Gift Guide: 12 Christmas Presents On A Budget

Giving gifts is an expression of love, but nowadays it would be wise for us to rethink the way we do our Christmas shopping.

According to a research by Deloitte, this year shoppers in the UK are expected to spend nearly 39% more on average compared to shoppers in the rest of Europe. And don’t even think to mention the amount of stress and worry piled on to the holiday season with our attitudes toward gift-giving.

Now more than ever, we live in a society where we covet new and shiny things – Tara Button writes in her book ‘A Life Less Throwaway‘-.  Not only has consumption risen dramatically over the last 60 years, but we are damaging the environment at the same time.

So, in order to help you with your Christmas present hunting without losing control, we have pulled together a mindful mini crunchy gift guide. Whether you’re after fairtrade gifts, zero waste presents, products made by a social enterprise or local artisans, or if you just need some gift ideas on a budget, we hope there will be something for you here. So, grab a cup of tea and sit down to scroll.

Gifts for Her

Ethical mules

With incomparable handcrafted designs, the brand I Was a Sari is placing pre-loved Indian saris at the heart of a new style, empowering women artisans from Mumbai to become the designers of their own futures. We love these Fucsia Mules with a rubber sole and leather piping details.

Hug in A Box

Send all the warmth and comfort of a hug straight to a loved one’s door. With every Hug-In-A-Box gift hamper you purchase, you help the company to offer accessible jobs for people affected by chronic illness. Whether it’s a Christmas Eve box, a Secret Santa gift or a present to go under the Christmas tree, seasonal hugs in a box are bound to bring a smile to any Christmas-lover’s face. We like the sugar and spice Christmas bearhug .

Beeswax Wraps

Bee Green Wraps were created out of a desire to provide an affordable alternative to plastic cling film and plastic zip-lock bags. They are entirely biodegradable, reusable and chemical-free. They look beautiful and smell great, too. We love the Family Starter pack: it is the perfect starter pack, containing four wraps in sizes (small, medium, large and XL). They are all made in Australia from natural fibre infused with a blend of beeswax, tree resin, and certified organic jojoba oil.

A Vegan Cookery Lesson

Gift someone the skill of serving up seasonal and sustainable plant-based plates. Demuths Cookery School, founded in 2000 by one of the UK’s leading plant-based chefs Rachel Demuth, offers an exciting and varied selection of vegetarian and vegan courses for all abilities from beginner to accomplished cook. We like the ’30 minutes supper’ class.

Crunchy Branded T-Shirt

From the streets to fashion shows, people are making strong messages with what they are wearing. You’ll love the fit and feel of our super soft Crunchy Crew Neck t-shirt in black saying “Playful Women Don’t Get Old“. We are sure, it will instantly feel like that favorite, well-worn shirt you love.

Gifts for Him

Plant a tree

Join Treedom the only community in the world where people and companies plant trees and follow their growth online. Plant 5 trees with one click, and gift them (if you want) to whomever you choose (only 79,90 euros). They will absorb CO2, offer social benefits to the farmers who plant them, and make the planet and our Christmas greener.

Laptop Rainproof Backpack

Whether at work or during the weekend, the John Lewis Vancouver backpack is an ideal accessory to finish off his outfit. Featuring a contemporary design that is minimal and practical, the modern matt finish has been treated to protect it from light rain and splashes. Completed with a padded sleeve that can fit up to 15″ laptops, it also has an outside slip pocket and internal mesh phone and wallet pocket with key chain. Carry with the adjustable, padded backpack straps.

Refillable Personalised Bottle Plastic

Cold water on-the-go, without having to buy single-use plastic water bottles. Chilly‘s bottles combine a modern and stylish product designed to the convenience of a plastic water bottle, with the high-performance technology and eco-friendly benefits of a traditional flask. We love the retro look of ‘Swirl’

Gifts for kids

Organic Cotton Baby Muslins

Soft and kind on baby’s sensitive skin, these cloths are a perfect thought for the festive season. We fancy the Christmas baby muslins two-pack  by LittleLeaf Organic. Ethically made from 100% organic cotton, totally free from contact with pesticides or harmful chemicals, they are unisex and also come in fun festive prints like snowmen and Christmas trees.

Toy subscription service

Toy Box Club delivers age-appropriate toys and books to your door from just £35 a month. Variety is a key ingredient in all of their boxes, ensuring children are suitably stimulated in mind, body, and senses. Fun and educational, the toys are collected at the end of each month when they deliver a different set in one of our 100% recyclable boxes. It’s a really convenient, space-saving and hassle-free service for parents, and a great little club for children.

A WWF adoption

From Penguins to Lions, adopt a better future from £3 a month with WWF. You’ll be protecting precious habitats around the world and all the species which rely on them. Your kid will receive a Cuddly Toy, a Fact Pack (with bookmarks and stickers) and regular updates.

Ethnic rag doll

Lanka Kade Girl Doll is made from soft handloomed cotton by fair trade producers in Sri Lanka. Designed to reflect the multi-cultural society we live in today, it is meant to help educate children whilst having fun too. The doll is super cuddly and suitable from birth.