Sustainable & Ethical Gift Guide 2022: Eco-Friendly, Low Waste & Conscious Ideas For All Budgets
Once again the holiday season has rolled around!
This year I’m doing things a little differently. Many people are aware of cost at the moment, and being mindful with budgets and spending. So this year my recommendations are split into general price categories, and I’ve also tried to include varying price options within the brands I’ve recommended too. Have a peruse, and hopefully you can find some great sustainable and ethical options here that still help you consume and save mindfully.
Sending all my love and support to everyone this winter season!
UNDER £20
INCLUSEV
INCLUSEV’s organic and planet-friendly skincare is handmade in Britain and is biodegradable and cruelty-free, with no dyes or harsh chemicals. They’re a genderless beauty brand with sustainability and transparency at their core, as they fight waste with circular concentrated powder-to-foam formulas. Products are crafted without water, with every bottle delivering 4 times the number of washes of 50g liquid product. Conventional liquid products are usually made of around 80% water and 20% active ingredients, but INCLUSEV’s waterless beauty products consist of 100% active ingredients that are also 100% natural and plant-based. All products are packaged in biopolymer bottles, which are generated using 100% sugarcane fibre and are widely recyclable.
MY TOP PICKS:
Get 30% off from 12-26 December for these limited edition Christmas duos:
DUO 1: Face wash and Bodywash
DUO 2: Bodywash and Shampoo
Pixie’s Magic Hook
Pixie’s Magic Hook is an eco-friendly homeware brand, with items made in the UK using recycled and ethically sourced materials and eco-friendly packaging.
MY TOP PICK:
DIY Macrame Bee Plant Hanger Kit, £14
La Aquarelle
La Aquarelle’s eye masks and sleep sachets are handmade with love and naturally dyed. Choose from organic cotton, organic bamboo or silk for eye maks, while sleep sachets are made to order with organic cotton hand-dyed with indigo extract, and filled with organic French lavender buds. The whole process is 100% chemical and toxic-free.
MY TOP PICK:
Helen Round
Helen Round handcraft beautiful and functional linen products for the home. Proudly Cornish, they’re inspired by the flora and fauna of the countryside and coastline, and train makers and printers from the local community. All materials are ethically sourced, linen is Oeko-Tex certified, and items are made in small batches using traditional techniques and water-based inks.
MY TOP PICKS:
Linen glasses case, £17
Bee reusable linen bowl covers, £20
Hand-built bee ceramic soap dish, £19.50
All Earth
All Earth create a range of natural products and make-up options using refillable and recyclable packaging. Their pots for life are made in Cornwall from recycled fishing nets salvaged from the sea. Plus, when you purchase products you can send your old-brand plastic and mixed material containers/brushes to All Earth to fully recycle them through Terracycle.
MY TOP PICKS:
Cream butter bars, £5.50
Plastic-free AirPods Case
Wavecase creates biodegradable, planet-friendly products from wheat straw. Their AirPods cases are great plastic-free alternatives that come in a range of vibrant colours, packaged in recycled cardboard, and each purchase supports Surfers Against Sewage in their war against single-use plastics.
SHOP HERE, £15
Vesta
Vesta Living ethically produces reusable cotton facial wipes, baby wipes and cleaning wipes. They are made with 100% cotton fabric and can be easily used and then washed in the machine. They have also won multiple social enterprise grants, helping them set up production in the UK to employ survivors of abuse.
MY TOP PICKS:
Organic bath scrubbie, £7.50, made with organic towel and fabric scraps, and stuffed with offcuts.
Christmas stocking, £18
Forma Candle Studio
Forma Candle Studio combine a passion for art with immense love for candles. They work to be as eco-conscious as possible, from not wasting any leftover wax to using plastic-free packaging, while always looking ahead for exciting new designs
MY TOP PICKS:
Bubble candle, £10
Santorini candle, £15
Venus candle, £15
Sprinkles Creations
Sprinkles Creations UK create plastic-free party packs and eco-friendly activities for children. Their soy wax crayons are handmade and non-toxic, while their ‘dino poop’ contains wildflower seeds to grow pollinator-friendly flowers.
MY TOP PICKS:
Dinosaur mini DIY seed bombs, £3
Build a bug hotel activity set, £7.50
Green Island
Green Island create high-quality, plastic-free options, from product through to packaging. They’re partnered with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every order, while their baby products are BPA and phthalate-free, waterproof and easy to clean.
