The 2013 Eco Chick Holiday Gift Guide is Packed with Green Goodness

Oh lovely reader, we hope that the below will inspire some fabulous gifting from you this year. Some of the companies and we’ve included in our holiday gift guide are tried-and-true favorites, some are brand new to us, but all of them are ethical and, dare we say, gorgeous. From the super-practical (a drying rack that’s also a cutting board!) to the creative (a natural dying kit) to the fun (organic PJs!), there’s much loveliness here. Happy gifting! (Oh, and the lovely cards above are by YellowOwlWorkshop, if you are in need of 100% post-consumer greeting cards to go with your gifts.)

Without further ado, our curated selections for Christmas, 2013!

I love Virginia Johnson’s unique and beautiful scarves (I’ve had mine for about 5 years now and it’s a ‘don’t leave home without it’ piece), but her recent foray into home decor makes me just as happy as her fabrics. She’s teamed up with ceramist Michelle Organ for this collection of Made-in-Canada vases and dishes that are sweet and whimsical.

Botanical Colors’ Natural Dye Extract Kit: Perfect for the creative friend or relative who has always wanted to try natural dying but hasn’t had a good idea of how to start.

Our renowned natural dye extracts plus alum and cream of tartar. The perfect starter kit for those who want to try an easy introduction to natural dyes. Each extract is in a concentrated, easy to mix powder or liquid and comes with complete instructions. The kit will dye approximately 2-4 pounds of natural fibers. The kit includes
* cochineal
* logwood
* cutch
* fustic
* Saxon Blue
* Alum and cream of Tartar
The kit comes wrapped in a cochineal and logwood dyed shibori furoshiki. Works best on protein fibers such as wool and silk fibers.

Vaute Couture is the first-ever all-vegan clothing line; there’s plenty to choose from, but we love this limited-edition boyfriend sweatshirt that says “Animal Lover.” Embroidered in NYC from eco-fleece material.

 

Faucet Face Water Bottles are all-glass (so no worries about toxins in your H2O—and I think water tastes best from glass), they are capped with simple screw-tops and emblazoned with cute sayings and illustrations. Being glass, they could break, but I’ve been using mine for several months now and have dropped it in the woods, on the kitchen floor from standing height (twice) and even had it roll out of my bag and bounce down a couple concrete steps at a concert, and it’s still in one solid piece. When you’re finished using your bottle, it’s easily recycled with any other glass.

We featured ALAS (All Light, All Shadow) on Eco Chick way back in July and we still haven’t forgotten them and their cute PJs designs—and what could be a more perfect gift? Patterns are totally not-boring and inspired by science and art from the world over.

Our sleepwear is made in India where the cotton is also grown, spun, woven and dyed. All of our garments are constructed with either GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or Fairtrade accredited cotton, which means that the cotton that has been farmed without dangerous chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers. The fabrics are then dyed and printed using methods that avoid harmful AZOs and formaldehyde. All of our packaging, swing tags and business cards are recycled and recyclable.

 

Natalie Frigo’s jewelry (pictured above) is handmade in NYC, using recycled metals, and is inspired by ancient Egypt, her beautiful cats, and the city she loves—and plenty more since the last time I talked with her, no doubt! Her pieces are bold and timeless, perfect for women of any age, making a great gift or an ideal self-present, because (and I should know, I have two pairs of her earrings, a bracelet and a necklace) the kind of jewelry that brings an outfit to the next level; pair with a white button-down or LBD and you are dressed! (Check out the video I made of this amazing jewelry artist’s work from our Meet the Maker series here.)

Jane Iredale’s Gilded and Gifted eyeshadow and lipcolor set is lots of fun (and makes for lots of looks); and it even comes with its own mini lipbrush and comvertible multi eyebrush set. With all these fun options for color, you could have a different eye/lip combo every day of December!

Feral Childe’s Crow’s Nest Vest is a timeless piece that will keep your (or your loved one’s) core warm and toasty—in style. So often vests are either accessories or big puffy mushes of material meant for outdoor sport, but this one is both beautifully tailored and warm (the cotton/wool mix ensures that it can be worn both as a heat-keeping layer and indoors without suffocating the wearer).

The Monsters of Modern Literature Trading Cards by illustrator and artist Lincoln Michel are the perfect stocking stuffer for the readers in your life; buy a few packs and friends and family can trade for their fave writers over Christmas breakfast (each set comes with 6 cards but there are 16 designs in all).

The Love Mert Geode tote is a hand-printed recycled hemp/poly blend tote with recycled leather straps and has an interior pocket so you can use it as a book bag, ipad carrier or purse.

LURK perfumes are our favorite! We visited their NYC workshop late last year, and were favorably impressed with their natural, but unique and lovely scents. No toxins, and cool, modern bags and bottles make this an ideal prezzie.

This sweet two-tone Mischa Lampert hat is handmade (spun and knitted) in NYC from New Zealand wool, and isn’t just for show; this is a seriously warm topper for below-zero days (note leather ties at bottom to keep ears extra-toasty when tied).

The Cubodira is a drying rack that folds into a cutting board: perfect for the minimalist or those of us living in small-spaces!

Don’t see something you love here? Check out our list of eco-friendly stores and resources here for more inspiration!

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