SUSTYISH: Have A Susty Little Christmas, The Ultimate Gift Guide.
I won’t pretend that I’m not a massive Scrooge. I actually stopped giving Christmas presents years ago (except to the kids). I’m not fussed about the gift-giving part of the festive season, but I think it probably comes from the fact that no one ever knows what to get me, and I end up buying everything for myself anyway. However, this year, I’ve decided to get back into the festive spirit and buy my (luckily very small) family Christmas gifts. This year, it’ll be with a twist because they are only going to be sustainable or second-hand gifts.
More than 100 million bags of rubbish go to landfill each Christmas in the UK. £42 million worth of unwanted Christmas gifts also get binned, and that doesn’t take into account the 108 million rolls of wrapping paper we use to put them in. I don’t know how these stats make you feel, but I was shocked to discover that 6 in 10 people say that they don't feel any guilt about how much they throw away during the festive period. HOWEVER, millennials and Gen-Z people are concerned with Christmas waste, which feels like a Christmas miracle we need.
Before I share the wonderful gift ideas I’ve been saving all year, let’s have some ground rules to help minimise waste this year.
Try the Secret Santa method. It’s not just for the office; it works for groups of friends and families, too. One good, well-thought-out gift is all you need.
Have a spending cap. Let one person take control, find out what everyone is comfortable with spending, and find a happy medium. Just be sure to give everyone enough time to save up if need be.
For…The One That Loves a Lie In.
For...The One That Loves Them Handmade.
For…The One That’s Always Out & About.
For…The New Kid On The Block.
For…The Picky Fashionista.
For…Who Wears Things To Death (But Never Replaces Them).
For…The One Who Can’t Put Their Phone Down.
For…The One Who Never Treats Themselves.
For…The Foodie Who Needs To Get Back In The Kitchen.
For…The Beauty Obsessed.
For…The Coffee Lover.
For…The Teenager Who Thinks Nothing Is Cool.
For…The Frequent Flier, or Lounger.
For…The Experimenter.
For…The One With The Fur Baby.
For...The Fancy Pants.
For…The One.
For…The One That Loves a Lie In.
The 70s called, and they said you can keep the sheets! New sheets at Christmas are my favourite thing. Some people love a festive theme, but it’s so much better to have a set that can be used all year round. Christmas time should be about colour and fun, so instead of a tame, neutral set, why not bring festive cheer? Weirdstock makes incredibly bright and bold bedding that is ethically sourced. They have that smooth hotel feel. All of their products are made from 100% GOTS-certified organic. They’re completely plastic-free and only manufactured in small batches to minimise waste. The dyes they use in their prints are Oeko-Tex certified and free from azo dyes, phthalates, and ammonia.
Groove Inn Duvet Cover, from £90
Dragstrip Disco Checkerboard pillowcase (2) £45
weirdstock.co.uk
For...The One That Loves Them Handmade.
I’ve always felt that part of growing up is having ‘nicer things’ in the house. Moving on from the standard Ikea or Argos dinner or glassware set to something that’s more unique and personalised. One thing I love in particular is mismatched mugs. Instead of a set of 6 matching mugs, my cupboards contain only one of any design. It’s a nice surprise to have something different every time I make a tea, and has made me be less careless towards to my ‘things’, knowing the time and care taken to make them and that they’re not easily replaceable. Round About Ceramics handmakes its products in the southwest of England by Imogen. She makes a variety of different ceramic goods, but it’s her mugs that have always caught my eye. I own one of her cloud mugs, and it’s firmly known in the household as my mug! Drinking my coffee from it in the morning has given me an insufferable amount of main-character energy. They are made to order, so can take up to 4 weeks to throw, dry, fire, glaze and then fire again, so try to order ASAP to get in time for Christmas!
Limited Edition Candy Cane Mug £35
Cloud Mug £30
The last shipping date for Christmas delivery using Royal Mail 48h is 18th December.
roundaboutceramics.com
For…The One That’s Always Out & About.
I know an umbrella sounds like a naff gift, but that’s only because you’ve not got one of these. The Original Duckhead umbrella is the chicest and cutest brolly I think anyone could ever own. The handle is pretty self-explanatory: a little duck’s head. They’re sturdy and windproof but also come in a variety of colours and prints, which is actually the most important thing when choosing an umbrella! The original Duckhead brollies are made from post-consumer plastic bottles and waterproofed with an eco-friendly, non-toxic AC coating. The company is also a ‘1% For The Planet’ member, as well as a certified Living Wage Employer. Their products come with a 2-year guarantee too.
Matisse Print Eco-Friendly Umbrella £36
Lilas’ Dream Eco-Friendly Umbella £36
originalduckhead.com
For…The New Kid On The Block.
