Social Enterprise Gift Guide

Ethical gifting is on the rise as people are taking an increasing interest in the where, how and why behind the brands that they're buying from. We couldn't be happier to see this new awareness, and as a social business ourselves we know there doesn’t need to be a trade off between beautiful design, high-quality products and a social mission. Buy presents from social enterprises this Christmas and you know you'll be helping to improving the lives of others: what better gift is there? 

We've created an edit of our favourite gifts that keep on giving:

The Soap Co

Luxury soaps and lotions always make lovely and practical gifts, even better when they are making an impact too. The Soap Co. only employ people who are blind or otherwise disadvantaged in order to build skills, confidence and independence. Their range includes delightful scents like black poppy, wild fig, white tea and citrus that leave you smelling good and doing good. Whats more, their packaging is made from recycled materials and can be recycled and composted itself. 

Aduna Gift Tins 

Have you seen our brand new gift tins yet? Decorated in the Africa-inspired patterns of our super-ingredients: baobab fruit, moringa leaf and cacao beans, they are a fun and decorative gift for a friend or loved one this Christmas. 

Purchasing from Aduna enables us to further our work with small-scale producers, supporting the creation of sustainable livelihoods in the remotest parts of rural Africa.

Read more about our mission or shop our range of Christmas gift options. 

Skin & Tonic

We love London based skincare brand Skin & Tonic, whose range of simple and highly effective products are all organic, animal testing-free and locally sourced. Each nourishing product uses a maximum of 7 ingredients, and is handcrafted by people - not machines. As if that wasn't a big enough reason  to add them to your wish list, they also source some ingredients from Fairtrade women’s co-operatives in Africa and Sri Lanka and 10% of their profits go to Charity Water. 

Divine Chocolate 

Divine is certainly an accurate description for this chocolate company with a conscious. Rich, silky and decadent, their chocolate makes a delicious gift for friends and family alike. The company is 44% owned by the farmers so every purchase of Divine chocolate helps empower the lives of thousands of producers and workers in West Africa. 

Indulge in their Chocolate Gifts - we love the after dinner Ginger Thins! 

Rubies in the Rubble 

If you're not yet choosing products with the fight against food waste in mind, this is a good way to start. Rubies in the Rubble rescue unwanted, ‘ugly’ fruit and veg headed for landfill, and make them into scrumptious relishes and jams. Choose from unique flavours like Top Banana, Pink Onion & Chilli or their limited edition Christmas chutney with Fortnum & Masons Pear, Fig & Port.

Alive & Kicking

Photography by Kate Holt

Everyone knows a football fan, but we'll bet they've never received a ball like this. Alive and Kicking are a sporting social business with a difference. Based in Africa they make hand-stitched, durable footballs that are sold and donated so kids can experience sport with the appropriate equipment. They have made over 750,000 footballs already - 20% of which have been donated to good causes across Africa. Read our interview with CEO Glenn Cummings to find out more about their social impact, or shop the range of footballs on the Alive & Kicking website. 

Samanta Yogi 

These bright and vibrant printed leggings by Samanta Yogi are made from recycled, eco-friendly fabrics and support local suppliers. Perfect for the yogi in your life, they can be worn for yoga, general active wear, water sports or even a night out - depending on how bold you're feeling! Every pair of leggings contributes to projects to support survivors of human trafficking too.

Still hunting for the perfect gift? Why not read our guides for Africa-inspired gifts or health, wellness & beauty products.