Pages

ERIN KAY WILLIAMS

Search This Blog

Featured post

10 Road Trips to Start Planning Now

I'm not sure there has ever been a better time to plan a UK or Irish roadtrip. With the opportunity to explore cities and the countrysid...

Wednesday, 22 November 2023

Sustainable Christmas Gift Guide 2023


I couldn't quite break the ritual of pulling together the big sustainable Gift Guide filled with small brands and sustainable products. This maybe my only blog post from the last 12 months but I hope you enjoy all the Christmas gifts ideas.

Gifts for the Fashion Lover

Alohas Trainers | £142
The Tb.490 sneaker is made in Portugal from suede with brown leather details. Designed in a low-top silhouette sitting on rubber soles, it’s complete with plenty of classic features, including subtle perforation and logo stamps.

Fund Jumper | £165
Helping to support small independent farmers. Fund work exclusively with a British company to manufacture sustainable high quality wool from free range pasture fed ethically reared sheep. The brand also helps support a variety of charities and offset their emissions meaning you're supporting a brand really trying to do good.

Mashu Philippa Bag | £295
A brand working hard to integrate sustainability credentials, this bag is created using Bio Veg vegan leather made from 27% Recycled polyester 73% bio based mass content from non GMO corn crops made in Italy. The lining is 100% organic cotton sourced from the Netherlands whilst the Gold Plated brass hardware is handmade in Greece.

Beaumont Organic Linen Dress | £143
Launched in 2008, Beaumont Organic is a premium, sustainable fashion brand. Featuring GOTS certified organic cotton, alongside other sustainable and eco-fabrics such as linen, lyocell, tencel and non-mulesed wool. Sustainably produced and ethically made in Europe, their items provide timeless pieces for everyday wear.

P&Co Slow Sundays T-shirt | £30
The Slow Sundays T-shirt in off-white is a relaxed fit unisex graphic t-shirt made from a mid-weight 100% soft cotton jersey. The P&Co brand exploring how to become more sustainable, with initiatives already in place for their suppliers, packaging and materials including their buttons .

Tartan Blanket Company Scarf | £32
Donating 1% of their revenue to the planet and 1% to the people supporting charities and community projects around the world, The Tartan Blanket Company designed in Edinburgh is the perfect winter gift.

Recycled Wool Hat | £44
This ribbed texture beanie made with 100% recycled merino is made from pre-consumer textile waste that would otherwise go to landfill. Perfect for those out in winter to keep them warm on whatever their adventure may entail.

Tea and Tequila Bugambilia Top £135
The bugambilia scallop top is expertly crafted from medium weight organic cotton twill, adorned with an intricate artisan frill at the waist, in deep red and Mexican pink tones. The artisan detail has been lovingly created by the talented Hernandez Lopez family in Zinacantán, Chiapas who the brand have  been working with since our first collaborative collection in 2020.

Pantee Branded Socks | £9
Made using 80% organic cotton, produced ethically in Portugal, these socks are the perfect length and super comfy from a brand that puts sustainability at the heart of all they do.

LANX Boots | £210
A shoe brand committed to building items that last, LANX has developed a shoe repair and resoling service for all LANX customers to benefit from. Based in the village of Whalley in Lancashire, each of the brands collections have unique embossments, stylish broguing, the finest leather and British sourced textiles. 
Get 10% off at LANX using the discount code EKW10. 
 

Gifts for those who love to Host

Ebba Cornish Dry Gin | £44
A classic London dry gin from Mounts Bay Distillery and made with Cornish botanicals. With fresh sea aster and locally foraged rock samphire the result is a wonderful dry Cornish Gin. The distillery offer gin in refill pouch for a reduced cost, allowing you to enjoy the gin in your bottle time and time again.

La Cosa The Thing dessert wine £14.99
The most unique and delicious dessert wine I’ve ever tasted. This wine is made using bio-dynamic and organic practices with the vineyard owner setting out to do something a little different, doing everything the opposite way to which wine is traditionally made. The result is the perfect gift to wrap up a evening of dining with.

Sip Swirl Straws | £25
Its not often to find cool looking glass straws but these certainly do the trick! Each straw is crafted from borosilicate glass and tinted with colour making the perfect drink accessory.

