The festive season is fast approaching! 34 days until Christmas...but who's counting? For those of you who are organized enough to be thinking about gifts, hats off! Conscious consumption is important to us and we love the generous spirit of Christmas - this list is all about gifts that give to the receiver, the community and the wider world. Click on the names in blue for website links.
Who else should be on our list? We'll be adding to this list throughout the festive season so get in to touch with us on social media (@journeykind) or email hello@journeykind.com.
Who else should be on our list? We'll be adding to this list throughout the festive season so get in to touch with us on social media (@journeykind) or email hello@journeykind.com.
For the traveller
LSTN headphones
These beautiful headphones provide a mind-altering sound experience (yes I could have just said music but it’s oh-so-much-more than that!). Made from wood and vegan leather, every purchase helps fund hearing restoration for those in need around the world. For long flights and snoring cabin mates, your traveller will be forever grateful!
LSTN headphones
These beautiful headphones provide a mind-altering sound experience (yes I could have just said music but it’s oh-so-much-more than that!). Made from wood and vegan leather, every purchase helps fund hearing restoration for those in need around the world. For long flights and snoring cabin mates, your traveller will be forever grateful!
Faust’s Potions for the Discerning Night-Owls
Give the frequent flyer in your life the gift of nutrients that mean they hit the runway feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world, wherever they are. This funky tonics company uses natural ingredients to create drinks for well-being, whether you’re coming off a plane or nursing a hangover.
For the young heroes
Hero Backpack
Inspiring the hero in every young person is part of the ethos of this fantastic company. Each of these fun, durable backpacks features heroes from history and carries a global cause. As a partner on the 'One For All' campaign for the sustainable development goals (SDGs), HERO NEW YORK dedicates 10% of its profit to solving the world's most pressing issues by 2030. We particularly love the 'vintage Americana' range focused on SDG 16, promoting peace & justice. 10% of profit goes to the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights 'Speak Truth to Power' programme, which teaches millions of students around the world how to speak out against injustice.
Hero Backpack
Inspiring the hero in every young person is part of the ethos of this fantastic company. Each of these fun, durable backpacks features heroes from history and carries a global cause. As a partner on the 'One For All' campaign for the sustainable development goals (SDGs), HERO NEW YORK dedicates 10% of its profit to solving the world's most pressing issues by 2030. We particularly love the 'vintage Americana' range focused on SDG 16, promoting peace & justice. 10% of profit goes to the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights 'Speak Truth to Power' programme, which teaches millions of students around the world how to speak out against injustice.
For the new mamas
Francis and Henry
Launched in 2016, Francis & Henry is a boutique label presenting luxurious sets of essentials for mothers and newborns. Inspired by babies and designed for moms, by moms. We love their mini bundle, which includes a dressing gown for mama and a baby blanket. Perfect for the first moment mama and baby share.
For the sporty chic
Bella Kinesis
So much love for the Bella Kinesis yoga kit. So comfortable. So versatile. And to top it all off, a percentage of all Bella Kinesis sales fund business education for women in India. The yogi in your family will achieve both inner peace and outer satisfaction with this gift! Order online or catch Bella Kinesis at their festive pop-up at Amanzi Tea on 26 November - see you there.
Bella Kinesis
So much love for the Bella Kinesis yoga kit. So comfortable. So versatile. And to top it all off, a percentage of all Bella Kinesis sales fund business education for women in India. The yogi in your family will achieve both inner peace and outer satisfaction with this gift! Order online or catch Bella Kinesis at their festive pop-up at Amanzi Tea on 26 November - see you there.
Enda
Race to the finish line with these stylish shoes, the first-ever to incorporate Kenya’s running history whilst creating jobs in the local community where many of Kenya’s runners come from. Registered as a public benefit company, Enda aims to have the shoes 100% made in Kenya eventually. Pre-order now for delivery in early 2017. The runner in your family will thank you once they slip these on and glide their way to their new personal best!
Race to the finish line with these stylish shoes, the first-ever to incorporate Kenya’s running history whilst creating jobs in the local community where many of Kenya’s runners come from. Registered as a public benefit company, Enda aims to have the shoes 100% made in Kenya eventually. Pre-order now for delivery in early 2017. The runner in your family will thank you once they slip these on and glide their way to their new personal best!
