With Christmas just around the corner at the time of this writing, thoughts may be turning to gift giving. Maybe you are considering trying to be a bit greener this year with your choice of presents. How can this be done, and what are the benefits of sourcing ethical gifts? What even are ethical gifts?

What is an Ethical Gift?

A gift can be considered ethical if it is doing something positive for society, the planet, and people. So, products that have been produced with a lower impact on the environment while providing a fair wage for the individuals making it can be classed as ethically sourced.

Who Benefits from Ethical Gifts?

Many of the retailers that sell ethically sourced products are small independent retailers who are trying to do their bit for the environment. Buying gifts from these small retailers will help your local economy. You will also know that the products you are buying have been made by people who have been treated with respect and paid a fair wage while working in a safe environment. This alone should make you feel good.

Examples of Ethical Gifts

There is plenty of choice when it comes to ethical gifts for family members or friends. For example, instead of buying clothing from some of the big-name brands that produce their products on a massive scale and have a negative impact on the environment, why not look for smaller companies selling sustainable clothing. These companies pay fair wages to those who work for them and use eco-friendly fabrics in the production of their clothing.

Local food products can also make fabulous gifts for loved ones. Think about creating your own hamper containing locally produced food and drink items such as jams, honey, bread, coffee, tea, wine, and chocolate. This high-quality hamper will definitely be a hit with your favorite foodie.

Buying toys for children does not mean you have to buy plastic. You can buy handmade toys made with sustainable wood. You might even find some vintage toys in a second-hand shop, which will be even better for the environment.

When it comes to jewelry, companies such as Project Honey Bees are making beautiful bee-inspired pieces, including bee necklaces and bee pins. Money from every purchase is going towards spreading awareness regarding the plight of the honeybee and aiding conservation of this important species. Every item they sell means one bee adopted.

A new trend in terms of gift giving is to forego giving the gift completely and instead donate the money to charity. With so many worthwhile causes, you can donate to a charity close to a loved one’s heart, which can help to fund vital research into health problems such as cancer or saving endangered species.

Alternatively, you could gift an experience instead of something physical. Think about tickets to a show or a voucher for a meal.

Conclusion

The gifts that we buy can have a massive impact on the world in which we live. When we choose to buy products that are not ethically sourced, we just don’t know the effect that they are having on people, animals, and the planet.

Buying ethical products means that we can help to reduce the damage caused to the environment in the manufacturing process. Ethically sourced products are often recycled or reused, meaning they reduce the amount of waste in landfill and save on natural resources such as water and energy.

There are many fantastic choices when it comes to ethically sourced gifts. Giving such a gift to someone you love will help to reduce your impact on the environment and will help improve the lives of people around the world.