The fast-approaching festive season can so easily sweep us into a whirl of to-dos and too-muchness. Like many, I’m trying to move through it more mindfully these days — slowing down, gifting with more purpose, and making small, steady improvements each year.
For me, that looks like choosing ethical gifts that nourish the people I love and encourage us all to spend more time outdoors together. (An outdoor cricket set and sturdy soccer goal are my top picks!)
Additionally, here are a few things from HealthPost’s Mindful Brands that are on my sustainable gifting list this year. I love using gifting as an opportunity to introduce friends and family to brands that are truly doing things better.
This season, we’re celebrating six of our Mindful Brands — each doing good in its own way. Whether you’re buying for your dad, your partner, your child, or your four-legged friend, here are some of my top ethical Christmas gifts for thoughtful, feel-good giving.
1. For your best friend: Trilogy The Dewy Skin Ritual
Best friends are often the easiest to buy for — usually, I just choose something I’d be happy to receive myself! This year, it’s Trilogy’s Dewy Skin Ritual gift pack. The Flox-designed box looks lush and festive, and you can’t go wrong with rosehip — a hydration hero that suits any skin type, especially as we head into summer.
Trilogy are one of our most loved Mindful Brands for their commitment to Transparency, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Sustainability.
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2. For the cacao connoisseur (hi Dad!): BioBalance Certified Organic Cacao Powder
If you’ve got someone who takes their hot cacao seriously, this one’s a winner. My dad swears by this BioBalance Certified Organic Cacao Powder — single-origin, Peruvian Criollo cacao with a rich, deep flavour. It’s nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich, and (in my opinion) the best there is.
BioBalance are a Mindful Brand championing Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility, from soil to sip.
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3. For the sweet tooth at heart: Bennetto Coconut Flakes Dark Organic Chocolate
I love fellow B Corp Bennetto, who make beautiful, fair trade, organic chocolate packaged in vibrant, bird-inspired art. Their packaging celebrates conservation of native bird species in Aotearoa — and their chocolate is definitely a match for their ethics.
I always stock up before Christmas; they make the perfect ethical chocolate gift and stocking filler. This year, I think the Coconut Flakes Dark Chocolate will be a hit with my son.
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4. For the creative tween: Hanami Voyage Nail Polish Collection Pack
This is my 12-year-old daughter’s dream gift — she loves painting her nails (and her brother’s, when he’ll let her!). If she’s going to use polish, I’d much rather it be a low-tox, breathable nail polish like Hanami’s mini Voyage collection. The summery colours are so fun, and Hanami’s dedication to Social Responsibility shows up in everything from their ingredient choices to their supply chain transparency.
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5. For the practical partner (or protein-loving friend): BePure Perfect Protein – Vanilla
I’ve learned the hard way that personal care gifts for my man tend to gather dust — but a quality protein powder? Always a win. BePure’s Perfect Protein is clean, gut-friendly, and delicious in summer smoothies.
It comes in glass jars or refill packs — a reflection of BePure’s Eco Packaging focus and commitment to reducing waste.
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6. For the loyal four-legged family member: WashBar Paw Balm Kanuka + Repair
Our dog Zoe gets sore paws from her all-terrain adventures, so this soothing, healing balm is the perfect gift for her. WashBar use clean, ethically sourced ingredients to care for animals and the planet — and we also use their dog shampoo bar and flea treatment regularly. Merry Christmas, pooch ;)
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I hope some of these ethical, healthful ideas inspire your own mindful giving this season.
On reflection, the most cherished gifts I’ve received often haven’t had a price tag — a homemade card from one of my kids, or a bunch of garden flowers artfully arranged by a friend.
Whatever mindful gifting looks like for you, here’s to wishing you a grounded, easeful glide into the (not-so-silly) season ahead.
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