The festive season is a time of joy, connection, and giving, but it has also become synonymous with overconsumption. Flashy advertisements and endless sales tempt us to buy more, often leaving us with empty wallets and a twinge of guilt as we face the reality of waste and environmental harm. This year, let’s try something different: ethical consumerism.
Ethical consumerism isn’t about giving up on the magic of the holidays, it’s about making thoughtful choices that reflect our values. It’s about choosing quality over quantity, planet over profit, and sustainability over excess. This year, focus on gifts that truly matter; ones that support communities, protect the planet, and create lasting memories.
To help you out, we’ve created an ethical gift guide bursting with festive tips and ethical gift ideas from our business partners who generously support TreeSisters and give back to Nature.
Top tips for ethically sourcing gifts:
Thrifting can be a fun way to find the perfect gift. Try your local secondhand shops, charity shops, or online sites.
Consider shopping small and local. Handmade items from local artisans make unique and heartfelt gifts and support your community.
Look for sustainable brands that prioritise eco-friendly practices. Gifts like reusable products, ethically made clothing, or upcycled items make great gifts.
Consider gifting ethical experiences such as plant-based cooking classes or a local gallery or museum membership. These meaningful gift ideas can support local causes and help to protect the planet.
Donate to a charity in your loved one’s name.
Gift ideas we love:
Bring Nature indoors with the gift of a potted plant. Head out to the charity shops and go on the hunt for a quirky plant pot, or get creative with a mug, bowl or storage box. Once you’ve found the perfect plant pot, simply add a homegrown house plant or pick up a plant from your local independent garden centre. If your loved one is nervous about caring for a plant, try gifting a vintage vase and locally-sourced festive bouquet instead.
Create a thrifted festive night-in bundle with Pukka teas. Search your local secondhand shops for the perfect festive game or DVD. Wrap it up with a thrifted blanket or cosy socks, some funky thrifted mugs and a selection of delicious Pukka teas to give the gift the perfect cosy night in. Pukka have a lovely selection of gift boxes available, or you can choose your favourite seasonal blend.
Gift an at-home spa night with Faith in Nature. You can find some lovely gift boxes on their website, or create your own by choosing individual items you know your recipient will love. Make it extra special by presenting your items in a thrifted hamper or basket with some fair trade cotton pajamas.
Give the gift of (lounging) time in Nature with Giant Deck Chairs (& Friends). The winter season has plenty to offer including the Geminid meteor showing lighting up the skies throughout December. Spend some cosy time in Nature by snuggling up with Giant Deck Chairs. There’s a chair available for every size and shape, even your pets! For a deeper connection, grab some headphones and listen to one of our meditations while taking in the experience of the great outdoors.
Support TreeSisters and ethical restoration by gifting a TreeSisters t-shirt. Not only does your purchase support our work, but the wearer will help to promote our cause and spread the word.
Have you seen our new digital greetings cards? They are a great way to send a long-distance festive greeting to your friends and family while also supporting TreeSisters. Visit the TreeSisters store.
Gift a Nature themed book. We recommend sourcing your book secondhand, but if you need to buy new, choose a book through our bookshop (only available to supporters in the UK). When you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. For something a little extra special, gift a ticket to our Nature Connections Book Club and a copy of our January book.
This festive season, choose to move away from overconsumption and celebrate a simpler, more mindful way of giving. By embracing ethical consumerism, we’re not just spreading joy to those we love; we’re extending that kindness to the planet and future generations.
For more ideas on how to make your festive season sustainable, from repeat outfits to borrowed food processors, check out our festive guide here.