Tartan Blanket Co Placemats | £20
From one of my favourite companies, this rust and blue checkerboard placemat is the perfect way to add a touch of warmth and fun to your dining table. Made from 100% BCI cotton, it is soft, durable, and easy to care for. O and did we mention that they’re made from the offcuts of the brands cushion cover fabric so that nothing goes to waste.
Made in the UK, this pared-back lidded butter dish hand-thrown by potter Rebecca Williams, based in West Sussex. Shaped to a pleasing rounded form with a soft matte glaze, providing the perfect table accessory for dinner parties.
West House Pottery makes beautiful, dip-glazed and kiln-fired ceramics from a small studio in Cumbria. The Pottery is a not-for-profit social enterprise and part of West House - Cumbria’s leading care and support provider for children, young people and adults with learning difficulties. By supporting West House Pottery, you’re giving each one of their potters’ essential and creative skills and helping them to lead a fulfilling, independent life.

Made in the UK, this pared-back lidded butter dish hand-thrown by potter Rebecca Williams, based in West Sussex. Shaped to a pleasing rounded form with a soft matte glaze, providing the perfect table accessory for dinner parties.
With a focus on sustainability, ALSOhome have sourced their favourite ceramic shapes and cast them in recycled clay with every ceramic piece being hand finished and unique.

The newest design from Selwyn House, cleverly crafted from the off-cuts of the very best quarter-sawn English Oak used in their larger pieces. These pieces are stacked together, and then turned on the lathe by Sean, to give this modern take on a traditional bobbin candle holder.
 
Based in Weymouth, Karen Dawn Curtis ceramics is an extensive, hand-made range of ceramic products that provides everything you need to enrich your everyday life whether drinking your favourite coffee or displaying beautiful flowers. This Japandi-style jug is hand-made with coloured clay. The interior is glazed, leaving the exterior naked. Each jug has a complimentary coloured clay handle.

 


Gifts for the Outdoor Lover 

Wylding suit  | £160
Created by two friends who are wild swimming obsessed, the  W Y L D I N G  suit is a relaxed fit, thermal lined, weatherproof boiler suit. Specifically created for use in temperate climates, it is designed to be worn with only underwear or dry swimwear underneath allowing the wearer to move unencumbered while staying warm. The technical properties of the fabric, along with the considered silhouette, makes the chilly transition into and out of cold water fast, effortless and stylish for all blue health seekers.
                                                      
The Welsh One Hundred Corkboard | £120
The Welsh One Hundred is a challenge to climb the 100 highest peaks in Wales. The list of the hundred highest mountains is taken from the book The Welsh One Hundred, Dafydd Andrews, Y Lolfa. This map provides the perfect gift for hiking enthusiasts who are looking to complete a hefty challenge.
 
Explore Boot Recycled Bag  | £34.95
We all like to roam and come home feeling fresh. The Explore boot bag helps to keep your adventure vehicle clean, off with the boots and into the bag, zip it up and roll home. Made out of recycled polyester this helps keep all the gear neatly away.
 
Finisterre Mizu Cutlery Set | £22
The ultimate camping companion; from weekends in the wilderness to evening cook outs. With a sturdy stainless steel knife, fork, spoon, and even chop sticks our new cutlery collaboration with Mizu is designed to enhance and enable your al-fresco eating with minimal fuss. Includes a tie-up pouch and stainless steel straw with cleaning brush.

Great Walk, Great Pub Guide | £16.99
This guide brings together two supremely British past-times: pubs and walks. Each route has been carefully researched to unite a truly great walk and a truly great pub, and on these handy pull-out cards the pub walk has never been easier. Each card provides useful information on the pub: its ales, wines and food, interesting history of the building or landlord, and essential details for the day. The inclusion of a transparent plastic sleeve makes walking possible in every kind of weather, and the cards can be re-used again and again.


Dock & Bay Quick dry Towel | £30
Dock & Bay towels are perfect for throwing in the car and they take up barely any room. Made from super soft, sustainable waffle material which dries 2x faster than regular cotton, they’re perfect for all water-based activities.


La Pochette Dry Bag | £55
Waterproofing for your fit life, the La Pochette Small Wet Bag offers a triple lock system to ensure reliable, leak proof storage of wet swimwear on the beach, or by the pool. Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, machine washable at low temperatures - a sustainable and more practical alternative to single use plastic bags dispensed in swimming pools and spas.

Feverfew Gardening Gloves | £22.95
Frustrated in gardening gloves not actually looking good, being functional and made for women, Feverfew was a brand created with all that in mind.  This small brand is on a mission to grow into a community hub for women who care about regeneration and working with nature - a place where we can share ideas as well as support and inspire each other.
Created with post sea care in mind, this collaboration between an outdoor brand and British skincare experts made With naturally sourced ingredients inspired by Cornwall it provides the perfect sustainable skincare for those sea obsessives.
This versatile day pack made from 100% recycled nylon and polyester ripstop to give your daily commute a sustainable twist seamlessly blends modern functionality with heritage style. The Torre’s internal organization includes a padded 15" laptop sleeve and a variety of accessory pockets. Plus, the padded back panel and shoulder straps utilize breathable air mesh to improve comfort in any climate.


