Welcome to the 2019 Ethical Holiday Gift Guide!
See the 2020 Gift Guide here:
Each item in this guide is something I personally selected based on a combination of ethics, brand story, aesthetic, and price point. From stocking stuffers to artisan shoes, you’ll find a broad enough selection to suit many people in your life (or maybe you’ll discover some things to put on your own wishlist!).
2019 Ethical and Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide
Stocking Stuffers
The Shop: WorldFinds
The Item: Sari Scrunchies
The Price: $21
The Story: WorldFinds’ collection of recycled sari and kantha jewelry and accessories are made by fairly paid women artisans in India. The company was founded by Kelly Weinberger, who learned about fair trade in 1999 while on a multi-country trip and founded the business in 2001.
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- Pela Case Honey (Bee Edition) iPhone Case, $44.95
- S.W. Basics Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Cream, $19.99
- Tradlands Cotton Bandana, $27
Keepsake Jewelry
The Shop: Daria Day
The Item: Blue Lapis Tassel Earrings
The Price: $74.47 USD
The Story: Daria Day jewelry is produced by women artisans living in mountain communities in the foothills of the K2 Mountain in Northern Pakistan, who receive a fair wage and access to sustainable work. Daria Day partners with Pakistan-based Rupani Foundation, which creates job skills programming and access to education.
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- ABLE Bridge Ring, $34
- Bario Neal 14kt Octillo Studs, $92 (I have had these for years and wear them all the time)
- ABLE Barbara Necklace, $88
Hearth & Home
The Shop: Fair Trade Winds
The Item: Bread Warmer
The Price: $29
The Story: Fair Trade Winds is a family-owned business with a commitment to offering a curated collection of fair trade, artisan goods. With an extensive online store and several brick-and-mortar locations, they’re a great place for gifts.
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- Ten Thousand Villages Large Vanilla Candle, $34.99
- Numi Organic Tea Sampler Set, $17.99
- Ten Thousand Villages Stone Leaf Incense Holder, $18.99
Cozy Night In
The Shop: Kyrgies
The Item: Women’s Classic Wool Slippers
The Price: $59
The Story: Kyrgies are made with wet-felted wool in Kyrgyzstan, where felting is a traditional artisan craft with ties to the country’s historic reliance on sheep grazing. Kyrgies’ artisans receive a living wage and work at a women-led factory. Learn more about the intricate process of wet-felting on the site.
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- Nimble Portable Charger Stand, $59.95
- Coyuchi (via Made Trade) Organic Throw, $98
- Everlane Alpaca Sweater, $95 (I sleep in mine)
Fashion Finds
The Shop: Tonle
The Item: Rachana Jumpsuit
The Price: $85
The Story: Zero waste (!) and made by experienced sewers who receive fair wages, Tonle’s line of clothing is produced in Cambodia using factory remnants, and their intricately woven sweaters and toppers made with fabric scraps are handmade by a group called Weavers of Cambodia.
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- Fair Indigo Relaxed Crew-Neck, $33.90
- JORD Maiken Cork Backpack, $149 (temporarily on sale for $98 through 10/14/20)
- Mata Traders Novela Dress, $89
(Size-Inclusive) Party Time
The Shop: Symbology Clothing
The Item: The Baby Cacti Butterfly Sleeve Maxi Dress, sizes XS-3X
The Price: $198
The Story: An ethical brand “out to make fair trade sexy,” Symbology works with women’s artisan co-ops in Chiapas, Delhi, Bagru, and West Bank to make their range of beautiful dresses, caftans, blouses, and more with an emphasis on meaning-rich prints and motifs.
- Mata Traders Callie Wrap Dress, $89
- Hackwith Design House Overlap Jumper, $225
- The New Blak Lauren Dress, $98
Shoe Love
The Shop: Darzah
The Item: Camel Tatreez Flats
The Price: $189
The Story: Darzah, which means “stitch” in Arabic, produces a line of stunning handmade shoes that incorporate traditional Palestinian embroidery called tatreez. Darzah provides fair wage work to refugees and low-income women in the West Bank and leather is sourced from a family tannery.
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All Wrapped Up
Tip: Wrap your gifts with a scarf that can be enjoyed on its own.
The Shop: Encircled
The Item: The Wrap-Up Scarf
The Price: $98
The Story: Ethically made in Toronto using sustainable fabrics like Modal and Tencel, Encircled prioritizes silky-soft, minimalist and multi-wear clothing and accessories, and is B-Corp Certified.
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- Krocket Kids Carson Scarf, $54
- Ovcio Featherlight Cashmere Scarf, $125
- Mayamam Weavers Striped Scarf, $20
Leah Wise
Leah Wise is the founder of StyleWise Blog. She has been writing, speaking, and consulting on sustainable fashion, the fair trade and secondhand supply chain, and digital marketing for over ten years. An Episcopal priest, Leah holds a B.A. in Religion from Florida State University and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. When not working, you can find her looking for treasures at the thrift store.