All city is getting dressed up in Christmas lights and catchy Christmas jingles are played all over the place. No matter where you come from or where you are going there will be Christmas decorations or celebration mood swingers on your way, reminding of all the festive things you still haven't done. House decorations, menu for Christmas dinner, gifts for everyone and, oh, will that new years dress be delivered on time that I bought online a few days ago?!
I don't have tips for everything (at least not on the blog.. yet), but I do have a fresh list of 15 conscious gift ideas for Christmas or any other celebration. All of them are our mama Earth friendly, some of them more, some of them less, but by choosing any of these gifts you will have a meaning, a story to tell and an answer to the question 'why'. You're welcome!
Dig in and have yourself and your beloved ones a very merry Christmas :)
1. BOSH! Cookbook - PRICE 23 EUR (now on sale for 10 EUR)
Over 140 vegan AMAZING recipes from a scratch. This is the top cookbook I've ever used and seen. This is my Bible. Jamie Oliver is collecting dust on my bookshelf while BOSH! is doing all the work at least once a week. The cookbook have go-to breakfasts, crowd-pleasing party pieces, hearty dinners, sumptuous desserts and incredible sharing cocktails. Oh, and I almost forgot the dressings. This cookbook is amazing and I totally recommend it for you and your healthy beloved ones.
I chose EcoTools brushes for my daily makeup apply because of different reasons. 100% vegan and cruelty-free approved by PETA, made of renewable bamboo and recycled aluminium (yes, those aluminium cans you've been collecting for recycling are reborn), packaging is tree-free that means they are using cotton and bamboo fibre blend instead of paper, fantastic reviews and very good prices. Also, they use post-consumer recycled plastic and is 100% recyclable. How cool is this? They have different sets of brushes, just choose what you like and make you best friend happy!
Skin exfoliation using dry brush is an old trend that has stayed because of all the good things it does for the body. Dry brushing has many benefits from smoothing the skin, boosting energy to even helping with lymphatic drainage and get rid of cellulite. In this set they have brush for body and brush for the face. It have specialized bristle texture not to damage the sensitive skin and to help clean the pores more. Both brushes are made of renewable bamboo, 100% vegan and cruelty-free approved by PETA.
Remember, if you are buying anything on iHerb, they are shipping from the USA, so be prepared to pay 21% tax for importing the purchase. Or just make the purchase on amazon.co.uk, they have good prices and fast shipping as well, plus no tax to pay afterwards.
3. Sassyspud shirts - PRICE 26 EUR
Shirt with a sassy vegan quote made of organic cotton in unisex fit. Is there anything better? Oh, and the illustrations are matching perfectly with the quotes inspired by the thousands of meat eaters. I have the same as in the picture, this is my favourite. I also bought a different one for my boyfriend on Easter celebration, he loved it! They are good quality shirts that will always catch an eye!
One of the most lightweight stainless steel water bottle you will ever handle. And definitely one of the most nature friendly too. They have zero CO2 emission which means by producing and selling these bottles, they are planting trees in 6 different Oxygen forests all over the world, so far they have planted 4,154 trees, not bad, huh? Made for cold drinks as well as the hot, thanks to its thermo feature. And, the last but not least, airport security friendly! So you don't have to put up limits by taking the bottle with you everywhere.
From zero waste to recyclable materials used to make the famous KeepCup. If it's the right time to change your friends old, reusable cup, then definitely consider buying this one. Responsible business practises, great reviews and a good opportunity to invest in more nature friendly future. Did you know, unlike most paper goods, one time paper cups can't be recycled? Imagine how good you could do for the planet, only by choosing reusable cup!
6. MATT & NAT vegan leather vanity case - PRICE 65 EUR
This is a Canadian brand I discovered only recently when I was looking for high quality vegan leather belt at a reasonable price. They are PETA approved and have literally everything- bags, belts, cases, even shoes. I chose one of my favourite things on their shop, vintage vanity case in garnet pink. And that's not it, linings inside all their bags, including this vanity case, are made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles!
I have too many beauty and make-up products in my drawer - said no women ever! It is always a good idea to try out some new products before buying full size package. There are a lot, different and cool vegan and cruelty free brands offering products we know nothing about, but we really should! So let's share some of our beauty secrets with our favourite ones. Some great brands you should consider visiting are Lush Cosmetics, NYX Professional Make-up, MADARA Cosmetics, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Antipodes Cosmetics, John Masters Organic hair care, ArtNaturals and so on.
This year I did a big research of natural, vegan and cruelty free anti-aging creams for my mom. I knew she wanted to try something new after years of using high end products that harm animals and the planet. I stayed with MADARA Cosmetics. They have an options for every taste. New formula serums and creams with birch water, superseed facial oils, smart antioxydants and so on! They have ready sets too, but I made my own skincare set for my mom's taste and I cannot be more satisfied with the result. And, packaging is recyclable as well, some of it is partly made of used plastic bags and real plants!
