Rather than the usual plastic tat, we're trying to be a bit more thoughtful about of festive gifting this year. Whether that's focusing on experiences or vouchers for things we know people will really enjoy, or investing our cash in something more sustainable and long-lasting than the usual bargain basement, last minute filler, over the next couple of weeks we'll be sharing our ideas for some more meaningful gift ideas, starting with our mini edit of some of the more sustainable gifts we've seen and loved.
Did you know that 360 million candles are burnt in the UK every year? If like us you love a candle but hate having to find a use for a leftover pot at the end of its burn, the cleve folk at Pott have come up with a refillable candle that can be used again and again. Every Pott is hand-thrown, making each one unique, and the candles and refill are hand-poured from natural rapeseed and coconut wax, 100% natural essential oils and sustainable fragrance oils. What’s more, every purchased of ‘The Holly’ Pott will be gifted a keepsake Christmas bag, created by north London illustrator The Mossy Hill. Potts from £30 and refills from £12 at www.pottcandles.com
Give the gift of creativity with one of Ar:ti|sans Leather Craft Kits, a series of fun, DIY kits handcrafted by a small team of leather artisans in Hackney. Each kit is made from Premium 100% full-grain Italian leather and tanned using natural vegetable extracts, includes an easy-to-follow instruction guide in plastic-free flatpack packaging. With kits including passport holders, glasses cases and placeholders, it’s an opportunity to learn a new skill in the comfort of your own home and without specialist tools or equipment. Kits from £15 from https://artisans.life
You wouldn’t necessarily think a bicycle would make a sustainable gift idea, but the COCO-MATBIKE, available in both children and adult sizes, is as eco-friendly as it is beautiful. Born in Athens, the bikes are hand-crafted in Greece using plantation-grown American Ash, with each tree providing enough wood to make 50 bikes. Each arrives with a maintenance kits of Allen keys, sandpaper and beeswax for wood maintenance, the wooden frame has a lifetime guarantee and in case of severe damage, wooden spare parts are available. Bikes from £490 for kids and £1,990 for adults. www.coco-matbike.uk
For a present with a difference, Create Academy offers a range of courses taught by the world’s leading creatives. From aspiring cooks and interior aficionados to home crafters and gardening enthusiasts, courses start from £127 and including the likes of The Ultimate Guide to Interior Design with renowned interior designer Rita Konig and an Indoor Gardening Masterclass with botanist James Wong. www.createacademy.com
Looking for luxe without leather? Luxtra’s beautiful Daphne Bucket Bag (£279 www.luxtralondon.com) is created from AppleSkin, a robust, waterproof Italian leather alternative made from apples. It’s a modern, eco-friendly take on a classic style from a B-corp company that creates sustainable, vegan, luxury accessories from materials including pineapple leaves, apples and cactus.
