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Consider diverting the big names this Christmas to support the local businesses and brands that are making a difference
Consider diverting the big names this Christmas to support the local businesses and brands that are making a difference
Despite a resurgence in recent years, independent booksellers have been hit hard by the pandemic. Look for local stores in the Association of booksellers’s website, then back up these treasures with your custom archive. Many take orders over the phone or online, and staff often help select the perfect gift. No book lovers on your list? the Large green bookcase operates a weekly “buy a book from a stranger” scheme online.
Image: Ed Robertson
Toys don’t have to be plastic (or shipped from China) to thrill kids. Plenty of UK companies offer alternatives that nurture the imagination. Babipur calls his traditional wooden toys “solid and built to last”, while Ethical superstoreThe range includes recycled jump ropes and organic cotton stuffed animals. Myriad It is ideal for natural art materials, from vegetable stain paints to beeswax crayons.
Image: Soraya Irving
Wearing what you already have in your wardrobe is the most sustainable form of fashion, but if you choose to buy clothes, then buy “better” (as much as you can afford). Could you get a high-quality second-hand gift, like a classic wool sweater or a well-made vintage dress? If not, try to look for labels that protect garment workers’ rights, use ethical materials, are cruelty-free, and ideally prioritize organic and natural fibers.
Image: Clem Onojeghuo
The tech world is known for low wages, tax avoidance, and the use of conflict minerals. So when buying electronic products, it is worth checking Ethical consumerfirst, the ethical rating system. More and more people are demanding products that last and have less damaging impact – a call answered by an ethical and fixable phone company Fairphone, for example. Otherwise, go for second-hand or refurbished ones.
Image: Fairphone
From a family of food lovers? Delight your loved ones with a gift from an ethical UK food company like Riverford or the Sum cooperative. Alternatively, fill a basket with delicious ethical delicacies. Consider homemade jam, Zaytoun palm oil-free or olive oil-free biscuits, sourced ethically and organically from small farmers in the West Bank. Also, why not challenge your family to have a vegetarian or vegan day or week this Christmas?
Image: Brigitte Tohm
Lead Image: Mel Poole
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