From those suitable for kids, companion animals to those that are charitable, unusual or well priced – this conscious Christmas gift guide will help you grab those last-minute gifts that are also a little easier on the Earth.
(If you wish to learn more about any of the items or ideas featured, or wish to buy them, click the item title that is highlighted in green to be redirected. I receive no money from any purchases made – just for complete transparency.)
1. Give the gift of calm –
Himalayan Crystal Salt Tealight Holder
Price R109.95 (currently on sale) from Wellness Warehouse.
Himalayan salt lamps have had a great reputation for reportedly giving health benefits such as emitting negative ions into the atmosphere that some say may have positive benefits to health. Now you can get some of those benefits for a fraction of the price with this beautiful handcrafted small tealight holder made of Himalayan salt.
2. Give the gift of great ideas –
Medium Subscription
Price $50.00 / R713.00 for a years subscription from Medium.com.
Curious-minded friends or family members will love this gift as it discusses an array of topics some that provoke or cause intrigue, whilst also offering inspiring ‘out-of-the-box’ takes on life, all delivered in 5 minute (average) easy reads. With Medium membership, readers get a year of smart stories, unlimited reads, and no ads all for $50 / R713.00.
3. Give the gift of organic food –
Oranjezicht City Farm Voucher (*Cape Town only)
Price: R100.00 – R1,000.00 increment vouchers.
OZCF farmers market is where I spend most weekends gathering organically certified or if not, unsprayed fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs from truly free-range hens fed certified non-GMO feed and other homemade healthier sweet treat delights. Now you can extend and encourage your friends and family to do the same by gifting them with an OZCF Market Voucher. This will credit the bearer with spend to a value of your choice at the OZCF Market Day veg tent only (*NB: not with other market traders). Vouchers will be sent by e-mail to the address specified and can be forwarded by the purchaser to the desired recipient, or printed out by the purchaser and given physically.
4. Give the of the gift of plastic-free –
Nude Foods Plastic Free Grocery (*Cape Town only)
Price: gift vouchers available in any amount
Nude Foods have two locations, one in Newlands and one in Zonnebloem, and both offer you an incredible plastic-free shopping experience. Here you can fill your pantry with high-quality, sustainable, delicious foods and products, without filling your bin (and the planet) with wasteful packaging. They focus on selling: bulk wholefoods, health foods, and earth-friendly products that are all non-GMO, plastic-free and sold by weight. Their goal is to make plastic-free shopping easy and accessible to the everyday shopper, whilst supporting local suppliers and other waste-reducing initiatives. Simply Fill. Weigh. Pay. To obtain a gift voucher visit either of their stores or email shop@nudefoods.co.za.
5. Give the gift of confidence –
Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention (children’s book)
Price: R184.00 Exclusive Books
Every little one needs a boost of confidence from time to time, as Izzy Gizmo finds out. With supportive words from her Grandfather encouraging her to not give up as she is on the edge of an incredible invention break-through, Izzy Gizmo pushes through and succeeds. No matter what situation your little one might be struggling to grapple with, they will soon remember this story and pull on their inner growth mindset. Helping them to keep going and triumph. Izzy Gizmo is also a friend of the environment, as she makes a solar-powered invention. I won’t give any more spoilers!
6. Give the gift of healthy habit formation –
Le Toy Van – Honeybee “Fruits 5 A Day” market crate
Price: R375 – Play Toys
Through the art of role-playing, kids can learn how to make healthy choices as adults. This should include role-playing where food comes from, and what is healthy to eat. This beautiful and environmentally friendly Fruits 5 A Day market crate will help get the conversations and play-time flowing around what is a healthy food choice. This includes what to eat. Making healthy choices on their own. The creator is Le Toy Van and is available at Play Toys online store. A store that sells environmentally friendly, ethically made wooden toys.
7. Give the gift of companion-animal entertainment –
Gigwi Elephant Plush Toy
Price R185.00 Pet Heaven.
Our companion-animals put a lot in their mouths. More than just food. This is why it is important we make healthy choices on their behalf. For instance, when it comes to their toys, to help them live healthier lives it is best to choose toys made with non-toxic materials. This Gigwi Elephant Plush Toy featured is just that. It is available from Pet Heaven online store. That also have other toys available for other types of animals including cats. I have used these for a few months now for my food deliveries and they give excellent customer service as well as offering a discount if you sign up for regular deliveries. Plus pet points accumulate each time you shop with them which can be used for discounts off future spends.
8. Give the gift of preventing animal abuse –
Donate to African Tails NPO
African Tails is an animal welfare organisation based in Cape Town, who are very pro-active in organising focused sterilisation campaigns in areas which have little or zero access to veterinary care. They are helping to end animal suffering, one sterilisation at a time. Just one sterilisation can have a massive impact and can reduce approximately 100 animals being born unwanted or into a life of abuse and neglect. African Tails also assist the communities with uplifting the life of animals currently living where the sterilisation project is based, by educating the owners about correct animal care, and helping as much as possible with vaccinations, shelter and basic medical care, and encouraging the owners to continue in this way on their own after the project has finished, by empowering them with information on how to do this. African Tails, with the various authorities, also help remove animals that they find are living in abusive situations and is proactive about rehoming them. You can donate a once-off amount or set up a monthly debit order as a gift to a friend or family member, via EFT or SnapScan, by visiting their ‘donation’ page. African Tails are also a registered NPO and PBO – allowing you to make a tax-deductible donation.
9. Give the gift of eco-friendlier beauty treatments –
The Little Green Box Skin Care Clinic (*Cape Town only)
Prices: Vary – call to enquire about gifting a voucher.
The Little Green Box is an eco-friendly skincare clinic tucked away in stunning Constantia Meadows, where you can be pampered knowing the items used were truly ethical and sustainable, unlike many others, where these questions are rarely discussed. The Little Green Box offer professional, bespoke treatments and products in a calm and relaxing garden clinic. Some of their treatments include:
• Esse Probiotic Skincare (Certified Organic by EcoCert) – Core and Esse Plus
• Bio-therapeutic bt-Nano Cocktail Lift
• Naked Cherry Apothecary Waxing
• Eco Pedicures and Manicures and Threading
10. Give the gift of eco-stylish –
This Guy Wooden Sunglasses (Unisex)
Price: R575 – on sale currently / half price from This Guy.
For every pair of wooden sunglasses sold on This Guy online store, 10 trees will be planted. This brand also tries to reduce plastic as much as possible in their frames by using mostly wood and bamboo. They also sell sunglasses cases made of cork, helping the planet that bit further. Their particular sunglasses are: Polarized wooden sunglasses, UV400 protection and they come with free shipping in South Africa.
***
I sincerely hope this 2019 conscious Christmas gift guide helps give you inspiration for those last-minute Christmas gifts especially as many can be bought online and who knows… maybe even helps you gain some brownie points by making it look like you put a lot of thought and effort into choosing them!