One thing I learned pretty quickly when my sister had her first baby, is that kids grow really flipping fast. So fast that it actually gave me a migraine when I compared the speed of their growth to the price of baby clothes. When she had her second and third, I realised how ridiculous it was ever to buy brand-new baby clothing, and I wondered what the solution was for those who may only have one child and, therefore, no hand-me-downs. Superlooper is a subscription service where you pick a plan, then your rental choices (or they can pick for you), which are then sent over to you. You swap your items every 2+ months (as baby grows or seasonally). There are also no damage fees. The average spend on baby clothes in the first year is £997, but you can save over £600 using Superlooper. It also means less clutter waste and is better for the planet.
Buy a new parent a Superlooper gift card, starting at £15 for a month of rentals.
superlooperlife.com
For…The Picky Fashionista.
Big hair tie, big goals. I just made that up, but I think there’s some truth in it. I came across The Good Squish by accident, and there isn’t a week that goes by where I don’t think about them. Accessorising your ponytail or bun may not feel like something your hair needs, but after scrolling through their Instagram feed, I am sure you’ll be converted. They are oversized scrunchies hand-stitched from deadstock fabrics. Featured in Vogue, Cosmo, and Harpers Bazaar, a squish is possibly the coolest thing you’ll ever put in your hair. They’ve just launched their Merry Squishmas range featuring tartan print, red, and sparkle. However, you can also shop by occasion, such as for parties, work, Sunday lunch, dates and breakups. If you’re not sure what squish to buy, give a gift card starting from £30.
The Curious Kids: Owl £30
Queen Hot Pink £45
Order by 16th December using Royal Mail 48h for Christmas delivery.
goodsquish.com
Dopamine dressing is a way of life, not just for Christmas! I embrace colourful clothes all year around because everything is already depressing without my outfit joining the club. These selections are definitely more of a splurge, but if you’re looking for a sustainable piece that will make sure the recipient is the best dressed in the room - look no further. Hope Macaulay is a Northern Irish designer who makes those incredible viral knits that have been seen on every it girl and their friend for the last few years. I love her knits so much, I even bought a matching one for my cat. They make both wool and biodegradable nylon versions of their jackets and cardigans. If you’re not ready to brave the oversize knit, then maybe a bright pink coat would be more up your street? I have four Jakke coats hanging in my wardrobe, and I love them all to bits. Their faux fur is made from recycled plastic bottles, and come in an assortment colours - so if black is more your vibe, they can provide. Last but not least is one of my favourite bag brands ‘Rommy’. The round handle shape of the bag is both fun and chic, with the description reassuring that it will fit the largest iPhone (information we need!). The designs are so varied and striking, which makes it really hard to choose. Luckily they operate a take back scheme, where they offer you a 30% discount if you return your Rommy bag within 2 years. They’ll recycle all the components, and you get a brand new bag!
Wonderland Chunky Knit Cardigan £350
Bailey Coat Bubblegum Pink £279
Mini Magenta Bow Bag £115
Hopemacaulay.com
Jakke.co.uk
Rommy.co.uk
For…Who Wears Things To Death (But Never Replaces Them).
I know there’s that joke about getting socks as a Christmas gift sucking, but the older I get, the more I hate buying basic stuff for myself. Ethical and Sustainable basics are something I get asked about a lot, but it often comes with a higher price point than most are willing to spend. Tore sent me some socks a few weeks ago, and I’ve been living in them since! They’re more comfortable than any other crew sock I’ve tried and feel super durable (and they come in pink!). They’re made from recycled cotton and Repreve polyester, making them the world’s first 100% recycled socks. They’re also certified by the Textile Exchange Organisation. You can even spend an extra £9 to personalise the socks with your initials, aka the perfect stocking filler.
Women's Multi Colour Crew Sports Socks - 3 Pairs £15.99 (Men’s available too).
20% off with code WINTER20
Order by 19th December for Christmas delivery.
wearetore.com
For…The One Who Can’t Put Their Phone Down.
An iPhone is the last thing you expected to see on a sustainable Christmas guide, but hear me out! My relationship with technology is probably different than the average person, because i use a combination of cameras and my phone for work. The newer camera’s do make a difference to me, but even i have slowed down how frequently I replace my phones and i always make sure I can hand my previous devices down to family. However, if you’re a normal person then a regular phone upgrade is absolutely overkill for you. That doesn’t mean you can’t have an up to date-ish phone though. Backmarket sells high-quality refurbished smartphones and other tech such as airpods. Teenagers are always asking for the latest phone, so this is a sustainable and cheaper way of giving them something to shove in your face all day, Merry Christmas!
iPhone 13 128GB £349.56
Backmarket.co.uk
For…The One Who Never Treats Themselves.
