Ethical presents for kids

‘Going green’ is a key trend and many parents are interested in seeking out alternative, ethical and Fairtrade presents for their children this year. While the organised among us have their shopping under control, the last few weeks before the big day for everyone else can be a touch frantic as we try and track down that elusive present. The internet has a wealth of ethical Christmas present ideas with the added bonus of being able to stay away from the crowded high street shops.

Ethical gifts for boys

Boys will always love their toys but why not look for ethical Christmas gifts for boys this year that encourage play time to be creative and fun.

For a stocking filler, how about a Top Trump style card game where children can learn about sea creatures, carnivores or reptiles. Made from 100% recycled materials and completely recyclable, these card games will encourage your children to discover the wonders of nature while educating them on the importance of preservation.

Natures Challenge Cards – Sea Creatures	Natures Challenge Cards – Reptiles

Parents are always trying to drag their boys away from computer games and what better way to spend some quality time with the family then with a board game. Send your boys on a mission to space or a remote land where survival is the name of the game with these board games made from recyclable materials.

Mission Space Game – by Bioviva	Operation Survival Game – by Bioviva

Ethical presents for girls

This year’s range of ethical Christmas gifts for girls is better than ever with plenty of toys, games, chocolates, jewellery and notebooks to please the most discerning of young ladies.

Popular presents this year include energy saving gadgets and this heart design radio will be a big hit with the girl in your family. And from an ethical point of view, you won’t be contributing to the millions of batteries that are used and discarded each year because it’s powered by winding it up.

Heart Wind Up Radio – Pink

And for her stocking, how about these great fillers – organic chocolate buttons, fairy hairbands and vibrant Zulugrass jewellery.

Chunky Milk Chocolate Buttons	Fairy Hairband	Zulugrass Jewellery

To be truly green this Christmas, avoid buying wrapping paper that isn’t recyclable or isn’t made from recycled materials. A better idea is to put presents into gift bags which you can then use again and again. Wrapping paper just adds to the massive amount of waste that we generate over the festive period and the kids want what’s inside, not the decorative wrapping.

Even in today’s economic climate, many women have enough disposable income to buy what they want and when they want it. That makes buying a gift even tougher unless you can persuade her not to go shopping for a few months. The key to buying a Christmas gift for the woman in your life is to find something unusual or unique so that means tracking down products she won’t have already seen.

Ethical and Fairtrade Christmas gifts

Your first step to success is to steer clear of the high street. Firstly because as a shopper she’s bound to have seen everything, and secondly the high street stocks products that are mass-produced so you’re going to end up with a gift that somebody else may have already bought her.

The second step is to think about the ethics behind the manufacturing process of the goods you’re about to buy. Where were they made? Who made them? Did the worker get paid a fair price? What materials were used and are they sustainable? An ethical or Fairtrade product is a thoughtful gift idea, not just for the recipient but also for the people who made it and the planet’s resources that were used in the process.

Remember, you should try to buy something that is unusual or unique. Buying ethical Christmas gifts for a wife, girlfriend or mother will satisfy both those criteria because they’re often made in smaller quantities and many are handcrafted making each one individual. You also want to stay away from the crowded shopping centres and those endless shelves of mass produced goods, so go online for a wider range of ideas that can be delivered straight to your home.

Ethical Christmas gifts ideas for her

Ethical doesn’t mean expensive and there are some great stocking fillers for women that are under a tenner. Go for something that will improve wellbeing such as luxurious soaps, relaxing organic scented candles or sinful chocolates.

Bed of Roses	Relaxing Candle – Boxed	Marbled Milk & Dark Chocolate Bites

If you’re looking to spend a little more, how about some beautiful Fairtrade and handmade jewellery. Or, go for something that is practical and stylish like a set of recycled wine glasses or a selection of bamboo lacquered bowls.

Fairtrade Funky Acrylic Bracelet – Electric Blue	Chunky Recycled Wine Glass – Amethyst	Bambu Lacquered Mini Me – Kiwi

When looking for the ideal Christmas present you’re always going to have to get your thinking cap on, but if you stay off the beaten shopping track, get online and go ethical, you won’t go far wrong this year.