Hard Yard
Getting fit often tops New Year Resolution lists. For those who are serious about it (and don’t want to be bored in the gym), this is a workout with a difference. Hard Yard creates tough workouts designed and led by ex-prisoners. Launching in early 2017, Hard Yard plans to keep London sweating and provide meaningful employment opportunities to people who would otherwise struggle to find work.
Getting fit often tops New Year Resolution lists. For those who are serious about it (and don’t want to be bored in the gym), this is a workout with a difference. Hard Yard creates tough workouts designed and led by ex-prisoners. Launching in early 2017, Hard Yard plans to keep London sweating and provide meaningful employment opportunities to people who would otherwise struggle to find work.
For the gin lover
Elephant Gin
The holidays are a time for family, love and delicious cocktails. I have been a big fan of the gin revival and this Elephant Gin is one of my favorites, because it’s delicious and every bottle contributes 15% of its proceed to wildlife preservation in Africa. So quench your thirst and protect nature, all in one delicious G & T.
Elephant Gin
The holidays are a time for family, love and delicious cocktails. I have been a big fan of the gin revival and this Elephant Gin is one of my favorites, because it’s delicious and every bottle contributes 15% of its proceed to wildlife preservation in Africa. So quench your thirst and protect nature, all in one delicious G & T.
For the keen cyclist
Bike Project
This community of refugees, mechanics and volunteers receives donations of second-hand bikes, fixes them up at their workshop, and then donate them to asylum-seeking refugees, to enable them to move around the city and to learn new skills in the process. We have our eye on this vintage hybrid bike, grab it before we do! Lycra optional...
Bike Project
This community of refugees, mechanics and volunteers receives donations of second-hand bikes, fixes them up at their workshop, and then donate them to asylum-seeking refugees, to enable them to move around the city and to learn new skills in the process. We have our eye on this vintage hybrid bike, grab it before we do! Lycra optional...
For the discerning mom (and/or mother-in-law)
Abury Collection
Moms and mother-in-laws are always hard to buy for. When I asked my mom what she wanted for Christmas, she said “I don’t need anything, buy yourself a gift with that money”. Wonderful sentiments but not helpful mom!! That’s where the Abury Collection comes in. It combines style, quality and morals to create beautiful classic gifts for the sophisticated woman, who seemingly has everything. Each product pays artisans a fair wage while contributing to the company’s educational foundation.
Abury Collection
Moms and mother-in-laws are always hard to buy for. When I asked my mom what she wanted for Christmas, she said “I don’t need anything, buy yourself a gift with that money”. Wonderful sentiments but not helpful mom!! That’s where the Abury Collection comes in. It combines style, quality and morals to create beautiful classic gifts for the sophisticated woman, who seemingly has everything. Each product pays artisans a fair wage while contributing to the company’s educational foundation.
For the sweet-tooth
Harry Specters
Delicious chocolates with a social mission. Founders Mona, Shaz and their son Ash, who has autism, founded the company to tackle the extremely high level of unemployment (85%) in the autism community. Using ethically sourced chocolate, they create luxury chocolates whilst providing training and jobs for those with autism. Their delicious hand-crafted chocolates won the great taste award this year, thanks to delightful and unique flavours such as rose and cardamom, and blackcurrant caramel. Yum!
Harry Specters
Delicious chocolates with a social mission. Founders Mona, Shaz and their son Ash, who has autism, founded the company to tackle the extremely high level of unemployment (85%) in the autism community. Using ethically sourced chocolate, they create luxury chocolates whilst providing training and jobs for those with autism. Their delicious hand-crafted chocolates won the great taste award this year, thanks to delightful and unique flavours such as rose and cardamom, and blackcurrant caramel. Yum!
For the foodie
The Natural Cook by Tom Hunt
Tom Hunt’s Poco in Broadway Market is one of those places I go back to again and again, despite the fact that it’s a two-hour train journey round-trip from my home. Call it nose-to-tail, root-to-fruit, farm-to-table, I just call it plain delicious. The ethics behind the cooking are the icing on the cake - with food waste and sourcing practices that are unrivalled by most London restaurants. Luckily Tom shares the secrets of his delicious cooking in this book. Surprise the chef in your family with this cookbook, guaranteed to inspire any cook to create delicious, earth-friendly plates.
The Natural Cook by Tom Hunt
Tom Hunt’s Poco in Broadway Market is one of those places I go back to again and again, despite the fact that it’s a two-hour train journey round-trip from my home. Call it nose-to-tail, root-to-fruit, farm-to-table, I just call it plain delicious. The ethics behind the cooking are the icing on the cake - with food waste and sourcing practices that are unrivalled by most London restaurants. Luckily Tom shares the secrets of his delicious cooking in this book. Surprise the chef in your family with this cookbook, guaranteed to inspire any cook to create delicious, earth-friendly plates.
