Ethical options for common holiday gifts

In Part 2 of our holiday blog post series, we shared how to create an itemized holiday shopping list. As you’re doing research to create that itemized list, you might be wondering…

“How do I know if the products that I’m purchasing are ethically sourced? Is there a better, more sustainable option I could be buying instead?”

Researching supply chains and a company’s environmental impact can take a lot of time. Many people who go down that rabbit hole feel more confused and frustrated at the end of it than informed.

That’s why we put together this cheat sheet for buying ethical options for common holiday gifts, so all of you can feel good about the gifts you’re giving.

In this post:

• General Shopping Recommendations
• Cards & Wrapping Paper
• Stocking Stuffers (< $15)
• Tech & Gadgets
• Toys & Games
• Fashion & Accessories
• Books & Media
• Pet Care & Supplies

General Shopping Recommendations

When possible, we recommend purchasing products that are certified fair-trade and organic. For health and beauty items, make sure your gifts are paraben-free and not tested on animals. 

But buying ethically goes beyond those basic recommendations. 

To further take a stand for a world free of exploitation, you can:

• Purchase from certified B Corps, whose business models have been third-party recognized for reducing harm to the environment and creating more equity in the world.
• Use Amazon and other big-box stores as a search directory for the product you want, then purchase directly from the retailer or brand instead (e.g., purchasing Olly Vitamins from their webstore instead of Walmart).
• Look to see what sustainability policies the store you’re supporting has in place before making a purchase; some have a Modern Slavery Statement, where they’ll share how they ensure that there is no labor exploitation in their supply chain.

When we made our specific brand and product recommendations, we considered the mission of the organization, the positive (or negative) impact they had on the environment, and transparency and integrity of their supply chains.

Cards & Wrapping Paper

For a handcrafted touch, we recommend Paper Baristas’ beautiful holiday cards. Their mission is to leave this earth better than it is right now – environmentally, culturally, and spiritually. A proud member of the Fair-Trade Federation, they pay sustainable living wages and make their paper from upcycled cotton. No trees needed!

If you’re looking to create DIY cards or custom photo books, try Paper Culture. A certified B Corp, not only do they make all their products with sustainable materials like 100% recycled paper and bamboo, but they offset their carbon footprint with carbon credits.

Want to be sustainable with your wrapping paper, too? 

Our favorite hack is to hand-decorate paper grocery bags and use that for your small and medium-sized gifts. Not only is it custom and memorable for the person who receives it, you’re reusing paper that’s already been produced!

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Stocking Stuffers (< $15)

While stocking stuffers are usually the last kind of gift we think about, they’re some of the easiest to source from fair-trade brands and our artisan partners. These are some of the most popular brands we sell during the holiday season.

• Candles: Franciscan Peacemakers
• Ornaments: Singing Rooster
• Organic Chocolate: Pacari
• Tea & Coffee: Level Ground, Friendship Organics

Remember: even swapping out 1-2 stocking stuffers on your list for fair-trade options makes a difference in the supply chain!

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Tech & Gadgets

Many of us love tech, but not when it comes with a side of child labor. 

Unfortunately, it’s well documented that many minerals used to create parts for the Apple iPhone 16, as well as other tech, rely on child labor and other forms of labor exploitation. 

Even worse? The conditions are so dangerous that hundreds of children have actually died while mining these materials.

Here’s how you can make more ethical choices if you’re gifting tech this season.

• Search for refurbished options. Not only will you help your budget, but you’ll reduce the additional need to mine cobalt, coltan, mica, and other minerals with a high likelihood of labor exploitation.
• See if there are open-box deals. Sometimes, you can find a still-new (not refurbished) option, but the box has previously been open. For laptops, scoring an open-box deal can mean hundreds of dollars in savings. This also helps reduce waste.
• Trade-in devices when possible. Often, we can trade in or recycle our devices so they can be used for parts and the minerals can be repurposed. If you’re gifting new tech to a loved one, and it’s an upgrade, consider giving them a special coupon to “recycle or donate their old device” as well. If you’d rather donate than recycle your devices, there are many programs where old tech can be gifted to those who wouldn’t be able to access it otherwise. 
• Do your research. Some companies and brands are better than others about sourcing their cobalt, coltan, and other minerals responsibly. Apple, in particular, is notorious for getting its coltan from suppliers that use child labor.

Cobalt, tantalum (coltan), gold, and mica are the minerals with the highest likelihood of involving child labor and severe forms of labor exploitation. 

Sadly, these resources are in most tablets, phones, and smart devices. 

That’s why, for tech, we recommend you reduce your use, purchase pre-owned tech when possible, and recycle your devices afterwards.

