Our thinking

Small gifts, big impact

17 December, 2021

Nobody loves Christmas more than young children. And possibly dogs, who seem to enjoy the wrapping almost as much as the dog toys inside. But even though the impact of their gifts may not be top of mind for either group, there are plenty of options available to cater for mindful gift givers.

First up for kids is the incredibly helpful Ethical Superstore, which collates a large range of sustainable toys to save you having to filter every potential gift you see. You can find toys made of recycled materials like a recycled plastic tea set or recycled fire truck, planet-friendly toothing toys or rattles with various sustainable perks attached to them such as being fair trade, produced locally or easily recyclable, all clearly marked on the product page.

For those looking for something more specific, Eco Lelu is a small business whose products are kind to our planet, inspire imagination and are safe for small hands, as well as having their level of entertainment approved by children. Eco Lelu organise the toys by theme (learning, bath, building, imagination etc.) as well as by age group.

Meanwhile, pets are big business. UK dog owners spend over £150 million on their furry friends at Christmas alone. We can thoroughly recommend Beco Pets for its toys (check out the delightful recycled soft teddy), poop bags, feeding accessories, plus and a range of responsibly sourced dog food that frankly sounds delicious.

The recipients may not thank you, but the planet will.

By Patrick Bapty