The holiday season is fast approaching, but if like us you haven’t started your Christmas shopping yet and are in need some inspiration, here are a few sustainable gift ideas as wished for by the Eco-Age team and our community of active citizens.
Christmas is a time for giving, but if you’re tired of receiving unwanted socks and plastic-filled stockings, we’ve compiled a list of present ideas that are sustainable, ethical and will keep on giving well beyond the festive season.
Head to @ecoage on Instagram to let us know what sustainable gifts you’re wishing for this year and you could be featured on this list.
Here is our ultimate gift guide for giving more consciously this Christmas (and beyond)…
FASHION
- Allbirds wool runners, as wished for by @uneditedgal
Allbirds effortlessly cool and sustainable sneakers are ethically produced using innovative materials including wool, TENCEL™ Lyocell and SweetFoam™
A pair of Girlfriend Collective leggings made from ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon, as wished for by our Account Manager Zara Williams (@zaralwilliams)
Girlfriend Collective’s new leggings are made with ECONYL®, a yarn composed of recycled fishing nets and other discarded plastic textile waste rescued from oceans and landfills across the world. To further its commitment to cleaning the oceans, a portion of all sales from the Girlfriend Collectives’ LITE collection will be donated to Healthy Seas, an organisation that removes marine litter from the sea, such as ghost fishing gear responsible for the needless death of marine animals.A pair of Osklen Pirarucu fish leather sliders, as wished by from @levitthannah
In North Brazil, the Pirarucu fish is a staple diet amongst local people, who often discard the skins after eating which creates a large amount of waste. Osklen repurpose this material for accessories, which are handmade by local artisans. By using this material, over 12,000 local artisans and fisherman alike in 378 riverside communities have seen their income increase.- Suede Veja Trainers in rust colours, as wished for by @vildnis_london
Each stage of production for a new pair of Veja trainers is infused with a positive impact. The shoes are made with raw materials sourced from organic farming and ecological agriculture, without chemicals or polluting processes. They also have vegan options!
- A Wool and the Gang knitting kit that includes patterns to make my own clothes, as wished for by our Senior Account Manager Charlotte Turner (@charlottevictoriaturner)
Wool and the Gang is a brand selling DIY knitting crochet and embroidery kits made from wool.
- A Patagonia sweatshirt made of recycled materials, as wished for by @au_mari_
Patagonia make environmentally-friendly outdoor clothing often using recycled fabric and donates 1% of all sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment.
- A recycled leather jacket from Deadwood, as wished for by @vildnis_london
Deadwood is a Stockholm-based brand that uses 100% recycled leather to make punk-inspired jacket.
BEAUTY
- A rose body lotion from The Organic Pharmacy, as wished for by @vildnis_london
The Organic Pharmacy makes organic beauty products and cosmetics with homeopathic principles and pharmaceutical-grade herbal extracts.
- Perfume from Sana Jardin, as wished for by our Content Editor Kelly Green (@mrs.green.green)
Sana Jardin makes socially conscious, luxury fragrances that create tangible social change through commerce, especially in support of women empowerment.
- A Guy Morgan face mask, as wished for by our Content Editor Kelly Green (@mrs.green.green)
Guy Morgan natural skincare products are formulated, designed and manufactured in East London using certified organic and wild grown plant-based ingredients from the UK and Europe. All products are gender-neutral, suitable for all skin types, vegan and cruelty free. Packaging is plastic free and made predominantly with recyclable glass and FSC standard card.
JEWELLERY
- Chopard’s Green Carpet Collection earrings, as wished for by our Projects and Events Manager @simonalex.lee
The earrings in 18ct white Fairmined gold are set with marquise-cut diamonds (6cts). All diamonds are sourced from a producer who is a RJC certified member.
Read more about Chopard’s Journey To Sustainable Luxury
HOME
- Ethical homewares from QÄSA QÄSA, as wished for by our contributor Melissa Hemsley (@melissa.hemsley)
Founded in 2015, QÄSA QÄSA partners with artisans,NGO’s and community groups in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Malawi to design and source unique homweware products that combine traditional skills with modern design.
- Beeswax Wrap from The Beeswax Wrap Co. as wished for by our Junior Account Executive Fiona Cartmel (@fionacartmel)
The Beeswax Wrap Co makes reusable, biodegradable Beeswax Wraps – an eco-friendly alternative to cling film and tinfoil.
- Soy wax candles from The Botanical Candle Co, as wished for by @maudeadelaide
The Botanical Candle Co. was founded in 2015 and hand pours soy wax candles into reusable glass jars in their studio in Shaftesbury, Dorset.
GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK
- Adopt an animal with WWF, as wished for by @rawcopenhagenjewellery
For a charity gift that’s great for children, adopt an endangered animal and support the vital work of the WWF. As well as receiving regular updates on your adopted snow leopard, urangutan, polar bear or elephant (visit WWF for the full list of animals), you can also choose to receive a cuddly toy that will fit perfectly under the Christmas tree.
- A body lotion in a Charity Pot from Lush, as wished for by our Social Media manager Jil Carrara (@jilcarrara)
The cruelty-free cosmetics brand’s charity pot donates 100% of the profit goes to small, grassroots organisations that support environmental conservation, animal welfare and human rights.