Ethical Holiday || Gift Guide For Kids
The last of my gift guides for the year has been the most fun to put together. It's possible that kids are even harder to shop for than men, especially if you're trying to do so ethically. Although I try to always keep our Christmas gifts (very) simple and affordable for my two girls, I went a bit over the top with this guide. I include gifts for a wide age range and an even wider range of budgets ;)
1. Christmas Sweater || Jojo Maman Bebe
Jojo Maman Bebe is a UK-based children's clothing line that I've been obsessed with lately. The B-Corp Certified brand ships worldwide and has everything from baby onesies to clothes for kids up to six years old. Evie (my four year old) has the sweater pictured and Mara (my two year old) has the most adorable Fox cardigan - both are incredibly high quality.
Buy it here: Reindeer Fair Isle Sweater ($49)
2. Kid's Magazine || Bravery Mag
If you're looking for a unique, clutter-free gift idea, let a copy of Bravery be it. Written for older children (around ages 6-12), Bravery tells stories of inspiring women to empower today's children. I'm hoping to snag a copy of the first edition (with Jane Goodall as the muse) this year for myself as much as for my daughters.
Buy it here: Issue One | Jane Goodall ($18)
3. Wooden Block Set || To the Market
To the Market is one of my favorite ethical marketplaces for the sheer variety of pieces they carry. This sweet handmade block set was made by a brand working closely to support disabled refugees in refugee camps in Jordan (talk about an impact!)
Buy it here: Wooden Block Set ($30)
4. Kid's Capsule Wardrobe || Wildly Co.
Clothes, while not necessarily fun for kids, is always my favorite gift my girls receive ;) Wildly Co. has been on my radar for a while for their ethically made kid's capsule wardrobes. They come in gender neutral styles and fit toddlers and "big kids" alike.
Buy it here: Fall/Winter Capsule Wardrobe ($130)
5. Quiet Activity Book || To the Market
Another great find from To the Market, this sweet activity book is handmade by artisans in refugee camps and low income communities in the West Bank.
Buy it here: Quiet Activity Book ($45)
6. Tote Bag || The Tote Project
For big kids who need to tote around their favorite books, snacks, or trinkets, I love The Tote Project's fair trade totes and pouches. I've written about the brand before and the duo of friends behind the brand works to help survivors of trafficking in the LA area and beyond.
Buy it here: Free to Imagine Tote ($30)
7. Picnic Basket || Bella Luna Toys
What child wouldn't love their very own picnic basket? This one from Bella Luna Toys is made in the USA and they prioritize sustainability in their production and ethics in their business practices. Plus, the basket is just really cute. .
Buy it here: Picnic Lunch Basket ($42)
8. Twig Pencils || Ten Thousand Villages
Art supplies is always a safe and clutter-free choice for kids of all ages (almost). These twig colored pencils are handmade in Chile and sold by one of the most well known fair trade shops out there.
Buy it here: Color by Nature Twigs Pencils ($20, but they're currently on sale for $8!)
9. Origami Kit || Bella Luna Toys
Older kids will love this origami kit from Bella Luna Toys. It comes with everything a beginner needs to create everything from paper cranes to houses to sailboats and more, with step by step instructions, of course. Sometimes unconventional gifts are the most loved.
Buy it here: Complete Origami Set ($15)
10. Hand Knitted Plush Toy || Pebble Child
A sweet snuggle buddy for any baby or toddler, the handmade plush toys from Pebble Child are made with 100% cotton yarn by women in Bangladesh.
Buy it here: Large Giraffe Plush Toy (~$40)
11. Mountain Pillow || Wanderlust
Wanderlust Toys uses eco-friendly dyes and cotton for their imaginative and playful pillows. I especially love the mountain one ;)
Buy it here: Piney Mountain Pillow ($24)
12. Sandwich Shop || Green Toys
A sweet interactive gift for the mini-chef in your life, Green Toys makes their toys with recycled materials.
Buy it here: Sandwich Shop ($19)
13. Play Gym || Finn & Emma
A bit more extravagant, but perfect for baby's first Christmas, this play gym from Finn & Emma is made with natural birchwood and uses non-toxic stains and finishes and the toys were knit in a women's collaborative in India using GTOS certified cotton. Doesn't get much better than that.
Buy it here: Vikings Play Gym ($135)
14. Baby Cardi || Mini Mioche
One of the few baby clothes shops that I've wished made clothes in my size, Mini Mioche is a Toronto based brand making ethical and organic baby and kids clothes in neutral colors and shapes. I'm dying over how sweet this cardigan is and want to buy it for every child I know, including my own.
Buy it here: Slub Grampa Cardi ($33)
15. Ride Along || Playfair Kids
Lastly, but not least on the cuteness scale, this Ride On from Playfair is designed for tots 12 months and up, with a larger selection of pedal-less bikes for older kids too.
Buy it here: Indigo Jamm Scoots ($135)