| December 2008 | | Print | |
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This month I'm loving... ethical and eco-friendly pressies. Tough economic times mean you may be cutting back this December, so try these ideas for non-bank-breaking (and non-guilt-inducing) gifts:  Wrap up some luscious baby-kind products from Boo Boo Baby for a perfect pampering present. They're made with natural ingredients such as lavender oil, apple and shea butter (and without harsh nasties that may irritate sensitive skin). Accidental EcoManiac readers can get a 15% discount (enter code AEM1).
 For Vanessa, friend, cook and all-round earth mother: Paradiso Seasons, recently called 'Best Veggie Cookbook in the World!', £22.95. Or try Gaia's Kitchen, £9.70 or The Use-It-All Cookbook by Bish Muir, £8.50, with 100 recipes to help Vanessa make the most of everything in her cupboard without wasting a single carrot; all at Natural Collection.
 For Lola, who has a thing for knick-knacks: She'll love fairtrade organic cotton knickers from Green Knickers (right) for comfort and a clean conscience.
 For Geoff, who has a thing for Lola's knick-knacks:
This sexy range (left) from Green Knickers features one-of-a-kind lovelies, made from locally (London) sourced recycled textiles otherwise destined for landfill. They'll look much better on Lola!
 For your brother Nate, who's not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve (or chest): Trendy types with a conscience will really get into the range of specially commissioned Amnesty International T-shirts from Nudie Jeans (right) or classic 'Protect the Human' organic T-shirts; both from the Amnesty Shop.
 For Flora, who's a real character: The poppet has a personality all her own, so get her a cuddly keepsake with equal amounts of character. Each recycled teddy is unique, lovingly made by English craftswomen from material sourced from charity shops or you could send in your leftover fabric and have your bear personalised with a message or name on the foot. Ring to get more details on ordering; £32, Biome Lifestyle.  For Phillip and Sarah, joined at the hip: Ah, new love. For them matching gifts from EaKo, made from reclaimed fire brigade hoses. For her, a tote (£180) and for him a saddle bag (£99). If he hasn't yet faced up to his need for a man bag (trust us, Phil, you need one!), try this card holder for his credit cards, Oyster or iPod nano, £30. Half the profits from the fire-hose line go to the Fire Fighters Charity.  For Chris, the proud pappa: Let the new Dad revel in his new role with this organic cotton matching T-shirt set, £30 from stylish new eco-friendly store MimiMyne.
 For Mike, a real city slicker: He may be more at home on a dance floor than an allotment, but his limited green space shouldn't limit his green options. Even his flat's balcony can support this Window Box Garden, £24.99, which is suitable even for novice gardeners. Easy peasy (well, green beans actually, as well as lettuces, rocket, spinach and more); Rocket Gardens.
 For Louis, Generation Z's next Sir David Attenborough: These gorgous Rhino and Tiger books from Silver Jungle bring together art and nature, showing how animals have inspired artists through the centuries.I’m a hummingbird, I hum is a ‘humming and drawing’ book, where Louis can add his drawings to those of Edward Lear and John James Audubon. Part of each sale goes to 21st Century Tiger, Save the Rhino or Brehm Fund for International Bird Conservation respectively. Also available at Our Eco Shop.
  For Jo, who gets her daily cup of Joe on the go: If Jo has a commuter's cuppa every day, she'll be making a mountain out of her local landfill, so give her this handy "I am not a paper cup..." to free her from manufactured paper cups and plastic lids for good. Sleek, chic and eco-friendly – and might just prompt a chat with that cute guy she smiles at on the Jubilee Line each morning, £13, Mocha at NotOnTheHighStreet.com.
 For Janet, who's on the mend: Teapigs sounds scandalous, but not to worry – it's not boiled Babe, just green organic matcha, which is packed with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. It's been a choice tipple for Buddhist monks and royalty for over 900 years and claims to have 70x the antioxidant power of OJ. Sample the range of organic teas at teapigs.
 For Richard, to help with his New Year's resolutions: He keeps vowing to sell his car and join a car club but never quite gets round to it. Now you can give him the perfect reason: A Zipcar Gift Certificate (from £25). What with trendy cars like the Mini Cooper, Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius, booking rates from £3.95 per hour and for London reservations free fuel, 60 free miles and no congestion charge, Richard will find his shiny new Zipcard unlocks all sorts of possibilities the car-free could only dream about before (like trips to IKEA). While you're sorting Richard's gift, check out the special £25 annual membership fee to all new joiners and join up yourself if you haven't yet.  And if you just can't get in the mood for Christmas yet, switch to Maison Belle's Christmas cleaner infused with cinnamon and orange, £3.95 at Get Ethical. Remind the kids that Santa's taking notes, and they should start scurrying around like Cinders (pre-fairy godmother enlightenment) while you curl up with a warm mince pie. Splurge on gorgeous spelt mince pies from Daylesford Organic or don an organic cotton pinny and bake your own – might as well embrace the thrift revolution wholeheartedly.
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