POSITIVE NEWS - Presents with purpose: 33 sustainable gifts to give this Christmas
Posted 8th December 2023 • Written by www.positive.news • • • • • •
From plantable calendars to prescription poetry, as well as timely books, here are 33 positive presents to give this Christmas – including personal recommendations from the Positive News team
Want to avoid the dark side of consumerism without being a Scrooge? Then have a glance over our Christmas gift guide below. It features sustainable gifts that support small businesses while treating the planet, and society, kindly.
Food and drink
Spicy sauces
Drench those Christmas day leftovers in South African sunshine with these gourmet spicy sauces from the Kingdom of Eswatini. They’re made by Fair Trade producer, Eswatini Kitchen, which provides a sustainable income to more than 300 people, the vast majority of them women and the sole providers for their household. Proceeds go to youth care initiatives supporting thousands of marginalised Eswatini children. £15; goodthingsgifts.co.uk
Festive coffee
Christmas cheer in a mug. Apostle Coffee’s festive blend combines certified organic beans from Colombia, India and Sumatra in a smooth, rich roast with notes of marzipan, chestnut, red currant and brown sugar – like a liquid version of your mum’s best Christmas cake. Apostle’s eco-credentials are also second to none: coffee comes in home-compostable packaging and beans are processed in an off-grid roastery. Take out a subscription and they’ll even plant a tree on your behalf. £9.99; apostlecoffee.com.
Craft beer
Recommended by Robin Eveleigh, news reporter
Independent breweries have had an insanely tough year, so I like the idea of bringing them a little Christmas cheer. Get in the community spirit by hopping along to your local one. For me it’s Lucky Seven Beer Co. in Hay-on-Wye, or for the last word in sustainable supping, check out Gipsy Hill Brewery’s world-first, carbon-negative beers, available from their tap room in south London only. From £3.60, lucky7beer.co.uk and gipsyhillbrew.com.
Tea
Recommended by Iris Pase, production editor
Time to spill the tea: I love the cold. I’m that person who – as the days get shorter and nights colder – revels in the crisp air and winter light. And what better way to warm up on a chilly day than with a cup of tea? My go-to has been Teatulia’s organic teas. Every sip is a (delicious) journey through ethically sourced and traceable ingredients, and the teas arrive at your doorstep in packaging that’s 91% compostable and recyclable. So, in every comforting cup, you’re not just savouring tea, you’re sipping on a commitment to sustainable and responsible practices. From £5.57; teatulia.com.
Clothing and accessories
Long-sleeve tee
Cornwall-based Level Collective’s long sleeved T-shirt features a stylish, nature-inspired sun and palm leaf, symbolising calming ways and sunnier days ahead. Designs are screen printed by hand with water-based inks on fabric made from 100% organic virgin cotton – meaning no intensive fertilisers or harmful pesticides – and manufacturing partners are monitored to ensure safe, fair and ethical working conditions. £47; brotherswestand.com.
Swimming costume
Recommended by Pauline Milligan, COO
This gift combines two things I love: sea swimming and supporting female-owned local small businesses. Celebrating the wild swimming community of west Cornwall where I live, Mor Swimmy make swimwear that’s fun, inclusive and vibrant. I love how honest they’ve been about their eco journey – the challenges this throws up and inevitable compromises. Their swimsuits are high quality and made to order in ethical working conditions, so there’s no waste from overproduction or unsold stock. As this is slow fashion, be sure to order early to receive in time for Christmas – or contact them for a gift voucher and let your wild swimmer choose their own. Christmas Day dip optional.
£49.50; morswimmy.com.