What are you like when it comes to Christmas shopping? Are you a panic buyer or a list maker? Oddly enough, I’m a combination of the two. I spend most of the year jotting down gift ideas for my loved ones, and end up supplementing the list with rushed ideas ordered online.
Instead of a gift guide this year, I wanted to put a guide together around changing shopping habits. It’s the whole “give a man a fish and you’ll feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you’ll feed him for a lifetime” idea. Of course, I’ll show you some gorgeous, ethically-made gifts that will last a lifetime in this post, but I’d also like to impart a bit of my ethical shopping knowledge on you too…
A Gift is Not Just for Christmas
Buying less and buying better is BuyMeOnce‘s raison d’être. I’ve been an Ambassador for them since April of this year, specifically sharing their approach to homeware – invest in quality pieces that will work well and truly last.
It’s why I trust their online shop, and more specifically, their Christmas shopping guides. While the majority of the items I’m gifting this year have quite literally been mentioned in conversation, covertly noted down, and now purchased, I’ve found these guides a perfect place to get ideas for a few extra presents – and a few stocking fillers too.
The BuyMeOnce team select items based on their durability, craftsmanship, ethics, sustainability, design, and aftercare. It takes the hard work out of online shopping, and guarantees that whatever you buy will genuinely be loved – and won’t let down the lucky recipient.
Choosing Much-Loved Items
While I have bought a mix of big and small presents this year, I’ve been mindful with each purchase. I really, really dislike gift guides that push a lot of poorly-made items that are only good for one use. It’s actually these gifts that bring about the most disappointment – from the way they’re made, to the look on that person’s face when the gift breaks, it’s all a sorry state of affairs.
If you have a small budget, I would really recommend purchasing joint presents – things that can be shared between a couple, or a family. Otherwise, go for something utilitarian – a luxury bar of soap, a set of sustainable stockings, or a reusable coffee cup will all definitely see some use!
And for main presents – BuyMeOnce really is the place to shop. Two of my most loved homewares come from them – my Muna Home Rug, and my Lüks Linen Blanket.
My BuyMeOnce Picks
So, here’s what I would personally select from BuyMeOnce to give this Christmas, starting from under £20. I hope it provides you with some inspiration for any last-minute gifts you still need to get… And don’t forget to use the code CURIOUSLYCONSCIOUS at the checkout for a 15% discount, valid until 31st December 2018!