Gifts for those on the go


Yoko Wool Mittens | £19.95
Because what is not to love about mittens?! These beautiful pair are made with local irish wool. and are naturally cosy and sustainably crafted.

Chilly’s Coffee Cup | £30
A classic but always needed. It’s always the perfect gift for those who you’re trying to encourage living a little more sustainable lifestyle which look slick.

La Pochette Travel Bottle Trio | £15
Space-saving and leak proof convenience which meets all customs requirements for liquid carry-ons.

Duck Head Umbrella | £32
Perfect for the ever changing British weather, this umbrella has a PFc free waterproof coating, is made from recycled materials and sustainably sourced birch. The perfect addition for those always on the go!

Ocean Bottle 500ml £35
 The bottles are made from double wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel and recycled materials, won't leak or sweat in your bag and are 100% dishwasher safe‚ all while helping to save the ocean. With 10 year repair and replacement schemes they really are bottles for life.

Bamae Sustainable Cotton Sports Bag | £29
Keep all your fitness and sports gear in one place with this durable sports bag. Spacious in size, it'll hold everything from your bras, leggings and trainers to your tennis rackets, bats, and racer-back straps. Premium in quality. 100% organic cotton. It's the must-have eco-friendly carrier of the decade.

Black and Blum Lunch Bag | £24.95
If you know someone who’s always carrying food but worried it may spill in their bag, then this the perfect gift. This 6.7L insulated lunch bag, made from recycled PET t is big enough to carry all your food and drink on-the-go items, such as a lunch box, water bottle, fruit and snacks.

It’s not often that a company sets out to create some really fun and quirky reusable bags but Ware have done exactly that. From stripes to checks thee knits are something a little different and fun

Green People One Balm | £21
Green People have been planet pals since way back in 1997 when the brand launched as pioneers in organic, vegan beauty. Since then, they’ve continued to find new ways to make their offering as sustainable and considerate as possible. They've given us the UK’s first 100% biodegradable pot with the One Balm, an easy all-over balm for nails, skin, lips, lids and elbows. The clever part? It decomposes and can be composted once you've finished.


Gifts for those who love to cook

Through thought-provoking conversations with inspiring thinkers and writers, and seasonal recipes created by leading chefs, Recipes to Reconnect provides a blueprint for a better way of eating and living.
 
With sections for breakfast, lunch, dinner and treats this recipe journal is perfect for those trying to capture meals and ideas as they go. Printed on FSC certified paper and comes with plastic free packing, it provides a great gift for those who like to take culinary memories from plate to page.
 
Not your every day gift but this allows you to grow gourmet mushrooms at home with this Pink Oyster Mushroom Growing Kit. Easy-to-use and carefully designed, this kit is perfect for beginners and seasoned growers alike, offering a fun, sustainable way to enjoy fresh, tasty pink oyster mushrooms.
 
Tom's mission is to teach a way of eating that prioritises the environment without sacrificing pleasure, taste and nutrition. This book does just that, offering an education on food systems, and tasty recipes. Perfect for these keen how to cook in harmony with the planet a little more.
 
A company that highlights small batch organic producers. Citizens of Soil are working to turn a commodity into a community of farmers, paying above market prices to help producers focus on creating high quality produce that supports soil quality and biodiversity.
 
A beautiful book created for those want not seasonal recipes that will nourish your body and mind, but to learn a little more about Daylesford Farm and tells the story of how it all began.
 
Each product has been chosen for it's sustainable values for a thoughtful collection. Inside are three artisan British cheeses from farmers committed to sustainable methods, plus crackers, chocolate and foraged quince preserve. The perfect late night feast!
 
This Salt Tasting Kit offers our six flavours including pink Beetroot, Lemon & Thyme, Natural, Oak Smoked, Chilli and Garlic salt! The sea sold is created at the company’s salt works on Portland, Dorset, using pristine seawater collected from Chesil beach as they work to revive an industry that used to be of great importance to the local area. 

Gifts for a Cosy Night In


Neal’s Yard Seaweed & Arnica Foaming Bath | £15.50
This stuff is magic, who knew that these ingredients (organic) together would create the perfect bath that really does leave you sleepy afterwards. It's my go to!