Toys & Games

Shopping for kiddos or teens in your life? You’re probably looking at some of the latest and greatest toys and games. 

If you’re looking for something more general, or open-minded about what you get, these are our favorite (and most recommended) brands.

• Baby toys: Pebble produces handmade and fair-trade rattles and plushies. Not only will these toys last a long time, but the company provides quality employment and living wages for young, illiterate, unskilled women of rural Bangladesh.
• Classic Kids’ Toys: Green Toys is a company that uses recycled milk jugs and other post-consumer plastic to make its toys. They also ship toys using 100% recycled cardboard to minimize their impact on the environment.
• Board & party games: A certified B Corp, Big Potato has created more than 100 games that are easy-to-learn and fun-to-play without giving the environment a kicking. In fact, they even patented a technology that turns reclaimed ocean plastic into game cards.
• Jigsaw puzzles: Gibson Games is committed to land and resource conservation, and they also have taken steps to eliminate labor exploitation from their supply chain, as they explain in their Modern Slavery Statement.

What if I can’t find what I want?

Let’s be honest. Your kid might have their heart set on a Barbie Dreamhouse or a T-rex plastic model, or something ultra-specific.

If that’s the case (and you know an alternative will not fly), try this next.

• Search resale or thrift stores. Often, you can find popular board games and classic toys at local resale shops like Goodwill or St. Vinny’s. You can even try Facebook Marketplace. If you’re not finding what you want locally, Merry Go Rounds is an online reseller (and certified B Corp) that sells children’s clothing, books, and toys, and you can search there, too. 
• Buy from local game stores. In the Madison area, I’m Board and Noble Knights Gaming are two examples of local game stores. When you buy from Amazon (or another big-box store), a good portion of your money goes to the large conglomerate. If you support your local game story, the money supports your local community, businesses, and workers.

With these steps, you’ll be empowered to source the toys and games you get for your kiddos more ethically and sustainably. Remember: even swapping out 1 gift for a fair-trade or more ethical option makes a difference.

Fashion & Accessories

It’s always fun to gift a friend or a loved one some really cool shades, jewelry, or clothing. But sadly, a lot of the apparel out there is produced in a less-than-ethical way. 

Here’s some brands to try to make sure you look good and feel great about the impact you’re having on the earth and our global community. Many of these brands also offer ethically sourced accessories and jewelry.

Clothing

• Pact: A great brand with stylish, fair-trade clothes that we love, Pact has your core staples and more. On our site, we sell their leggings, skirts, tank tops, casual dresses, t-shirts, and even sleep shorts. They even have a few men’s fashion items, too!
• Lotus & Luna: Based in California, Lotus & Luna works with artisans in Thailand to create handmade and fair-trade clothing and jewelry. Through their partnership with Breanna’s House of Joy, they empower artisans to secure higher-paying jobs and break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. They currently employ more than 300 Thai artisans.
• Zuri: Looking for a fabulous, statement-making dress? Look no further than Zuri. Zuri believes that sustainable economies develop from businesses that operate fairly and ethically, and that create products that people want. By paying fair wages, sourcing locally, and making products that customers truly love, they’re helping create a long-term sustainable economy in Kenya.

Books & Media

For the readers and bibliophiles on your list, we recommend shopping at A Room of One’s Own located in Madison, Wisconsin, if you have your heart set on new books. Even if you’re not local to the area, like we are, you can purchase your favorite books from their online store.

Though they’re not a certified B Corp, A Room of One’s Own has shown they’re committed to being an ethical employer and business. They pay their workers a fair and living wage, participate in mutual aid efforts, and give back to the community. Room is more than just a bookstore: they are a world-changer, and that’s why we love them.

Pets

When it comes to your fur babies, you want to make sure they have the best. But more than that, it’s great if the goodies you buy for them are eco-friendly. If you’re looking for more ethical gift options, look no further than this shortlist.

• P.L.A.Y.: A certified B Corp, P.L.A.Y. (Pet Lifestyle And You) creates eco-friendly pet products, including toys, crate mats, and pet beds, using upcycled materials.
• Open Farm: Great if you’re looking for pet food and treats. A certified B Corp, Open Farm sources high-quality ingredients with strict animal welfare requirements for farmers, and is on a path to be zero waste to landfill by the end of 2025.

Keep in mind…

As you’re shopping for the holidays, it can be easy to focus on price and convenience above all else. After all, you’ve got a lot going on in your world. We know that it may not always be possible to choose the most sustainable options.

Remember: even swapping out 1-2 gifts this season for more ethically sourced items makes a difference and has a positive impact on the world. Small changes add up when we all take action.

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