Ethical, charity, small business or alternative gifts thread

[NoSquirrels]

I remember there was a great ‘alternative gifts’ thread last year where I discovered a lot of different things, and I wonder if anyone wants to share their hidden gems or great ideas here?

I’ve decided I’m shopping local or only buying something if it’s a good cause.

I discovered this website Green Tulip yesterday, which has loads of lovely things.

I’ve also bought some artwork in a charity auction for my local hospice - not linking as it’s over, and anyway you all should look up your own local hospice!

I absolutely love Arthouse Unlimited - they do such beautifully packaged things and support neurodiverse artists.

Hoxton Street Monster Supplies sells fun stuff that supports a literary project in East London. Last year I ‘bought’ several words for my hard to buy for people with a sense of humour.

On a similar literary theme, I also love The Poetry Pharmacy for little stocking filler gifts of ‘happy pills’.

Tell me your good stuff!

brilliant thread! there are some faves already mentioned above (jollie socks and toilet twinning) I like Venner based in Leyton, East London. They are a shop specialising in sustainable products including homeware, toys and bath & body care - i really like their candles and ceramics - www.venner-store.co.uk/collections/shop-all.

For ethical clothing then Yes Friends is great! It's affordable too (£8.99 for a t-shirt) yesfriends.co/

They have just started doing underwear which is a good stocking filler and do really nice t-shirts and hoodies too.

For alternative gifts, we have made loads of chilli jam to give to friends using the Dishoom recipe and it's delicious!

Aren’t you all excellent - thank you! So many many good things to explore on this thread.

The Bradford Sock Company design and produce their own wool mix socks in an old mill in Bradford - lots of colours and types - and free postage: www.thebradfordsockcompany.co.uk/
Bigjigs Toys: www.bigjigstoys.co.uk/pages/the-bigjigs-story - lovely choice of toys, and sometimes they have a reduced section if the boxes are damaged.
Hive Books: sell paper and ebooks and donate a percentage to your local bookshop: www.hive.co.uk/

Wow my local cathedral too. Didn't know they did this. That's solved the what do you buy for someone who is so hard to buy for dilemma!!

Boo Cottage Botanicals - make lovely soap & toiletries in Somerset
www.boocottage.co.uk/

Alternakid - ethically made unusual children's clothes
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AlternakidClothing

Tides of Teal - ocean scene resin artwork
www.tidesofteal.com/

The Bumblebee Trust clothing - bumblebee themed clothing
bumblebeeconservationteemill.com/collection/christmas/

LoveBird Jewellery - jewellery maker in North Devon making mostly silver & some gold pieces
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LovebirdJeweller

Olive & Rosy Italian Deli in Wellington
www.oliveandrosy.com/

The Emporium- shop containing lots of local individual businesses & makers
www.theemporiumsomerset.co.uk/

Freecycle, charity shops, second hand...

People selling on stalls?
Eg jewelry makers

I'm so pleased I have found this thread!

Has anyone got any other suggestions for charity gifts? Where you actually buy a present for someone and some money goes to the charity?

I like these ones -
Lovely stationery, helping disadvantaged women;
www.hiphiphooray.com/womens-programmes/

Disabled artists - nice framed prints, one lady has Downs Syndrome and another parkinsons...
art-rabble.org/

Surely someone must do something like this selling chocolate or soap so that I can buy all my kids teachers these gifts for Xmas?!

@intheweeds Arthouse Unlimited (from my OP) does both chocolate and soap, I think?

Shelter do a range of nicely packaged chocolate bars - I’d be very happy with this one!

There’s also Harry Specter’s that gives young people with autism work experience.

Great timing to pop up on active, I've been looking for this thread!

I recommend pebble child - ethical kids toys and hats crocheted in Bangladesh and 30% off your first order when you subscribe to the email. Gorgeous gifts and reasonably priced. Found here. I like the little crocheted mugs of hot drinks so your baby looks like they're having a hot chocolate.

Sir Gordon Bennett do lovely quality British made goods. It's expensive but should last really well and the customer service is great. Just watch out for the return policy which is a little shorter than average. I've got my eye on the scissors which apparently are the best you can get anywhere. Proper old fashioned quality stuff.

I bought these brownies a few years ago after they were recommended on one of these threads. Recipient loved them and they're helping prevent homelessness.

Would also recommend looking for your local chocolate maker and coffee roaster, always good gifts and nicer fresh.

I have just bought some gifts from Harry Spectre's. that is a lovely site. I will share with everyone I know!

@intheweeds

Grace chocolates ?
www.gracechocolates.co.uk/what-we-do/

Objects of Use: www.objectsofuse.com/ - lovely hardware, brushes, garden tools from all over the world - some things made by small charities.

Josh's Chocolate - made in Cornwall - comes in lovely wrappers: joshschocolate.co.uk/

Ethical knitted toys creating work for women in Cambodia. Gorgeous gifts.
beebeeandbongo.com/our-story-ethical-toys/

Thanks for starting this thread op, I really liked the other one was it last year or the year before. I don't have anything to add yet but will if some of my orders are a success.
Thanks to @Anon098 for the yesfriends recommendation, I will order one of their tops as they look nice quality at a good price and nice colours too.

Bubble and bathe - gorgeous shower steamers and bath bombs

I bought some little wild stoves for gifts a few years ago. DH and I used ours to roast hot dogs and toast marshmallows during lockdown. It makes a lovely portable campfire almost anywhere.
wildstoves.co.uk

Also bought gifts here, including toasting forks, firelighters and stuff for the garden. It's one of DH's favourite shops.
muddyfaces.co.uk

We have the budget model (not suggesting a £200+ camping stove for a gift 😬): wildstoves.co.uk/product/wild-woodgas-budget-model/

Our local beekeepers do some gorgeous honey hampers and online honey tasting workshops which will make brilliant gifts.
www.highgatehoney.com/shop

www.theludlowpicklecompany.co.uk

Delicious and reasonably priced savoury goodies and oils 😋😋 highly recommended

knitanddestroy.bigcartel.com/ - beautiful scarfs including scarfs that look like measuring tape, in lots of colours.

Can I add my friend's etsy store. Its not been open long but is a book box option. You can buy one box on its own for a nice gift or a specific subscription. I quite like the Classics box but there are a few festive options and a couple for kids. I think she's just starting out and finding her feet, but they look quite nice.
booklorestore.etsy.com/

I'm ordering something from ludlow pickle for me! Bumping for more suggestions. Also last postal date for some of these is tomorrow!

www.bubbleandbathe.co.uk
gotgeous shower and bath stuff and great customer service