Go green this Christmas and save money

Posted on 29th October 2008Go green this Christmas and save moneyChristmas price comparison
 
Ethical gifts for Christmas can be half the
price of high street items
Go green this Christmas and save money - our ethical gift guide shows you how
While financial markets meltdown, you might expect green issues to quietly slip off the Christmas agenda. After all, the throng of festive shoppers will be heading to discount stores to stretch their pounds won’t they?

And yes, while consumers are indeed anticipated to fork out less this Christmas – an estimated £1 billion less on presents alone - the amount of shoppers buying green this year has already risen. It appears consumers won’t compromise their values in their bid to budget.

Savvy consumers know that current green spending can be tantamount to lean spending. The landscape of the green shopper has changed and according to Barry Clavin, author of the Co-operative Bank’s Ethical Consumerism Report, “Shoppers no longer have to pay for the choice to shop ethically. That’s the new world of ethical consumerism that’s evolved over the last few years.”

“And for Fairtrade in particular,” continues Clavin, “There is no price differential at all for the vast majority of popular products.”

For gifts this Christmas, if you are looking at buying green the outlook is bright. Not only can you find a fair price tag on a fairly traded item (as we show you) – but many can be cheaper than comparable high street items. And you don’t have to compromise on quality or style.

“This wash bag, or canvas messenger bag,” says Vic Morgan, director of Ethical Superstore, “Was made by the same design team that bought you ‘those shoes’ as worn by David Cameron, and are made from recycled parts such as surplus military tents, car seat belts and airline seats. These are stylish products with a purpose, not Christmas gifts destined for landfill.”

So while you are getting a good deal, the farmer or artisan is also getting a much better deal, and the recipient of your ethical gifts will thank you for it. Honestly. You don’t have to dream of having a green Christmas this year, it’s more achievable than you think.
 
Bags, purses and accessories
Save £30 Dark Brown Leather Shoulder Pocket Bag - £45    
  Left: Fair Trade leather shopper from India, Ethical Superstore, £45
Right: Leather shopper, Warehouse, £75
         
  Twilight Beaded Purse - £5    
  Left: Fair Trade beaded purse, Ethical Superstore, £5
Right: Beaded purse, Monsoon, £7
         
  Zari Jewellery Roll - Beige - £12    
  Left: Fair Trade beaded jewellery roll, Ethical Superstore, £12
Right: Beaded jewellery roll, Monsoon, £15
         
Price Match Recycled Wrapper Bag - Silver - £35    
  Left: Silver recycled wrapper hard clutch bag, Ethical Superstore, £35
Right: Metallic hard clutch bag, Monsoon, £35
         
  Owl in a Tree Purse -£3    
  Left: Hand embroidered purse appliquéd with sequins, Ethical Superstore, £3
Right: Embroidered purse, Monsoon, £8
         
Jewellery and boxes
Save 40% White Pearl Beaded Bracelet - £4.95    
  Left: Fair Trade pearl charm bracelet, Ethical Superstore, £4.95
Right: Pearl charm bracelet, Asos, £8
         
Multi Charm Bracelet - £5    
  Left: Multi charm bracelet, Ethical Superstore, £5
Right: Multi charm bracelet, Asos, £10
         
  Diamante Heart Set - £10    
  Left: Fair Trade diamante heart earring and necklace set, Ethical Superstore, £10
Right: Stone encrusted earring and necklace, Asos, £56
         
Half Price Glitzy Boxes - Set of 3 - £6    
  Left: Fair trade bead and stone trinket boxes, Ethical Superstore, £6 (for 3)
Right: Glass and diamante trinket box, Monsoon, £10
         
Products for him
  Worn Again Ollie Red Wash Bag - £25    
  Left: Recycled designer washbag, Ethical Superstore, £25
Right: Washbag from Diesel, John Lewis, £30
         
Price Match Classic Black and White Hi Top Trainer - £36    
  Left: Sweatshop-free sneaker, Ethical Superstore, £36
Right: Converse sneaker, John Lewis, £36
         
  Worn Again Sherman Khaki Messenger Bag - £65    
  Left: Designer recycled canvas bag, Ethical Superstore, £65
Right: Diesel canvas bag, Diesel, £70
         
Products for the home
  Spirograph Bowl - £16.95    
  Left: Fair trade ‘Spiragraph’ fruit bowl, (32cm) Ethical Superstore, £16.95
Right: Circle fruit bowl, (40cm) John Lewis, £30
         
  Friendship Bowl - £17.95    
  Left: Fair Trade aluminium friendship bowl, Ethical Superstore, £17.95
Right: Stainless steel designer bowl, John Lewis, £79
         
Diaries and notebooks
  Asia Calendar 2009 - £9.95    
  Left: Fairtrade Asia calander, Ethical Superstore, £9.95
Right: India calander, WHSmith, £9.99
         
  Recycled 2009 Full Year Diary - Slim - £5.95    
  Left: Week to view, slim diary in recycled paper, Ethical Superstore, £5.95
Right: Week to view, slim diary, WHSmith,
         
  Remarkable Recycled Car Tyre Notebook (A5 Natural) - £3.99    
  Left: Recycled A5 notebook, Ethical Superstore, £3.99
Right: A5 notebook, WHSmith, £4.99
         
Baby and child
  Lanka Kade Soft Rabbit Natural - £8    
  Left: Fair Trade soft and cuddly toy rabbit, Ethical Superstore, £8
Right: Soft toy rabbit, Mothercare, £9.99
         
Price Match Natures Purest Musical Mobile - £30    
  Left: Mobile with organic toys, Ethical Superstore, £30
Right: Mobile, Mamas and Papas, £30
         
Christmas accessories
  Red Flying Angel Decoration - £1.50    
  Left: Fair Trade, handpainted angel for the tree, Ethical Superstore, £1.50
Right: Felt angel for the tree, John Lewis, £3
         
Up to half price Christmas Stocking - Large - £5.99  
  Left: Fair Trade Christmas stocking with motif, Ethical Superstore, £5.99
Middle: Christmas stocking, Laura Ashley, £10
Right: Christmas stocking, John Lewis, £15
         
Ethical Superstore is the one stop shop for ethical gifts, gadgets and groceries. From organic wine to Fairtrade coffee, from vegetarian food to cosmetics free from animal cruelty, offering the widest range with over 4,500 products just a mouse click away.

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