I’m not sure about you, but I’m nowhere near completing my giving list for this Christmas. While brainstorming some different ideas for gifts, I miraculously + somewhat organically ended up making a hierarchy of giving. Feel free to use this as a guide for all gift-giving occasions!
I know where I’m starting this Christmas…
Full disclosure: The post includes affiliate links. This means that I may make a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase. This does not, in any way, change how much I love every single business, brand, and/or website mentioned in this article.
1. Donate
To give back is the best gift of all. Buy a CAREgift (affiliate link) as seen on my Instagram, donate to a local not-for-profit, or give to Christmas appeals such as those by Salvos, Barnardos, + St Vincent de Paul Society.
2. Give an Experience
Experiences + memories are lasting, sadly most other presents are not. Give a friend or family member tickets to one of the ideas below + I doubt they’ll be disappointed!
- A retreat like this nourish + relaxation retreat held by Kondalilla Eco Resort in Queensland
- A workshop like this self-love class held at Modern Organic in New South Wales, this introduction to meditation class held in South Australia, or this tiny house seminar in Queensland
- A tour like this animal sanctuary tour held by Greener Pastures in Western Australia or this sustainable walking tour held in Melbourne by Wayward Wanders as part of the National Sustainable Living Festival 2019
- A festival like this off-grid living festival held in Victoria or Newkind Festival in Tasmania
- An exhibition like the Whole Life Expo in Adelaide or the Eco Expo in Brisbane
3. Consider Second-hand
There’s nothing wrong with re-gifting unused items in your home (so long as your gift is something the recipient would really enjoy!). If you can’t think of anything to re-gift, jump onto Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Etsy, or head into a similar second-hand or vintage store. Buying from Australian vintage stores or local sellers might just make a huge difference to a small business owner’s Christmas, too!
4. Do It Yourself
Get creative + head to your local bulk food store to stock up on ingredients. Baked treats can make a wonderful present + can even be zero waste.
If you’re crafty, upcycle items in your home to make something unique.
If you’re into graphic design, designing a personalised e-book or guide would also make a wonderful present!
5. Buy Ethical
This may seem like the easiest option for a conscious consumer but, ideally, this should be the last. When all options are exhausted, think about (or ask!) what your recipient really needs + buy ethically made, fair trade, eco-friendly, local, organic (or better yet, certified organic!), and/or zero-waste.
Google your closest organic or eco store or shop online from some of my personal favourites:
Organic + Eco Beauty + Wellness
Biome (affiliate link) – Eco-friendly store for beauty products, homewares, slow fashion, + more.
ECO. Modern Essentials (affiliate link) – Essential oils, skincare, + diffusers for health + wellbeing.
Flora and Fauna (affiliate link) – Cruelty-free, vegan, + eco-friendly beauty, skincare, + more.
Hello Charlie (affiliate link) – Everything eco for your family including non-toxic natural beauty, organic baby products, + eco home products.
Happy Skincare (affiliate link) – Honestly 100% natural, organic, vegan, tested on humans, genuine, caring, Australian, simple + effective skincare.
Nourished Life (affiliate link) – One-stop shop for toxin-free, all-natural beauty, health + fitness products.
Pamper by Nature – Natural + organic skincare, hair care, body care, health foods + cleaning products to pamper your body.
The Clean Collective (affiliate link) – Australia’s strictest toxin-free shop for natural skincare, natural cleaning products, organic baby products, + more.
Food & Health
Harris Organic Wine – ACO Certified wine, the only organic winery in Perth, + the only organic brandy distillery in Australia!
iHerb ($12 off using GIFT12) – Organic + vegan vitamins, supplements, + natural health products.
La Vida Vegan Grocery – Perth’s only vegan grocery store with the largest selection of vegan food, cruelty-free beauty products, vegan supplements + more.
The Beauty Chef (affiliate link) – Bio-fermented, wholefood nutrition with prebiotics + probiotics for a healthy gut + glowing skin.
The Cruelty Free Shop – Over 1500 vegan food items + cruelty-free products.
Sustainable Clothing
Boody (affiliate link) – Sustainable + ethically made bamboo basics + undies.
Brown’s General Store – Brisbane based retail store + gallery selling handmade, ethical pieces to wear, to give + to keep.
Cecile Swim – Western Australian conscious + ethically made swimwear brand.
ECO.MONO – Monochrome clothing + accessories with an eco conscience.
Ecoture – Some of the best ethical, sustainable + cruelty-free fashion, accessories, + beauty brands.
Ethi – Destination for sustainable, eco-friendly, + ethical brands.
Everlane (affiliate link)– Ethically made modern basics with radical transparency + without traditional markups.
Fjällräven (affiliate link) – Sustainably made adventure clothing, travel accessories, + backpacks for all of us!
Green Horse – Organic, sustainable, + fair trade fashion (+ a bit of beauty + homewares).
Tasi Travels – Clothing designed for adventures combining minimalism, practicality, + style.
Thread Harvest – Ethical + sustainable fashion (plus a bit of skincare + homewares) marketplace that lets you shop by cause or collection.
WE DASH LOVE – Ethical + sustainable fashion, sleepwear, + accessories.
Well Made Clothes – Stocks some of the best ethically sourced, local, sustainable + fair trade fashion brands.
WAMA (affiliate link) – Natural + comfortable organic hemp underwear for all bodies.
Ethical Homewares
Armadillo&Co (affiliate link) –Designer rugs 100% handmade + crafted from carefully sourced natural fibres or recycled materials
Aquamarine Home (affiliate link) – Sophisticated coastal interior styling for the ethically conscious.
Earthhero (affiliate link) – Eco-friendly products for U.S. residents who love the planet!
Emporio Organico – Organic + eco Luxe gifts, food + lifestyle products.
Frank Green (affiliate link) – Reusable, smart cups + bottles that can come with a tracking app + Visa payWave. They’ve also just release cute limited-edition Disney cups + bottles!
Meraki Collective – Western Australian fair trade + Australian made homewares + gift store.
Mulbury – Eco furniture manufacturers in Australia specialising in recycled picture frames + homewares.
Native Interiors – A boutique online store specialising in sustainably + ethically produced artisanal homeware, décor, + accessories.
Senda Essentials (affiliate link) – Plastic-free + zero waste travel accessories.
Sheets on the Line – Organic + ethically made range of linen + homewares.
Upcycle Studio – Upcycled homewares as well as sustainable, eco, natural, + zero waste lifestyle products.
Who Gives a Crap (click the link for $10 off!) – Super-soft, 100% recycled toilet paper with 50% of profits donated to build toilets in the developing world.
Conscious Subscription Boxes
EcoLifeBox – Eco-friendly subscription boxes. One-off box from $60, subscription from $40 per month.
Secrets Organic Box – The best organic products, brought together. Gift boxes from $30, subscription from $24.
Socially Conscious Club – A social enterprise bringing together inspiring products, movements + education in subscription plan + curated gift boxes. One-off boxes + subscription box both from $60.
The Change Box – A vegan Australian snack + beauty subscription + gift box focused on sustainability + giving back. 10% of profits go to charity. Gift boxes + subscription boxes $54.95.
The Vegan Box – A monthly vegan box of the best cruelty-free/vegan products handpicked from businesses that care for earthlings. Gift boxes + subscriptions both from $26.95.
Here’s an infographic to save for personal use!
At the end of the season, it’s really all just about making a conscious choice towards positive impact, no matter the way you go about it.
I would love to know what you’re giving this Christmas. Please leave a comment to spark a beautiful conversation!
