On the hunt for a gift with ethical and environmentally-friendly credentials for a special someone this Christmas?
Then look no further than Gifted – The Contemporary Craft and Design Fair in the RDS from December 5 to 9.
Gifted, the traditional opening to the festive season in Dublin, is set to attract over 45,000 people in five days and there are lots ethical and environmentally-friendly options to be found among the 500 designers, makers and artisan food producers displaying original gifts.
The banning of an Iceland ad showing orangutans under threat as rainforests are cleared for palm oil to be used in food and cosmetics, is causing a stir on social media but it is not news to the Palm Free Irish Soap company.
Concerned that farming methods for cheap palm oil production involves vast swathes of rainforest being lost, the company vows that none of their products contain palm oil.
Palm Free Irish Soaps believe beauty shouldn’t cost the earth. So, as well as being palm oil free, their plastic-free range now includes solid bars of deodorant and shampoo, which are proving very popular with people seeking zero-waste products.
Another natural, environmentally-friendly and ethical beauty company at Gifted is Oxmantown Skincare. Based in Dublin’s Stoneybatter, their products are all handmade in small batches using high quality, organic and active botanical ingredients.
Their Bergamot and Neroli hand lotion is priced at €28, while their Rose and Neroli hydrating face mist is €22.
For a truly good night’s sleep, how about some lovely silk pyjamas from The Ethical Silk Company, who use eco-friendly silk products for their beautiful selection of tops, lingerie and bed linen.
While the traditional method of extracting silk fibres involves boiling silkworms alive, Ethical Silk uses only Ahimsa ‘peace silk’, where no animals are harmed, for their range.
Their hand-printed Jaipur Pink Mulberry silk pyjamas will be on sale at €245, with pink silk eye mask at €30.
When it comes to environmentally-friendly day wear, Dublin-based Due South Clothing’s range of hoodies and t-shirts, showing landmarks, such as the Pigeon House and Samuel Beckett Bridge, are made from organic cotton and recycled materials.
And getting him socks for Christmas takes on a whole new meaning with a monthly box supply of socks at €9.66 delivered fresh to the door by Stór, a young Irish company specialising in sustainable clothing for men made from organic cotton and bamboo fabrics.
Gifted also features The Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium with over 100 artisan food producers, where you can meet the experts who can help you plan and source every aspect of your festive meal right up to the organic bronzed turkey.
There will be 10% off everything at Gifted on the opening day, Wednesday December 5.
Gifted – The Contemporary Craft and Design Fair takes place at the RDS Main Hall from December 5 to 9 from 10am each day. Full details and booking can be found at giftedfair.ie.
