There's not much better than seeing someone's face light up when they unwrap a Christmas gift they absolutely love. But what if this year, the gifts you gave were not only fun and unusual - but also gave back to the people who make them, and reduced our impact on the planet? We've rounded up our top 10 ethical Christmas gifts that give back.
Read on for ethical Christmas gift ideas for all ages, plus charity Christmas cards and eco-friendly wrapping paper, all with wonderful stories to tell.
Explore Christmas at Good Things: hundreds of ethical and eco-friendly gifts, toys and games that support charities, empower people and protect our planet.
Rollet Ricochet Game
Christmas is the time for a family game, and here's something to bring some fun! A beautifully hand-crafted fun and frantic ricochet game, Rollet can be played by two or four players and even has two options for different levels of skill!
The game is made in India by a Fair Trade social enterprise that's dedicated to improving the lives of the artisans who make these wooden games. Rollet, £62
Hand-Felted Dinosaur Christmas Decoration
This year's must-have Christmas decoration. Choose from six designs, each made with beautiful attention to detail and loads of character! Hand-felted in Nepal using traditional needle felting techniques where these dinos provide fairly paid work in excellent conditions, and protect and promote ancient techniques and skills. Hand-felted dinosaur Christmas decoration, £5.95
Large Handmade Washbag in Arrow Print
Neema Crafts make gorgeous handmade products like this screen-printed washbag. We love the designs, colours and the way every product is unique. Even better, by supporting Neema Crafts you make a difference to people's lives in Tanzania. Neema employs over 120 people with disabilities and provides a new start through handmade crafts, training and employment. Large Handmade washbag in arrow print, £15
Christmas Bears - Handmade and Recycled Christmas Card
This beautifully made card is created using layers of handmade paper from recycled office materials. Cards from Africa give young, orphaned adults in Rwanda a new start through Fair Trade work, new skills and a supportive environment. Each card is made by hand and signed by the young person who made it. Christmas bears Christmas card, £3.50
Raft and Scupper
This competitive wooden game is beautifully hand-crafted from sustainably-sourced wood. Battle your opponent to raft together your wooden boat tiles - and attempt to sink (or scupper) your rival! Raft and Scupper is handmade by artisans in India, where profits are reinvested to provide workers and their families with healthcare, education and to help with sanitation. Raft and scupper, £29
Cupcake Set
These cute cotton cupcakes come with removable cases and are presented in their very own "cake tin" to keep them fresh! They're ethically made from hand-loomed cotton using Fair Trade practices in Sri Lanka. The Fair Trade social enterprise that makes them reinvests profits to empower women through health education and skills training in rural Sri Lanka. Cupcake set, £26
"Write" Recycled & Sustainable Notebook
This stylish A5 notebook has a 100% recycled board cover, and FSC-certified sustainable paper. Better still, every notebook supports global education projects that get children back in to school. "Write" notebook, £9.99
Christmas Instructions Recycled Christmas Card
How to have a perfect Christmas? Simply follow the instructions on this brilliant recycled Christmas card from ARTHOUSE Unlimited. They're a collective of artists living with complex epilepsy and learning disabilities. 100% of ARTHOUSE Unlimited's sales revenue goes back into the charity: striving to challenge perceptions and to create better acceptance and inclusion for all people living with disabilities. Christmas instructions card, £3.50
Green Toys Block Set
Stacking blocks have become a childhood staple, but did you know there's an green alternative to the big names made from virgin plastic? Green Toys make their eco toys from recycled milk bottles which are shredded and turned into these child-safe, fun and durable toys! Green Toys blocks set, £28
Handmade and Fair Trade Big Tassel Blanket
Have you got one of those people on your list that it's really hard to buy for? This might be the answer! This beautiful blanket is hand-woven on a floor loom at Neema Crafts' workshop in Tanzania. By choosing Neema Crafts products you're helping fund specially adapted housing for their team, and enabling them to employ and upskill more craftspeople. Big tassel blanket, £55
Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper
To wrap it all up (sorry), beautiful recycled Christmas wrapping paper that's recyclable too. This eco-friendly wrapping paper is made from 100% recycled, unbleached, post-consumer materials.
At Good Things you’ll find inspiring ethical and sustainable gifts that support charities, empower people and protect our planet. Discover gifts for all ages and inspiring ideas like cards that plant trees, handmade cushions empowering people in Tanzania and eco toys made from recycled milk bottles. Have a look at our collections.
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