We all love Christmas don't we? A time to spend with our families, exchange lavish gifts and indulge in a little too much pudding and wine. Many of us will spend hundreds, even thousands on Christmas presents for their loved one's this year. Whilst some will have rushed to get their gifts bought early, others will have waited until Black Friday, the latest craze to come over from the US which see's massive discounts across major retailers. In fact it's estimated that Britain alone is likely to have spent £1.07billion on Friday 28 November.
That's a lot of money. Just imagine if all of that was put to good use, or given to a charity. What about combining the two, gift giving and raising money for a good cause? It makes sense, spending your money on Christmas presents for your loved ones that will also help others across the world who need it most.
So here's how to make your shopping as charitable as possible this Christmas (or perhaps for next year!):
It goes without saying, jewellery is an extremely popular gift for Christmas time! Next time you're on the hunt for the perfect bracelet, bangle or necklace make sure you have a glance at Made. Having founded their Kenyan based workshop in 2005 the brand have since made strong ties within the local community, supporting artisans and offering long term job security and training. The brand is also dedicated to sustainability, using only environmentally sound materials with a strong focus on sourcing these materials as locally as possible. Prices range from £25-£75 for bracelets.
It's great to see internet giant ASOS giving the sustainable fashion industry a boost into the spotlight with their fabulous ASOS Africa collection. Working alongside SOKO, a Kenyan workshop which supports the local community and economy, fashion-forward ranges are produced seasonally for Asos. The proceeds from the collection are put back into the workshop helping the predominantly female work force send their children to school.
Renowned for their espadrilles and 'buy one give one' campaign over the years, Toms have really made their mark and pioneered the way for ethical fashion brands. Don't worry though, it's not all summer shoes and espadrilles. Toms have expanded their range into smart shoes, boots, bags and even slippers!
Having recently celebrated their launch into the UK, Miki Moko are a designer glasses brand that allow you to decide how charitable you want your purchase to be. It works differently to any brand I know, where the consumer chooses the price they want to pay for their frames. Pretty cool right? You choose the amount you wish to pay, half of that then goes straight to the brand's supported charity. At the moment, Miki Moko currently work with the Nepal Youth Foundation.
Based in the U.S but with international shipping on offer, FEED is the go-to for stylish and ethical (yes they can go hand in hand!) bags. There are tonnes of amazing designs at a range of prices from $25 for a simple tote bag to $200+ for more detailed, larger designs. The brand aims to 'feed' as many Kenyan school children as possible through the sales of their bags. You can actually view just how many meals you'll be providing through the purchase of a FEED bag, some styles provide up to 270 meals! Now if that's not a reason to buy a new bag I don't know what is...
Will you be looking into shopping more charitably this year or will it be the usual department store and online giants?