someone happy too.
4. A recycled helmet from Dashel Cycle Helmets – for the cyclists in your life
For the ethical and eco-loving person in your life, Dashel Cycle helmets might be a perfect choice. They offer a range of lightweight cycle helmets which are manufactured in the UK.
Dashel Helmets are urban in look and made from recyclable materials, ensuring that they have a low impact at the point of manufacture and produce very little waste at the end of their life too.
3. Nordgreen Scandinavian watch – a more elegant eco gift
If you want something slightly more elegant, then check out the watches from Nordgreen.
They are a B Corp-certified company that makes its watches carbon neutrally and responsibly made using ethical resources.
They have a timeless look to the watches and would make the ideal ethical Christmas gift.
2. A Leaf razor – something everybody needs
A safety razor is a necessity in everyone’s life – they are eco-friendly and avoid unnecessary plastic disposable razors. However, a Leaf razor is special because they are different from an everyday safety razor.
They are not safety razors at all, but rather the original Leaf Razor is a triple-blade pivoting head plastic-free shaving razor.
Working like a plastic disposable razor, but you can reuse the razor many times by simply replacing the blades when required.
1. The Original Sophie La Girafe – a great gift for kids
This is one for the children in your life. The original Sophie La Girafe is an iconic star within the children’s gifts industry. But this one is 100% natural – made using only natural rubber, which is phthalate-free and derived from the sap of the Hevea tree.
Sophie’s renewable, flexible, natural materials and non-toxic food-grade paint mean she is safe for teething babies to chew on without the chance of getting sick.
Sophie has managed to keep her retro style to ensure she is a must-have toy for any child, and this is why it would make the present for the youngster in your life.
Those are some great ethical Christmas gifts for the people in your life, from the eco to the beauty conscious and the children too. Happy shopping!
Article written by Sophie Leigh Smyth