The rise in public awareness of green and ethical issues has led to a surge in demand for alternative gift ideas which are imaginative and fun but which also convey a message that you not only care about the gift recipient but also about the world in which you live.
Not so long ago, anyone wanting to give an ethical gift would be very much restricted to traditional charity shops, craft shops or by simply making their own gifts. Nowadays there are retailers who sell nothing else but ethical gifts, charities and environmental organisations have developed their own gift ranges and donation schemes and just about every regular retailer you can think of has their own dedicated ethical and green gift range on offer. Of course, this massive increase in supply has led to an infinite choice of gifts to suit almost anyone and here are just a few ideas:
Gifts For Him
Just because a gift is ethical doesn’t mean it has to be boring and there is a wealth of choice when it comes to gadgets and innovative gifts that men love so much.
The dependence that many of us have upon electronics such as mobile phones, digital cameras and laptop computers has led to everyone amassing a variety of chargers in all shapes and sizes. Not only are these inconvenient to carry around but are a huge waste of energy and resources. A neat and clever idea which addresses this is the portable solar re-charger, the Powermonkey eXplorer Portable Solar Charger is a compact but tough and durable portable recharger the Solar Monkey will recharge and power most electronic devices from iPods to mobiles with standard and mini USB connectors, and adaptors which are compatible with all the major mobile phone models. £54.95 from Ethical Superstore
Solar powered and wind-up radios have come on leaps and bounds since they were originally introduced and are now a real practical alternative to a traditional portable radio. An ideal gift for someone who works outdoors or a regular traveller, the this portable radio combines both solar and wind-up technology which will keep him entertained and in touch without the expense and waste the batteries incur.
Gardener’s 3 Piece Tool Set – made by a Fair Trade organisation this beautiful garden tool set will make a great gift for a green fingered parent or relative. The set includes an aluminium trowel, fork and wooden dibber presented in a recycled cardboard gift box. £17.99
Natural Wood Chess Set – A delightful gift for less than a tenner, this travel chess set is made from 100% natural wood and ethically sourced by Oxfam. The board features tiny pin-holes which hold the playing pieces securely no matter how rough the journey. £9.99
Gifts For Her
From jewellery and cosmetics to fair trade stationery and chocolate there is no end of choice when it comes to buying women’s Christmas gifts. Oxfam have been at the forefront of ethical gift ideas and their range of ethical bags is one of their fortes. Sourced from individual suppliers around the world with Oxfam’s ethical principles in mind, the collection of handbags, shoulder bags, shoppers and satchels don’t just look good, they do some good too.
Bags shown: Black designer handbag made from re-claimed leather by Laura Queening. £54.99 Brown leather shoulder bag supplied by MKS, an Indian manufacturer of ethical leather products specially selected by Oxfam. £34.99
Pink Recycled Sari & Wood Footstool – A decorative and functional furniture piece, this Fair Trade footstool is made in Jaipur India and features a patchwork cushion made fashioned from recycled saris. Although the fabrics used will in shades of pink, because they are handmade, every footstool will have a unique pattern. £39.99
Lavender Heart Soaps – A great budget gift idea for mums or sisters these lavender soaps from Oxfam are presented in a nice round gift box which is made from recycled cardboard and includes a lovely gift tag. £4.99
Pink Block Candles – Four designer candles from Oxfam’s Ethical Gift Collection in shades of white, lilac, pink and burgundy with a black & white label. The candles are delicately fragrance with frangipane, rose, jasmine and lavender and presented in this clear box tied with a ribbon. £9.99
Hand Woven Scarves by Alkina – Available in a range of colours and produced by village traders in Morocco, these beautiful scarves are woven from sabra and are long enough to be worn as a shawl. £25
Gifts For Kids
Christmas is an exciting time for children and they are never short of ideas for what a perfect gift will be. Just because a gift is fun and original doesn’t mean it can’t be educational and these cute soft toys are an ideal stocking filler idea. Made by people in the third world these animal themed knitted toys provide an income to families in poor countries and are also a good way of teaching your child about their counterparts who are not as fortunate as they are.
Gifts shown: Chunky woollen, knitted Giraffe (£11.95) and Zebra (£11.95); made by women living in rural Kenya. Each toy is individually signed by the person who made it which adds a nice personal touch and talking point.
Fair Trade Rag Dolls by LindenFrench – These cute dolls are hand made in Sri Lanka from locally sourced materials and provide funds for the Swim Lank charity which helps children who were victims of the tsunami. Made from natural materials the dolls outfits can be removed for easy washing. £13.50
Tiger Eco Torch – Kids will love this energy saving torch – just squeeze the trigger to provide battery-free illumination. £4.99
Wind-up Eco Rocket – just wind up this fantastic space rocket and stand back, count down and the rocket thrusters will roar into action by flashing and making realistic sound effects. There is even a useful handle so you can give it a little help actually flying. No batteries needed – ever. £14.99
Recycled Cardboard Doll’s House – Traditional doll’s houses made from wood are of course environmentally friendly but why not go one better with this dolls’ house from Oxfam made from recycled cardboard. Supplied in flat-pack form but easy to assemble, they’ll have hours of fun painting and decorating this house just the way they like it. £26.99
Soft Felt Elephant Backpack – This cute soft felt elephant children’s back-pack from Oxfam is made from ecologically friendly materials and is hand stitched. he has a flap over opening at the top which is secured with Velcro and has a special zipped pocket to keep small items secure. The soft and comfortable straps are fully adjustable and because the the material is felt wool this bag is also water repellent. £9.99
Gifts For Couples
Buying a suitable Christmas gift for a couple, whether it be your friends, neighbours or parents can be difficult at the best of times; and adding an ethical twist can stretch most imaginations somewhat. A really great gift idea, for all occasions, not just for Christmas, these tree gifts are organic, environmentally friendly, ethical and will last for many years.
Lemon tree – ideal for conservatories this lemon tree will provide a crop of fresh crop of lemons 3 or 4 times a year. £49.99
Twisted stem Olive Tree – a traditional symbol of hope and peace, makes a great home warming gift or Christmas gift for a young couple. £53.99
Orange Tree – brings a great citrus freshness and burst of colour to any home and will provide fruit up to 4 times a year. £49.99
Whichever gift theme you opt for this Christmas please give a thought to those in the world who are not as lucky as you are. Enjoy your Christmas, give great gifts and if you can help someone else in the world, as well as the planet itself then so much the better.