Impossibility of finding Christmas presents for children that are produced ethically

[TeaAndBiscuitsAndWine]

Hands up, I’m new to this ‘ethical shopping’ malarkey, but having recently found out about what is going on in China with the minority Uigers and political dissidents being forced into ‘re-education camps’ and used as slave labour (and worse), I have been trying to find things for this Christmas that (a) weren’t made in China, (b) haven’t been shipped half way around the world with all the associated emissions / just a load of plastic that will be landfill by New Year, and (c) aren’t ridiculously expensive. It’s impossible! Tried everywhere on the High Street, nothing. Tried online, but even on Etsy lots of the stuff for kids (for ages 8-14) Christmas stockings was imported from China. I’m sure there must be stuff out there but I don’t know where. Anyone got any suggestions? I’ve been glued to the MN Christmas shopping threads but everything I’ve checked out has failed to meet the basic ethical requirements I’m trying to meet this year. Am I just being unrealistic? Is my search doomed to failure? Is Christmas cancelled this year?!

Good Gifts? Ethical but not much of a gift! 😂

I'm sure there are ethical shopping threads somewhere on the Christmas boards. what kind of things are you looking for? Tbh I struggle with a lot of the 'bargain' threads as so much is from amazon, who I boycott, and so much is awful cheap plastic tat that will end up in landfill.

Have you looked at fair-trade sites? I can think of quite a few examples of, say, ethically produced wooden toys I've come across but I'm looking for much younger kids than 8-14. If you're thinking tech, its hard, but for example a fair phone rather than an iPhone. A lot of gifts like books its more about who you buy from. If you have an idea of the kind of categories, that might help.

I think you're starting from the wrong place.

Think about what they'd want/like, and then find a supplier.

A toy car knitted from the hair of local goats won't be much good if they actually want an electronics set, but there's probably a middle ground.

My children were produced ethically ...

Seriously though, you are right to try, but it is difficult to find out where things were made and under what conditions.

My children seem to want mostly tech stuff which is probably all made in China.

I think it is much, much harder to buy ethically for kids, partly because things aren't used for as long before they're grown out of, so paying the extra for ethically produced stuff feels like a bigger deal.

Second hand? Or local producers? Again, harder for kids.

It might just mean changing the sort of things you put in stockings rather than looking for an ethical version of what you've always done?

My children were produced ethically, they'll have anything.

www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

Fair trade items: "We advocate the importance of organic farming, sustainability and transparency to the lives of growers and artisans around the world"

Second hand stuff

Hmmm, think you’re right about thinking about what they would like and then try to find ethical producers. Trouble is the stuff they are into (minecraft, unicorns, and ALL THE GLITTER mostly!) is probably going to be impossible. Even the board games were all made in China ffs! Ooh, @Davros, I’ve not come across Good Gifts before, will check it out, thank you!

Secondhand? You can pick up nearly new stuff on fb marketplace and the like. Toys espeically.

For older kids clothes, toiletries etc can be found ethically and local.

Yes it’s not always obvious but there are things out there but mostly online. Eg Babipur for younger kids. Buzzwords to search for fsc (ethical wood) organic cotton, British made, ethical toys, fair trade etc.

But the ethos is based around having things you need not so many short life or throw away items.

Board games are good if they like that kind of thing and even jigsaws are being made with fsc and/or recycled paper now.

I can’t think of more brands or sites off the top of my head as don’t have kids myself,but keep searching as I think you will find things. Even some bigger retailers will have a few ethical things. And every time we put in an ethical search into their search bar it will show on their seats that that is what their consumers want.

Do you want ethically produced gifts, or are the gifts for ethically produced children?

Ethical or organic crafts is another search term

Babipur!

Ok, categories based on recent convos with the children, include:
Soft toys
Harry Potter
Unicorns
Art /craft stuff
Storybooks (eg the Narnia books)
Beauty stuff
Plus for the Christmas Eve boxes (yes we do them, please don’t judge me!) there’s always pjs, hot chocolate mix, a cute/funny mug, and something random.

It was so much easier when I didn’t know to worry about all this 😩

I have struggled with this too and have come to the (sad) conclusion that the most ethical and environmentally low-impact way to give gifts is either money or things that have been specifically requested by the recipient. Everything else has the potential to be wasteful, even if just in terms of the fuel used to collect or deliver it.

I’ll admit I haven’t managed to follow my own advice, but it’s my starting point.

How about paying for a local experience day? There are places now offering eco warrior type workshops for children and young people - recycling / upcycling / that sort of thing

@MrsFin

Do you want ethically produced gifts, or are the gifts for ethically produced children?

Hahahaha! I’d like to say both, but strongly suspect it only applies to the gifts!

www.goodgifts.org
Let me know what you think. Probably a good idea as part of a present or for older people

@meditrina

www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

Fair trade items: "We advocate the importance of organic farming, sustainability and transparency to the lives of growers and artisans around the world"

Thank you for this

That’s such a good idea, @DPotter!

I use Facebook marketplace or ebay (tick the used box) for most stuff. You can get pretty much any tech/electronic stuff there secondhand.

Definitely going to check out the Charity shops, and babipur. Good Gifts is looking like a lovely possibility for the grown ups. I’m realising that a lot of what I buy isn’t so much about what the children want / need, but about my enjoyment in seeing them with their stuffed Christmas stockings and piles of gifts that I bought because I liked them. It’s kind of embarrassing to realise and admit how bought in I’ve been to being a consumer.

For books, puzzles and games I always look on ebay. Charity shops and car boot sales can be great for soft toys. Try googling gifts made in the UK.
I think you should also look at what you're buying though - surely they don't need a new mug every year? That's just wasteful even if it is made ethically.

@MakingTheBestOfIt

I have struggled with this too and have come to the (sad) conclusion that the most ethical and environmentally low-impact way to give gifts is either money or things that have been specifically requested by the recipient. Everything else has the potential to be wasteful, even if just in terms of the fuel used to collect or deliver it.

I’ll admit I haven’t managed to follow my own advice, but it’s my starting point.

You are definitely right, it’s just not as much fun! I need to change my mindset - the CF will probably be fine as they are way more on the ball win this stuff that I am.