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Winter is just around the corner, which means that many of us will give and receive gifts that promise to keep us toasty and warm all season long. The best ones are gifts that we can pull out season after season for their classic styles and natural materials. The Wellness Feed has rounded up the best cozy pieces that are bound to keep your recipient (or you) warm all winter long. Plus, these eco-friendly gifts are also stylish to be worn now and classic enough to be worn next winter.
The best eco-friendly gifts are also made ethically. The brands we’ve highlighted practice fair trade or are audited by third parties to ensure that their factories meet safe and fair standards. After all, the gift of giving shouldn’t’ be rooted in exploitation. Every item can be made and gifted to bring joy, peace and good tidings to all. Happy shopping!
Boody Ribbed Knit Beanie
Who needs an uncomfortable or itchy face mask scratching their face this winter? The answer is no one. If you’ve used a disposable face mask you might be aware of just how uncomfortable they are! Boody’s Soft Touch face mask promises to be the most comfortable face mask you’ll wear this winter. So, buy one of these eco-friendly gifts for yourself and someone that you care about.
Environmental Impact: The bamboo used in these beanies are made from certified organic bamboo by The Organic Crop Improvement Association, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Bamboo is a fast growing crop that generates up to 35% more oxygen than conventional crops like cotton and uses 90% less water. Boody also outlines how this product has a lower carbon footprint than its conventional counterparts.
- 1.8 Km of driving emissions avoided
- 300.1 hours of LED bulb energy saved
- 188.1 gallons of drinking water saved
- 0.9 m2 of land farmed without pesticides
Fair Trade Wool Beanie
Whether you knit it yourself or buy it, a wool beanie is one very popular winter gift. This cute ombre hat is a wool-blend. Stylish and fashionable, it’s made its way onto this eco-friendly gifts list, because it is handcrafted by artisans to provide an income source and to help uplift their community.
Ethical Impact: Ten Thousand Villages has been a pioneer of the fair trade movement. Since 1987, the retailer has purchased from and financially supported Nepalese artisans from the Nepal Traditional Crafts to help keep their traditional crafts alive while providing an income that offers benefits, paid leave and children’s educational opportunities.
Cotton Cashmere-Blend Hoodie
Cashmere always makes for the most luxurious winter gifts. This hoodie is 70% cotton with 5% of cashmere giving it a dash of luxury and extra warmth. With reinforced details to ensure longevity and a ribbed knit, it’s the perfect piece to lounge in all winter long… and many more winters to come.
Ethical Impact: Third Love partners with family-owned women-run manufacturers based in Asia to manufacture their intimate apparel and lounge-wear basics. Putting women first, the factory provides summer programs for children, so that moms can continue working when school is out. Third Love is also audited by a third party to ensure that ethical and fair trade practices are met.
Recycled Material & 100% Cotton Lounge Pant
This winter looks promising for indulging in cozy nights and even cozier basics. These lounge pants are made from 100% cotton and non-toxic dyes to ensure that their coziness poses less of an impact on mother earth. With a sleek high-waist they’re also great to throw on as basics that you can dress up too.
Here’s How Christy Dawn Dresses Are Made With Regenerative Cotton
Environmental Impact: These lounge pants are made from 100% cotton and leftover deadstock materials Handmade in downtown Los Angeles by a small team, Christy Dawn is known for creating designs that breathe new life into fabrics that might otherwise be thrown into landfills. Each piece is designed to improve longevity and ensure that they’re made to last.
Reinforced Toe Bamboo Socks
Socks are one of the most common and popular gifts, particularly if they come with a fun-inspired print. These socks are fun and are also made from bamboo making them an ideal eco-friendly gift idea. While feeling cozy and comfortable, the gift recipient will also enjoy knowing that their toes are making the world better.
Environmental Impact: Bamboo (the brand) works towards educating customers about their environmental impact and how to minimize it. Since the brand prides itself on being impact positive through initiatives that offset their carbon and water footprints, they are also geared towards helping everyone reach this same goal through their products and eco-friendly lifestyle tips. For this particular product:
- 31.3 days of drinking water are saved
- 0.2 miles of driving emissions are avoided
- 3.3 sq feet of land farmed without pesticides
75% Recycled Cotton Beanie
If you’ve seen Designated Survivor you might be familiar with actress Maggie Q. Over the last few years she’s also been bitten with the entrepreneurial spirit to help people live healthier lives. One of these companies is her sustainable line Qeep Up. The line focuses on using recycled materials such as this beanie which is 75% recycled cotton knitted into a thermal hat that will keep you warm all winter long.
Environmental Impact: Qeep Up focuses on fabrics made from recycled plastic water bottles, cotton,and fishing nets. For Qeep Up’s first collection they also developed a give-back partnership with the Blue Sphere Foundation which aims to safeguard oceans and protect marine life whose habitats are threatened.
Banana Fiber Hand warmers
Hand warmers make an excellent winter gift and these are made from 100% wool and banana fibers. Handcrafted and designed by Nepalese artisans these hand warmers are a thoughtful gift that goes all the way to appreciating and preserving the culture and craft of local Nepalese artisans.
Ethical Impact: Ten Thousand Villages has been partnering with artisan collectives around the world to craft and sell their wares made from natural or recycled materials for decades. Not only does the retailer provide business, but agreements and payments are made up front to provide financial security. This is a more ethical approach to how most orders are fulfilled in the fashion industry where payments are made upon receipt.