Hello,

 

Here on the blog we first posted our suggestions for ‘Gifts that do Good’ back in 2017. As it already seems to be the time of year when magazines and newspapers are publishing their lists of gift ideas for Christmas, we thought we’d bring you our updated collection, starting with some ideas from the UK. We hope it will help you get ahead with your gift buying, whilst supporting good causes and small businesses at the same time.

Cards and wrapping

There’s a wonderful range of cards, wrapping materials and decorations available from charities and buying from them is an easy way to spread the word about your favourite cause while helping to raise funds. Art UK is a good place to browse the selections offered by galleries and museums.

Gift ideas to please all tastes

We all struggle sometimes to think of something different to buy for friends and family, and perhaps these suggestions might help you find some new options:

All things Coffee

Grounds for Good is a small business based in south Wales that uses repurposed coffee grounds to make a range of products from gin to body polish, and also partners with a charity that supports homeless people.

Manumit Coffee sells coffee roasted by people affected by modern slavery, offering them training and employment. Their online shop has a range of coffee brewing equipment, as well as individual packs of coffee and a choice of weekly, fornightly and monthly coffee subscription plans.

Toiletries and home fragrance

Myddfai Trading Company, named after famous physicians from Welsh folklore, is a social enterprise which produces soaps, home fragrances and a range of bathing products while supporting and employing vulnerable adults from the local community. Their ‘Awel y Môr/Sea Breeze’ scent is particularly fresh and invigorating and they also offer a Christmas range with notes of cinnamon and cloves.

Fashion and jewellery

These days there’s a great choice of companies offering ethically and sustainably produced clothes and accessories and we especially like Thought Clothing. Their ranges include items for both men and women, as well as beauty products, jewellery and homewares. Their socks and leisurewear are highly recommended for cosy nights at home over the winter and they now offer the chance to recycle your unwanted items when you make a purchase from them.

 

For bookworms

You can’t go wrong with a book and Christmas is the ideal time to shop at your local independent bookshop, where the booksellers will be able to find something to suit everyone on your list. Our recommendations can be found on our Reading List page, and we also have some talented authors amongst our friends of the blog – Heidi Gallagher’s historical novel Rebecca’s Choice is set in the Victorian era and was inspired by her own family’s history. Modesty doesn’t prevent us suggesting that our book would also make a welcome gift – it’s full of ideas for living life well every month of the year.

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Have you started your shopping for the Holidays yet? We’d love to hear about your ideas and favourite companies in the comments.

Until next time, stay safe and well,

Claire and Sam