I got my first Votch watch back in 2020, and it looks as if I bought it last week; time has been very good for it. Votch is a female-founded brand that designs and makes stunning vegan-friendly watches. I avoid buying leather goods for ethical and environmental reasons, but most vegan leather isn’t much better due to it usually containing some sort of plastic, which is incredibly harmful to the planet. The faux leather Votch uses is PVC-free, with no plasticisers, amongst many other things. They have collections using Pinatex leather, made from fibres extracted from pineapple leaves, as well as Appleskin specifically for Apple watches. It’s a bio-based material using residual fibres from the apple juice industry. They currently have a 50% off sitewide sale.
Rose Gold & Sky Blue £84
Gold & Black With Black Aalto £94.50
votch.co.uk
For…The Cosy One (Who Also Loves Luxury).
TBCO’s website has so many treasures, I wouldn’t blame you for sacking off Christmas and keeping everything for yourself. If you do insist on being generous, then you’re spoiled for choice. The Tartan Blanket Company is a B Corp brand specialising in cosy and sustainable accessories and homeware. They have everything from pyjamas and scarves to cushion covers and placemats. My personal favourite is the build-your-own gift box, where you can even have the recipient's initials embroidered onto the scarf or blanket - if you really love them!
Cotton Placemats Set of 2 £20
Build Your Own Christmas Gift Box, from £39
Cotton Pyjamas in Checkerboard £95
Order by 20th December for Christmas delivery
tartanblanketco.com
Whilst I don’t oppose my house smelling like roast potatoes for three days straight, it’d not quite the ambience you’re hoping for when hosting guests. I love burning candles, but I get through them quickly, and I hate, hate, hate the waste generated from single-use candles. The pots they come in aren’t always something you want on display permanently, and i’m not quite at the level of making my own candles. Luckily none of that will matter to you or the person receiving the next gift, because Pott handles all of it. They make gorgeous refillable candles in the prettiest containers you’ve seen. Powered by a subscription service, you can pick a new scent at a frequency that suits you. This is a serious reduction in waste for candle lovers, without taking away the excitement of burning a new smell. Orangery feels very festive to me, but they also have a Noel scent, as well as Fir and Eden.
The Ruby Grand Candle £89
pottcandles.com
For…The Foodie Who Needs To Get Back In The Kitchen.
If, like me, your gift recipient needs to cut down on the five times-a-week Deliveroo dinners, you might need to be a bit more than subtle this Christmas. I’ve had Our Place pots
and pans in my kitchen for over a year now, and it’s been nothing short of life-changing (not just because they’re pink). Our Place describes itself as a mission-driven brand. It cares about the impact it makes everywhere, from working with women-owned manufacturing collectives to sustainable materials and packaging. If you have heard of Our Place, then you’re probably mostly familiar with their Always pan, but their accessories are severely underrated, in my opinion. A foodie will love you forever, no matter what you decide to go with.
Home Cook Apron £35
Cast Iron Always Pan £105
Full Plates £65
fromourplace.co.uk
Max La Manna is an award-winning author and low-waste chef. His latest book ‘You Can Cook This’ has changed how I view food waste and how I run my kitchen. The over 120 recipes are obviously delicious, but I am also obsessed with the incredible guide at the beginning of the book advising how to store food properly to avoid waste. You may think you’re doing this properly already, but trust me, you’re not! This book will help you save time, money and food - I couldn’t think of a better gift!
You Can Cook This £19.19
maxlamanna.komi.io
For…The Beauty Obsessed.
The Body Shop always reminds me of Christmas because it meant getting a box of smellies, which I would break out for a special occasion. However, growing up made me realise that waiting for special occasions to use things doesn't take into account expiry dates, and you should smell like strawberry any day of the week and not just when it’s your birthday. The Body Shop usually pick a charity partner that they donate to every Christmas, but this year is different because they’re allowing individual stores to pick a local grassroots organisation to donate to, with money raised from the sale of specific items selected by staff. Don’t worry, if you buy online a donation will still be made. The Body Shop is continuously working on its change-making efforts for the planet and its people. They are eliminating plastic waste by offering a refill programme, partnering with Plastics For Change, and having an in-store recycling scheme. Their skincare ranges have really taken off in the last few years and i’m a heavy user of a lot of their products, any beauty lover will be won over.
The Changemakers Kit £8
Sheer Touch Lip & Cheek Tint £14
Cherries & Cheer Shower Gel £8
thebodyshop.com
Check out my blog post on sustainable, cruelty-free perfumes here. A new scent is a gift that keeps on giving!
For…The Coffee Lover.
I’m a sucker for aesthetic things in my house, evidently, but one thing I don’t play around with is coffee. I’ve been a fan of Grind ever since I came across their pretty pink tin when doing my Ocado shop. I had recently bought a new coffee machine and was looking for a sustainable alternative to the obvious choices we’re presented with on our supermarket run. Grind is an independent British business based in London, making speciality-grade, ethically sourced coffee available in beans, grounds and home-compostable pods that are zero plastic. They even did an amazing collaboration with Our Place featuring a limited edition blend of coffee and mini-pan. They offer subscriptions to their coffee, with carbon-positive delivery. I know coffee is a unique thing though, so making someone commit to something they’ve never tried could be risky. Look at their gifting section instead for all sorts of coffee treats. I’m sure they’ll be thankful on Boxing Day morning.
