16 Best sustainable Christmas gifts 2019: from beauty to books, the best eco friendly gifts to shop now

Scientists have been warning about the dangers of climate change for the best part of three decades, but in the past year or two they seemed to have gained a megaphone and a decent amp and set up shop on front pages across the world.

It’s no wonder we’re all looking a bit worried these days, as we count the impact of every step we take on this little planet we call home.

The good news is that there are millions of us fighting not only to mitigate our own impact on the environment, but to bring others on board as well. The movement is now so big that in September an estimated six million people around the world marched on their cities to demand government action.

The fightback is just getting started, but momentum is huge and we’re all learning that there’s no change too small to make a difference.

So, whether they’re taking their first, Bambi-like steps into the often confusing and sometimes expensive world of sustainability, or they’re already well on the road to becoming bamboo wielding, electric car-driving, hemp-wearing heroes of the future, there’s bound to be a perfect stocking filler or Christmas present below for friends and family who are trying to be better.

See our favourites below

The Sustainable Home by Christine Liu

Sustainable lifestyle blogger Christine Liu takes the reader through a tour of the home, offering some genius hacks on living just a little bit cleaner on a day to day basis. Now it’s not that we’re shallow or anything, but this is a book as handsome as it is helpful, so not only is it a real treat to open, it’s going to look great displayed on the coffee table.

From making your own toothpaste to upcycling furniture – there are loads of ways to make a difference presented in these pages.

£12.60 | Amazon | Buy it now

WakeCup Zero Waste Starter Kit

Even Greta had to start somewhere. If you know someone keen to dip their toes into a plastic-free life, this kit the perfect stepping stone. It comes complete with a vegan backpack, a bamboo and stainless steel water bottle, bamboo travel cup and a set of two bamboo straws.

It will really help the lucky recipient wind down their dependency on single-use plastics, plus 10 per cent of all profits go to The Marine Conservation Society. Win!

£58 | Wakecup | Buy it now

Veja V-10 Trainers

Guarantee bear hugs and kisses come Christmas morning with a new pair of cruelty-free kicks from ethical brand Veja. Made from organic cotton and recycled materials, the company has a strong commitment to staying ethical at every stage of the production process.

These green, white and red trainers are classic enough to pair with any outfit, while the colour palette will always remind your recipient of the most wonderful gift give to them at the most wonderful time of the year.

£115 | Office | Buy it now

S’Well Eats 2-in-1 Stainless Steel Food Bowl

This marbled food bowl is not only chic-looking enough to put pride of place on your kitchen counter, but it’s an incredibly well-designed bit of kit too. It boasts a triple-layer, vacuum insulated walls working to keep salads fresher and soups warmer for longer.

Made from stainless steel, it’s as durable as it is stylish, and its microwave and dishwasher safe prep bowl is an extra notch on the belt of convenience. Best of all: it’s leak proof too. What a dream.

£35 | Selfridges | Buy it now

Lush Merry and Bright Gift Set

Lush has been pushing sustainability ever since its launch in 1995, and all the company’s deliciously scented products are created to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

In an effort to save even more packaging from landfill, Lush’s in-house team of Tech Warriors have developed Lush Lens Gifts, which can be found in the 2019 Christmas collection. Ribbons and tags are replaced with digital wizardry using the #LushLabs app.

If you're after a more bumper gift, plump for the Merry and Bright Gift Set, a bold, brilliant explosion of smells and colours. There are a dozen products to enjoy, from Yog Nog Shower Gel to Candy Cane Toothpaste Jelly, all set to enchant and delight whoever is lucky enough to peel back the (recyclable) wrapping paper.

£80 | Lush | Buy it now

Emilie O’Connor Blue Bamboo Fibre Lunch Box

It’s not every day a lunchbox is a piece of art, but dinnerware designer Emilie O’Connor has created a range worthy of display in the Tate Modern.

Sleek and elegant, with a bold blue wave pattern splashing across it, this has zoomed a considerable way up our wish list.

Made from a sustainable bamboo fibre, this is a durable, beautiful and will leave very little trace on Earth.

£16.95 | Wearth London | Buy it now

WXY Skin Candle

WXY is a small, sustainable candle company that’s been filling homes with clean, sweet scents for the past 15 years. The team have been working hard to ensure they operate with the least impact possible, using a plant derived wax and all-vegan ingredients.

It doesn’t stop there either – they give three per cent of all profits to charity. All of the candles make for beautiful presents, but Skin – crammed with the scents of white wood and amber down – cinches it for us, with an evocative scent designed to create a sense of liberation.