8. Beauty products made with love - PRICE varies
It's always good to know the ingredients of skincare products you are using or gifting away. Cool option is to make them fully on your own! Add secret ingredient LOVE and your beloved ones will appreciate your handmade gift. There are so many different beauty DIY recipes and ideas on the internet, all you have to do is choose! You can start with something easy like body or lip scrub or try out the big guns and make a toothpaste or tinted lip balm! There is a BB Factory shop in Riga where to buy all the necessary ingredients.
Plastic shopping bags are so in the past and canvas tote bag came right on time. Did you know, plastic bags are not only bad for animals but release toxic chemicals when getting into soil? Tote bag is not only nature friendly, but very handy as well. Takes a very small space in the purse, light as a feather and becomes very handy in different situations. I bet you know what I'm talking about! I have a few of them and couldn't live without them anymore.
10. Stainless steel reusable straw set of 4 - PRICE 4 EUR
Although plastic used in making a straw can be recycled, most recycling facilities doesn't accept them because of flexibility and small size that can fall between the cracks of machinery. As a result, there are tons of plastic straws drifting in the ocean. So, here is very stylish, fancy and trendy solution! Put reusable steel straw in cotton/linen bag that comes in this set and carry it with you everywhere. When at home, just clean using scrub brush and you're good to go!
My go- to buddy. Unisex, eco leather fanny pack with minimal, Scandinavian kind of design. It really is the key of the bag because you can style it with almost everything and take with you everywhere, work, weekend, shop, festival, you name it. Adjustable elastic belt skips a headache of choosing the right size. This is my favourite color but there are more. Red one with matching red lipstick looks amazing. I have tried, guilty! All bags are handmade.
There is nothing that can warm the home better than candle. Specially if it's natural and non toxic. Did you know that candles made of paraffin wax are dangerous to your health? That's why you're not overpaying by buying soy candles. Soy wax is produced naturally from soybeans and is both renewable and biodegradable. The soy wax candle I chose is hand poured in a black ceramic votive that you can use afterwards! The packaging is also recyclable. This present will definitely stay in a memory!
13. Temporary veggie tattoo set - PRICE 8 EUR
I really don't know what is it with temporary tattoos but they are very popular not only among kids but adults as well! This set of veggie tattoos are gorgeous and made to spread vegetable proudness to everyone. There are 9 super cute characters on each sheet made by an artist Penelope Dullaghan. Like the little beetroot veggie monster, cheeky eggplant, strong broccoli and others!
14. Glass jar full of nuts - PRICE varies
The best gifts are made by ourselves. Imagine how many good thoughts and emotions you can put into one jar full of nuts and gift it to others? I promise, every vegan and plant based diet lover will be happy to receive a jar full of different kinds of nuts. There are too many options of how to use them! Vegan milk, sour-cream, tart, cake base, anything! Or if celebration time has took away all the energy, renew it WITH WHOLE NUTS!
15. Planner for the new year - PRICE up to 26 EUR
They say there are two types of gifts- actual gifts and books. We started with the book and will finish with one as well, only this one you or your beloved one will have to write by yourselves. Here are some of my favourites online, but sometimes the smallest paper shops have the best to offer, so dare to step in and look for a gift with a heart. Just before buying planner as a gift, make sure if the person is still planning by hand. For Latvian speaking friends here is a very nice option made by Piparmētra. For others, there is an online shop Anthropologie, they offer a lot of unique options (like THIS) for every taste and provide shipping to Europe as well. This one is a great choice for a man or someone who doesn't appreciate everything colored out and highlighted!
I really hope you find some ideas useful for last minute gift shopping or some ideas to save for another time! Anyway, remember it's not about the presents. It's about being together and putting aside work and all obligations we have to deal with on a daily basis. It's about saint baby coming into this world years ago, to save us. Today we know only we can save ourselves but it won't happen overnight. We have to work for it and maybe vegan leather bag, reusable straw or a reusable cup will be the first step for someone.
I have a big family, so we have started a new Christmas tradition for a few years already. On my birthday in September, we decide who will get a present for who with a lottery, so there wasn't too much small or useless gifts but one and very thoughtful. We have set the price limit and we are trying to stick to it as well. The only exception are kids, but they usually get one big present from all of us. That's our way of learning them value of quality over quantity.
Merry Christmas and please, don't get lost in celebration madness but enjoy the snow, Christmas jingles, cacao and a company of your beloved ones. Learn a poem by heart, this will be the best gift you can give to yourself and your family.
Spread consciousness. Spread love.
*draata
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