Fat Macys
Fat Macy's showcases the culinary efforts of a group of young residents of the YMCA and provides a pathway for independent living by inviting them to organise, create and curate culinary pop-up events across London. Supper clubs include a three course meal curated, designed and cooked by our guest chefs alongside a drink on arrival. Come along to hear their stories, share their recipes and support them with their plans for the future. Fat Macy’s overcomes the cycle of homelessness by using the project’s profits to create a specified housing deposit scheme. With every pop-up event, each chef can make an independent and progressive step in saving securely for their future and building skills for independent living.
Fat Macy's showcases the culinary efforts of a group of young residents of the YMCA and provides a pathway for independent living by inviting them to organise, create and curate culinary pop-up events across London. Supper clubs include a three course meal curated, designed and cooked by our guest chefs alongside a drink on arrival. Come along to hear their stories, share their recipes and support them with their plans for the future. Fat Macy’s overcomes the cycle of homelessness by using the project’s profits to create a specified housing deposit scheme. With every pop-up event, each chef can make an independent and progressive step in saving securely for their future and building skills for independent living.
For the homebody
MJ London
Is there anything better than a rainy winter Sunday, wrapped up warm by the fire with a cup of tea, and a scented candle burning on the mantlepiece? Maybe a beach barbecue on a summer’s day is better. But that’s not viable for us Londoners anytime soon! So back to the fire it is….MJ’s candles are the perfect compliment to your Sunday bliss and will immediately transport you to a chalet in the Bavarian Alps. From packaging to glass, the candlemakers bring ethics into every stage of the process. It is made from 100% rainforest safe soya and the proceeds give back to a local charity.
MJ London
Is there anything better than a rainy winter Sunday, wrapped up warm by the fire with a cup of tea, and a scented candle burning on the mantlepiece? Maybe a beach barbecue on a summer’s day is better. But that’s not viable for us Londoners anytime soon! So back to the fire it is….MJ’s candles are the perfect compliment to your Sunday bliss and will immediately transport you to a chalet in the Bavarian Alps. From packaging to glass, the candlemakers bring ethics into every stage of the process. It is made from 100% rainforest safe soya and the proceeds give back to a local charity.
Wool and the gang
This amazing brand is so many things: a community of makers, a shop for beautiful hand-made knits, a knitting club for beginners and needle wielders alike and much more. It’s all about sustainable fashion and aims to bring knitting back using sustainably sourced wool as a means of restoring care and ethics into fashion. Check out their top 10 gifts in their store - grab a beautiful sweater or, better yet, make one yourself with one of their ‘knit kits’.
This amazing brand is so many things: a community of makers, a shop for beautiful hand-made knits, a knitting club for beginners and needle wielders alike and much more. It’s all about sustainable fashion and aims to bring knitting back using sustainably sourced wool as a means of restoring care and ethics into fashion. Check out their top 10 gifts in their store - grab a beautiful sweater or, better yet, make one yourself with one of their ‘knit kits’.
For the BFF
IMBY
IMBY curates the closet heroes that you will reach for day after day. Built to span seasons, years, and occasions, IMBY’s collection are the essentials you need for a mindful, lean wardrobe, simplifying your closet (and your life!) without sacrificing style, ethics, or sass. IMBY sells womenswear that is 100% ethically-made, sustainably-made, and USA-made. It works with brands on a mission, creating their lines under safe working conditions by workers paid fair wages with American-crafted, ethically sourced, and even deadstock/surplus fabrics that otherwise would have been destined for the landfill. Check out their handy 'holiday gifts' page for stunning and timeless pieces, ethically made.
IMBY
IMBY curates the closet heroes that you will reach for day after day. Built to span seasons, years, and occasions, IMBY’s collection are the essentials you need for a mindful, lean wardrobe, simplifying your closet (and your life!) without sacrificing style, ethics, or sass. IMBY sells womenswear that is 100% ethically-made, sustainably-made, and USA-made. It works with brands on a mission, creating their lines under safe working conditions by workers paid fair wages with American-crafted, ethically sourced, and even deadstock/surplus fabrics that otherwise would have been destined for the landfill. Check out their handy 'holiday gifts' page for stunning and timeless pieces, ethically made.
