Want to celebrate the festive season the ethical way? Then this is your guide on the best way to do just that this holiday season without losing the fun of gift giving. So, whether it’s being generous with your money when it comes to charities, avoiding plastics and single-use items, or simply buying from a maker or small business instead of the big corporations, give ethical shopping a go this year. Here are 10 suggestions for gifts to give in 2025.
1. Jess Sellinger is a Brisbane-based artist who works with Australian clay and glazes, making sculptures, vessels and furniture objects by hand in her studio. Jess also donates to local charities and has a yearly charity giveaway. The Wave Wall sculpture is $450. jesssellingerceramics.com
2. Kayu and Co is a Sydney-based brand that pays a living wage to Indonesian artisans in remote communities and sells beautifully crafted, sustainable homewares including bags, blankets, notebooks, bowls, vases, toys and accessories. Circa Rattan Sling Bag $75 kayu.co
3. Kip and Co is an Australian female-founded and carbon neutral brand and has some really cute Christmas decorations this year, including this strawberry, which I bought for my own tree. It’s handmade but also affordable and super cute. Strawberry Decoration $22 kipandco.com.au
4. Waverley Mills’s history of making woollen blankets in Tasmania dates back to 1874. Today they are made from ethically grown wool using sustainable processes and are made to last decades. Their new range with interior designer Fiona Lynch Desert Field includes four throws: Simpson, Stanley, Ormiston (pictured) and Sonder. $499 waverleymills.com
5. WØRKS makes soaps, creams and fragrances that are small batch and locally manufactured in Melbourne as well as 100% plastic-free with refillable glass bottles, aluminium tube, aluminium cap, uncoated FSC-certified cardboard box. Ingredients are certified organic, vegan and cruelty free, and they also carbon offset shipping. Saltbush Body Balm $32 worksproducts.com.au
6. Nancy Bird is a Melbourne clothing, accessories and homewares brand that recently teamed up with Juluwarlu Art Group alongside Wendy Hubert, who is a respected Yindjibarndi elder, cultural custodian, linguist and artist. Organic Cotton Square Cushion Cover Palm $159 nancybird.com
7. Shop second hand, where you can find ceramics, glassware and more in perfect nick. In Sydney head to That Retro Piece, in Melbourne there’s Smith Street Bazaar, in Canberra Dirty Jane’s and in the Blue Mountains Pickwick’s. In fact most cities and towns will have a variety of retro, vintage or antiques stores, some more curated and some less, and don’t forget to check the op shops too. That Retro Piece, Figgjo ‘Lotte’ Teapot $150 thatretropiece.com
8. Gift a hamper, which is always fun to receive. Working with Traditional Owners and Indigenous Australians who wild harvest many of their foods, Kakadu Plum Co has a variety of different hampers this year. The Jolly Chrissy Hamper, for example, showcases local ingredients, artistry and festive cheer, from handcrafted biscuits and bush food chocolate to jams, candles and more. $92 kakaduplumco.com
9. Civil Dawn Studio stocks a selection of lifestyle goods, all underpinned by excellent craftsmanship. Their Fair Trade dinner candles are handmade at a World Fair Trade Certified Workshop from 100% natural, vegan-friendly, and renewable plant-based vegetable stearin wax, coloured with natural dyes and meet rigorous ethical standards regarding working conditions, sustainability, and fair wages. Fair Trade Tapered Candles is available in 18 colours $5 each civildawnstudio.com.au
10. Why not gift an experience instead? A voucher towards a special meal or tickets to a show is a great option, check local venues for details and make a night of it. For example, for the architecture lover in your life, gift tickets to Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud’s show “Live in Interesting Places”. Ticket prices vary modernisterbooks.com