£20 | Wolf and Bader | Buy it now

Chocolate and Love Sea Salt Christmas Gift Set

If asked to show evidence that living a sustainable life doesn’t mean having to give up everything you love, the first thing we’d bring to court would be a sweet treat from Chocolate and Love, an entirely ethical company that gives so much back to the world.

Organic and Fair Trade with a fully traceable supply chain, the duo behind this range plunge their profits back into the planet and have planted 27,000 trees to date.

The chocolates are amongst the best in the world, too, with 37 Great Taste Awards to their name. This gift box includes four 80g bars and the creamy, dreamy sea salt flecked chocolate alone is a gift bound to score endless brownie points.

Shopping for a vegan? Try the sumptuous pomegranate all-vegan gift box, so beautifully patterned you won’t need to bother with gift wrap.

£16.99 | Chocolate and Love | Buy it now

Ksana Jet Black & Rose Gold Silicone Watch

This slick watch is a fool-proof Christmas gift hit. With an elegant, minimalist look, it’s a somewhat timeless piece (pun intended), offering a little moment of analogue in a digital world.

Ksana is part of the 1 per cent for the Planet alliance, too, donating 1 per cent of the sales value of every single watch sale towards the environment. The company also tidies up after itself, offering a silicone strap return scheme, in which old straps are repurposed into solar panels.

£75 | Wolf & Badger | Buy it now

Aarke Carbonator II Sparkling Water Maker

This gorgeous contraption will elevate any kitchen to the next level in chic, with its slim, stainless steel design sleek enough to squeeze into the most cluttered of work surfaces.

There really is no better gift for the sparkling water addict in your life – the one who sheepishly lugs empty bottles into the recycling bin week after week. Simply hold the included water bottle to the nozzle, hit the lever and voila, freshly carbonated water on tap.

It comes in a variety of colours and finishes, but we couldn’t help but give a greedy little gasp of desire once we locked eyes on the copper edition.

£199.99 | Aarke | Buy it now

The Ethical Silk Company Silk Pillowcase

This beautiful pillowcase is a must-buy for those who spend hours wrestling with the ball of static atop their head each morning. Not only does it spell the demise of bedhead, but it’s great for skin too, with a non-absorbent finish keeping all of those precious oils locked in. The silk used is extracted from the cocoon long after the moth has fled, and all of the products are made by Fairtrade tailoring company Mehera Shaw, based in Jaipur, India.

£65 | The Ethical Silk Company | Buy it now

Fortnum & Mason Vegan Friendly Christmas Hamper

Famed for their hampers, nothing oozes glamour more than an F&M-stamped wicker basket.

The year, the Royal grocers have partnered their usual indulgence with entirely animal friendly produce. Crammed with luxe festive fare that the vegan crowd might miss – from Christmas pudding, to hot chocolate, to a delicious iced Christmas cake – this is a way to ensure that everyone gets a taste of Christmas.

£150 | Fortnum & Mason | Buy it now

OneNine5 Eco-Friendly Travel Wash Bag (Toiletry Bag) with 100% Recycled Plastic Lining - Komodo Pink

Made with recycled plastic that might have otherwise choked marine life in our oceans, this washbag is the ideal bag companion for trips away. It comes with a detachable bag for airport security, so no more faffing about with your 100ml liquids just before you go through and once you're done with it, return it to the company who will recycle the bag ethically and give you a discount on your next purchase as a reward too.

Available in blue, pink and grey.

£49 | Amazon | Buy it now

Content X Pela iPhone Case Return to Earth

For the techy teen hoping to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle, this phone case makes a fitting stocking filler. Simple design and fully compostable once they're done, this durable case will keep their iPhone safe from drops and scratches without costing the Earth.

£35 | Content Beauty Wellbeing | Buy it now

Tretorn Urban PU Rain Parka, Vintage Khaki

With the British weather as temperamental as it is, the gift of a rain coat may be practical but Tretorn's aesthetics means it can be stylish too. Made from recycled PET bottles, this classic showerproof parka comes with a hood for added protection and pleasingly deep pockets for your keys, Oyster and all the other essentials.

£120 | John Lewis | Buy it now

Bees Wrap Ocean Print Set of 3 Wraps

A perfect stocking filler, these reusable bees wax wraps are a brilliant addition to any sustainable home, posing something of a triple threat: For one, they will diminish harmful cling film use to zero. They’re food savers, too - the beeswax and jojoba oil used in making them helps keep food fresher for longer. And they come in a variety of sizes and patterns.

This assorted pack comes with a small, medium and large wrap to give new users a taste of their versatility.

Great for leftovers, lunch boxes and picnics, they’re easy to clean and long lasting, although once you are done with them, they’re compostable. Practical, yes; but a little bit brilliant, too.

£16.99 | Amazon | Buy it now