Ethical gifts to buy a girl this Christmas are not (thankfully) limited to just a Mooncup (if you don’t know what that is, probably best). There are actually some good alternatives out there for the ladies, away from all the scented candles and homemade scarves. Kieran Yates takes you through her top 10 ideas for the girls, so boys, take note....

1. ‘Plumpynuts’ Nutrient Sachets
I like this because it seems to do a lot without actually doing very much. It’s a set of sachet ‘meals’ that provide the relevant nutrients for malnutritioned people in developing countries. You could also slip some into your man’s drink as a way of bulking him up without the hours in the gym (definitely onto a winner). Also, it has a great name - Plumpynut? Makes you think of, erm...

Available from www.concerngifts.co.uk at £16

 

2. Recylcled Cardboard Playhouse
I love this. It’s a playhouse made of recycled cardboard which can be painted and everything, just like a real house! One for the children, or you know, the child within. If I were you, I wouldn't get this for a gift, instead just keep it for myself and pretend I’m a giant that lives in it; while eating those miniature sweets that look like hamburgers to complete the whole fantastic facade.

Available from cardboardtoys.com where prices start from £26.94.

 

3. ‘City Bass’ Urban Eco Wear Hemp T-shirt
THTC are a hemp clothing brand, and I rate this particular top as its pink(a stereotypically girly colour) and it’s made of bamboo, ink and cotton. Also, it shows the company's roots in music - think more urban eco-wear than hippie hemp skirts. Plus, the girls on the website are HOT.

Available from www.thtc.co.uk priced at £22

 
4. Green and Blacks Combination Gift Box
I know it's a redundant cliché, but its true - girls love chocolate. Well, most of them anyway, which is why a box of Fairtrade chocolate is almost certainly going to be a success. Green and Blacks are infamous in the choco game for being some of best, and on the website you can make a tailor-made selection of different kinds to put in one box; where they even have a cocoa rating to help you choose and everything... Yes. This will be appreciated. Trust me.

Available from greenandblacksdirect.com priced as follows:
100g bars: 4 for £9, 8 for £16, or 12 for £23.

 

5. Eco Lips - Vanilla Hemp Seed Lip Balm
Vaseline is not the one this winter, and even though I’m a fan, until they start making it into a stick, I’m using this organic hemp seed lip balm. Cheap, thoughtful, and used everyday, your girl will think of you every time she reapplies. Plus, soft lips are a festive win. Think mistletoe.

From www.bathandunwind.com at £2.49

 

6. Dog Draught Excluder
When the weather is as much as a buzz-kill as we’re experiencing right now, anything to keep the ladies warm is going to be appreciated. Time to get creative with the gifts, even if it means buying a cutesy blue spotted draught excluder in the shape of a dog. These ones are handmade, Fairtrade and made in India using sustainable products. It’s a bit cheesy, but hey, think of the heating bill savings.

From alotofgifts.co.uk at £9.77

 

7. Recycled Choco Wallet
I love this recycled purse made from chocolate drink wrappers, mainly because it looks exactly like what it is. Well priced, ethical, and super cute - the only bad thing is that it makes you think of chocolate every time you use it, which actually on second thoughts, isn’t really a bad thing at all...

From ethicalsuperstore.com priced at £2.99

 

8. Pants To Poverty Knickers
Maybe one to buy for the girlfriend rather than the sister - these pants are much cooler than the usual festive lingerie. Eco friendly, Fairtrade and made with organic cotton, knickers with a message might just be the future. They do say that boys' minds are only on one thing, we should make it eradicating poverty, right?

Get yours from www.ethicalsuperstore,com at £9.95

 

9. ‘I’m not a Plastic Cup’ Mug
Playing on the ‘I’m not a plastic bag’ fashion phrase of yesteryear, these cool alternatives of using plastic cups are a great way to cut down on waste when grabbing a coffee/lemsip on the go. Re-usable, double-walled, thermal ceramic mug, with a re-sealable silicon lid that'll keep your coffee safe. Forget Ikea.

Available from www.greenrewards.co.uk at £14

 

10. ‘Sexy Peel’ Soap From Lush
Lush products are the kind of gifts that every girl wants, not only because they smell AMAZING, are handmade from natural ingredients, and against animal testing - but they look so cool, and just going into the shop is so much more fun that Boots. Also, all the soaps like this one come in greaseproof paper rather than plastic. I love this one because of the name; its sexy and got orange peel in it, get it? Sex-y P-eel? Sex Ap-peel? Well, I enjoyed it.

Available from lush.co.uk at £2.92 per 100g.

 

Words: Kieran Yates. Give Kieran a lovely Christmas message at www.kieranyates.blogspot.com