Since I started this annual list in 2016, the ethical gift market has grown enormously, making my task not easier but more difficult each year. Still, I’ve had a good crack at it, finding options that prioritise people and planet.
First off, do you need to give a physical gift? If not, please consider gifting to charity if you can – Red Cross is doing Real Good Gifts, Care Australia has their Care Gifts, there’s Oxfam Unwrapped or you can adopt a Koala or other endangered animal via WWF, give toys to kids in need via The Smith Family or give a Bushgift Card to support our environment via Bush Heritage.
1. This beautiful bag was woven by Tama Jackson in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and is available to buy through Among Equals, an organisation started by Caroline Sherman in 2015 to bring the beauty of the bilum bag to the global fashion market. At time of writing, this bag is $180 reduced to $120. See this bag and more here.
2. Get the gardener in your life this Bee Pollination Kit. Each kit includes: 2 varieties of seeds – borage and alyssum, coffee compost mix and ready-to-grow recycled coffee cups. 10% of profits go to the Beemunity Research to find a solution to Colony Collapse Disorder which is impacting bees globally. Available from Lifecykel for $25.46.
3. Contemporary Aboriginal artist from Goreng Goreng country Rachael Sarra sells apparel, calendars, cards, framed canvas prints, notebooks, pins, prints, totes and wrapping paper. This 2021 Calendar is $50 and is available on the online shop Sarra.
4. Do you use a phone case – if so, is it biodegradable? Pela make completely compostable phone cases meaning less plastic waste and I think the Honey (Bee) design is adorable – and it has a little sleeve for your travel card. Available from Pela for $54.95.
5. This scarf is soft and stylish and is made from sustainable bamboo. Unisex, it’s by Boody and costs $29.95.
6. Who doesn’t love a hamper? The Earth Friendly Home Kit includes: linen bread bag, stainless steel bottle, cotton dishcloth, shampoo and conditioner bars and a laundry stain remover bar. From Ekologi it’s $99.95.
7. Citizen Wolf is a fashion brand specialising in zero waste – they have a magic fit technology that creates the t-shirt you need in your size and a really short supply chain, with fabrics made in Melbourne from ethical wool and sewn in Sydney. To top it off, any waste created in making their garments is converted into this amazing recycled yarn, which you can buy for $12 a ball. These guys really have thought of everything.
8. Newcastle artist Sophia Emmett’s Mesh jewellery is made from reclaimed polyester mesh. Available from Australian Design Centre’s Object Shop, the Bracelet is $35 and the Hook Earrings are $50 a pair. They suit almost any outfit and are lovely and light to wear.
9. Dinosaur Designs has always had sustainability at the heart of its practice, using resin that’s a by-product of the oil industry and would otherwise be waste. Excess resin is used to create multi-coloured pieces for their Extinct store. The new Wildflower Collection is glorious, prices variable.
10. Huskee is a reusable coffee cup made from coffee husks that would otherwise be discarded as waste. A fantastic inexpensive gift, available for $19.95 from Gingerfinch, an online store with rigorous ethical standards.
Fantastic list! Lots of great present ideas here.
Thanks Alix! It’s a fun list to put together.