SUSTAINABLE GIFT GUIDE: FOR HER
I carefully pick every product I feature on my website, but just so you know, I may earn a small commission when you buy through the links on this page.
I’m not going to lie — putting together this gift guide was my favourite. Welcome to a whole load of things that I love! From bright-coloured jumpers to festive fun earrings, embroidery to toiletries, find thoughtful gifts for the women in your life that go beyond the gift itself. These support small sustainable (and mainly British) brands who work hard to make the difference — the whole way through their supply chain. Many of these are women-owned or -run brands, for gifts that will uplift the women in your life.
London Velvet Bottle Bag
Reusable bottles just got even cooler with Ocean Bottle’s collaboration with British accessories brand London Velvet. The Bottle Bag is crafted with the highest quality leather and each one is made to order — you can even make it bespoke with your favourite colour combinations. With this bag there’s no excuse to forget or leave your Ocean Bottle at home (plus no leaking at the bottom of your main bag!), so you’ll never have to buy a plastic one again.
FUND Jumpers
FUND is a jumper brand on a social mission — a donation from every jumper sold funds 100 school meals for children living in poverty. FUND’s jumpers are made from ethically sourced wool, spun in Scotland and coloured using natural dyes and recycled water from the local Loch. An expert team of British weavers knit the brand’s seamless knitwear from a single thread, avoiding any fabric offcuts and waste. The jumpers are then embroidered with FUND’s signature slogans at an embroidery workshop in Cornwall, with each piece taking up to two hours to complete. The finished product is an heirloom item designed to be cherished and loved for years to come. Everything is made to order ensuring there is never any excess stock, and wool is never wasted.
Jasmine Hemsley x Needle & Thread Harmony Embellished Dress
This dress from my collection with Needle & Thread features a subdued floral pattern that makes it a great gift. This piece was made ethically in India using recycled and upcycled materials. The eco sequins make it extra special.
Margaux Studios Bow Hoop Earrings
Margaux Studios is a romantic new jewellery and accessories brand from British designer Abigayil Swann. The materials for each piece are sourced personally by Abi, then handmade in North London. I love the fun, festive and impossibly girly vibe — definitely a gift your loved one will want to pop on and wear straight away!
7 Over 7 Candle
7 Over 7 make candles to help you build a mindful haven at home. This layered spicy citrus scent was crafted by hand. Once it’s been burned, it can be sent back and refilled. Otherwise, your giftee can reuse the pretty container for bits and bobs, or recycle it.
Closely Activewear
Closely are a Swedish brand committed to creating underwear and activewear that deliver superior function whilst having minimal impact on the planet. The brand uses an independent consultant to calculate its annual carbon footprint and offset its CO2 emissions in order to be carbon-neutral. They champion their transparent supply chain and use as many recycled yarns as possible in their pieces. Take a look at their full sustainability report for more details.
Shaanti Silk Pyjamas
Shaanti’s silk pyjamas, which come in a choice of pink or green, are made by the Saheli Centre, a female empowerment enterprise which enables women from rural Rajasthan to earn a fair wage for their textile skills. The pyjamas are coloured using natural dyes and the brand’s packaging is fully recyclable. Additionally, IPHD, which is the umbrella NGO for the Saheli Women Centre, sponsors the education of the workers’ daughters and runs the only female health clinic in the village. They deliver workshops on a range of topics including human rights, feminism, menstrual hygiene, health and financial literacy.
Women for Women’s Sponsor a Sister
For just £22 a month, you can sign up to Women for Women’s “Sponsor a Sister” initiative, where you’ll be matched with a woman survivor of war. Your monthly donation will go towards funding the charity’s training and education programmes. I’ve sponsored my Rwandan sister Monique for a year and she’s now just graduated the course! I’m looking forward to penpalling with my next sponsored sister!
Swedish Stockings Socks & Tights
These gold ribbed socks are so much fun, and are knitted with recycled yarn in Swedish Stockings’ zero-waste, emission-free factory in Italy. They can be recycled too, completing the circle!
Fine Cell Work Neisha Crosland Purse
Fine Cell Work is a charity and social enterprise which enables prisoners to build fulfilling and crime-free lives, by training them in high-quality, skilled, creative needlework undertaken in the long hours spent in their cells to foster hope, discipline and self-esteem. This beautifully made little purse is so handy, perfect for storing change, your keys or any other odds and ends.
Ella Bua-In Lemon Squeezer
Citrus squeezers are one of those gifts that don’t seem like much but can make a huge difference in a home. This wheel-thrown one with a floral design is a special spin on a basic glass squeezer and makes a great present for anyone on your list.
La Basketry Safi Woven Serving Tray
A serving tray that’s perfect for breakfast in bed or for bringing hot drinks to all your work-from-home coworkers, designed by La Basketry cofounder Tabara and handwoven by artisan women in Eastern Senegal.
Ubuntu Life Red Afridrilles
What’s better than espadrilles? Espadrilles with beaded embellishments that give back! Ubuntu Life partnered with (RED) on these comfy and classic shoes, so that 20% of profits go to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response and critical HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sancho’s Shop Yala Zero Waste Pendant
Each of these bean-shaped pendants, sustainably made in Nairobi from recycled brass, is completely unique. The brass pendant is fitted on a 14K gold chain, making it a beautiful present that you can feel good about.
Story MFG Triple Tote
Made from organic cotton and dyed with natural pigments, this bright, reversible tote works just as well for picking up the shopping as it does for a (socially distanced!) night on the town.
Tongue Tingler
This nifty little tool will make your mouth happier and healthier, which is also key to a happy and healthy gut, and ultimately a happy and healthy you! This Jasmine Hemsley exclusive Tongue Tingler is made from 100% copper for its antibacterial properties.
Re-Comb Comb
Help them tame their mane with this recycled plastic comb in a flashy colour to brighten any bathroom.
Pfeffer Sal
Bio: Natural Selection is Pfeffer Sal’s edit of the most beautiful botanical skincare for those who prefer things au naturel. It contains the best the natural world has to offer in terms of active ingredients whilst still being gentle enough for sensitive and compromised skins or those going through pregnancy too.
Blossi Dried Flower Bouquet
Florist Lily created Blossi this year to keep her love of flowers alive during the pandemic. Unlike fresh cut flowers, Blossi’s dried flower bouquets, bunches and wreaths can keep for years, making them a sustainable gift that keeps on giving! Each item is handmade to order with dried and preserved flowers, then wrapped in eco-friendly kraft paper and finished with a custom gift label.
Sabbara Zuhur Cushion
This beautifully bright cushion was handmade by women artisans in Syria. It’s emblazoned with a traditional Syrian pattern using cotton and linen. All profits from these cushions support Sabbara’s work empowering Syrian women to find financial independence.
Jasmine Hemsley Gift Card
You can never go wrong with a gift card, so I’ve made some available to use in my shop, for a Tongue Tingler or a digital sound bath (or 6!). Just pick your amount and write in your recipient’s email!