The 2019 Ethical Christmas Gift Guide*
Christmas is nigh! And while I haven’t even started my own Christmas shopping yet, I’ve been drooling over dozens of gorgeous gifts from ethical brands and indie designers, plenty of them local Scottish companies. This year, I want to shop as sustainably as possible, both in the gifts themselves and in reducing the quantity of gifts I buy. So with that in mind, welcome to my ethical Christmas gift guide for 2019, featuring 15+ thoughtful and considered gift ideas. Here’s to the most conscious Christmas yet.
The brands in this blog post have either paid a small fee to be featured, or include an affiliate link, but I have personally picked the products I love from brands with values I connect with.
For the fashionista
100% Geelong Lambswool oversized blanket scarf, knitted in the Scottish Borders. The wool is sourced in Kinross, Scotland, and dyed with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) approved dyes.
100% organic cotton ribbed roll neck jumper in rose pink. Made ethically in Germany by sustainable fashion brand By Maqu.
Blue curve necklace handcrafted in Edinburgh from sterling silver and reclaimed plastics, including found telecom wire and sterling silver.
Beanie and gloves made from recycled cashmere, available in 4 different colours. Use my discount code RUTHOBC4 for 10% off.
Dreamy skinny scarf made in Scotland from bamboo silk, dyed with avocado stones and skins, and chlorophyllin extracted from nettle and spinach leaves.
Unisex shirt made from handwoven organic cotton printed with a unique design. Fairtrade and 100% traceable supply chain, delivered with plastic-free packaging in a Christmas gift box.
£70 from Where Does It Come From.
For the beauty geek
Nourishing whipped body butter handmade in the North East of Scotland from botanical materials including mango, shea, jojoba and grapeseed. Vegan friendly and cruelty-free.
Body mist made from homegrown native Scottish wildflowers. Seilich is the UK’s first Wildlife Friendly company, protecting and enriching nature through their regenerative meadow.
Coffee and orange body scrub made with 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. Handcrafted in Scotland with recyclable packaging.
Luxury travel set including an eye mask, hair scrunchie and pillow, made from cruelty-free peace silk. Hypoallergenic and designed to encourage super-soft hair, wrinkle-free skin and a cool, peaceful sleep.
HER is a roll-on perfume created by ethical fashion brand Cossac. It uses 100% organic and natural ingredients, and is scented with amber, jasmine and vanilla.
Secret santas and stocking fillers
Tangerine and pink hand block-printed purse, crafted by a female-led collective in India using Fairtrade certified manufacturing.
Hand-beaded faux pearl hoops on a statement gold earring stud, made in Edinburgh and perfect for festive parties.
Two-piece pyjama set with embroidered logo t-shirt and mini shorts, made with hot pink marl jersey in the Scottish Borders.
Amber, cedar and rosewood scented candle in a recycled glass jar with metallic gold accentsm, hand poured in London with soya wax. UK based women's charity NIA receive a generous share of every candle sold.
Boom Saloon is a meticulously crafted print magazine featuring creative photography and incredible writing by people with a diverse range of backgrounds from all around the world. Each issue funds vital arts projects and collaborations with charities like Refuweegee, and contain tear sheets of art and photography to treasure.
I am selling the magazines at a reduced price of £10 each through their new social distribution model - so please get in touch if you would like to buy one and I will post it out to you!
Gifts that aren’t ‘stuff’
If you’ve got someone on your list that is just impossible to buy for, or someone who just doesn’t appreciate material things, consider opting for an ‘experience’ gift instead. This way, you’re saving on material waste, you’re creating time and space for someone you love, and bonus - you might get to join in and reap the benefits too!
Discover a date they’re available and ask them to pencil in some time, then book a pair of tickets to the theatre, the ballet, an opera or a concert with their favourite band.
Book a dinner for a fancy meal at their favourite restaurant, or maybe try out somewhere new. Tasting menus are often more affordable at high-end restaurants, and so much fun. You could even try a whisky or wine tasting for something a bit different.
Find a workshop that you can both take part in to learn something new and get creative. From cocktail masterclasses to flower arranging, silversmithing to ceramics, there’s something to suit everyone, and it makes such a unique gift.
The ultimate crowd-pleasing gift is a spa day. Check out Groupon or Treatwell for offers and book them a much-needed massage and soak in a jacuzzi to give the gift of total relaxation.
Create a ‘time token’ - this is something my Dad came up with and I’ve used on many a birthday or Christmas - basically, you get a piece of card and some coloured pens and write out an I.O.U for simple time that you will dedicate to that person. This time can be exchanged at any point in the following year for anything you like - for me it’s usually a mini road trip or day out somewhere in Scotland with plenty of walks and time to reconnect.
Still not found what you’re looking for? Check out my 2018 ethical Christmas gift guide, or explore some more of these fabulous gift guides, featuring sustainable brands, gifts for the guys in your life, indie female-led businesses, and my personal favourite, second-hand gift inspiration:
Products featured in header image include: