5 mins read | Life In Motion

Christmas Gifts That Keep On Giving

Sophisticated soaps, made in the UK

Who doesn’t love to receive gorgeous smelling bath products at Christmas? And if you like your conscience as clean as your body, we suggest you make a beeline for The Soap Co.

All of their products contain only natural botanicals, nourishing vitamins and pure essentials oils and are handcrafted in the Lake District by a workforce of whom 80% are blind, disabled or otherwise disadvantaged. And what’s more, all profits go back into the company to support employees.

This Christmas, choose from luxury gift sets such as Geranium and Rhubarb or Wild Nettle and Sage, or go fragrance free if you prefer. And with packaging that is recycled as well as recyclable and features compostable labels and biodegradable glue, you can rest assured that their eco-credentials are as top notch as their products.

Our verdict: British made, all natural soaps that support disadvantaged people, while caring for the environment. What’s not to love?

Buy now at https://thesoapco.org
The Soap Co ships internationally

Geranium and Rose Soap Dish Trio £36

Geranium and Rose Soap Dish Trio £36

 

Puddle-jumping has never been so worthwhile

Make a splash this Christmas by gifting someone you love a pair of Roma rain boots, while also helping a child in poverty.

Founder Samuel Bistrian grew up in remote village in Romania. Despite moving to America at the age of eight he grew up wanting to help children in his home country, whom he’d witnessed struggling in appalling weather with inadequate footwear.

Bistrian’s former fashion career has led him to produce a collection of beautiful boots, crafted from natural rubber in a rainbow of colour choices. And for every pair of Roma Boots sold, another is given to a child in poverty, protecting them from disease and the effects of bad weather. Since its launch in 2010, Roma has donated to children in more than 25 countries.

Our verdict: with a huge range of styles and colours to choose from, these boots not only look the part, but also protect children in poverty from the elements.

Grab a pair here https://romaboots.com
Roma Boots ships internationally

Roma classic rain boots, from $79

Roma classic rain boots, from $79

 

Bottled water is so last decade

Imagine giving the gift of five years clean water to someone in Africa this Christmas. Well, if you buy a Give Me Tap water bottle, that’s exactly what you’ll be doing.

Give Me Tap is the brainchild of founder Edwin Broni-Mensah, who five years ago, combined his need for unlimited tap water while working towards his fitness goals, with a passion to help people in Africa with little or no access to clean water.

Their bottles are super-lightweight, durable and free from BPAs and other potential nasties. And if that isn’t reason enough to pop a Give Me Tap bottle under your tree, each one purchased provides someone in Africa with access to clean drinking water for five years. So far the company has donated close to 400,000 years worth of water, while also keeping thousands of plastic bottles out of landfill.

Our verdict: strong, stylish and supporting life-changing projects in Africa – these bottles should feature on everyone’s gift list this year.

Give water here https://www.givemetap.co.uk
Give Me Tap ships internationally

500ml bottles, from £12

500ml bottles, from £12

 

Make dreams come true this Christmas

Sseko (pronounced Say-ko) is in the business of dream fulfilment. In addition to selling their beautiful handbags, accessories and leather sandals, they also create incredible opportunities for women.

The company was founded to financially enable high potential, talented young women in Uganda to attend university. So far they have supported 87 women to achieve that dream.

But that’s only part of their story. They also employ women in Africa with the goal of ending the poverty cycle and creating a more equitable society. Their gorgeous woven textiles and fine leather goods are handmade by artisans in African communities and their website is transparent about where and how each product is made.

Our verdict: with a wide range of leather goods, jewellery and accessories, you’ll be spoilt for choice, while also encouraging Ugandan women to shoot for the stars.

Make dreams reality here https://ssekodesigns.com
Sseko ships internationally

Half moon crossbody clutch

Half moon crossbody clutch

 

 

Spread some sunshine this Christmas

We couldn’t bring you a selection of worthy Christmas gift ideas without mentioning our very own Pala sunglasses.

Pala’s stylish, high quality sunglasses are perfect for anyone on your list who’s hitting the slopes this ski season, is in search of some winter sun, or even for that super-organised mate who’s already planning ahead for summer.

And every pair purchased directly supports Vision Action projects in Africa, funding new vision centres and dispensaries, where people who need glasses can get them. What’s more, our glasses cases are handmade by traditional weavers in remote African communities, from recycled plastic waste.

Our verdict: we may be slightly biased, but might we suggest that a pair of Pala glasses would look amazing under your tree this Christmas?

Grab some sun here https://palaeyewear.com
Pala ships internationally

Dayo black marble acetate with mirror lens

Dayo black marble acetate with mirror lens