MY TOP PICK:
Baby bowl and spoon, £11.95
Wild & Stone
Wild & Stone was created to help find eco-conscious alternatives to single-use essentials around the home. Stylishly sustainable, all products are sourced with the planet and people in mind.
MY TOP PICK:
Over the rainbow bamboo baby plate, £15.95
UNDER £50
Henley Naturals
Henley Naturals create organic, sustainably sourced, low-waste hand and body washes, prioritising self-care through the power of essential oils. Their range marries high-quality design and integrity with the needs of a conscious consumer, promoting physical and emotional well-being through natural essential oils. Everything is vegan-friendly and handmade in small batches in the UK. Simply buy a starter kit to receive a reusable infinity bottle in the style of your choice, order refills when it suits you, and return your refill pouches for free recycling and repurposing.
MY TOP PICK:
Free Flow starter pack, designed to be uplifting and rejuvenating, £24.99
Leiho
Leiho collaborate with small charities and projects that directly help people experiencing homelessness. They research the basic essentials needed during different times of the year, and dedicate 5% of sales to match every purchase with another essential donated through their partnerships. So if you buy a pair of Leiho socks, you will be helping fund another basic essential such as a clean pair of socks, underwear, thermals or even a hot meal for someone in need.
MY TOP PICKS:
Coffee & socks gift pack, £13.50
Clean U
Clean U is designed to conveniently provide sustainable solutions for everyday routines, making eco-friendly and vegan living easy. Founder Arushi creates effective remedies with conscious ingredients, including handpicked and shade-dried teas sourced from the Himalayan foothills.
MY TOP PICKS:
Dandelion tea, £7.95
Luxury botanical tea gift set, featuring Rhododendron & Basil, dandelion, and rosehip and mint. Taster size £16.95, luxury size £37.95
Pieces Of The Puzzle
Pieces Of The Puzzle’s sustainable jigsaws are designed for mindfulness and reducing anxiety, while also being fully plastic-free and recyclable. Their jigsaws are made in the UK using FSC-certified wood and starch-based glue, and the pieces come in a cotton Fairtrade drawstring bag.
MY TOP PICK:
Garden jigsaw, £35
Habulous
Habulous by Nicky Edmunds is a UK based ethical homewares brand focused on creating sustainable, quality ranges that will last a lifetime. Nicky lovingly creates her unique pottery pieces in her studio on Dartmoor. She focuses on creating contemporary, functional ceramics using traditional methods such as hand building and throwing.
MY TOP PICKS:
Strawberry air plant holder pot, £14.99
Jellyfish air plant hanging decorations, £16.50 – £22.99
Whale Bud Vase Air Plant Holder, £30 – £39.50
Little Box of Love
An eco alternative to the popular pamper box gift, all of Little box of Love’s contents are sourced from local artisans and put together in Cornwall. The Christmas Survival kit can be filled with pamper essentials including sustainable chocolate, beauty products, and dried lavender pouches for relaxation.
SHOP HERE, price range £24 – £49
Ollie & Co
Ollie & Co are based on the North coast of Cornwall. Their Dog, Horse & Human mood and wellness-enhancing grooming range has been thoughtfully made with organic, natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. Items are hand made, cruelty free and SLS and paraben free.
MY TOP PICKS:
Muscle rub (for humans), £14.50
Dog walkers survival gift box, £35
Fill
All Fill products are made in a family-run factory in Northamptonshire. Ingredients are biodegradable, with no dyes, harsh chemicals or plastic bottles. They’re cruelty free and vegan, and they offer bulk refills.
MY TOP PICK:
Plastic-free camping kit, featuring wash bag, body wash, hair wash and conditioner, sponge, and wash up, £35.50
Karma Candle Co
Little Karma Co. Ltd. create synthetic-free candles that burn cleanly. Candles are 100% naturally scented with pure essential oils, are handcrafted in small batches in the UK and a free from paraffin, palm, and animal products. Plus, all candles are refillable and personalisation is offered.
MY TOP PICKS:
Individual candles, Sugar & Spice, Post Roast Snooze or All Day Feast, from £14
Luxury personalised Christmas gift set, from £36
Battle Green
Battle Green is based in North Wales, offering eco-friendly options. Many items are refillable and reusable, everything is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, and packaging is plastic-free, compostable and reyclable.
