Making Christmas ethical

Is it possible to give, receive and celebrate ethically, whilst still enjoying a great Christmas? Hollie McNish investigates.

Christmas card from Card Aid The Oxfam Unwrapped donkey Footprint clothing

During Christmas, Brits spend more than during any other time of year. Shops are crammed, bags bursting and tills clinking. With all the rush, it's difficult to make sure you buy the right things, so here are some ideas on how to keep this Christmas ethical.

Choose your cards carefully
According to a Royal Mail survey, 1.8 billion Christmas cards are sent from Britain every year, and half of these are charity cards. So, if you are hoping to support a charity whilst sending cheer and greetings to family and friends, always read the label. Unlike the Fairtrade mark, there is no easy-to-see guarantee for our lovely charity cards. Many shops give just 3 per cent of profits to the cause they support, yet still charge more for those cards. To be sure, buy cards directly from the charity, or from any Card Aid Christmas card stall nationwide.

Not another pair of socks!
How many times do we all moan, unsatisfied with wasted gifts? Oxfam Unwrapped or the Buy Nothing Christmas campaign are great ideas to ease this problem. Otherwise, if you still want, or are perhaps expected, to give something more concrete, remember: less can be more. The wise men gave one gift each! As for those unwanted socks, give them to someone who would use them, or hand them into your local charity shop or clothes bank.

Buying and wrapping up
For those few gifts you do buy, it is still admittedly very tricky to know exactly which shops trade fairly. Until consumers are given the powers of knowing where, by whom and in what conditions products are made, this won't get much easier. Again, buying from charities like Oxfam, which has its own Christmas gifts website, is one solution. Other well known traders such as The Body Shop or The Hemp Store are an option, and have loads of Christmassy gifts. Or, from me to you, here are where you can find the nangest ethical clothes, one of the hardest things to find in my opinion: www.footprint-clothing.co.uk and www.equop.com. Get the gifts and wrap them up in recycled newspaper - it looks cool.

Give time
Why not give a little time instead of money. Some previously tried and tested gifts are: foot or head massages, makeovers, dinner, washing up, personalised poems, or what about a five minute hug for your Gran and a five minute snog for the boyfriend or girlfriend? Just be careful not to confuse the two!

New ways of celebrating
Finally, how about a few alternative celebration ideas? After all, Christmas isn't all about presents. Although loads agree that Christmas is family time, this isn't always possible. So, if you are at a loose end, or maybe as a whole family, why not volunteer? Soup kitchens always need help spreading good cheer to those who can't give, receive or celebrate over Christmas. Most provide volunteers' expenses, food and accommodation (see www.crisis.co.uk, or www.england.shelter.org.uk). Alternatively, just be on the look out. Loads of people are alone at Christmas. So if you know someone who is, why not invite them round, or just pop over with a wee sherry. She may be a nosy old neighbour, but it'll make a huge difference.

Spend more time, less money and have a lovely Christmas.