EDITOR’S PICKS: Conscious Christmas
Christmas waste is a global problem. Globally at Christmas, our waste levels increase by 25-30%, with much of the excess waste being made up from packaging, wrapping paper, cards and food waste.
A conscious Christmas means bringing mindfulness to celebration and gift buying. If you do buy presents, ask yourself: Where did this come from? Who made it? How many times will the person use it? And, importantly, how long will it last?
We know that the festive season often leaves a mass of waste, in the aftermath of our revelry, excess and indulgence, but with the planet in crisis, it’s more important than ever to re-assess the impact of our expenditure. Being conscious of what we are buying to give others, also sends a message to our children about the true magic of Christmas.
Conscious Christmas – Editor’s Picks
Thanks to The Together Project’s Marketplace it’s never been easier to have an impact with where are you spend your money. We’ve compiled a list of wonderful gifts to share with your loved ones. They are all thoughtful and sustainable.
Bolga Holiday Fedora
Our Bolga Hat was created and named after one of the most remote cities in Ghana, Bolgatanga, when we visited during our Pilot trip in 2019. This is a collaboration between The Together Project, TradeAid Integrated and the incredible masterweavers in Bolgatanga. Elephant Grass is the chosen material, a fibre with a great tradition in the basketwork in northern Ghana, giving each hat a special and dynamic shape. Each hat is handmade please allow for slight variation in sizing.
Sun Wall piece
If you’re seeking a special piece to add some character and textural warmth to a space, the Nenega has just the right amount of personality. Billum and Bass take a collaborative approach that builds a channel for PNG artisans with traditional skills to access and participate in the creative arts industry and the global value chain.
Oso Bag
The Oso by Kayadua is a tunnel bag with a voluminous shape. It has one compartment in the interior to store small purses, mobile phones and all your small everyday essentials. It is made in satin, organza, organdy and cotton fabric and 90% of Oso form is made from dead stock fabric. The bag is designed with adjustable straps so it can either either be hanged over the shoulder, crossbody and as a hand bag.
Conscious Christmas – Editor’s Picks
Wise gifts for all ages that generate a positive impact in the communities where they are created.
SilaiWali Dolls
To have an impact on Afghan refugee women living in New Delhi you can purchase a small SilaiWali rag doll for a loved one or child from our market place. Female refugee artisans are taught by SilaiWali to make these hand stitched dolls. The social enterprise currently up-cycle waste fabric generated from apparel factories; provide an equitable working environment and generate much needed funds back to to their displaced communities.
Cotton Beach Blanket
Wøven in German jacquard looms with one hundred percent cotton each of VISO’s tapestry cotton blankets is finished by hand in the United States. The outcome is an exceptional textile, built to last, with high definition artwork that has history woven into every inch.
Stress Relieving Tea
House of Waris brings you Love Conquers All Stress relieving tea. This is a tea experience rooted in plant science and centred around both education and celebration. Their proprietary line of adaptogenic blends offers rose a sign of sensuality, luxuriousness, and love for centuries, in a blend with with Shatavari, a natural remedy long used in Ayurveda. This tea is blended to address high stress levels and provide soothing balance to the body & mind.
