It’s that time of year already! The Christmas festivities are just around the corner and we are thinking about gifts and treats for our loved ones.
This year it’s all about giving back with a charity Christmas gift guide for interior design lovers. Last year in the Christmas gift guide it was all about sustainable gifts. A lovely selection of gifts which have a consideration for their impact on the environment. They are also ethically made meaning people earn a fair wage for creating them and the business has a positive impact in the community. This year the Christmas gifts in this guide focus on raising money for a wide range of causes, both environmental as well as social, here in the UK and abroad.
The inspiration for this came from my visit to Decorex this year where I came across a some stands with really beautiful products which were the results of social enterprises and charitable schemes. These help people to learn new skills to produce items to sell and earn a living from. From this I was inspired to seek out other ideas for beautiful homeware that gives back for this year’s charity Christmas gift guide. It is easy to get caught up in buying beautiful gifts, but as well as a time to give it is also a time to think about how we can give back. So here’s my guide to gifts that don’t cost the earth - literally! - as well as give back to good causes.
1. Fine Cell Work
Learning about this project was a spark to create a guide of charity Christmas gifts for interiors lovers that give back to communities.
It was at Decorex where I first came across this project. There was a very eye catching stand with beautiful cushions and embroidery.
Fine Cell Work is a charity and social enterprise which trains prisoners in high-quality, skilled, creative needlework undertaken in the long hours spent in their cells to foster hope, discipline and self-esteem. The aim of the project is to help prisoners finish their sentences with work skills, money earned and saved and the self-belief to not re-offend.
As gifts the cushions are really lovely with lots of different styles of embroidery. I also like the tableware collection which includes beautiful linen napkins and placemats. Especially for Christmas there are also beautiful handmade Christmas decorations.
Fine Cell work have collaborated with many famous designers including Kit Kemp, Cath Kidston, Cressida Bell and Neisha Crossland. This year there is an opportunity to see the collection at a pop up shop in Pentreath and Hall in London.
2. Cuckooland
These beautiful rugs caught my eye. Every rug individually produced as a one-off product. Crafted from super soft recycled cotton, naturally dyed and washable, the bright colours and geometric patterns on these rugs are a perfect choice to add a bright kick of colour into your home.
The money from every purchase helps to provide education to children living in northern India through The Sakula Project. The project helps educate children by providing schooling for children in northern India. Education is vital in breaking the poverty cycle. So by purchasing one of these rugs you are not only helping children to get an education, but also the opportunity to live a better life
3. Sophie Allport
The Sophie Allport range is inspired by nature and perfect for lovers of country living style. Whilst her work is usually a celebration of British wildlife there is also the Animals of the Savannah collection which features elephants and cheetahs in aid of the Zoological Society of London.
A percentage of the profits from this collection benefit ZSL’s work protecting animals of the savannah. The collection features striking designs at highlight the beauty of wildlife and the importance of protecting it.
The money which is raised goes towards providing training for rangers. They also provide equipment to protect the animals from the risks of poaching for their tusks and skins, contibuting towards valuable conservation work in the community.
4. Homesense and TK Maxx
The Rwenzori range from TK Maxx and Homesense is part of their sustainable trade programme. Since 2011 the brand has been working with over with over 4,000 local people in the Rwenzori region of Uganda. The programme helps parents ensure their children complete primary education. The production and sale of coffee, cocoa, cotton and crafts from the range available in TK Maxx and Homesense stores helps them increase their income.
These beautiful baskets are handmade using traditional techniques. Income from just two baskets pays for a child’s schooling for a term
5. Beefayre
Everyone loves a scented candle at Christmas. Beefayre have an amazing range of scented candles made with 100% natural plant wax. They are beautifully gift boxed with botanical illustrations. There’s no nasty chemicals in these candles so they double up as massage candles. Just dip your fingers in the warm wax and rub into your skin. The natural wax acts as a moisturiser that can be left on, or washed off. 3% of profits from Beefayre go towards bee conservation and research.
It's always nice to think of others at Christmas and do what we can to give back. I hope you find our gift guide inspiring this year. I'd be interested to hear if you have any favourite brands or go to gifts to choose for ethical and sustainable presents this year. Do let me know by leaving a comment below.
We're getting ready for Christmas and we'll soon be publishing our guide to Christmas styling trends for 2019. If you need any help with creating a perfectly stylish Christmas this year contact us to find out more about our Christmas Styling services. We're here to help!