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GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK
It’s been a while since Oxfam first asked us to buy a cow. We were all initially confused but delighted by this new and exciting way to gift and thankfully this has now become a real mainstream staple of Christmas gifting.
There are loads of really cool ways to give a gift that gives back but we have picked out some of the new and lesser-known companies making moves in this space this year.
ANCHOR BRACELET
Handmade – Recovered From The Sea – Give Back
70% of plastic found on the shores of Cornwall is lost fishing nets, rope and gear.
These ice-cool anchor bracelets from Cornwall are made from ‘ghost’ fishing nets that wash up along the coastline and are salvaged by volunteers.
Sales from each bracelet drives the work of Behaviour Change Cornwall which sends teams of young volunteers to make the ocean healthier and wildlife safer.
Each bracelet comes with some notes on who recovered your net and where it was found.
£27.99, from Behaviour Change Cornwall
COFFEE SUBSCRIPTION – SHADE GROWN & BIRD FRIENDLY
Fairtrade – Organic – Bird Friendly
According to the good people at Bird & Wild, shade-grown coffee improves habitats for native birds, insects and mammals while also helping plant diversity. Under the shade of the tropical highland rainforests, coffee is allowed to grow slowly in wild conditions to develop complex, distinctive and smooth flavours.
As well as Fairtrade and Organic, the company donates 6% of sales to the RSPB Wildlife Charity thereby protecting wildlife at home and abroad with every cup you drink.
from £6.59 p/w, from Bird & Wild
SUPPORT REFUGEE BUSINESS OWNERS
Gift Experiences – Refugee-led Businesses
Anqa is a marketplace led by refugee founders, selling exciting products and experiences from a new generation of refugee-led businesses.
Every purchase from Anqa helps these brilliant founders to grow their businesses. The site is chock full of cool gift ideas including Syrian catering experiences, handmade ceramics and jewellery, and a whole host of clothing and food and drink ideas.
£7 – £63, from Anqa Collective
LIPS TEE
Fair Trade – 100% of Profits Returned to Africa
From the people that bought you the Wink Tee, the lovely people at Origin Africa have a new design.
Origin gives all profits to African social business entrepreneurs working in rural communities in Mali, Ethiopia and the Gambia.
Here at #EthicalHour HQ we are loving this simple vibrant and bold simple tee with a heart of gold.
£29.95, Origin Africa
GIVE BACK GOODS GIFT CARDS
Ethically Made – Give Back
This website is brimming with gifts that have a purpose.
From electronic goods that support people with hearing loss, to Fair Trade knitted Christmas pillows. There’s even a yoga mat where sales go to protecting chimpanzee habitats in Uganda.
A handy search tool allows you to search gifts by cause. Splendid.
From $25, from Give Back Goods
RAINBOW KANTHA EMBROIDERY SCARF
Handmade – Organic Cotton – Social Enterprise
Kantha originated in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. It is a simple long running stitch to keep multiple layers of fabric in place. Traditionally, it was used to make quilts from old sarees and it is one of the earliest forms of upcycling!
Ethiqana has partnered with an amazing women’s initiative based in India called Anoothi which works with destitute women – giving them shelter, training and employment to pave the way for economic & social independence.
£38, from Ethiqana
MORE ETHICAL CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDES
Disclaimer
#EthicalHour is running #ShopEthicalInstead as a campaign to promote small businesses, brands featured on #EthicalHour or as part of #ShopEthicalInstead or in any of our gift guides have not paid for promotion and #EthicalHour is not using affiliate links.