With each passing year, writing up a Christmas list seems to get harder.
As we enter adulthood, the desire to accumulate as much stuff as possible diminishes. Instead of kids' games, novelty presents or things we simply don’t need, we look to more thoughtful gift ideas.
But, what if we told you that some gifts can bring happiness to more than just the recipient? Charities such as Oxfam, Cancer Research, British Red Cross and many more have curated Christmas gift pages that will delight your loved ones and benefit more than just the person (or animal) who unwrap the surprise.
eBay has set up a charities page for effortless browsing, meaning you can show someone you really care via a Dior baseball cap or pre-loved Vivienne Westwood wallet. Likewise, brands including Michael Kors, White Stuff and Tony’s Chocoloney have all partnered with charities, meaning you’ll be supporting extremely worthwhile causes as you spend for a gift that truly gives back.
You can also help the planet this Christmas. Rather than hitting the high street, there are ample shopping outlets that promote a more mindful approach to gifting. Climate-positive brands give back more than they take from the earth, with names such as Sheep Inc. and Sapling championing regenerative farming in order to produce beautifully crafted goods from clothing to alcohol.
We all have that tricky father, partner or mother-in-law to buy for each year. So you can really tailor your chosen charity or cause to that person’s interests. Do they love dogs? Head to the RSPCA, Dogs Trust or Battersea Dogs & Cats Home website. Perhaps they campaign for fair labour, in which case look to TOMS or The Glasshouse, a social enterprise to reduce reoffending through horticultural training and employment for women.
Enjoy a guilt-free gander at some wonderful gifts that make a difference and shop our edit below.
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Fortnum's X Sapling Citrus Vodka, 70cl
Kick back on Christmas Day with a delicious tipple in hand. Crafted locally in the Cotswolds, Sapling Vodka is smooth and light, perfect for drinking on the rocks. The spirit is distilled four times from organic wildfarmed wheat and blended with charcoal-filtered, deionized water for the cleanest sip. The limited edition Fortnum's X Sapling Citrus Vodka is extra special, having been made from 40kg of citrus peel waste from the brand’s Jermyn St Bar and macerated in Sapling's base vodka for two days before being redistilled. The result? A zesty, fragrant vodka with a tang of sweetness.
If that hasn't convinced you, then reading up about Sapling will. The brand plants a tree for every bottle they sell. Simply scan the QR code on your bottle to see where your tree has been planted.
Buy now £42.50, Fortnum & Mason
Oxfam Recycled Sari Kantha A6 Notebook
The options at Oxfam are endless. The charity’s recycled notebook is a beautiful artisan gift, made from recycled saris. Jot down notes or journal with peace, knowing that your new notepad was ethically and sustainably made in India.
Buy now £9.99, Oxfam
White Stuff Woodland Fairisle Cardi
With Christmas around the corner, it’s time to stock up on festive knits. This gorgeous Fairisle cardigan is a sophisticated alternative to a classic Christmas jumper and will sheath the wearer in warmth this season.
Plus, White Stuff has partnered with Home Start UK, a community network of over 13,500 trained volunteers who provide home visits and expert support to families with young children. You can shop the charity gifts edit here.
Buy now £56.25, White Stuff
Barnado’s Bons Bons Sweet Carousel Gift Box
The festive hamper of sugar-clad dreams. Barnado’s is a charity that helps hundreds of thousands of children, young people, parents and carers across the UK. By treating your loved ones to this decadent feast, you’re supporting children living in poverty, struggling with mental health conditions and in need of education.
Buy now £39.95, Barnado’s
Sheep Inc. The Cardigan Atlantic Blue
Through the creation of natural, 100 per cent traceable and biodegradable merino wool knitwear, Sheep Inc. has curated a collection that champions climate positivity.
The Sheep Inc. supply chain even ensures that more carbon is removed from the atmosphere than the production process contributes, in addition to producing easy-wear, luxurious pieces to last the years.
