Presents for green/environmentally friendly recipients

[BloodyForeigner]

Does anyone have any ideas for less obvious products or gadgets that would suit people who are trying to be green/environnementally friendly/less plastic etc ?
((No-pressnts brigade please look away now. I’m still going to give presents, so please don’t suggest not doing so. And yes I do give to charity, etc. And yes, will mostly do experience type presents.))
But wondered if there’s anything cool things that wise mumsnetters have come across that they’ve loved that makes being green easier?

I’ve recommended the Ethical Silk Company before for silk nightwear and pillow cases.

I discovered turtle doves this year on mumsnet; they make cashmere products from recycled garments.

And I think that kapla planks are one of the most awesome toys ever invented.

Really looking forward to other recommendations

Jute shopping bags
Travel mug
Food flask
Reusable drinks straws
Bamboo cooking utensils
United by Blue beanie hat (made from recycled polyester)
Compost bin
Bamboo toothbrush
Toiletries from Humble or Faith in Nature

Plants for the garden or vouchers for a plant shop
Try googling environmentally sustainable clothing
Worm farm
Metal straws
Bamboo socks bed linen and towels

Done bamboo socks for traidcraft in the past. Have just ordered 25m of brown recycled paper instead of Christmas wrapping paper plus compostable sticky tape

Most second hand things? Books/ scarf etc from eBay or charity shop?

If they are really environmentally conscious, the best option is preloved as everything else requires energy and resources to make it. So just think about what that person would like and look for a pre-lived version. Plus, as mentioned already, experiences are fab so theatre/gig tickets, cookery class, willow weaving workshop etc (again obviously to suit what they would enjoy).

You can subscribe to having a bamboo toothbrush delivered every few months. I think the company is Brissle. We had this for a wedding pressie and we loved it

Reusable straws.
Reusable drink bottle.
Tickets for an activity together (comedy, theatre, event etc).
Bird feeder.

Lots of different gifts from unicef that are all fair trade and contributing to a great cause. I love this mother and child sculpture

I like the bird feeder suggestion - could get some seed and fat balls to give alongside it.

Bubble bath in glass bottles - Neals Yard and Weleda both do this

Books from the charity shop - either really old beautiful ones (eg a Ladybird book linked to an interest or a childhood fiction favourite) or just something you know they'd like/haven't read

Fairtrade chocolate/nuts etc in a cloth bag

I'd love to receive any of these!

Lovely company called www.treesdirect.co.uk that have baby Holly tress and pear trees. Love the baby hazel trees too. I think gat would make a lovely family gift providing they have the space.

On the whole the problem with products / gadgets is that unless you know the recipient wants or needs them, they're likely to be a wasted purchase.

I'd avoid things like re-usable cup / flask / metal straws etc unless you know they need them. Similarly bird feeders etc IME are just more tat that get used for a while then abandoned unless you know the recipient is definitely into feeding/ watching the birds. (Can you tell our family have been given a lot of bird feeders over the years )

While it may seem a bit boring I'd go for things like:

Books (second hand ideally).
Organic cotton t-shirts / leggings / PJs etc (ie basics that you know they'll wear & that are the sort of thing that wear out)
Lovely ethically made socks.
Locally produced food stuffs (depending on their tastes local beer / cheese / jams etc)

I’m doing lovely hard soap (ie not liquid) which comes with a paper wrapping this year. Loads of people I know are trying to stop using plastic bottle soap.

TK Maxx have lovely bars of soap, including boxed sets.

Sadik - nobody has ever given me a bird feeder. I am very disappointed about this.

They've obviously all come to us Remus

Some of those beeswax wraps that can be used to replace cling film.

How about an investment in an ethical crowdfunding scheme, there is Kiva.org but there are also lots of others. Basically you invest £20ish and it is used to crowdfund a business in a developing country (there are loads of different ones you can choose from), then once the loan is repaid you can reinvest it again with another one etc.

Last year, my daughter received a purse made out of recycled fire hose. She and I thought it was lovely! Not sure of the company though.

Etsy have a huge range of printable downloads.
These cut out dolls are gorgeous
Or for a book lover these Alice in Wonderland bookplates are lovely.
You just download the file and use your own printer. Completely recyclable and no air miles involved.