Somehow, Christmas is NEXT WEEK! How did that happen?! For anyone else who feels like the festive season completely crept up on them this year, I’ve prepared a handy last-minute gift guide, especially for ethical gifters and giftees.
DISCLAIMER
This post contains affiliate links (*) – if you purchase a product via the link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Massive thank you if you do this! Selected items included in this post have been sent to me on a gifting basis (†) but I promise that I only share products I truly believe in.
I’ve chosen some of my favourite vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable items that make the perfect gift for the animal lover or eco warrior in your life.
The Beauty Lover
Soap Folk Vegan Soap Gift Set†
Dearest Fannie Ditsy Cloth
I bought my ditsy cloth – a reuseable makeup remover – at a vegan festival some time ago and I’m absolutely obsessed. I didn’t expect it to work so well but honestly, it’s the best make-up remover I’ve used! The microfibre cloth is incredibly soft and by simply wetting it and wiping your face, it removes even waterproof make-up. I don’t know how it works so well but it does. Magic.
Bath, Bubble & Beyond Solid Shampoo Bar
Solid shampoo bars have become all the rage lately and with good reason. They’re great for the environment without any plastic packaging and they tend to contain fewer chemicals, which is great for both the environment and your hair.
The Bath, Bubble & Beyond range has something for almost every hair type including “Blonde Ambition” for bleached hair, “Sink or Swim” for chlorine-damaged hair, and “Shine On” (my personal fave) for dyed hair.
They’re all vegan-friendly with the exception of “I Should Cocoa”, which contains lanolin (hopefully they can veganise that formula in the future).
Natura Turmeric-Infused Sheet Mask
A face mask is such a lovely little treat but sheet masks can feel a little wasteful. Enter Natura sheet masks, which not only come in recyclable packaging but are made from biodegradable bamboo fibre and contain entirely vegan ingredients.
I’m loving the energising and antioxidant-filled turmeric right now but the mask is also available in Rose or Avocado, so take your pick!
The Foodie
SENDERO Specialty Coffee Eco-Friendly Gift Box†
I’ve never been a fan of pod coffee machines due to the waste factor. However, I get that they’re convenient and easy for a lot of people. So, I’m thrilled that it’s now possible to buy pods that will break down in your home compost bin. Hoorah!
Sendero Specialty Coffee Pods are not only earth-friendly but the coffee is produced using sustainable farming practices. There are five different types in the range, including a decaf option. My favourite is Uganda for its smooth and slightly nutty flavour. You can buy them each individually but the selection pack makes for a lovely gift for the coffee fiend in your life.
VEGO BAR
This year Vego released two new flavours – Almond Bliss with white chocolate and Nuts & Berries with dark chocolate. They sound great but I’ll be sticking with the original!
Planet Organic – £3.99 / £150g*
The Homemaker
Wild Scents Botanics Travel Size Candle – Peace
A candle also makes a sweet addition to a stocking or parcel. Wild Scents was another brand I discovered at an event – it’s an independent business ess still in its infancy, so a great one to lend some support to.
The candles use eco-soy and coconut wax with therapeutic-grade essential oils, making them vegan-friendly and non-toxic. Perfect for the festive season is the Peace candle, fragranced with organic orange zest, nutmeg and cinnamon leaf – practically Christmas in a jar!
They have a range of other scents to check out and with around 20 hours burn time, they’re great value!
Grow It – Bonsai Tree
I received a Bonsai tree from my Secret Santa and it’s just so darn cute, I had to add it to my gift guide! Perfect for adding a little nature and charm to a windowsill, a bonsai tree is a great gift for a green-fingered friend.
The Shopper
EarthBits Organic Cotton Produce bag†
If you’re like me and absolutely hate the small plastic bags for supermarket fruit & veg, then organic cotton produce bags by EarthBits are a lifesaver! Though I generally skip a bag for larger items like potatoes and oranges, these are perfect for smaller loose items. They’d also make super-cute packaging for a mini eco hamper!
Last Straw – Telescopic Stainless Steel Straw
A friend gave me one of these travel straws and I absolutely love it. Contained in a little metal canister and attached to my keys, I now always have an eco-friendly straw to hand for that impromptu frappuccino, instead of at home in my cutlery drawer…
Ecoffee Cup
The ideal gift for the coffee drinker in your life, a reusable coffee cup I’ve had my Ecoffee Cup for years now and can’t recommend it enough. The cup is made from bamboo and the lid is food-grade silicon.
They have nearly 100 gorgeous designs ranging from solid colours and classic prints, to bright, contemporary patterns. Certain designs including the limited edition Trees design (pictured) donate a portion of the sales to Surfers Against Sewage, a charity dedicated to protecting our oceans, beaches and wildlife.
THE READER
Bosh! How to Live Vegan
Vegan heroes and creators of the super-successful BOSH! YouTube channel and cookbooks, Henry Firth and Ian Theasby have now released a “how to” guide on veganism – BOSH! How to Live Vegan. In a non-judgmental, non-rigid way, the guys give advice on everything from grocery shopping and cooking to dealing with negative responses from those around you. A lot of the info and advise is quite basic (bordering on common sense) so I would recommend the book for younger vegans, or those completely new to the lifestyle.
How to Give Up Plastic
Written by the Head of Oceans at Greenpeace, Will McCallum, How to Give Up Plastic is a great guide on implementing small changes that will make a big difference when it comes to waste and pollution. The book covers everything from reducing, reusing and recycling in your own home to lobbying supermarkets to reduce the amount of plastic packaging they use.
How to Go Vegan
Another handy guide on veganism, How to Go Vegan by The Vegan Society is another great one for beginners. This handy little guide is all about the hows and whys of veganism and is perfect for all vegan newbies from the meat-reducers to the vegetarian looking to make that extra step towards a cruelty-free lifestyle, to the fully-fledged omnivore who doesn’t quite know where to start.
I love the look of those shampoo bars, I’ve been really wanting to try one but I’m not sure which one to go for with my hair type but it looks like there’s lots of choice there. And you can never go wrong with a Vego! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
There’s definitely something for everyone with the shampoo bars, even if it is a little trial and error at first.
Craving Vego now… 😉
What a great idea!!!
Thanks!
That straw is a great idea. I absolutely hate the paper once that you get now as they always dissolve in my drink.
It’s so good! I love my bamboo straws too but this one is much more handy when you’re out and about.