I don’t think I’ve ever put together a Christmas Gift Guide before. But I suppose there is a first time for everything. Today I wanted to share some of the amazing ethical Christmas gifts I’ve come across from great independent brands. I think supporting independent brands is so important this time of year. Personally, I love that independent brands often have stories behind their products which add to the appeal of a gift. They also tend to be more ethical and sustainable which as you know is something I really care about.
I’ve organised the gifts by price as I know budgets can be tight, especially this time of year. The majority of the gifts are under £15 which shows that ethical doesn’t always mean expensive.
Dalit Handmade Soap (in the wooden box) £12 - This natural and cruelty-free handmade soap comes in a beautiful rosewood bowl with a natural skin scrubber. The soap is handmade by an all-female enterprise in Kerala, India which is committed to employing disadvantage women. The profits also go towards a project which supports street children in India.
Personalised Glitter Bauble £12.95 - These cute sparkly baubles are made by a local company based here in Edinburgh. These would be perfect for that hard to buy for friend we all have (you know the one I mean) as everyone loves Christmas baubles. I also think they would be great as place settings on the Christmas table.
Laphroaig Cheese £4 - Ideal for any Whisky lover in your life, and a lot cheaper than a bottle of the good stuff. I haven’t had a taste but I have it on good authority that you can taste the peatiness of the Whisky in the cheese. Unfortunately, I can’t find a link for this online as we picked it up at a local market. However, I know that most towns have Christmas markets and farmers markets and locally made food always makes a great gift idea.
Lucky Cloud Lip Butter £4 - Lucky Cloud is another Edinburgh-based company which makes great handmade, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly skin care, I reviewed a few products from the range a couple of weeks ago (read the review here) and have found myself reaching for the lip butter again and again. I think this would make a great stocking filler or secret Santa gift.
Braintree Bamboo Socks £9.50 - You can’t go wrong with a pair of socks, after all, everyone needs socks this time of year. This pair is sustainably made with bamboo viscose and organic cotton. I also like that the design isn’t Christmasy so you can keep wearing them year round.
Dog Brooch £7.50 - How cute is this little dog pin? Made in England by a project showcasing the creative talents of adults with epilepsy, learning and physical difficulties
Palestinian Multi Coloured Kufiyah £17.95 - This is made in the Hirbawi Factory which is the last surviving Palestinian factory to make kufiyahs. Wear this as a scarf or head covering, or as a shawl or blanket. I love the bright colours and think it would be perfect for taking on holiday. Perhaps a gift for someone with a winter break planned.
Finisterre Tolcarne Beanie £30 - Cosy beanie hats make a great gift for anyone living in a cold country (eg here in Scotland). This hat is 100% wool which makes it super cosy. I love the little pom pom detail and the textured knit pattern.
Soap Co Boxed Gift Set £25 - Soap Co is one of my favourite ethical brands. I reviewed their range earlier in the year (you can read my review here) and they have been sitting pride of place in my bathroom ever since. In fact, everyone who comes round to my house comments on the soap in the bathroom. The Black Poppy & Wild Fig is my favourite scent and the gift set with the hand wash and hand lotion is so handy. Another great gift for those hard to buy for friends.
Finisterre Men’s Bosun Crew £110 - Yes I know this is an expensive gift but I wanted to included it as an idea for those hard to buy for husbands and boyfriends out there. This is what my husband is getting this year. He’s been jealous of my Finisterre jumper since it arrived last month so he’s getting his own for Christmas. It’s no secret that I love my knitwear and I think it makes a great gift for someone special. Yes, it’s expensive but as long as it’s looked after this jumper should last for years to come.
Amnesty Shop (selling the handmade soap, dog brooch, bamboo socks and kufiyah) - Amnesty shop is part of Amnesty International UK which works to protect human rights around the world. The shop helps raise fund for the charities work and supports communities and enterprises all around the world. They have a great range of gifts and everything is ethically sourced.
Not On The High Street (selling the personalised baubles) - Not On The High Street sells thousands of unique gifts from creative small businesses in the UK. I picked these baubles up at a recent event in Edinburgh which was about showcasing inspiring thoughtful, creative and bespoke gifts. It is a great way to start buying from independent businesses.
Local Markets (selling the whisky cheese) - Local Christmas markets and farmers markets are a great place to pick up unique gifts. They also help to get you into the Christmas spirit. I suggest you wrap up warm and head down to your local market to grab your foodie Christmas gifts.
Lucky Cloud Skincare (selling the lip butter) - Lucky Cloud is a handmade natural skincare company based in Edinburgh. All products are handmade in small batches, using quality raw materials which are all plant based and vegan-friendly. None of their products or ingredients are tested on animals.
The Soap Co (selling the hand wash and lotion set) - The Soap Co is a luxury ethical brand that employs people who are visually impaired or otherwise disabled or disadvantaged. Their products are good and do good. The Soap Co is a fantastic brand with great products and ethics.
Finisterre (selling the beanie hat and navy knit) - Finisterre is a UK based brand with a commitment to producing quality products made to last. All of their resources are responsibly sourced. Every product I have from Finisterre is great quality and I would highly recommend their knitwear to anyone.
* all of the products mention (except the cheese) have been kindly gifted to me. As usual, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The bauble and socks are so cute x
Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness x