Here at Bird HQ we pride ourselves for having our B-Corp Certification and producing an earth friendly product. In this festive article we’d like to shout out about some of our favourite brands and what they have to offer this gifting season. But also, supporting that they all make efforts to be sustainable and conscious about their ecological impacts. In this Gift Guide we have split our gift ideas into categories we think our flock will relate to most.
For the Foodies
Do you have an avid baker in your life? Or someone into gardening, pottery, art or floristry? Do you know anyone who may need an apron in their lives for any reason? This wonderful gift is sold by impact conscious apparel brand ‘Lucy & Yak’ and is made out of 100% Organic Cotton (GOTS Certified) and Deadstock Fabric. This is a term for fabrics which usually would end up in landfill but are being repurposed!
The Eden Project Shop The Ultimate Cheese Making Kit - £36
The Eden Project Shop is offering some really unique gifts this Christmas which I think you would struggle to see elsewhere. The Ultimate Cheese Making Kit would be the perfect for any foodie friend or family member, and with this you are able to make eight different cheese types from the comfort of your own home. This gift is perfect for cheese lovers with 12 months shelf life and the ingredients to create forty batches of cheese! That’s a lot of cheese!
Aluna Mini Collection Gift Box - £15
Aluna rum as a brand is set apart from the rest because it contains much less sugar and is hand crafted with natural, ethically sourced ingredients. Despite being delicious, they also give some of their profits to environmental non-profit organisations. This gift set includes three 5cl miniatures of their most signature flavours in a beautifully decorated box which presents these products immaculately. Flavours include: Aluna Coconut Rum, Aluna Coconut Coffee Liqueur and Aluna Coconut Peach and Pomelo Liqueur. This product contains alcohol.
For the Adventurer
Petrel Limited Edition Sunglasses - £59
These extremely stylish sunglasses come at you from Bird Eyewear with polarised lenses and strong ply construction made with sustainable wood. These do-it-all frames are as at home in the mountains as they are in the office (tested by us). This larger frame size ensures full coverage and polarised lenses give you 100% UV Protection to keep your eyes protected all day long. Currently in the sale, while stocks last, this would be the perfect gift for anybody with eyes. Bird Eyewear also offer Gift Vouchers for those of us indecisive gift givers.
Finisterre Fisherman Beanie – £35
This Fisherman Beanie made by Finisterre would make a lovely gift this year for those who prefer to know where their products are coming from, (and like to go out in the cold.) Being made from Merino Wool means that this product is natural, renewable and traceable with low environmental impact. This product comes in 10 colours and will keep your gift receiver’s head extra warm this winter. Finisterre’s products are of an impeccable quality anybody would be thrilled to receive one of their products.
Don’t Feed the Bear Made for the Mountains T-Shirt – £24
Don’t Feed The Bear is such a gorgeous brand. They portray bears in many different comedic and relatable situations. If you want a funny or cute t-shirt this is the brand to purchase one from. The t-shirts are made out of 100% organic cotton (GOTS Approved) and their awesome packaging is not only completely biodegradable but waterproof and super strong. They also have jumpers, hoodies and knitted beanie bobble hats on the website if a t-shirt isn’t what you’re after.
Passenger Clothing Jacks Recycled Touch Screen Gloves - £34.95
Touch Screen Gloves are the most perfect gift for anybody who owns a smartphone, and goes outside. Just imagine you are standing on a moorland doing landscape photography in the blistering cold and you realise you need to change your cameras settings, or you need to check Instagram. You wont need to even take your gloves off and get cold fingers because these wonderful gloves have the technology in the fingertips to help with that. Made from 70% Cotton, 30% Recycled Cotton and the lining is 100% Recycled Sherpa. A modern gift that I think most people would appreciate in 2022.
For the Fashionista
Kaka Honey Blue Light Glasses - £99
The Kaka Honey is our go to frame at Bird Eyewear to spark joy all year round – not just in the festive (or festival) season! These sunglasses are a bold and bright statement that you can be proud of thanks to their eco-credentials. The bio-acetate frame with its sprung hinges make for an easily adjustable frame that’s super comfortable to wear. Polarised lenses give 100% UVA/UVB protection to keep your eyes safe while looking good. These can also be ordered as prescription sunglasses through their easily navigated site.
The Eden Project Shop Sea Glass Necklace - £21.95
The Eden Project are widely known for their ecological impact, especially in Cornwall. These necklaces are handmade in Cornwall from vintage sea glass washed up on local beaches. Each necklace is unique which adds curiosity to how to sea has naturally moulded its shape. A perfect gift for somebody who appreciates the meaning behind things when it can naturally tell a story. Perfect for Secret Santa!
Finisterre Eyre Roll Neck Knit Jumper - £135
If anybody would like to know what I’d like for Christmas, I would love a Finisterre Eyre Roll Neck Knit Jumper. What a beautiful, beautiful piece. Finisterre have been clever in the design process of this one as they have taken their best-selling cardigan and have turned it into a cosy jumper perfect for any occasion. It is made out of 80% Wool and 20% recycled polyester.
DaisyV Jewellery 'Love' Gift Box - £60
These gift boxes made by DaisyV Jewellery make a beautiful and earth-conscious gifting choice, whilst also supporting small businesses! The Christmas Love gift box contains either a DaisyV Heart Necklace or Earrings, a Wick & Wonder Soy Candle, a Festive dark chocolate bar, a Lydia Alice Christmas Card, plus a £10 donation to Crisis UK. The gift box packaging is 100% recycled, biodegradable and plastic free. 10 trees will also be planted from every purchase to aid permanent reforestation projects across the world.
Aurora Activewear Lucia Colour Block Leggings - £54
Aurora as a brand is rich in varying products so you are bound to find something special for those around you. I have chosen the Lucia Colour Block Leggings because you don't have to be a real gym goer to own a great pair of leggings. They are made out of 100% Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate which is a form of plastic resin as well as Polyester. Choosing a product with this material type saves water and energy and therefore minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
For the Baby Birds in Your Life
Birdies Sunglasses Eco Eyewear for Children - £29
I know a pair of sunglasses isn’t necessarily what a child wants to unwrap on Christmas morning, but these are absolutely what they need. Perfect for a stocking filler. Protect your child’s eyes with these plant-based sunglasses. With outstanding flexibility, they are bendable and throwable perfect for a toddler or even an older Birdie. These sunglasses come in sizes 0yrs-4yrs and 4yrs-11yrs. The lenses are 100% UV protected which is most important when it comes to a children’s product.
Carbon Monster by Katherine Wheatley, Waterstones - £5.99
A lovely gift of a storybook educating children (and Mums and Dads) light heartedly on the effects of Carbon, and what a carbon footprint is. This book not only portrays a great environmental message, but it is produced using recycled paper with no nasty chemicals added, even this inks are vegetable oil based. You cannot go wrong with a story for a child for Christmas.
Pategonia Baby Torrentshell 3L Bibs - £70
Pategonia is definitely a more premium outerwear brand, especially when buying for your children. However, this product would make an excellent gift for your favourite little puddle jumper or mud-lurker! I have extensively studied this product online and truly believe it is a worthwhile piece. From the reviews, it tends to last 18 - 24 months due to the sizing and versatility of the strap adjustments which is excellent for growing monkeys. It is also made from 68% recycled materials. I can imagine a little one would feel invincible in this awesome suit.
Have a radical Christmas...
