But we don’t have to cancel Christmas to turn things around, we just need to think, act and buy in a responsible manner. Here are a few ethical Christmas ideas and gifts for the holiday season.

‘Tis the season to be ethical

It’s true that we are beginning to live our lives in a more ethical way and so Christmas shouldn’t be any different. In fact, it’s the ideal time to focus on what really matters in life. With a little thought and planning, you can do your bit for the environment and those people who are less fortunate.

Every purchase you make has an impact on the environment and the people who inhabit this planet. Key things to look for when buying products and gifts this Christmas include:

• Is it fair trade – buying fairtrade goods means that the workers involved in the production are being paid a fair price and monies are going toward improving social, health and education projects for local communities.

• Is the manufacturing process ecologically sound – what resources were used in producing the goods you buy, how were they transported and what impact did that have on pollution? Are they organic?

Try to make purchases that have not in some way exploited people or resources and the minimum amount of pollution has been caused by the manufacturing and transportation process. Here are a few tips to help you achieve this.

Have yourself an ethical little Christmas

Buy local – Using smaller independent shops for your shopping discourages car use and supports your own local community. However, sometimes you can’t always get the range of products you’re after so check out some of the excellent ethical websites.

If you do have to head out to the shops, take your own bags with you so as not to contribute to the millions of plastic bags that litter the streets or get thrown away only to end up in landfill sites.

Fair trade – To be ethical this season, look for fair trade products. This will mean the production chain from manufacture, shipping, wholesale to retailer has been treated with equity and fairness.

Organic – Look for products that have been certified organic by a respected body such as the Soil Association. How about some organic chocolate treats for the kids (and adults!)?

Milk Chocolate Snowman Lolly	Milk and White Chocolate Snowmen

Recycling – Are the gifts you buy this year recyclable and have they been made using recycled materials. What about the wrapping? Why not take advantage of a recycled gift wrap service if it’s on offer by the retailer.

If you’re throwing a party this Christmas and need some extra glasses for the drinks, get everyone talking with these great recycled tumblers, wine glasses and goblets.

Chunky Recycled Tumbler – Amethyst	Chunky Recycled Wine Glass – Turquoise	White Frosted Fish Goblets – Pair

And when it comes to finally thanking everyone for your gifts, send thank you cards printed on recycled card.

Christmas Bunny Thank You Cards – Pack of 10

With the growth of the ethical market and plenty of websites to find everything you need, it doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming to do your bit for an eco-friendly Christmas this year.

If you’re looking for the perfect present for the man in your life, there are websites where you can buy ethical gifts that are affordable and the money you pay will go towards helping communities around the world.

Why buy fair trade and ethical Christmas presents

Goods that are marked ‘fair trade’ are produced by people and communities who are paid a higher price than if they were selling to existing markets. The extra money is usually invested in social projects to improve housing, education and health or to just improve wages.

Ethical goods are those which are produced in conditions that are safe and legal for the workers. Although things are improving, even today workers in poorer countries are exposed to unsafe working conditions with many children forced to work when they are under the legal age.

Another reason to buy ethical Christmas presents is the benefit to the environment. Ethical gifts are made using materials that are natural and sustainable. Going ‘green’ with your gifts this year can help put a stop to harmful manufacturing practices which are destroying the planet and endangering thousands of species.

Ethical gift ideas for men

There are some great ethical Christmas gifts for husbands and boyfriends such as beer glasses made from empty beer bottles. This is the ultimate in glass recycling as the ‘Grolsch’ or ‘Sol’ bottle is simply flipped upside down to create a chunky glass for your beer.

Grolsh Glasses – Pair	Sol Glasses – Pair

Children looking for an ethical Christmas gift for dad might like to put their pocket money toward a scented candle especially created for men. They come with ‘operating instructions’ in case dad isn’t sure how to work a candle and spicy fragrances to give a splash of motor oil or added danger to the room.

Mans Candle – With A Splash Of Motor Oil	Mans Candle – For Added Danger

Have you drawn a male colleague in your ‘Secret Santa’ at work and stuck for an idea of what to buy? How about a natural cure for their hangover after the Christmas night out. These Ginseng hangover drops will give them a boost in the office the next day.

Hangover Drops

An alternative Christmas gift

There are countless mass-market gifts you can give a man but why not make this year the time when you give an alternative gift – one that channels money to projects and people who need the help while also helping the planet by not using up vital resources and materials.

This Christmas, you can help lift people out of poverty, protect their human rights and help save the environment from further destruction. What better gift can you give than that?