ColieCo's Ethical Gift Guide - Christmas 2019
It feels like only yesterday that we launched ColieCo’s Ethical Gift Guide for Christmas 2018.
Last year we featured everything from eco-friendly socks to natural botanical perfumes to custom hand-painted vintage jackets. And your response was fantastic.
Thanks to all of your supportive feedback, we’ve again dedicated our autumn-time mandatory tea and biscuit-breaks (these are also mandatory in spring, summer and winter, in case you were wondering) to hunting down the most present-worthy, ethically-manufactured and eco-friendly trinkets, garments, shinies, knickknacks and other assorted wonders with which you might dazzle and flatter friends and family this Christmas.
All safe in the knowledge, of course, that you’ve also helped to support a small business endeavoring to make the world a slightly better place to shop in.
Once again, our goal was to help you find something a little authentically different and unique, and to help a conscientious enterprise pay a fair wage to a talented individual.
And so here’s the list. We hope you have as much fun perusing as we did curating, and with any luck one or two of these most worthy of listings triggers that little inner voice that screams, “OMG - [insert name of BFF] would looooove that!”
1. Tielka tea
You know we are partial to a nice cuppa at ColieCo HQ, and Tielka’s multiple award-winning organic teas get our seal of approval. Ethically-sourced directly from growers at harvest, small batches are then blended and packaged on site, ensuring optimal freshness. €6.
2. Trend Tonic Studio earrings
This UK-based independent jewelry studio specialises in stylish statement earrings made using PETA-approved vegan cork leather. All pieces are made in-house and to order. €10.
3. Atlas & Ortus handmade soap
Free from animal products, free from animal testing, and free from artificial ingredients, this is a beautifully marbled sandalwood, bergamot and charcoal soap-on-a-rope. Dope. €6.
4. Loom Living bamboo cotton bathrobe
We are big fans of both comfy loungewear and bamboo fibre fabrics at ColieCo, and these stylish and functional bathrobes tick both boxes very nicely indeed. This Australian brand manufactures in a SMETA-audited factory. €45.
5. ColieCo Lingerie MONA bamboo french knickers
And whilst we’re on the subject of cosy winter jammies, we’ll take the opportunity to (shamelessly) plug one of our own organic bamboo offerings. These lounge shorts are cosy, classically stylish, and perfect for wintry duvet sessions in front of the box. €40.
6. Clare Elizabeth Kilgour hair pin set
Handmade in France, these minimalist pin and ring sets can be used in various ways to create simple hair-up styles. Clare uses recycled silver, brass, wood, recycled plastics and botanical finds to produce her jewelry. €17.
7. BRANDED Collective I Am Enough cuff
Available in copper, aluminium and brass finishes, these bracelets are handmade by survivors of human trafficking in Nashville, Tennessee. Each cuff is stamped with the initials of the creator, whose story can be read on the BRANDED Collective website. €35.
8. Velvet Rebel Lingerie pants
London-based Velvet Rebel make all of their pieces to order for bodies of all shapes and all sizes. These devilishly daring scarlet knickers feature showy side-tying satin ribbons. €37.
9. Stela 9 pure wool high pile rug
These beautiful, hand-woven Guatemalan rugs are made from wool spun from sheep farmed in the local area and dyed using pigments from indigenous plants by local expert artisans. €150.
10. Hippie Stick raspberry tint lipstick
Non-toxic and vegan, this lippy is made from all natural and organic ingredients. It gets better: the tubes stash cornflower seeds and are designed to be planted directly into the ground - blooming marvelous! €22.
11. Tree-Free Greetings ‘Owl Be Home’ cards
Cute and colourful, recycled and recyclable Christmas cards printed using energy from renewable sources. Ten for €14.
12. Ategina sterling silver and gemstone rings
Ategina's rings are sawed, soldered, sanded, polished and burnished in-house just down the road from us at ColieCo HQ in Faro, Portugal. Each of these beautiful bargain pieces is perfectly unique. From €25.
13. Hazel & Folk Emmaline gown
More outstanding ethically-manufactured slow fashion design from Australia. This 100% cotton dress is all cuffs, and ruffles, and baggy sleeves, and romantic magnificence. €130.
14. Charlotte Manser Ceramics bowl
Bold and eye-catching hand-thrown pottery by independent designer and ceramicist Charlotte Manser. Featuring iridescent glazes guaranteed to brighten the breakfast table. €22.
15. Mata Traders shell bracelet
Mata Traders is a fair trade brand working with cooperatives of female artisans in marginalised communities in India and Nepal. We think this shell and brass mosaic bracelet is… just… stunning. €35.
16. Lucy Blue Tattoo ‘Self Care’ print
Fun, tattoo flash-style female-first prints with attitude by Leeds-based inkster and indie artist Lucy. €10.
17. Blonde Gypsy lotus wrap dress
Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, hand sewn in Portugal and hand dyed in Norway, this ankle-length wrap dress is a beautiful example of clean Far Eastern style and utility. €80.
18. LMWDesignsUK necklaces
Independent Etsy seller Lucy hand crafts these just-too-darn-pretty pressed flower necklaces. Splash out on matching earnings to really treat a special giftee. €24.
19. Inspiration Her tourmaline bracelet
Elegant and understated handmade gold and tourmaline stone bracelet. These guys plant a tree for every sale made, which we think is woody brilliant (#sorrynotsorry). €40.
20. Are We Nearly Bare Yet custom nude portrait
The Are We Nearly Bare Yet project “aims to subvert the male gaze and reclaim ownership of the 'Nude’ for self-identifying women”. You had us at "subvert". Guaranteed to impress your gran on Christmas morning. From €58.
21. On Good Authority waterproof kimono
Contemporary style – tick. Waterproof – tick. Breathable – tick. Recycled fabric – tick. Ethically manufactured – tick. What’s not to like? €345.
22. Atonement Design rough ruby earrings
Naturally rough rubies feature in these unique earrings created in partnership with Agape International, aiding in the fight against human trafficking. €51.
23. Bonearrow amber satellite ring
More unique, handmade jewelry with a conscience. Gemstones are ethically sourced, all pieces are vegan, and the packaging British maker Clare uses is all recycled and recyclable. €37.
And one more for luck… ColieCo Lingerie gift card
It'd be rude not to really, wouldn’t it? Our gift cards are redeemable against the complete ColieCo collection, featuring sustainable, ethically handmade bras and bralettes, panties, lingerie sets, bodysuits, swimwear and activewear.
And our unique garment customisation means the recipient of your gift card will be able to match the designs they love, with the fabrics that inspire them, to fit their exact measurements.
Our gift cards can be used across multiple purchases and have no hidden, additional processing fees. From €20.
Happy shopping people, and enjoy the festivities to come!
Nicole x
