5 Ethical Gifts to Help You Shop Compassionately This Christmas

Ethical Christmas gift ideas

Nothing highlights the amount of material blessing we have in the UK quite like Christmas. But it can also accentuate the amount of excess in our lives. Instead of enjoying the abundance of Jesus, who’s the Greatest Gift of all, we can sometimes feel like we’re drowning in stuff.

And the sad truth is, some of this stuff has a direct exploitative impact on people and the world. This Christmas, let’s consider how we can celebrate in ways that don’t exploit people or have a negative environmental impact on God’s creation—both of which push people deeper into poverty.

As the Christmas shopping season gets into full swing, we’re sharing our top ethical gift ideas to help you shop compassionately. This eco-friendly gift guide will help you consider the sustainability of presents. Whether that’s by finding a one-off second-hand gem, or by making something from scratch, we hope our suggestions will help you find the perfect gift to bless each of your loved ones.

1. Charity donation gifts

We create a lot of waste by buying things for ourselves and for others that ultimately won’t be used or treasured long-term. (How many of us find year-old bottle of bubble bath we’ve never even opened?!)

This Christmas, why not prayerfully consider, Is God calling me to a zero waste Christmas? Although physical gifts can be a beautiful way of communicating our love for others, Jesus once said, “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).

How can we communicate our deep love without buying into the myth that happiness lies in the abundance of possessions? Charity donation gifts are a great solution to this.

Ethical gift idea: If you’re stuck for present ideas for that friend or relative who simply seems to has everything, you could donate to Compassion’s Christmas Appeal in their honour. Instead of giving more stuff that’ll end up collecting dust, give a loved one the joy of knowing they have blessed children in poverty with a treasured Christmas celebration and a hand-chosen present.

A loving gift will mean the world to a child living in poverty who wouldn’t normally receive anything.

2. Handmade gifts

Get creative by crafting some ethical Christmas gifts. Try your hand at some art, baking, knitting or perhaps some carpentry! In today’s fast-paced world, handmade gifts not only minimize your consumer impact, but they also produce some of the most meaningful gifts.

Use our ethical gift wrap ideas to create your own wrapping paper for your wonderfully eco-conscious, sustainable Christmas presents and stocking fillers.

Ethical gift ideas: Check out these delicious recipes for lemon drench cake and latte chocolate cake and get busy baking.

Or why not get crafty with these baby knitting patterns? Either knit the adorable items yourself – or you could print off the patterns and fill a tote bag with wool and knitting needles to give as a wonderful starter kit for a craft-loving friend?

3. Experience gifts

Why not consider organising an experience gift? Think through experiences you can share with your loved ones to deepen your relationships and create lasting memories.

Ethical gift ideas: Try things like seeing a new artist or band, a day at a local attraction or a special meal together. In today’s fast-paced world, the gift of intentional time together is another meaningful way to show your love!

4. Plants and recycled gift Ideas

In the UK, an incredible 52.3 million tonnes of waste is sent to landfill every year. It’s therefore unsurprising that people are becoming more socially conscious about what they buy. You can do your bit for the environment by purchasing Christmas presents without unnecessary plastic packaging, buying more recycled products or giving an actual plant!

Ethical gift ideas: Giving a plant is a creative and sustainable gift idea. Friends and family members can plant your gift and watch it grow over time. That way, a little part of you will always be in your gift recipient’s house or garden.

You could consider buying gifts from recycled materials. Many of these items are one-offs, created by skilled tradespeople who are paid fairly.

5. Time and hospitality

When it really comes down to it, ethical gift shopping is about our heart and attitude. What would it look like for the attitude of radical generosity to permeate every aspect of our Christmas celebrations?

Christmas is about celebrating God’s profound generosity to us. He gave us Jesus Christ, the Greatest Gift of all, to be ‘Immanuel- God with us’. As we’ve freely received, Jesus tells us to freely give (Matthew 10:8).

Ethical gift idea: Could a radically generous celebration be the gift you give this Christmas? Open your home and your celebrations to those who might be alone. Volunteer at a community lunch as a family. These acts of hospitality don’t have to be financially costly – many people invited would be delighted to contribute to the food required, and they are simply appreciative of being included.

We hope you will be blessed this Christmas as you seek to honour Jesus in the way you celebrate and show love and generosity to those around you.

A version of this blog was originally published by our friends at Compassion Canada.