Pott Reusable Candle | £55.50
Hand thrown by potters across the UK, Potts was created to help tackle the candle industry waste. The candles are also blended and hand poured, using natural wax with sustainable fragrance oils. So good for the planet, whilst also supporting local and independent UK-based artisans.
 
Blendsmiths Hot Chocolate | £8
Starting their roots in Manchester, Blendsmiths set out to create vegan options to hot drinks with flavourful powders that are one of the best out there. With a % of the profits being donated to help tackle homelessness in Manchester, it’s a delicious win win.

Pantee Underwear | £38
Made from upcycled deadstock t shirts, which would otherwise go to waste, Pantee is the perfect comfy underwear for the perfect cosy night it. Every order is also sent out in recyclable and plastic free packaging

 
Ohne Yin & Tonic | £24.50
Ohne’s brand ethos: if you’re going to have an average of 540 periods in your lifetime (say whaaat), those periods better be good. Cue the invention of its hero herbal tincture, Yin & Tonic – best served via four drops in a herbal cuppa – that can ease cramps and make your moods more… hinged. When taken at the first sign of a period, some users claim it’s so good at sending cramps packing that they’ve stopped taking painkillers.

Organic Basics True Knit Set From £43
A brand known for their ethics and practices, working with factories that are GOTS-certified organic cotton are perfect for a cosy night in on the sofa! You can even find out your carbon footprint to.

TOMS Ezra Slippers | £62
These cozy slippers with convertible heel provide the perfect slipper if you’re nipping in and out of the house. What’s even better is that TOMS donate 1/3 of their profits to grassroots organisations that are working to build equality.

Alpaca Bed Socks | £18.75
Keep your feet toasty warm at home with these thick Ecru bed socks, made from the finest and softest alpaca. Knitted with care in England, they are chunky, soft and slouchy: just right for padding around the house.

Tartan Blanket Company | £65
Woven from 70% Recycled Wool and 30% Mixed Recycled Fibres saved from landfill this blanket is perfect for draping at the end of a king-size bed or wrap around yourself on the sofa! The Tartan Blanket Co also donate 1% of all their revenue to the planet and 1% to the people supporting charities and community projects around the world.

Gifts for the Personal Care Lover

Aromatherapy Polishing Brush | £25
Fantastic for buffing away dry and dull skin whilst promoting circulation made from cactus bristle and natural wood. Perfect for the post bath boost.

Ren Clean Screen Mineral Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF30 | £30
We know the need for SPF and this quick-absorbing SPF30 sunscreen protects skin and supports marine life, too - it’s packaged in recycled ocean plastic and contains active Non-Nano Zinc Oxide that's considered ""reef friendly"" (so you can wear yours while swimming).

PaiC-2-Believe Vitamin C Brightening Moisturiser | £49
Although a little pricey, Pai is working hard to raise the bar in the industry when it comes to transparency and sustainability. All of its products are formulated and made in-house in the brand's London lab, so they have full overview of what goes in every bottle. Plus they’ve been accredited by COSMOS (Soil Association), Cruelty Free International and The Vegan Society.

 
The Ultimate Companion €48
The trouble with shampoo and condition bars is how to store them but beauty disrupted has created the ultimate companion, not only looking good but helping to keep your bars organised.
 
Wild Deodrant | £27
These natural deodorant are not only reusable with plenty of refill option but perfect to keep in the gym bag.

Suri Toothbrush | £95
The brush uses recyclable plant-based heads and bristles, the slim aluminium body is designed to be taken apart and repaired, all while delivering a dentist-approved clean. It's quiet, powerful, and the battery lasts over 40 days. They also offer a 100-day money back guarantee.

Floral Street black lotus perfume | £24
Wrapped in recyclable, sustainable packaging, this perfect perfume in a travel sized spray bottle is not only a multi-award winning vegan perfume but also smells divine. I recommend the Ylang Ylang Espresso or the Black Lotus, both of which is a scent like nothing else. I’m addicted.

Above & Beyond Lip balm Refill Kit | £25
With the case made of aluminium so it can handle being battered around in your bag and chewed by your dog, and the refills being plastic free and compostable, this lip balm offers a refreshing alternative to many others whilst tackling waste.

Reusable Makeup Remover Pads | £14
Have a friend who uses cotton pads? Well instead why not get them these? After a few uses they can be chucked in the wash, ready for use all over again

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES De-Stress Mind Shower Oil | £28
You'll find Aromatherapy Associates' range in some of the chicest spas - the brand believes its ingredients can improve your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This 'De-Stress Mind' shower oil is enriched with a therapeutic blend of Frankincense, relaxing Petitgrain and Moroccan Wild Chamomile that naturally eases muscle tension. The formula transforms from an oil to nourishing milk when massaged into skin.
This blemish-friendly oil is made from upcycled hemp seeds, grown and harvested in the UK by hand. The B-Corps brand rescued the large proportion that don't meet the specification for food use from going to waste and landfill and then cold-press them into plant oil. The supply chain is short and considered and the oil itself contains 52% more antioxidants than standard hemp seed oil.
 
