Christmas shopping made easy (and ethical)
This year was going to be different. We were going to make a list. Presents were going to be bought before advent had even begun and they were going to be wrapped and under the tree weeks in advance. Somehow we've reached late December and there are no ticks next to the name of any of our nearest and dearest on the Christmas list.
Panic not friends.
There is no need to resort to the present drawer yet, in fact you might even be grateful for your lack of organisation. Instead of predictable high street buys that feed into the overconsumption consumerist bubble that Christmas has – for some – become, here is a list of gifts that support the small, local and ethical manufacturer.
Jewellery by Little By Little
Little by Little is a young jewellery company that, from the outset, was created not simply to make beautiful things, but to make a positive impact in society. It is the result of a collaboration by jewellery designer Annabel Paynes and chef who combined their love of food and design to develop their first collection.
With every item bought, Little by Little gives the equivalent of one day's supply of therapeutic food to nurse acutely malnourished children through their partner charity Action Against Hunger.
www.littlebylittlejewellery.com
A painting by Lulu May
Lulu May is a visual artist based in East London. She paints, takes photographs, makes prints and draws. Her artwork is both mesmerising and bold – and perfect for your artistically inclined friends. She makes cards and has originals for sale as well as prints.
cargocollective.com/lucindamay
A Scarf by Bella Singleton
A touch of luxury. Bella Singleton's scarves, printed on the finest silks, combine eccentricity and simplicity perfectly. Each design is based on hand drawn prints by Isabella, who graduated from Leeds College of Art.
www.bellasingleton.com
A bespoke dining experience by Flat Two Eight Six
Rather than giving another "thing" this Christmas, why not take someone out for a meal?
Flat Two Eight Six is a bespoke dining experience with a difference – they will create an innovative, seasonal menu, using quality ingredients from local and regional artisans and ensure a unique dining experience – all in your home.
www.flattwoeightsix.co.uk
Chutney by Rubies in the Rubble
Everyone loves a chutney - a perfect stocking filler, or star of the Christmas hamper. Rubies in the Rubble is a chutney brand with a difference: They make their chutneys solely from food surplus. They are committed to using fruit and veg that would otherwise be discarded. Their mission is "to make delicious products from what would otherwise be thrown away" and play their role in the reducing the colossal food wastage in the West.
www.rubiesintherubble.com
Do something good with Post a Pump
The list of this style of present is ever growing: you can now twin a toilet, adopt a donkey or sponsor a child. There's a new kid to the block - it's called Post a Pump.
A man from Norfolk has invented and spent years perfecting the Flexipump, which helps subsistence farmers to irrigate their fields. A flexipump can reduce the time taken to irrigate by 80%. This means they can grow more food, on a larger area, both to eat and to sell putting more money in their pockets.
A pair of socks by Jollie Goods
Jollie Goods is a more-than-profit enterprise that is seeking to support local homeless charities and care for those battling with homelessness.
"Wear a pair, share a pair" is the motto – for every pair of socks you buy, a pair of thick ones are donated to a local charity near you.
www.jolliegoods.com
Cards by Christabel Balfour
It's not too late to buy and send those last Christmas cards, especially when they are this beautiful. Artist and weaver, Christabel Balfour graduated from the Ruskin School of Fine Art in 2013 and has since been weaving tapestries and creating handmade papercuts in her studio in South East London. She has beautiful Christmas cards, as well as tapestries for sale on her website.
www.christabelbalfour.bigcartel.com
A bag from Noble-Handmade
Noble-Handmade creates beautiful leather bags, handmade from start to finish. Whether its a rucksack, a laptop case or wallet you're after, Noble-Handmade promises to have something you can fall in love with. They are "interested in the beauty of functionality"; and the designs are simple, yet beautiful. The leather is sourced ethically and is handstiched to ensure the process is pure throughout.
www.noblehandmade.com
If none of these tickle your fancy, the Living Wage Foundation (which was started by a group of churches in East London) has released an entire catalogue of gifts that "make sure you're giving a merry Christmas to the person behind the till as well as to the person who gets the present ". Every company included in the catalogue, such as Oliver Bonas and East London Liquor Co., support Living Wage.
HAPPY SHOPPING!!
