Christmas Gift Guide - Conscious Christmas

With a staggering extra amount of waste produced over the Christmas period compared with the rest of the year; food and packaging, wrap and cards, Christmas trees, and unwanted or duplicated gifts are often binned rather than recycled, re-purposed or re-used.

If you are choosing not to ignore the impact this has and opting for a more mindful way to celebrate this winter season, we have gathered together a ‘Conscious' gift guide that includes stylish ideas from small, independent, and sustainable focused brands that will be loved, appreciated and most importantly kept.

Komodo Mens Jean Warm Sand Shirt 

A classic over-shirt silhouette is an essential for casual occasions this season and this one is by Komodo who have been committed to creating eco-friendly fashion since 1988. They only use premium quality organic, natural and eco fibres, whilst breaking new ground with innovative fabrics such as green PU coating and recycled PET, from plastic bottles. Most of their products are vegan (including this jean style) and all are cruelty free. They no longer have single use plastic in their supply chain, they are GOTS certified and are a member of the soil association.

Colorful Standard Dusty Olive Hat 

The Colorful Standard merino wool hat is a new take on the best-selling classic beanie. This style has a double fold, securing a stylish look, as well as giving each person the possibility of folding it to their perfect ‘hat height’ liking. This unisex hat is a “zero waste” garment knitted from Woolmark certified Italian-spun merino which is extra comfortable to wear due to its naturally breathable fibers and antibacterial characteristics. The company also give 5% of their proceeds to their newly established football club and foundation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, FC Masi Manimba.

Armedangels Taraa White T-Shirt 

Sometimes the simple gifts are the most needed. The Taraa is a classic t-shirt with a unisex boxy fit from eco brand Armedangels. It is the brands mission to combine fair working conditions and sustainable, high quality materials with beautiful design. The company only use sustainable and regenerative materials and have been GOTS certified since 2011. The style is made of 100% high-quality fair trade organic cotton where the cotton is from controlled cultivation with a regulated minimum price, produced without toxic pesticides and with low water consumption.

Thinking Mu Mens Anteros Green Sweater

We don't think Christmas jumpers should be of the novelty kind, and this one from Thinking Mu is a classic fit in a flattering green shade. The use of organic wool ensures protection of animal welfare and the farms the company use have best practices to protect soil health, biodiversity and native species. No pesticides are used during the process, either on the pastures or on the sheep, and the yarn of this garment complies with international standards. If you need further information Thinking Mu provide a report for each garment on their website where you can check traceability and sustainability.

the Muses London Unplug Candle

You can’t go wrong when giving a candle, it's a luxury treat that offers a chance for some much needed time out, but depending on the components being burnt, it may not be so relaxing or quite so healthy. the Muses London offer a toxin-free and conscious scented candle with sustainability at the heart of the brand. The candles are hand poured using 100% natural wax which is certified sustainable, the pure brass containers can be reused, repurposed or recycled indefinitely; the packaging and the shipping materials are made from recycled material, which are FSC certified and fully recyclable. The brand use as little plastic as possible and do not wrap their boxes in cellophane. As a company they also offset their carbon footprint and plant a tree for every candle sold. Unplug is a contrast of juicy pears and green rhubarb, fragrant blooms of rose and freesia with touches of fresh, leafy woodlands, which is great for those that don’t like the traditional woody, spice notes of most Christmas offerings.