For those who want a daily uniform
Uniforme
This beautiful, simple brand focuses on sustainable production of luxury goods. Help your BFF channel her inner Steve Jobs (the creative genius side of him!) by simplifying her wardrobe with these timeless quality pieces that will make you want to wear them everyday!
Uniforme
This beautiful, simple brand focuses on sustainable production of luxury goods. Help your BFF channel her inner Steve Jobs (the creative genius side of him!) by simplifying her wardrobe with these timeless quality pieces that will make you want to wear them everyday!
Rallier
RALLIER is a womenswear label inspired by modern uniform dressing. Designed and made in New York, RALLIER reinterprets the classics—think A-line cuts and oxford shirting—in carefully sourced fabrics from around the world. This is foundational dressing: where personal singularity meets signature style.
RALLIER believes in uniform dressing, for all. When you purchase a dress, RALLIER will donate to Shining Hope for Communities to help provide girls’ school uniform dresses in regions plagued by gender inequality. We love the cut of this Jennifer dress - perfect for that NYE bash!
RALLIER is a womenswear label inspired by modern uniform dressing. Designed and made in New York, RALLIER reinterprets the classics—think A-line cuts and oxford shirting—in carefully sourced fabrics from around the world. This is foundational dressing: where personal singularity meets signature style.
RALLIER believes in uniform dressing, for all. When you purchase a dress, RALLIER will donate to Shining Hope for Communities to help provide girls’ school uniform dresses in regions plagued by gender inequality. We love the cut of this Jennifer dress - perfect for that NYE bash!
For the jewellry lover
Bird + Stone
Bird + Stone was founded on the principle that jewelry can do good and in fact, improve the world. It empowers each consumer to be a "micro-philanthropist" - making meaningful change through the simple act of purchasing jewelry. Its mission is to inspire, educate, and most importantly help shape the dreams of deserving women who are aspiring to be independent, financially stable, and educated. By giving women opportunities in the developing world, it helps them pull themselves out of poverty. We love these African sun beads - a great complement to any outfit.
Bird + Stone
Bird + Stone was founded on the principle that jewelry can do good and in fact, improve the world. It empowers each consumer to be a "micro-philanthropist" - making meaningful change through the simple act of purchasing jewelry. Its mission is to inspire, educate, and most importantly help shape the dreams of deserving women who are aspiring to be independent, financially stable, and educated. By giving women opportunities in the developing world, it helps them pull themselves out of poverty. We love these African sun beads - a great complement to any outfit.
Mala collective
From guided meditations to mala beads, to meditation shawls and altar pieces, everything this company creates has the intention to help you manifest the life of your dreams. Its silver necklaces, mala beads, and wooden carvings are handmade by artisans in Bali. It uses only the finest sacred and sustainable materials for its mala beads — from sandalwood to rudraksha seeds. Meditation shawls are consciously made in India using natural fibres such as wool and cotton.
From guided meditations to mala beads, to meditation shawls and altar pieces, everything this company creates has the intention to help you manifest the life of your dreams. Its silver necklaces, mala beads, and wooden carvings are handmade by artisans in Bali. It uses only the finest sacred and sustainable materials for its mala beads — from sandalwood to rudraksha seeds. Meditation shawls are consciously made in India using natural fibres such as wool and cotton.
Bali Bead
The Bali Bead aims to make simple, beautiful pieces that are multi - season and easy to wear. The bead was created with specific criteria in mind: quality (including sustainable sourcing), elegant design, and all natural products. The result: a beautiful and eye-catching piece of jewelry for day or night!
The Bali Bead aims to make simple, beautiful pieces that are multi - season and easy to wear. The bead was created with specific criteria in mind: quality (including sustainable sourcing), elegant design, and all natural products. The result: a beautiful and eye-catching piece of jewelry for day or night!
For the young reader
Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter
S-hero Wangari Maathai is my idol - the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the most prominent African environmentalist, feminist, and political activist. Her small actions of planting trees and leading nonviolent protests inspired a movement for political, social, and environmental change in Kenya and the world. This book tells the story for children about how small acts by courageous people can inspire and create change. An inspirational bedtime tale for any age.
Still stuck? Check out eco-marketplace Eco-Habitude, which has 1000s of ethical gift ideas!
So tell us, what amazing ethical brands should we be on our list? What have we missed?!
Happy holiday shopping to one and all!
RSS Feed