With less than a month until Christmas, we have compiled the ultimate festive gift guide, giving you some ideas for ethical alternatives – many of them Fairtrade, or sold or produced by co-ops.
Fruit tea hamper (£9.95)
www.teapeople.co.uk
0118 950 8728
As an ethical business, Tea People has committed to providing high quality products and putting aside at least half of its net profits for the cause of improving the lives of underprivileged communities in and around the tea growing regions. This fruit tea hamper includes a selection of 6 loose tea taster packs – green tea and black tea hampers are also available.
Bee Free gift set (£15)
www.arthousemeath.com
This social enterprise presents the skills and talents of people living with complex epilepsy, learning and physical difficulties. Over 70 artists work alongside instructors who enable groups or individuals to create artworks which are developed into products for sale. This bee set includes a bag, china mug and organic soap.
Essential Flapjacks
www.essential-trading.coop
The flapjacks are made by the co-op itself using organic oats grown by a UK co-op and baked in Bristol. With eight varieties to choose from (four of which are Vegan Society certified), there is something for everyone.
Fairtrader (£10-25)
www.fairtrader.coop
01484 690515
Fair Trader is a volunteer-run co-op whose members share a desire to help reduce world poverty by promoting fair and ethical trading, help families and communities in developing countries and partner small and sustainable suppliers. Gift ideas include hats, children’s boots, jewellery and leather satchels.
Boundary brewing (£35)
www.boundarybrewing.coop
The Belfast-based co-operative Boundary Brewing has compiled a mixed case of 12 beautifully-packaged beers for any beer connoisseurs out there. Chocolatey, sweet, rich, espresso, fruity … this case has a bit of everything.
Ethical cosmetics gift bag (£16.99)
www.faithinnature.co.uk
Based in Lancashire, Faith in Nature chooses each plant for its healing qualities, resulting in ethical and cruelty-free products. Free from animal testing (all products carry the Leaping Bunny logo) and Vegan Society approved.
Co-op Irresistible Gold Collection Chocolates
www.co-operativefood.co.uk
The 15 gold-finished chocolates are made using Fairtrade cocoa and include milk, dark and white chocolates. Each are hand decorated for a unique finish, bringing a bit of festive sparkle.
Ethical Shop (£7.50-12.95)
www.ethicalshop.org
01709 513999
New Internationalist’s Ethical Shop aims to make it possible to support your chosen causes while discovering ethically sourced goods. They partner with charities and campaigning groups to help them raise money by selling products to their supporters, from calendars and unique baubles to bread and cheese making kits.
Divine Chocolate chocolate coins (£2)
www.divinechocolate.com
Divine is a Fairtrade chocolate company that is 44% owned by cocoa farmers. While Fairtrade ensures farmers receive a better deal for their cocoa and additional income to invest in their community, company ownership gives farmers a share of Divine’s profits and a stronger voice in the cocoa industry.
Co-op Travel Shard experience
www.co-operativetravel.co.uk
01733 224 804
Travel experiences always make unique gifts, and you’re almost guaranteed that they will be enjoyed by their recipients. Co-op Travel have over 70 years’ experience in the travel industry and offer a wide range of experiences all over the country and abroad.
Books
www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk
0151 7087270
News from Nowhere in Liverpool is a workers’ co-operative selling books aimed at empowering and inspiring people to make a positive change in the world. Their online shop is fully stocked with fiction, biographies, poetry, recipe books, children’s books and more.
Viking Chair (£48)
www.treestation.co.uk
0161 231 3333
These rustic garden viking chairs from Manchester’s Tree Station Co-operative are hand-made from local and sustainably-sourced untreated wood, chainsaw-crafted and left with a raw finish, meaning no two are the same.
Round hammered ring (£87)
www.aprildoubleday.com
Made by hand from recycled silver, this ring is a real gem. April uses ethically sourced metal, ensuring all materials – including fairtrade and co-operative gold – have been sourced in an ethical manner.
Port and Stilton (£25)
www.thewinesociety.com
01438 741177
The Wine Society, which was founded in 1874 and from its inception has been a mutual organisation, has specifically compiled festive wine cases and gift sets, such as this very festive Port and Stilton.
Prem Crest hamper (£20.50)
www.premcrest.co.uk
01274 481 481
This Fairtrade hamper is sold by a social enterprise and made by Zaytoun, a non-profit organisation established to support Palestinian farming communities by helping to increase the market for their olive oil products internationally, and also by training farmers and equipment provision.
