Christmas | Eco Trend Spotter

Men-U Premier Shaving Brush

The Premier Shaving Brush is a revolutionary product leading the way for a new generation of shaving brushes with synthetic bristles.

For a good shave, the bristles have to be a balance between resistance to raise the beard and softness to generate a fine, rich lather. These bristles are soft like badger (but definitely NOT badger as they are synthetic) but with resistance to raise the beard, making a closer cut easier.

The synthetic bristles are non-absorbent so they need less soap to create a richer lather. Adding a little more water to the bristles after shaving will also likely allow enough lather for a second closer shave.

In our modern disposable world sometimes a look back at how we used to do things can inspire a more eco friendly attitude.

Shaving brushes are a sustainable option for those of us how shave regularly as the brush will last for many years and all that is required to give a good lather is a bar of soap. Shaving brush users can then avoid over packaged and non-recyclable shaving creams and foams.

>>> Price £29.95 + earn £2.40 cash back

>>> Available from ECOutlet – earn 8% cash back with MoreEco

Filigree Heart Charm Earrings

Hearts are HOT this season!

Gorgeous Filigree Heart Charm Earrings by Verde Rocks who specialise in creating sustainable pieces with as little impact on the environment as possible by using vintage and recycled components to bring us gorgeous and timeless treasures.

This cute pair of earrings feature delicate vintage brass filigree heart charms with a vintage Swarovski crystal dangle in pink on each.
1.5″ long with gold-plated ear wires

>>> Price £35 + earn £2.80 cash back

>>> Available from Love Eco – earn 8% cash back with MoreEco

Recycled Cardboard Christmas Tree with Decorations – colour-in tree, decorate your way

Paint, draw, collage; what you do with the colour-in Christmas Tree is up to you! Have fun decorating your tree during Advent, or make it part of your celebration on the day, a great post-dinner creative project.

Complete with blank bauble and ornament shapes for you to customise with your artwork and drawings, this tree will make a great addition to your festive décor, and would also make a great eco Christmas gift.

Specifications

Flat pack size: 72 x 46 x 4cm
Cut out decorations include bells, snowmen, candy canes, hearts, trees, holly leaves and baubles
Assembled height: 91cm – 122cm including angel or star topper
Overall width: 118cm
Weight per unit: 2 kg

>>> Price £22.95 + earn £1.84 cash back

>>> Available from Nigel’s Eco Store – earn 8% cash back with MoreEco

Bloom Lampshade

Blooms stunning organic form is inspired by natural forms such as flowers and sea shells and is a fantastic statement piece which will compliment any environment.

Bloom is designed specifically for energy saver light bulbs and can fit onto any light bulb fitting due to its clever method of hanging.

The Bloom Lampshade was winner of Best Eco Friendly Product at Top Drawer 2006. Here’s what the judges had to say – “The lampshade is complex and contemporary, designed specifically for an energy saving bulb. This product is incredibly creative with strong styling and identity – the embodiment of intelligent design. The ethical implications are considered throughout the lifecycle of the product.”

The Bloom Lampshade is made from a single sheet of recycled polypropylene plastic which is easily recycled at the end of its lifespan.

The Bloom Lampshade is made by Blue Marmalade in Edinburgh. Since 2002, they have been producing products in the UK to a zero landfill policy and utilise recycled and recyclable material for all products.

All product have been designed in a way that means they don’t use any harmful chemicals or glues. Products and packaging are consciously produced in a way that ensure they remain 100% recyclable at the end of their useful lives.

>>> Price £34.95 + earn £2.80 cash back

>>> Available from ECOutlet – earn 8% cash back with MoreEco

Espresso Pocket Pal Hot Water Bottle

Hot water bottles simply don’t come any cuter than this. Our adorable range of children’s hot water bottles have luxury faux fur covers with front pouches for toy animals to hide away in. Our furry friends are made by Wild Republic and a percentage of the proceeds goes to disadvantaged children around the world who need education, housing and other support that they’re not lucky enough to have.

‘Elephant’ Pocket Pals hot water bottle
Inside a soft grey pouch at the front of the hot water bottle nestles a tiny elephant with a big trunk, wanting to find a friend to share its cosy corner. With such a velvety, soft cover children can happily snuggle up to this hot water bottle during the day or night and make a new pocket pal at the same time.

