19 Fair Trade Gifts That Truly Keep On Giving
What if, instead of wrapping up something someone might not want, we wrap up the gift of a more sustainable and just world?
When you buy fair trade gifts, you do just that.
At a minimum, you’re supporting workers who have been paid fairly for their labor and have safe and equitable working conditions.
And many fair trade brands go beyond that with practices that uplift employees such as education, training and healthcare programmes.
Okay, you still have to do the gift-choosing part and that’s why we’ve put together this list of fair trade gifts, to make that task easier!
Whether you’re looking for fair trade gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or housewarmings or you’re looking to treat yourself, we’ll help you find the perfect present that you can feel good about giving.
Ready to be a fair trade Father Christmas?
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1. Chocolate
Let’s start with chocolate because, well…chocolate! How many gifts suit all occasions? Not many, but when it’s ethical chocolate it can taste even better.
Certified B Corp Conscious Chocolate leaves our taste buds wanting more with their vegan raw chocolate made using renewable energy.
Suitable for vegans, vegetarians and coeliacs, the organic fair trade Peruvian cacao is sweetened with coconut blossom sugar and flavored with a variety of essential oils and spices.
They have several fair trade gift sets available including the Conscious Chocolate Selection Gift Box containing four of their best-selling 60g bars: Peppermint, Orange & Tangerine, Love Potion No. 9 and Dark Side 75%.
Or go all out on one of their Conscious Hampers featuring all 16 bars in the Conscious range nestled in a lined wicker hamper. We won’t judge and neither will your giftee.
Award-winning brand Chocolate and Love knows that chocolate and love are a match made in heaven.
Tell someone you love them with a bar of their Fairtrade Pomegranate & Almond 70% Dark Chocolate made from fruity Madagascan cocoa beans.
The FSC-certified outer wrapper features a bespoke hand-painted design and all of the packaging (inner foil included) is home compostable.
Don’t forget to buy some for yourself!
2. Tea
How about chasing that chocolate with a spot of tea?
Numi’s Tea By Mood gift set has 8 different flavors to help you “embrace or change your mood”.
Refresh with Moroccan Mint, energize with Emperor’s Pu-erh, or focus with the help of their Breakfast Blend, your lucky recipient will no doubt find a favorite with these USDA-certified organic and Non-GMO Verified teas.
Whatever mood you’re in, you can enjoy Numi’s tea worry-free knowing that their zero waste tea bags are fully home compostable, Fair Trade Certified, and Fair Labour Verified.
For a more unusual tea-themed gift, Tea Bloom’s Blooming Tea Flowers are a feast for all the senses.
Hand-tied by tea artisans using freshly picked green tea leaves and edible flowers, this Fair Trade-certified flowering tea unfurls into an exotic taste, smell and visual sensation when steeped in hot water.
Tea Bloom also offers several blooming tea gift sets, complete with a glass teapot, infuser and other accessories so you can gift the full tea experience.
3. Home Decor
Do you need a housewarming gift or fairtrade holiday gifts?
Either or, you can’t go wrong with a gift of ethical home decor.
The Citizenry has beautiful handmade fair trade gifts for every room in the house including baskets, bedding, mirrors, rugs, throws, eco friendly shower curtains, wall art and more.
But your giftee is a tricky customer, you say?
The La Piedra Coasters are a fail-safe gift that’s sure to impress anyone with a bit of taste. Each coaster is hand carved from black volcanic rock and white marble stone in a fair trade design studio in Guadalajara.
Help support traditional weaving techniques in Malawi with a Rivi Storage Basket. Perfect for storing blankets in or as a sustainable laundry basket, each one-of-a-kind basket is made from mulaza palm leaves and takes 5 days to complete.
For some sustainable accent pieces, Vivaterra’s huge selection of handmade fair trade gifts is both aesthetically and ethically pleasing.
Like the stunning set of 4 Double-Dipped Clay Cylinder Vases, hand painted by artisan partners in Honduras.
Or the Handcarved Indian Rosewood Candle Holders that add a little splash of globally-inspired style to any room in the house.
4. Kitchenware
As important as buying fair trade gifts is, there’s probably another thing on your priority list as we approach the holiday season: eating.
You can’t beat gathering with friends and family to enjoy the gift of good food so why not impress the chef or foodie in your life with something for their kitchen?
Itemerie’s handmade cutting boards are a functional work of art for serving up some tasty treats. Finished with food-safe mineral oil and organic beeswax, each board is handmade by a female craftsman in Ontario.
Know someone who loves bread?
Korissa’s terracotta bread warming stones and sustainably grown seagrass baskets come in several beautiful designs including a cute owl one.
Or help someone get ethnically organized with Korissa’s woven jute Amari Bowls that are handmade by Fair Trade artisans in Bangladesh.
