The Best Eco Christmas Gifts That Are Fabulously Planet-Friendly

Because we can all try to reduce our festive footprint.

Christmas presents

by Natalie Hammond |
Updated on

How much thought have you given to your festive footprint? We're not talking about what boots to wear on your next winter walk, but how much this year's merry-making will cost the planet. And while we definitely don't want to come across as a Scrooge, isn't it time to, well, call time on buying naff gifts that no one wants (and definitely no one needs)? Of course, we're not calling for a ban on presents - that would be a little bleak - but why not buy eco Christmas gifts from sustainable brands that have thought about how they treat their manufacturers, treat their workforce, what materials they're using and how far their raw materials have travelled.

Another option, of course, is the world of second-hand gifting. It doesn't get much more thoughtful than trawling through Vestiaire Collective - the fashion editor's favourite pre-loved platform - to find the exact bag or dress or coat that your loved one missed out on when it was first released, does it?

SHOP: The Best Eco Christmas Gifts To Buy For Winter 2022

Gallery

Best Eco Christmas Gifts

Monica Vinader, Doina Chain 18ct Recycled Gold Ring1 of 17
CREDIT: selfridges

Monica Vinader Doina Chain 18ct Recycled Gold Ring

Monica Vinader's Doina Ring made Selfridges' carefully curated Planet Earth edit for its recycled materials. Each piece in the collection is handcrafted with 100% recycled gold vermeil and sterling silver, reducing the brand's CO2 emissions by over 60%. Guilt-free gold.

Organic Herbal Tea Kit – Grow Your Own2 of 17
CREDIT: friendly turtle

Organic Herbal Tea Kit – Grow Your Own

Got a tea-obsessed friend? This grow-your-own-tea kit is sustainably made in the UK, plastic-free, and curated by The Little Allotment Company- a women-owned brand. Grow seeds to make your very own chamomile, lemon balm or peppermint tea.

Coconut Bowls & Spoons • Handmade Organic Coco Shells + Bamboo Straw3 of 17
CREDIT: etsy

Coconut Bowls & Spoons • Handmade Organic Coco Shells + Bamboo Straw

These shabby-chic handmade bowls are made from reclaimed coconuts. Buying a set will help provide income to the Bên Tre farmers in Southern Vietnam, where these magnificent bowls are formed.

Smelling Bee-utiful Wax Melt Burner Gift Set4 of 17
CREDIT: friendly turtle

Smelling Bee-utiful Wax Melt Burner Gift Set

Hallelujah for the soy wax. Far better for the planet, and better for your lungs too. This set comes with a bee-themed burner, as well as honey and heather fragranced soy wax melts.

Floral Street, SunFlower Pop Eau De Perfume, £245 of 17
CREDIT: floral street

Floral Street SunFlower Pop Eau De Perfume

Calabrian bergamot - sustainably sourced from a local cooperative of growers - is at the heart of this sunny scent.

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Floral Illustrated 2023 Wall Calendar6 of 17
CREDIT: ethical superstore

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Floral Illustrated 2023 Wall Calendar

Your Christmas shopping can help support the prettiest garden in the world- 11% of the profits from this purchase go to the ever-so-iconic Kew Royal Botanical Gardens to fund its upkeep.

Personalised Vegan Eco Pampering And Relaxing Kit7 of 17
CREDIT: not on the high street

Personalised Vegan Eco Pampering And Relaxing Kit

This totally plastic-free, vegan-friendly pampering bundle is perfect to buy for a co-worker you know loves the planet, but also needs to love themselves a bit more. Treat yourself is our motto for 2022, and for many years to come.

TALA Skin Luxe Collection8 of 17
CREDIT: tala

TALA Skin Luxe Collection

TALA's new collection, SkinLuxe, is made using 76% recycled nylon and 24% Lycra Sport. That means, for any gym fanatic, this will be heaven to wear. Lightweight yet buttery-smooth, whilst being good to the planet.