Hot water bottles are a safe, easy way to heat up a cold bed – simply unzip the faux fur cover, fill the inner bottle with hot water and once you’ve re-sealed it place it under the covers to gently radiate heat in preparation for bedtime. With a hot water bottle to keep children warm and a pocket pal waiting to share a bedtime story, going to sleep couldn’t be any more enjoyable.

Specifications

Approximately 28cm long and 17cm wide
Zipped for ease of filling
Machine-washable at 40 degrees
Can be tumble dried on a cool setting
Made in Germany to UK British Standard specification
Please note that each hot water bottle has a unique cut of fabric, so the colour of yours may not be exactly as shown in the image.

>>> Price £27.58 + earn £2.21 cash back

>>> Available from MyGreenerHome – earn 8% cash back with MoreEco

Christmas Hamper ‘Turtle Dove’

The perfect Christmas gift! A beautiful Montezuma’s Goodie hamper filled to the brim with mouth wateringly delicious chocolate treats.

Ingredients

Mini Bar Gift Box
Christmas Dollops
Christmas Truffle Bag
Christmas Drinking Chocolate
Organic Stack
Snackle 45g Bar

Montezuma’s specialise in bringing together fantastic quality ingredients in an innovative fashion to create delicious and unusual chocolate products. The quality of their ingredients is their priority and this means that many products are 100% organic.

All of their products are made by Montezuma’s in West Sussex and they have a strong ethical stance – conducting business under their ‘trading fairly’ policy. This ensures that suppliers, customers and all those they come into contact with are dealt with properly and fairly along the way.
They were launched in 2000 from a tiny shop in Brighton and have since opened another 4 shops and an online store which has gone from strength to strength.

>>> Price £34.99 + earn £1.40 cash back

>>> Available from Montezuma – earn 4% cash back with MoreEco

Organic Chocolate Making Kit

A great Christmas gift that will inspire you to discover real chocolate. Once tasted, it’ll be difficult to go back. This funky little kit contains everything you need to make your own organic chocolate! A lovely gift idea and great for dinner parties too. Get everyone involved!

There are three batches worth in each kit so you can make multiple batches.

Organic certified by the soil association
Contains 200g of ingredient
Made with cacao liqueur rather than paste, making smoother chocolate
Packaging is fully recyclable
Ingredients are split into 3 packages for multiple batches to be made
Paper moulds included
Raw chocolate, finest undutched Nacional Arriba cacao from Ecuador
Ethically traded
Vegan and Vegatarian

>>> Price £13.99 + earn £1.12 cash back

>>> Available from Love Eco – earn 8% cash back with MoreEco

Fikkerts – Gardener’s Gift Basket

A handy natural basket perfect for after use storage.

Contains:

A pair of pretty cotton light use gardening gloves
Basil and Lemon Thyme hand wash
Almond and Orange Blossom hand lotion
Rosemary and Lemon Thyme exfoliating soap bar
A beeswax natural lip balm
A Natural Bristle Nail Brush with pumice.

>>> Price £25 + earn £2 cash back

>>> Available from Holland and Barrett - earn 8% cash back with MoreEco

Aloe Festive Treat

The Essential Organic Gift Set for Women

Revive and revitalise

A moisturising skin duo made with fairly traded Coconut, Ylang ylang and Lavender oils for a gorgeous aroma.

A pampering festive treat for every woman!

This gorgeous organic gift set contains:

Aloe Vera Body Lotion (200ml) with Aloe vera, Coconut & Berry wax
Aloe Vera Shower Wash (200ml) with Aloe vera & Lavender
£5 voucher (when you spend £25)
Suitable for vegetarians and vegans

>>> Price £25 + earn £2 cash back

>>> Available from Green People – earn 8% cash back with MoreEco

Christmas Tree Totem

A TOTEM take on the Christmas Tree – to combine with or replace the one from the tree farm! Lots of fun for the whole family to set up together, the Christmas Tree includes an angel, a deer, peace doves, candles and decorations, and is topped with a star. Will not lose needles.

There is apparently a shortage of Christmas trees in the UK this year so an eco friendly, cardboard Christmas tree is worth considering as an alternative. It’s small enough to put on a table as a beautiful centrepiece.

As featured in the Christmas suggestions in December 2009’s issue of LivingEtc magazine!

>>> Price £29.99 + earn £2.40 cash back

>>> Available from MimiMyne – earn 8% cash back with MoreEco