The Longing Towels from £20
These insanely soft and absorbent GOTS certified organic cotton towels have been raved about since they launched for their fantastic quality and the fact they’re incredibly soft and cuddly. Perfect for after a long bath.

SKANDINAVISK Hibernate Scented Candles Gift Set | £42.00
Certified as a B Corp, Skandinavisk continue to work in the areas of certified raw materials, local production, due diligence in sourcing, and policies toward their staff, including their refugee integration program. This gift set contains KOTO, HYGGE and SKOG fragrances in mini glass votives and made with sustainably sourced soy wax, pure cotton wicks and engraved wooden lids.


Gifts for Little Ones


Wooden Stacking Toy | £36
Handcrafted from local hardwoods, each toy is unique in colour as well as the detail of the woodgrain. Different woods are used for the various colours that you see. Sycamore, Elm, Yew, Maple and Staghorn Sumac are a few of the varieties.

100% Organic Merino Wool Jumper | £32
Comfy, warm and incredibly soft. These sweaters are great as a winter layer. Designed with three wooden buttons at the neck for ease of dressing. Perfect for when out and about in the midseason and under a jacket in winter. All the dyestuffs used are free from heavy metals and free from harmful AZO-dyes.


Konges Slojd Wooden Lemon Stacking Toy | £34.50
This beautiful sustainable stacking wooden toy lemon by Danish brand Konges Slojd is perfect for small curious hands & developing minds to fine tune their motor skills. The pears' classic vintage style is gender neutral in colour and will look beautiful in any room. A classic heirloom toy that will be handed down the generations.

Green Toys Watering Can and Little Gardener's Set | £18.50
Green Toys create their products from recycled plastic milk bottles, and this toy has been designed to be strong, safe and non-toxic. It doesn't contain BPA, PVC or phthalates and the bright colours are created using food-safe, mineral-based colouring. Perfect for outdoor play!


Pocket Swing | £20
The Pocket Swing by Hape is a whole load of fun you can stick in your back pocket. Just securely attach the ends of the swing at their eye level to two strong trees 2-3 meters apart, then adjust the height to where your child can sit comfortably and safely. Made of recycled plastic bottles, it's a wonderful way to really immerse yourself anywhere in nature and it takes up to 110 kg

Dick Pearce Bellyboard | £55

From their small workshop at Hope Yard, Newquay, the team manufacture wooden bellyboards and beach goods. Their aim is to make long lasting sustainable products, and support British manufacturers wherever possible, making wave riding fun for everyone!

New Potion Making Kit | £24.50

Offering every child an outdoor experience whatever the weather, this Potion Making Kit was lovingly designed to capture creative imaginations, encourage resourcefulness and innovation, provide escape and sanctuary, and most of all supply hours and hours of simple fun. With natural ingredients to mix together, this kit is all about experimentation.

The Happy Herd | £20

Mama Claudia Happy Herd Bath Toys was designed to prevent mould unlike conventional bath toys that are sealed and therefore you can’t clean inside our bath toys have been designed to open for cleaning so no more worries about mouldy toys at bath time.


Create a Farmyard Activity Kit | £10.50

A really simple but fantastic gift to stimulate play & creativity. It can be a beautiful piece of wall art, a reward chart, laid flat as a fun farmyard activity playset or use the dice provided to play fun and educational farmyard games!

Jesse Thermo Rain Boot is designed to keep even their littlest piggies dry and warm: they're made from natural rubber and lined with soft fleece. With cute animal faces and handy pull-on loops at the back, so the're easy to get into, nice and quick. They’re also slip resistant, on wet and dry surfaces, and have been rigorously tested for wear and tear.

Petit Pli Toy | £20
Designed for use as a soft-toy for sensory play for LittleHumans and as an effective stress reliever or wfh desk buddy for TallHumans these quirky toys made from fabric offcuts and recycled materials. 

Wowza, there we have it! Hopefully there is at least one thing you can give to someone else on the list. 

If you need any further inspiration check out all the previous years:

2022 Sustainable Gift Guide2021 Sustainable Gift Guide2020 Sustainable Gift Guide



2019 Sustainable Christmas gift guide


Love, Your Christmas Elf

Erin

4