MY TOP PICK:
Build your own christmas cracker gift set, £9.95 – £29.95
ZAN+ME
ZAN+ME is an independent label for unique ceramics inspired by nature, art and design. Their unique designs are made on the Kent Coast, often inspired by flora and fauna.
MY TOP PICKS:
Ceramic flower mug, £26
Ceramic planter with matching saucer, £26
SKNFED
SKNFED create cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and organic skincare. They always use a range of nourishing, enriching natural ingredients for the best results.
MY TOP PICKS:
Organic solid body butter bars, £8.50
Rio Nuevo
Rio Nuevo create ethical and sustainable direct-trade chocolate that is also vegan-friendly. They pay 62 – 67% above Fair Trade prices, and their products are absolutely delicious.
MY TOP PICKS:
Pyramid drinking chocolate, £15
The ultimate guide to Rio Nuevo, £45
Billy Rainwear
Around 250,000 tents are abandoned at festivals each summer. Billy Rainwear repurposes these tents into clothes and accessories, saving thousands of metres of synthetic materials from landfill. Everything is handmade in the UK in small batches, with every piece of fabric used, including insect netting and guy lines used for detailing and parcels are sent out packaged in ground sheets tied in guy lines.
MY TOP PICKS:
Travel pouches, £30 (available in multiple colourways
Recycled air bed laptop case, £50
OVER £50
Asquith
All of Asquith’s sustainable activewear and ethical loungewear is ethically made in their GOTS-certified factory. Their sustainable natural fabrics are Oeko-Tex certified, blending organic cotton and sustainably sourced bamboo to create durable pieces that are anti-bacterial, breathable, sweat-wicking, and comfortable. This year they’ve gone even further with limited edition upcycled sweatshirts. Made from fabric that would otherwise go to waste including a mix of deadstock brushed and loop back fleece, these 100% cotton sweatshirts are also produced to Oeko- tex certifications, meaning each item has been tested and is negative for harmful chemicals and are the perfect for throwing on after yoga or for getting cosy in on the couch.
MY TOP PICKS:
Love Me Again Sweatshirt in blue, £60
High-waisted leggings, £65 and Flow with it leggings, £70
NEMI Tea
London-based NEMI Teas offer a variety of whole-leaf organic tea blends, with loose-leaf options or plastic-free, fairtrade-certified teabags. They also provide employment to refugees, helping with work experience and skill building. Their tea subscription boxes come as loose-leaf or teabags, and feature 3 surprise teas 4 times a year.
MY TOP PICK:
Tea Subscription Pack, from £13.00 every 3 months
Floral Street
Floral Street perfumes are vegan and cruelty-free. They use a range of sustainable, fully traceable, natural ingredients, with suppliers and growers ethically treated through the supply chain. Their perfumes are housed in glass bottles, their packaging is all FSC certified, compostable, reusable and recyclable, and they only use vegetable and soy-based inks.
MY TOP PICKS:
Discovery set, light and dark, £100
Pivot
Pivot is an ethical and sustainable jewellery brand empowering those experiencing homelessness through the practical experience of making and enterprise. They design products that can easily be made in hostels, utilising materials like brass and stainless steel, to bring flexible and meaningful employment for vulnerable people who may find it hard to access work.
MY TOP PICKS:
Astral gift set, £55
Send a Hug bundle, £70
12-month subscription, £125
The Hidden Sea
Australian wine brand The Hidden Sea aim to remove 1 billion plastic bottles from the world’s oceans by 2030. For each bottle of Hidden Sea wine bought, 10 plastic bottles are removed from the ocean in a trackable process, thanks to a partnership with ReSea Project. After purchase customers receive a QR code which helps them track development.
MY TOP PICK:
Check their store list for individual bottles in a shop near you
Native Hands
Native Hands offer uplifting courses in wild pottery, basketry and bushcraft in the woods of Sussex, UK. Crafting materials are foraged from the land, reconnecting people with ancient crafts and the landscape around them. Each course is inspired and informed by traditional wisdom and knowledge, while helping people connect to local ecosystems and experience the joy and achievement of making something with their hands.
MY TOP PICK:
Activity voucher, £25 – £230
SPONSORED POST DISCLAIMER: this post contains paid features from some brands, and some affiliate links. I already had relationships with the brands featured and believed in what they were doing. I would never recommend something I don’t believe in, all editorial decisions my own.