As you become more aware of the damage that certain materials cause to our planet, the more you may want to buy in an eco-friendly way. Not just products for yourself but gifts for your loved ones too. And the great thing about that is it’s normally the small and home based businesses that are the best eco-friendly gift suppliers.
They use very little manufacturing which draws on the earth resources, they sometimes make to order so materials are not wasted, gifts can be bespoke, you feel like you are supporting small businesses, and you more often than not know the person who has made the product.
Particularly over recent months, people are concentrating more on love and kindness, and large expensive gifts don’t seem to be priority anymore. So with that in mind we thought we would give you some gift ideas from businesses that support the same mission as us, which is to protect our planet and love the world we live in.
There are various suggestions below and if you have any more we would love to hear from you. We have also included a couple of charities.
World Wildlife Fund
The WWF is a great resource to find out what is happening around the world with regards to helping our planet. You can buy monthly packs for children to help them learn about the natural wonders of the world, and children can also join a junior membership to learn about species and our natural world. As an adult you can become a member yourself, make a gift donation, or contribute towards adopting an animal for yourself or as a present.
Don’t worry, the next polar bear or jaguar won’t be strolling into your living room or lying on your bed! The adoption is a contribution towards preserving the type of animal you choose.
Tilda’s Tribe – Natural hair care and soaps
Reduce your plastic bottle usage with hair and conditioner bars instead of liquid. Shampoo bars have been around a while, last for a long time, and help reduce plastic waste. We are just about to try some goat milk shampoo and conditioning bars made in Yorkshire. Tilda’s Tribe are a small business and offer great soap gift boxes and a subscription service too. Perfect for presents, or yourself!
Hot Water Bottle Shop – Stay warm and cosy the eco-friendly way
There is nothing nicer than crawling into bed after a long day with a cosy hot water bottle. A great alternative to putting the heating on or lighting a fire, you can really get close to the heat and feel all snug. They are also great for aches and pains and warming you up after a walk outside in the winter time, and they make fantastic presents.
Most hot water bottles are made from rubber but we found this great company who make eco-friendly sustainable hot water bottles and rubber free versions too. The smell of rubber is not very nice and the material is damaging to the earth too so check out the Hot Water Bottle Shop.
Zero Waste Cookbook – Home cooking without the waste!
If you enjoy cooking but are concerned about the amount of wasted food in your household, check out the Zero Waste Cookbook. With plenty of savoury and sweet recipes that don’t waste anything e.g use leftover from once recipe in another dish, you can cook up some real treats. Perhaps you have a loved one that enjoys cooking but doesn’t know what to do with leftover ingredients? In which case this book would be perfect for them as a gift.
&Keep – Scrap the plastic water bottles
We heard once that it’s not a bottled water industry, it’s a plastic bottle industry. The amount of plastic water bottles you see on supermarket shelves is too many. Every single one of the bottles you see may end up in recyclable waste, but why not ditch them all together? Tap water is equally as good, or you can buy a filter for your tap. If you are out and about, think about buying yourself a reusable water bottle. &Keep are a brilliant company who have a wide range of plastic free eco-friendly bottles and they are on a mission to prevent plastic waste. We think these make great presents because it’s not something you may think about buying yourself.
Eco Lelu – What about the kids?
Plastic free toys are becoming more popular which is great because you don’t really want your child chewing plastic toys covered in toxic paint. Yes there are rules and regulations regarding the paint used on toys, but there can just be a trace of chemicals in the plastic and paint that will enter your child’s system. Eco Lelu are a family owned business in Devon that make plastic free toys from den kits, rag dolls, Christmas decorations, and puzzles and games. They offer a wide range for all ages.
Oxfam gift cards – Giving freely
Oxfam do a variety of gift cards that you can purchase for a particularly category. For example you can buy a gift card for £5 that will help buy seeds needed to sow for crops in underdeveloped countries. Or how about £5 to support women globally, or £10 to help farmers in poorer countries with the challenges of climate change? If you want to give freely this year, these are a great option.
And finally …
There are great eco-friendly choices out there and with the world wide web being available, the world is your oyster when shopping for the most eco-friendly unique gift that you want for you or your loved one. So go on, treat yourself or someone you love.
Eco-Friendly Gift Links
World Wildlife Fund – www.wwf.org.uk
Tilda’s Tribe – tildastribe.co.uk
Hot Water Bottle Shop – www.hotwaterbottleshop.co.uk
Zero Waste Cookbook – https://bookshop.org/books/the-zero-waste-cookbook
&Keep – www.andkeep.com
Eco Lelu – www.ecolelu.co.uk
Oxfam Gift Cards –onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk
Our Ethos
Northern Flock cares for your world, promotes recycling, and helps save the planet by making eco-friendly products and gifts that are kind to you and mother nature.
Visit our shop to treat yourself and buy someone you love a beautiful eco-friendly gift whether it’s candles, personal care products, or household items:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NorthernFlock
Contact us with any questions you may have at info@northernflock.co.uk
And please do like our Facebook page for special offers, our ongoing story, and to leave a review:
Northern Flock 