5. Scarves
An ethically made fair trade scarf makes a thoughtful gift for your winter fashionista bffs.
Wrap them up a sustainable color block scarf from Anchal that has been handcrafted by artisans in Ajmer, India. Made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, these lightweight, oversized scarves can also be worn as a shawl.
Anchal is one of our favorite brands that give back. 100% of profits go towards projects that support marginalized women.
Passion Lilie’s large collection of handwoven scarves come in an array of different colors and are all made with fair trade organic cotton and sustainable dyes.
Can’t decide on a color?
The Grey Pattu Scarf has a neutral, timeless design to compliment every wardrobe.
6. Pajamas
Gift a good night’s sleep with a pair of ethically made organic cotton pajamas.
Coyuchi has men’s and women’s pajamas for every season, all made from GOTS, MADE SAFE, and Fair Trade-certified organic cotton.
Available in 3 different colors, their Women’s Solstice Organic Romper doubles as comfortable loungewear with its relaxed fit and super soft organic cotton jersey.
There is also a chemise, joggers, tank vest and two styles of t-shirt in the Solstice range so you can create your own fair trade gift set.
Looking for family festive jammies?
Threads 4 Thoughts offers sustainable sleepwear for the whole family with their Holiday Pajama Sets in a choice of 3 festive prints.
And their Theo and Leigh range has matching sets for moms and their little ones including a festive Snowflake Pajama Set.
You can sleep easy knowing that Threads 4 Thought is certified by both Fair Trade and WRAP.
7. Slippers
Few pressies are better than a pair of winter slippers under the tree, so they had to make our list of top fair trade gifts.
For a wonderfully wooly gift, wrap up a pair of felted slippers from Certified B Corp Baabuk.
The slippers are made with just four ingredients: water, wool, soap, and natural latex by Nepalese artisans who receive fair wages for their work.
The New Zealand wool is mulesing-free and the natural latex is sustainably harvested making these one of the best fair trade gifts for keeping toes warm this winter.
The classic Mel model comes in a choice of 8 beautiful colors.
8. Fair Trade Gifts For Him
When it comes to sustainable mens clothing companies, Outerknown is outta this world.
90% of their fabrics are organic, recycled, and regenerated fibers and they were the first brand to pursue the Fair Labor Association accreditation.
Their best-selling Blanket Shirt is made from 100% organic cotton with natural tagua palm nut buttons. Soft, warm and super versatile, it’s sure to become a wardrobe staple for years to come.
The only tricky thing might be trying to decide which of the 53 different color/pattern options to go for!
Patagonia is one of our favorite sustainable outdoor clothing brands and the perfect place to pick up men’s fair trade christmas and holiday gifts for under the tree.
An impressive 83% of their line is Fair Trade Certified™ so whether you’re looking for fairtrade sweaters, hats, hiking pants, hoodies, and tees here are plenty of sustainable options from this ethical oldtimer.
For some sustainably snuggly layers, check out the Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton Crewneck Sweatshirt or the Men’s Better Sweater™ fleece made from 100% recycled polyester and dyed using a low-impact process are both sure winners.
9. Fair Trade Gifts For Her
Canadian brand tentree is one of our fair trade fashion faves. With ethical and organic hoodies, fairtrade sweaters, fair trade scarves, and other gift-ready items, there are a lot of gift potentials here.
Made from 55% Organic Cotton, 26% Recycled Polyester, and 19% TENCEL™ Lyocell, the Treefleece Relaxed Hoodie is for cosying up on chilly evenings. You can also feel extra warm knowing that ten trees are planted for every purchase.
Made from Responsibly Sourced Wool and recycled materials the Fuzzy Beanie makes a snug stocking filler. Add the Fuzzy Scarf for a cozy fair trade gift set.
Well-known for its sustainable activewear including sustainable yoga clothes, prAna doesn’t shy away from creating a line of fair trade dresses to impress.
The versatile Loop To Pines dress is made from 100% organic cotton flannel with a drop waist and elastic waistband. It comes in 3 different colorways and has been ethically made in a Fair Trade Certified™ Factory.
For cosying up in, prAna’s Desert Road Sweater is Fair Trade Certified™. Made of 60% Organic Cotton and 40% REFIBRA™ upcycled cotton, it has a relaxed fit and a fun retro feel to the pattern.
10. Jewelry
What about ethical bling for that special someone?
Sustainable jewelry brands can help.
Like Catbird whose conscious jewelry line includes anklets, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings made from recycled precious metals, recycled and lab grown diamonds, and ethically-sourced gemstones.
It’s easy to find fair trade gifts for all budgets with their gift section that’s divided up into Gifts Under $200, Gifts Under $500, and Little Luxuries Under $50.
