31 gifts for Valentine's Day
There are few better ways to say 'I love you' this Valentine's Day than by getting a gift that has been made in harmony with the planet and its inhabitants, both human and animal. The gifts are split tidily between five personalities: the Reader, the Glamourpuss, the Romantic, the Earth Mother, the Traveller and the Activist. Because, quite frankly, every woman is all of those and more.
THE READER (from top left): Fairphone: Join the waiting list for the second edition of the world’s first ethically produced smartphone. https://fairphone.com. Gold Crescent Lune Necklace: Kind’s sustainably made necklace with its delicate pendant encourages thought and reflection, £185. www.gatherandsee.com. Androgyny: Revel in this women’s take on a classic men’s vegan Oxford, £199. www.bboheme.com. Do the twist: Mara Hoffman’s beautiful organic cotton piece amplifies the traditional white shirt with a bandeau-tie detail, £250. https://reve-en-vert.com
THE GLAMOURPUSS (from top left): Slim shady: Antonio Verde’s Alicante sunglasses is made of recycled plastic from old computers and bamboo handcrafted temples, £50. www.komodo.co.uk. Fleur de Louis: iris and orange blossom by Arquiste, a brand which is not only exquisite for Valentine's Day but does not test its fragrances on animals, £135/100ml EdP. https://bloomperfume.co.uk. Liquid gold: ethically created with silk fabrics and French laces, Gilda & Pearl’s long slip is drop dead gorgeous, £550. www.positiveluxury.com. Octogone earrings: ethical gold, certified by Fairmined, by JEM. Made with respect of people and the environment, £980. www.positiveluxury.com. Sky high: minimalist heeled sandals in metallic Alter-Napa by eco-luxury designer Stella McCartney, £540. www.stellamccartney.com
THE ROMANTIC (from top left): All in one: tiny posies of anemones, a handmade organic willow heart and some pretty pampering products make up Organic Blooms’ gorgeous Valentine’s Day Hamper, from £45. www.organicblooms.co.uk. Roses are red: made by hand, with a delicate scent, Acqua di Parma's candle will burn all Valentine's night long, £91. www.selfridges.com. Soap box: four hand milled soaps made with olive oil to keep hands naturally hydrated, £20. www.willowbeautyproducts.co.uk. Ganesha ring: the ultimate solitaire, on a thin band, by Tribe of Lambs. 100% of profits go to funding compassion projects for HIV+ children in India, £38. https://tribeoflambs.com. Feeling blue: a beautiful cosy wool fishbone weave throw made locally in Wales, £49.99. www.ethicalsuperstore.com
THE EARTH MOTHER (from top left): It’s in the trees: Peter Wohlleben makes the case that the forest is a social network in The Hidden Life of Trees, £6.49. www.waterstones.com. Organic oolong tea: Daylesford’s tea - which come in little biodegradable crystal tea bags - are grown without pesticides in organic estates and co-operatives, £6.99. https://daylesford.com. Narcissi: The Real Flower Company creates gorgeous bouquets from flowers, herbs and foliage grown on its own English and Fairtrade sustainable farms, £60. www.realflowers.co.uk. Swaddle: Johnston of Elgin’s fringed scarf is a delicate knit from the finest and most ethically-sourced cashmere, £175. https://reve-en-vert.com. Keep Wildlife Wonderful Weekend Bag: the wildlife print has been designed by Arthouse Meath are a UK based supplier who empower men and women living with complex epilepsy, learning and physical difficulties, £39.99. www.oxfam.org.uk
THE TRAVELLER (from top left): Tassel free: pretty tassel earrings made from silk and brass by artisans working as part of Fair Trade groups in India, £11.99, www.oxfam.org.uk.Paper mâché: Handmade, handpainted, these vibrant bowls are with recycled paper and signed by their Swaziland artisans, £12.99. www.oxfam.org.uk. Kantha tote: this beautiful bag is handmade from recycled saris by Indian artisans who work as part of a Fair Trade group, £36.99, www.oxfam.org.uk. Tread lightly: Nae’s vegan sandals are made from cork, microfibre and recycled car tyres, Euro 69. www.nae-vegan.com. Ready to roam: this striped t-shirt, £45, and organic cotton chandre trousers, £39, by People Tree will take you around the world and back. www.peopletree.co.uk
THE ACTIVIST (from left): Because the world needs a few more of these: this black unisex tee is crafted from 100 per cent fair wear cotton, £22. https://ethics.com. Scarf: this beautiful silk scarf is hand printed by artisans in Vietnam, £19.99. www.oxfam.org.uk. On Anarchism: sheds much needed light on the foundations of Chomsky's thought, specifically his constant questioning of the legitimacy of entrenched power. www.waterstones.com. Shoulder it: top loading rucksack inspired by a classic army duffle, £79.99. www.arket.com. Black gold: keep on marching in Po Zu’s high-top cork vegan sneaker with quilted collar in gold Pinatex, now £125. https://po-zu.com
