This Christmas season as you begin the great shopping challenge/adventure that is finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list, why not choose to buy Fairtrade which doubles as a gift for farmers too. Christmas season is when Irish retail sales reach their peak each year, with December sales averaging over €4 billion, the highest in all of Europe. Let’s make shopping meaningful and bring a little extra joy to everyone around the world this year. Here are just a few of our favourite items to put under the tree or tuck in a stocking. If even 1% of all Irish retail sales went to Fairtrade products, a world of difference could be made to help people out of poverty.
Here are our top picks for ethical gifts to buy this holiday season:
Poinsettias
For the person with an enviable green thumb, bring them the perfect winter plant, Irish grown Fairtrade poinsettias are sold exclusively at ALDI starting Friday December 13.
Chocolate
Chocolate has gotten a lot fancier in recent years, making it the perfect gift or the perfect addition to a gift! Green and Black’s Organic range is 100% Fairtrade, new brand Chocolate and Love have a great range available in Nourish and online, Marks and spencer have an amazing range of chocolates available in store, or support Irish artisanal chocolate producer Clonakilty Chocolate who has a special Christmas range. €4-€60
Looking for a nice bar of chocolate to get your vegan friend but unsure which ones are Fairtrade? VEGO has launched in Ireland and has a vegan hazelnut chocolate bar as well as a new vegan hazelnut chocolate spread. €2.99-€5
Wine
For the wine lover on your list, be sure to pick up a few bottles of Fairtrade wine, reds and whites available at Marks and Spencer, Tesco, and at LIDL. €8-$15
Fair Fashion
A website for ethical homewares, blankets, and baby clothes created by Guiney’s is a great place to do some online shopping for Fairtrade goodies. Check out Fair Threads, a new Irish online shop. €6-100
Blankets, Scarves, Sheets
For anyone looking to cozy up their hygge home, get them these beautiful sheet and duvet sets from White & Green who sell a range of luxurious textiles. €119-149
Fairtrade Tote Bag
This Fairtrade cotton tote bag sold on Fairtrade Ireland’s Website is very durable and makes for a great shopping bag or book bag for college. Great for the activist who loves a statement tote. €9.50
Classic Sweats, Hoodies and Tees
Galway-based Prairie is a new Irish clothing line of Unisex basics that are very high quality and made with organic cotton. They also sell Fairtrade cotton tea towels and tote bags. €6-40
Gourmet foods and ingredients
For the cook or foodie among your friends, Nourish and other health food shops have a huge variety of products from specialty quinoas, nuts, spices and biscuits for the budding chef. €4-50
Jameson Coffee Whiskey
Surely there’s a budding mixologist or cocktail extraordinaire who would love to add some high-quality alcohol to display beautifully on the home bar. Or perhaps you want to pick up a bottle of this to make Irish coffees on Christmas day. Jameson cold brew is available for at O’Briens Off Licence you can also find this at Dublin Airport duty free if you’re travelling for the holidays. €28
Tea
We all know that person who is always putting on the kettle. We haven’t found anywhere that sells a lifetime supply of tea, but there are a lot of delicious ethical teas out there. Here are links to just a few with prices from €3.50-130
Suki Teas (pro tip – this Northern Irish company offer a monthly tea subscription for 1,3,6, or 12 months for the tea lover in your life)
Numi Tea (sold in most major supermarkets in Ireland, all certified organic)
Clipper Tea (just launched the first non-GM plastic free tea bag)
Bewley’s Coffee
For the coffee lover in your life, be sure to pick up some Bewley’s coffee, their coffee is 100% Fairtrade and they have a special Christmas coffee blend.
Beauty Products
For the person who spends forever beautifying themselves, try out these luscious creams from Oriflame that are Fairtrade certified. €21-33
Footballs
For those eager to get out on the pitch Bala sport have a range of footballs and rugby balls that are high quality and reasonably priced. They even offer customized balls for the ultimate sports fan. €8-40.
Advent Calendar
The classic Christmas treat, an advent calendar from Divine Chocolates with a different sweet treat for each day, available in most major supermarket chains. €5
Chocolate Santas and More
Who doesn’t love getting a chocolate Santa in their stocking! LIDL have launched their Favorina Festive Favourites which has more than 20 chocolate-y treats.