Need a bit of help choosing?
You can use their Gift Finder Quiz to help explore some options.
Certified B Corp Nisolo is one of our favorite fair trade and artisan jewelry brands for guilt-free accessorizing and a great place to find fair trade gifts for her.
All of their pieces are made from upcycled brass by independent artisans in Kenya who receive wages that are 33% higher than the average fair trade wage.
The Stacked Shaped Hoop Earring is a versatile piece, easily adjustable for comfort and style.
And their Tiny Brass Bead Bracelet is an on-point piece for low-impact layering.
11. Footwear
Next to slippers and chocolate, a new pair of shoes is surely one of the best birthday presents or fairtrade christmas gifts you could receive.
And you can help someone put their best foot forward with a pair of sustainable and ethical shoes that tread more gently on the planet.
For leather boots that give back to the people who made them, Able has some of the finest. All of their leather is upcycled from discarded animal hides and includes the use of deadstock and fabric scraps to minimize waste.
On a mission to “empower women through wages, benefits, safety, and equality” Able is fully transparent with wages and carries out regular third-party audits of their manufacturing partners.
For ethical heels and sustainable flats, head to The Root Collective, a “people company that happens to sell shoes and accessories.”
All of their footwear is ethically made in independent Guatemalan workshops where employees receive wages that are 50-400% more than the Fair Wage minimum.
12. Handbags
Perhaps the most sustainable fair trade gifts are those that can be used every day. Like a fairtrade ethical handbag.
Non-profit fashion co. Darzah is a women first brand creating a range of clutches, crossbodies, and totes each featuring a bespoke tatreez design that has been hand-embroidered by women artisans in Palestine.
The Unisex Canvas Bag is an everyday bag with plenty of room for belongings and shopping. It features a canvas exterior, cotton lining and a leather strap made from leather that is sourced locally from a family-run business.
Popping down to your local zero waste store or farmer’s market?
Darzah’s Fabric Market Tote made from locally sourced cotton featuring an embroidered tatreez strip makes a sustainable shopping companion.
Ten Thousand Villages has heaps of fair trade leather purses, handbags, and totes on offer, all ethically sourced from artisan partners around the globe.
The Constellation Crossbody Bag is a fun everyday bag handmade from black cotton canvas with a screen printed geometric design and an adjustable cotton strap. The yellow lining adds a little pop of color and there’s an inner zipped pocket and two slip pockets for stashing valuables.
The Sweet Elephant Crossbody Purse, makes an adorable fair trade gift for younger family members. It’s handcrafted in Bangladesh by Saidpur Enterprises which provides jobs for local women.
13. Underwear
What better fair trade gift for her (or him) under the tree than some new underthings?
Knickey’s earth-loving organic underwear is made with 95% GOTS-certified organic cotton and 5% spandex. Privates can feel extra proud knowing they’re covered in something made in an organic fair trade factory in India.
Can’t decide what style to go for?
You can always opt for a Knicky Starter Set containing 6 of their signature styles: Low-Rise Thong, Low-Rise Bikini, Mid-Rise Brief, Mid-Rise Hipster, High-Rise Thong, and High-Rise Brief.
Pact underwear is made with organic and fair trade cotton so it’s better for your bits and better for the planet. They’ve got men’s, women’s and kids’ bottoms covered.
14. Blankets
How about wrapping up a fair trade blanket for a loved one to unwrap (and then wrap themselves up in)?
Ten Thousand Villages helps us find ethical fair trade gifts once again with a selection of blankets and throws made by global artisans.
The Sacred Sari Throw is made from repurposed cotton saris by women in Bangladesh who have left the red light district and now make their living by making soap and handicrafts.
Each beautiful one-of-a-kind throw measures 84Lx38W inches. There’s also a smaller Upcycled Sari Baby Blanket for little ones.
The first 100% organic Fair Trade Certified bedding company, Boll & Branch offers a variety of snooze-tacular bed blankets and throws.
Available in 9 different colors, their waffle bed blankets are made from 100% long-staple organic cotton for a “plush yet springy” feel. There’s no better companion for that 10-hour holiday net-flix binge!
15. Bedding
Gift your loved ones some sustainable slumber with the coziest, most comfortable sustainable bedding.
But who’s the best of the bedding bunch?
Eucalypso’s luxury silky sheets made without silkworms makes a good case as a top contender. Their soft, cool bedding is made from OEKO-TEX certified TENCEL™ derived from sustainable wood sources and made in small batches in Austrian mills.
The Classic Sheet Set comes with 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 1 or 2 pillowcases (depending on bedding size) in a choice of 8 colors.
Colorado-based Pact offers GOTS-certified organic cotton bedding produced in Fair Trade certified-factories in India. With comforters, quilts, duvet covers, sheet sets, and pillowcases, you’ll find everything needed for an ethical night’s sleep.