Aveda, Botanical Repair Strengthening Collection Light, £429 of 17
CREDIT: aveda

Aveda Gift Sets

Aveda's vegan and cruelty-free products are made using 100% wind and solar power (through renewable energy credits and carbon offsets) and are packaged in recycled bottles.

ACNE STUDIOS, Space-dye Wool Jumper, £53010 of 17
CREDIT: mytheresa

ACNE STUDIOS, Knitwear

For a knit they'll love for years to come, ACNE STUDIOS is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, ensuring supply chains prioritise the workers' well-being and conditions. Created with fair trade principles at the heart of the production process. this is a cosy knit with a good heart.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Circular Design For Fashion11 of 17
CREDIT: amazon

Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Circular Design For Fashion

Drawing on the knowledge of sustainable leaders such as Vivienne Westwood, Gabriela Hearst, Marine Serre, Bethany Williams, Nkwo Onwuka, and Ferdinando Verderi, Circular Design for Fashion invites its reader on a journey towards the future of design - and has been written in recognition of fashion's huge potential to move towards a circular economy.

Sea Change Wine & Prosecco 12 of 17
CREDIT: lisa angel

Sea Change Wine & Prosecco

Sea Change is an eco-conscious wine brand. Each bottle is linked to a different ocean charity, which is reflected in the bottle label design. Find their prosecco here or their wine selection here.

The Hidden Sea Wine13 of 17
CREDIT: sainsburys

The Hidden Sea Wine

Hold on- another eco-friendly wine brand? Cue excited screams. The Hidden Sea removes 10 single-use plastic bottles from the ocean for every bottle sold. Their eventual brand aim is to remove one billion bottles from our seas by 2030.

The Body Shop The Gift of Wonder14 of 17
CREDIT: the body shop

The Body Shop The Gift of Wonder

Has The Body Shop ever let us down? The Gift of Wonder is certified by The Vegan Society and made with 97% natural-origins ingredients. With this purchase, not only will you support TBS's Community Fair Trade partners, but the women of Get Paper Industry (GPI) in Nepal.

Women's Fluff Fleece Pullover15 of 17
CREDIT: all birds

Women's Fluff Fleece Pullover

Worn by the likes of Kaia Gerber and Hailey Bieber, fleeces are a hot trend of the festive season as the temperature begins to drop. The trim of these fabulous fleece pieces is crafted with a woven blend of ZQ Merino wool and recycled fabric, adding durability in high friction spots. All Birds also have similarly crafted slippers which are super cute.

Nobody's Child, Phoebe Midi Dress, £3216 of 17
CREDIT: Nobody's Child

Nobody's Child

Nobody's Child prides itself on producing mindfully-made clothes at affordable prices.

Rows, Scrap Snood, £4517 of 17
CREDIT: rows

Rows

Rows, a lovely made-to-order knitwear brand based in Yorkshire, makes its items from 50% scrap yarns, 30% merino wool and 20% baby alpaca.

The Best Shops To Buy Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Christmas Gifts

If you're looking for a one-stop shopping list of the best brands that care about the planet, look no further. These UK sites are where to go when you want to buy eco-Christmas gifts, for some truly guilt-free shopping.

For The Person Who Loves Handmade, Unique, One-Of-A-Kind Gifts...

Etsy- Eco Friendly Gifts

Gifts Online 4 U

For The Mum-To-Be...

John Lewis - Sustainable Gifts

For The Smaller, Secret Santa Eco Christmas Gift...

Ethical Superstore

Not On The Highstreet- Eco Friendly Gifts

For The Friend Who Is A Beauty Fiend...

Friendly Turtle

Content Beauty & Wellbeing

For Those Who Are One With Nature...

National Trust Online Shop

For Loved Ones Who Can't Stop Collecting Home Decor...

Uncommon Goods

Graham & Green

I am FY!

For An Experience-Day-Type Gift Idea...

Buy A Gift - Sustainable Gifts

Virgin Experience Days- Sustainable Eco Experience Gifts

Red Letter Days- Sustainable Gifts

We hope with this guide, you can find a truly special eco Christmas gift for your loved ones this festive season.

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