Gift Subscription £27
Christmas Tin of Compostable Coffee Pods £14.95
Espresso Martini Gift Set £45
grind.co.uk
For…The Teenager Who Thinks Nothing Is Cool.
I don’t care what anyone says; some candles are for display purposes only! They give a vibe, an impression and, in the case of Wavey Casa, a statement. Their puffy Fuck You candles made from eco-soy wax are somehow adorable despite the profanity, and it might win you cool auntie points if you have one in your own home. If their parents object too much, though, the split smiley faces are my favourite and would be an incredible decorative piece in the background of their Tiktok videos.
Gemini Candle £26
Fuck You Puffer Candle £28
waveycasa.com
For…The Frequent Flier, or Lounger.
When I say the word tracksuit, I can imagine a beige or black co-ord comes to mind and probably fails to excite. Tula & Tye, an ethical, independent British brand, has managed to make loungwear dopamine-filled. I have two sets of their trackies, and they’ve been my go-to travelling uniform ever since I got them. They’re made in small quantities from pre and post-consumer recycled cotton from factory offcuts. They’re also hand-dyed with non-toxic pigments, and everything is made within three square miles in Leicester as part of their own ‘Three-mile Threads’ production model. Let’s not pretend we won’t all be living in our trackies until the 3rd of January; we might as well do it comfortably.
Tangerine Orange Sweatshirt £52
Watermelon Pink Joggers £52
tulaandtye.com
For…The Experimenter.
Every Christmas, as well as all of the cooking (side eye), I also do a signature cocktail. I like to try combinations of flavours I know I love with things that I’ve also never had before. I find it refreshing after having prosecco pushed onto me at every event leading up to the day. I worked with an incredible brand called Discarded Spirits recently, where they make spirits from…waste. The cocktail opportunities are endless with Banana Peel Rum and Grape Skin Vodka, salvaged from the wine industry, clever! Crack open a bottle and let it be a conversation starter on sustainability; what could go wrong?
Banana Peel Rum £30
Grape Skin Vodka £28
discardedspirits.com
For…The One With The Fur Baby.
My house is cat-mad, so much so that they don’t get forgotten at Christmas. They get a gift and a Christmas meal just like everyone else. Just because their only concern is a full belly and some fun doesn’t mean sustainability shouldn’t be at the heart of their festive experience. I first became aware of Beco when I became a Veterinary nurse 11 years ago, and I was shocked that their ethos was actually quite unique - there is a lot of waste in the pet industry. I can, hands down, say that their poo bags are some of the best I’ve used, and their bowls and toys are incredibly durable. The soft toys all have names and functions, plus they’re super cute and won’t make your living room look like a pet shop. Beco is a B Corp, Climate Neutral Certified and a 1% For the Planet company.
Recycled Rough & Tough Turtle From £9.99
Starfish Catnip Toy £3.99
Home Compostable Poop Bags 48 £4.99
becopets.com
For...The Fancy Pants.
I have a guide to everyday sustainable undies, but the festive season and especially Christmas, always makes me feel that I should put my best pants on. I was gifted a gorgeous set by Dora Larsen one year ago, and it transformed my mood as soon as i put it on - I’m sure it’ll have the same effect on other wearers…or observers. Their sets are made using recycled materials and are deliciously bright. Pia Studio may be on your recipient’s wishlist if they’re a collector of stunning lingerie. Their website hosts a Christmas shop of delicious treats, and a few caught my eye. Trimmed with Chartreuse cruelty-free organic stretch silk satin and 24k gold plated hardware, these are special pieces for a special someone - maybe that someone is yourself?
Layla Clean Tulle Underwire Bra £58
Layla Clean Tulle High Waist Knicker £36
Liana Balconette Bra £240
Liana Strap Thong £105
Doralarsen.com
Studiopia.co.uk
For…The One.
Love is…personalisation. Making your mark on a person doesn’t have to be as intense as a tattoo, and I want to bring back the romantic act of wearing your lover’s initial around your neck. I was gifted this necklace over a year ago and had it personalised with the letter K for my fiance. I haven’t taken it off since I got it, and it makes me feel as if he’s with me all the time. The images on the site cannot show you just how dainty and beautiful this necklace is in real life; it’s almost barely noticeable, which I actually love! Wild Fawn uses ethical metals and handmade their jewellery in London before sending it off to you in plastic-free packaging.
9ct Solid Gold Dot Necklace With Initial £147
Silver Dot Necklace With Initial £60