All of Pact’s products come in recycled and compostable packaging and are shipped carbon neutral.
16. Rugs
Want to really impress this year with sustainable fair trade gifts?
Why not floor someone with a handcrafted eco-friendly rug from Parachute.
The modern Ladder Stripe Wool Rug is made of 65% New Zealand wool and 35% cotton featuring an asymmetrical ladder line design. It’s Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified and made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.
For something more subtle but equally sustainable, their Rib Wool Rug comes in a choice of 5 neutral colors and 5 different sizes. It’s made of 75% New Zealand wool and 25% cotton with a knotted cotton fringe.
The Citizenry once again offers eco friendly fair trade gifts, this time for under our feet with their large selection of ethical rugs.
Their colorful accent rugs come in a variety of different designs and materials with something for all budgets, tastes and room sizes.
One of our favorites is the Dorado Accent Rug, handwoven by a fair trade cooperative in Mexico from 100% sheep wool and dyed using natural plant extracts.
17. Beauty Products
If you’re specifically looking for fair trade organic gifts, the Organic Make-up Set from Dab Herb Makeup will make you blush.
It includes a mineral-free Petal Translucent Powder, Herb Liquid Eyeliner, Herb Mini Mascara, Lip Stain, Petal Power Blush, and a cotton drawstring bag. All of these are made from 95% certified organic and 5% wildcrafted ingredients which are food grade, GMO free and cruelty free.
Beauty brand Ethique offers up some pamper-themed stocking fillers with their selection of zero waste shampoo and conditioners, scrubs, deodorants, lip balms and more.
The sampler packs are a great way to try out the different products.
As one of the most sustainable skincare brands on Etsy, Andrea’s Organic Market is a one-stop-shop for non toxic, non GMO, natural skincare products.
Everything is handmade in Indiana and comes in glass bottles or jars with aluminum lids. They do use goat milk in some products which they can substitute with coconut milk if you’d prefert.
18. Fair Trade Gift Baskets
This one has got to be one of the few fail safe sustainable Mother’s Day gifts. And who doesn’t love a basket full of goodies?
A hamper full of edible treats for the foodie in your life or a pamper-themed self care package, fair trade gift baskets are a welcome gift for any occasion.
Certified B Corp EarthHero (one of our favorite ethical alternatives to Amazon), offers a variety of gift boxes filled with eco-friendly and ethically made items. They only partner with brands that meet their high ethical standards.
Their Self Care Gift Box is filled with relaxing eco-friendly treats including a non-toxic soy candle, a detoxifying bamboo charcoal soap bar, a plant clay face mask, a herbal lotion bar, and an exfoliating agave fiber washcloth.
Traidcraft, the original fair trade pioneer in the UK, has some luscious foodie hampers on offer.
The Festive Hamper is filled with Rwandan red bourbon fresh ground coffee (a perfect complement to a plastic-free coffee maker), dark chocolate with marzipan & orange liqueur, a rich iced fruit slab cake and several other Christmas-themed ethical treats all packaged in a reusable jute shopper.
19. Gift Card To A Fair Trade Shop
Does the idea of gift shopping send you into a pre-holiday panic?
You’re not alone.
Thankfully there are fair trade gift cards to make things easier. Sure, they’re not the most personal, but your recipient can choose exactly what they want (with the added advantage of eliminating potential waste from unwanted gifts).
Gift cards for buying ethical and fair trade gifts online have become popular in recent years.
Ocelot Market is one of the best places for responsible shopping—and finding unique items like Turkish shoes and handcrafted beaded jewelry. Gift cards are available in $25, $50, $100, and $200 amounts and you can choose to send/receive them via e-mail or snail mail.
Ten Thousand Villages offers plenty of unique, stunning, and sustainable fair trade accessories, homewares, kitchen items, and body care products.
Made Trade makes it super easy to buy fair trade gifts. You can filter your search by values (BIPOC-owned, fair trade, made-in-the-USA, vegan, women-owned and more). Gift cards come in a range of amounts ($50 – $1,500) and you can choose between a handwritten gift card or a digital version.
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Final Thoughts On The Best Fair Trade Gifts
It’s easy to get carried away during the holiday season, but with fair trade gifts like these, getting carried away isn’t necessarily a bad thing (though we are proponents of minimalist giving as much as possible).
Fair trade gifts give back to the people who made them. And they keep on giving when workers receive above-living wages and benefit from improved access to health care, education, and training opportunities.
Ultimately, fair trade gifts mean a better world, and that’s a gift we should all be giving.
Share this article to help friends and family make a positive impact with their gift-giving (and also as a hint for what you’d like to find in your stocking!).
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