Give good! 10 Christmas gift ideas that won't cost the earth

Christmas retail sales in Australia are expected to grow 2.6% to nearly $53 billion this year. While it’s all too easy to pop into a chain store and smash out your shopping, don’t forget to support some of the small businesses around the country. 

We've rounded up 10 Christmas gifts from Aussie brands doing good things.

Brookie’s Gin Twin Pack

Cape Byron Distillery

Cape Byron Distillery has been taking Australian native foods to the world. Their Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin and Brookie’s Byron Slow Gin were awarded gold medals after being judged against more than 2000 international spirits in the 2018 San Francisco World Spirit Competition. Made in the traditional style of the English ‘Sloe’ gin, Brookie’s Byron Slow Gin is a first of its kind, showcasing the Davidson Plum, a rainforest fruit native to the subtropical region of Byron Bay. The pack includes a 350ml Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin, 350ml Brookie’s Byron Slow Gin and cocktail recipes.

Find it here for $80.00

Waverley Mills Travel Rug

Waverley Mills 

Every household should have a good picnic blanket. Waverley Mills in Tasmania is Australia’s oldest working textile mill. This old school travel rug is made from their recycled wool fibre which includes merino wool shearing waste, unused wool fibre, off-cuts and older blankets shredded, spun and blended together to make the recycled yarn. The yarn is then dyed and woven into the beautiful tartan design. 

Find it here for $199

Earth Greeting 2020 Artists Calendar

Biome

This gorgeous calendar features Australian flora and fauna illustrations. It’s printed carbon neutral in Australia with vegetable based inks using 100% post-consumer recycled paper and 10% of profits are donated to Aussie environmental groups.

Find it here for $29.95

Nightcap Ridge Gift Voucher

Nightcap Ridge

Send your friends or family on a sustainable weekend away. Purchase a two-night voucher for a friend and they will receive a third night free. Offer ends on December 20. Use code Nightcap2020 to book. The 70 acre off-grid property inside the Nightcap National Park offers a wonderful eco-experience for all ages.

Check the website for prices and availability.

Email Nightcap for a voucher.

Byron Bay Skincare Chai Bundle 

Byron Bay Skincare 

Byron Bay Skincare use all natural ingredients and they don’t test on animals. They’ve also planted nearly 6,000 trees through their ‘1 bottle 1 tree’ program which we think is awesome.

The Chai Bundle with Cinnamon + Spiced Chai includes a body wash and body soufflé.

Find it here for $26.95

Mennie Banksia Sock

Mennie Brand started in Byron Bay a couple of years ago and you can spot his socks on some of the hippest feet in Byron. 

You can take your old socks to their stall at the community markets and get a discount on a new pair. Then they wash your socks and, through local charity Liberation Larder, get them on the feet of those in need. If your socks are too icky, they donate a pair instead!

Get a pair here for $25

Five Oceans EcoFin

Five Oceans

Keen surfer in the family? Aussie company EcoFin, collaborated with shapers, material and hydro-dynamics experts to create the world’s first surfboard fin made from recycled plastic. Around 100 bottle caps, collected from beaches in Indonesia and Bali, go into one set of ecoFins.

Find it here for $75

Kitty Candle Co Bergamot Soy Candle

My Vegan Mart

Most candles, even the expensive ones, are made from paraffin wax, so you’re basically burning a fossil fuel inside your home. Handmade on the Gold Coast from renewable soy resources, these plant based, biodegradable candles are custom-blended with Australian essential oils.  

Find it here for $24.95

POD CO Taster Pack

POD CO

The usual coffee pods take a gazillion years to break down in the environment so try these fully biodegradable and compostable pods which break down in around 90 days. The Taster Pack includes a 15-pack of each of our original specialty coffee blends which is 60 pods in total.

Find it here for $49.95

Little Company Facial

Little Company

I had a facial at Little Company earlier this year and it was the best! They have two locations in Byron Bay and Melbourne offering skincare treatments, facials and Light Room therapy. Their products are plant-based and organic and the building materials in their stunning Byron salon came from sustainably produced and non-toxic sources, ensuring visitors enjoy a completely natural space during their treatment.

Book a 1hr facial with 15min Light Therapy here for $209

Merry Christmas!

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