Guilt-free gifts for Christmas

As the holiday season rolls around, people are increasingly buying  ecologically friendly and ethically sourced gifts.

There are various City locations offering alternative gift ideas that have been recycled, produced in fair trading environments and where local artists can be supported.

Me Too Please in Annandale, is a retail arm of BenElke, a warehouse business which uses the Endeavour Foundation to manufacture some of its products.

The Endeavour Foundation provides support and services to more than 3,350 people with a disability, from 230 locations in New South Wales and Queensland.

Me Too Please, offers a range of products from its famous lunch bags and aprons made from Mexican Oilcloth to hand-crafted artworks from Haiti, strictly following ‘it is better to reuse before you recycle’ motto.

Co-owner of BenElke, Ben Joseph said the products are not only ethically sourced but are also commercially desirable.

“One of the misconceptions of ethically sourced products is that they are usually trinkets or made of beads and they are products that might make people feel good but don’t necessarily want,” Mr Joseph said.

Oxfam Shop on Broadway, offers products of fair trade, ensuring long-term benefits and secure employment to the 100,000 people it trades with around the world.

Its products include wine produced in small to medium-size family owned Australian wineries, that don’t have access to mainstream wine retailers; and recycled hand-made Christmas decorations.

The Oxfam Shop’s eco-friendly products also include recycled tea light holders and recycled bowls; some are even made from plastic found on the streets of Delhi.

Glebe’s Inner City Clayworkers gallery promotes the work of local artists offering one-off delicate ceramic pieces.

In its annual Christmas Show Ceramic Gallery being held from December 1 – 24, will offer gift ideas ranging from functional ware to decorative art and sculpture to jewellery.

With stores in Taylor Square, Paddington and Marrickville, Reverse Garbage turns local community left-overs destined to become land-fill into materials which can be used for crafts, small businesses and home renovations.

These recycled materials could make for the perfect gift for those with a creative edge or for the office’s Kris Kringle, with fabrics, plastics, electronics, stationary, paint, computers and wood products on offer.

General manager, Narelle Mantte said, “We call it guilt-free shopping. So not only do you get a fantastic product but you’re helping to save the planet at the same time.”

Now there’s one less reason to be guilty when enjoying chocolate, coffee, sugar and tea this holiday season, with the Fair Go Trading website and its commitment to ethical trading practices.

The website also offers a range of fair trade crafted products from countries including Peru, Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Chile and Central Australia.

Priding itself on ‘supplying organic, chemical free and environmentally friendly produce’ to Rozelle and Bondi residents, About Life, is a one-stop shop offering locals all their Christmas groceries.

About Life’s Christmas Hampers also make for great gifts with options like an All Organic Box, which will fill an entire pantry; Chocoholic (pretty self-explantory); and Stupidly Healthy, which is packed with products like Chia seeds and aloe vera juice.