Track the sheep who produced your wool creation via the removable NFC tag that will help you trace each stage of garment production.
Buy now £220.00, Wolf & Badger
TOMS Harbor Slipper
Everyone will remember the sheer grip that TOMS had on 2010s fashion, but they are much more than just espadrilles. The brand is a member of the Fair Labor Association, which works with suppliers that conduct their businesses ethically, engage with workers, ensure safe working conditions, and establish human rights compliance and social responsibility.
When you buy from TOMS, you help fund access to mental health resources for those in need, plus support grassroots organisations which the brand backs.
Buy now £60.00, TOMS
Conscious Step Men's Organic Cotton Crew Sock
Conscious Step’s motto is quite literally, “Every Pair Gives Back.” While it may seem unoriginal to gift a pair of socks at Christmas time, we’re making an exception here. The brand’s luxurious socks support a charity of your choice, from Breast Cancer Awareness to dog rescue centres.
Buy now £47.05, Amazon
The Tote Project Free To Forage Pouch
Store your makeup staples in style thanks to The Tote Project. The brand’s wildlife-inspired pouch is ethically made by survivors of exploitation or those at risk. A 100 per cent organic cotton blend is enhanced by a recycled Sari lining, which provides a pop of radiant colour to any bathroom interior.
Buy now £22.00, The Tote Project
Cancer Research Hare Long Hot Water Bottle
Snuggle down with a delightfully furry friend to keep you warm. This long hot water bottle is a charming companion for teens. Add one to your online shopping basket and donate to Cancer Research in the process.
Buy now £12.99, Cancer Research
Tony's Tasting Pack Gift Selection
Tony’s Chocolonely is on a mission to end slavery in the chocolate industry. The widely beloved brand only uses slave-free cocoa which enables farmers to earn a living income and ensures the beans are traceable in order to eliminate the abuses in the farming industry.
Sink your teeth into flavours of nougat, caramel sea salt, hazelnut and almond sea salt knowing your chocolate has been ethically produced.
Buy now £12.00, John Lewis
Michael Kors Watch Hunger Stop LOVE Organic Cotton Unisex T-Shirt
If you thought £35 for a designer T-shirt sounded decent, wait until you hear the rest of the story. The American fashion house has released a collection of cotton tees to make a positive impact in the world, partnering with Watch Hunger Stop to fight global hunger.
Michael Kors will donate 100 per cent of the profits (equal to 100 meals) from the sale of each T-shirt to feed children in need. Best get yours before they are all gone.
Buy now £35.00, Michael Kors
Oddballs Lap Land Luxury Sherpa Fleece Blanket
Wrap up warm with an uber-insulating Sherpa fleece blanket by Oddballs to swaddle yourself in. The brand is one of the biggest underwear brands in the UK, no doubt due to its ethos. Founded in 2014 to raise awareness for testicular cancer, the brand has gone on to support many charities including My Name's Doddie Foundation and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.
The Oddballs aim is to donate over £1,000,000 to charities by 2024, so your purchase helps them get one step closer.
Buy now £21.00, Oddballs
The Glasshouse Cactus Mini Bowl
Elevate your kitchenware with some pearlescent ceramics. This cactus-hued mini bowl was made by female prisoners reaching the end of their sentence. The social enterprises aim to reduce reoffending rates via employment, in turn aiding women with job placement and housing - the lack of which is the prime cause of reoffending. Not only are the prisoners granted time away from their cells and with nature, but they create desirable homeware in the process.
Buy now £15.00, The Glasshouse
Battersea Warm Place To Sleep
Is your family member insisting that they don’t need anything for Christmas? Look to Battersea. The animal charity allows you to buy their rescue dogs and cats much-needed gifts from vital treatments to home comforts. Provide a Battersea rescue with a snuggly warm place to sleep for just £10 while they wait for their forever home.
Buy now £10.00, Battersea
