If you want Christmas to be a little less commercial this year and have deeper meaning, then think about purchasing all your gifts from Fairtrade or ethical sources. It’s easy to do and there is a huge variety of gifts to choose from so you’ll be sure to find something to suit every taste. Here are just a few ideas for ethical gift-giving this Christmas:
- For Chocolate Lovers
For a delicious after-dinner treat or the perfect gift for colleagues, friends or family, Fairtrade chocolate truffles not only look posh but taste amazing too. Most Fairtrade chocolate will come from ethically sourced and organic cocoa, look out for the stamp of approval from the Soil Association. Some of the world’s poorest communities pick cocoa pods so it’s only through buying Fairtrade chocolate that you can be confident workers and farmers are receiving a real and fair wage.
- For those who love to pamper
There are beautiful gift sets for him and her in unique scents and containing natural ingredients. Skin care includes options for vegans too, offering smooth, soft and more radiant skin. Benefit from products containing ingredients like liquorice root for even skin toning and cucumber and prebiotics for calming sensitivity. These products do not contain any artificial colours, genetically modified ingredients or synthetic fragrances. The products won’t be tested on animals, have biodegradable packaging and be suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
- For the Kids
From sweets to teddies and books, buying Fairtrade for children is the perfect opportunity to talk to them about the importance of shopping ethically in order to help the right people. Beautifully made clothes, baby teethers, blankets and timeless wooden toys all make wonderful gifts at this time of year. One of the favourites is the Big Red Bus, hand crafted in beautiful wood from woodcarvers in Sri Lanka. With colourful little wooden people to travel inside and brightly hand-painted, it will take pride of place in the toy box for many years to come.
- For Interior Design Enthusiasts
Want to buy something that will adorn a loved one’s home and be a colourful addition to their existing décor? Fairtrade crafts are bright and beautiful, authentic and handmade with great skill. Many such crafts have been made by women whom Fairtrade seeks to empower by providing them with a fair income. For a wide range of colourful, ethnic and unique gifts such as Bolga Baskets, visit http://www.injabulo.com
- For the Foodies
For the elegant diners, restaurant lovers and general connoisseurs of all things edible, a luxury Fairtrade food hamper is the perfect present. Presented in an attractive wicker basket, examples of products that can be included are Fairtrade coffee, biscuits, flavouring syrup, scented candles, chocolate, Earl Grey tea etc. All the produce will be made or originate from areas that are supported by Fairtrade so you know your money will benefit the growers and producers. Think about buying a variety of organic and ethical produce and making up your own hamper. It will be a sophisticated and delicious gift that will go down a treat.