Written by: Zainab Attarwali
With the joy-filled festive season right around the corner, it’s easy to dive into gift shopping without thinking about the impact it might have on the individuals who make them. This year, why not choose gifts that bring happiness to your loved ones while also supporting safe working conditions, fair wages, and human rights? By buying from brands committed to ethical practices, you’re making a positive impact that extends well beyond the holiday season.
Here’s a guide to mindful Christmas shopping that lets you make choices with heart and purpose—because every purchase can be a step towards driving long-term societal change against exploitation.
Common Christmas Gifts
Let’s highlight a few common gift ideas that are often produced through exploitative means but can be easily swapped for ethically sourced alternatives!
- Electronics: Buying ethical electronics can feel challenging since many brands are tied to deeply problematic sourcing practices such as child labour, especially regarding conflict minerals such as cobalt and tin, which are commonly mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nokia is a great company addressing concerns over technology and human rights abuses.
- Clothing: From child labour to dangerous working conditions, the production of clothes, especially in the fast fashion industry, is a significant contributor to global modern-day human slavery. For more information on where to shop, read our article Fashion’s Dirty Secret: The Use of Modern-Day Slavery in the Clothing Industry.
- Cosmetics: Reading and understanding labels is crucial when buying cosmetics products. Even a “cruelty-free” certification doesn’t guarantee ethical material sourcing and production with the lack of visibility and complexity in supply chains. Read our articles on the exploitative labour practices in the cosmetics industry and how you can ethically shop: Slave trade in the beauty industry, Mica. A Mineral that Children Mine.
- Chocolate: Who doesn’t look forward to sweet treats during the Holidays? Well, possibly those involved in the inhumane harvesting and production of leading chocolate brands. For more information on the unethical farming of cocoa and ethical alternatives, read our article Who’s Making That Chocolate You’re Eating?
What Steps Can You Take to Shop Ethically This Holiday Season?
- Plan ahead: Do your research beforehand to make sure you have everything set up in time. To shop more ethically, look for brands with transparent sourcing practices and human rights initiatives by looking through their websites or by using ethical shopping guides/apps such as:
- Goodonyou: Sustainable Fashion and Beauty Brand Ratings
- Baptist World Aid- Ethical Fashion Guide
- Oxfam Christmas Wish List
- Visit ethical markets: Know what’s happening around your area! Visit farmer’s markets and pop-up events, where you can ask questions directly about the products and their supply chains.
- Share this blog to help others shop ethically.
- Check out the Freedom Hub Online Store and/or our Waterloo cafe in Sydney to purchase ethically sourced gifts such as candles, jewellery, and coffee!
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