It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As the tree goes up and we start thinking about gifts, it’s easy to fall into buying lots and lots and forgetting about the impact all of our consumption can have on the environment. If you’re looking for simpler, more eco-friendly gifts this Christmas, here are some ideas.

If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at gift guides from previous years here and here. 

How to Buy Gifts Ethically and Sustainably

It won’t be news to you that I’m an advocate for shopping sustainably and ethically, but how you actually go about doing that can often be a bit of a surprise. Eco-friendly gifts shopping starts with where you buy, not what you buy. While I can provide you with ideas for what to buy, the most important thing when it comes to looking after people and the planet is how you decide where to purchase.  The main principles (in order) are:

• Buy less
• Buy secondhand
• Buy from small businesses
• Buy from ethical businesses

So before you decide what to buy, first consider whether you can buy less altogether or buy secondhand. And for the times when neither of those things are possible, well, here are some of my favourites.

For a New Baby

Tiny babies don’t need much at all, but if you’re set on buying a treasured new baby something to open, these beautiful eco-friendly gifts will have you covered.

Pure Earth Collection

Beautiful, simple baby products that are natural, non-toxic and biodegradable. They’re free from unnecessary plastic, including the polyester that’s so often hiding in fabric. Their natural, bamboo sleeping bag is one of the best I’ve ever used, and they also make sensory toys that are polyester-free so there’s no risk of little one ingesting microplastics. 

Pim Pam

Pim Pam specialise in reusable nappies but also offer a range of baby products, all ethically made, in beautiful, unique prints designed by founder Aless Baylis. 

Bjarni Baby

This sweet little business makes beautifully  soft, organic clothing that’s perfect for little ones. Everything about them is designed to be gentle on a new baby, and their commitment to sustainable production and organic materials makes them perfect eco-friendly gifts.

Projekti Tyyny 

Gorgeous heirloom baby quilts and textiles for an extra special gift.

Ages 1 – 3

This is the prime age for buying barely used gifts secondhand, but if you’re looking for something new, then try these eco-friendly toys.

Whirli subscription

Whirli is a subscription toy library with a huge range of excellent toys. Perfect for little ones that like novelty all year round! If you sign up via this link you can get £20 or 30% off your first month (whichever is higher).

Toys with Emotions

Beautiful handmade toys made from sustainably sourced wood and non-toxic paints.

Montessori Play

Unique and beautiful Montessori toys handmade in Latvia.

Buttons for Beans

Handmade clothes for babies and small children, all made from deadstock and vintage fabric.

Ages 4+

Here are some of my favourite places to shop for eco-friendly toys for older children. 

Kidly

Selling a huge range of sustainable toys, Kidly is the first place I go when I’m buying something new. And you can get £5 off your first £50 spend with the code ‘FIRST5’.

Sea of Grass Studio

Handmade paints and beeswax crayons for a beautiful crafting experience for your little ones.

Busy Puzzle

Lovely wooden puzzles with educational themes and a gorgeous colour palette!

Frux Studio

Made to order, naturally dyed fancy dress and toys.

All images copyright brands featured.

Some of the items featured were gifted for review with no obligation to review positively. This page contains affiliate links, which earn me a little bit of commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Thank you!