Christmas Gift Guide

With health stores representing the heart of the High Street, conscious consumers will be knocking at their doors for planet-friendly gifts and festive indulgences this December. Here we bring you a selection of the season’s best buys.

Aperitivo with a twist

Bringing the historically- and culturally-rich Italian tradition of aperitvo into UK homes, Savoia Americano Rosso is a certified vegan vino aperitivo blending over 24 bittersweet botanicals (bitter orange, gentian root, pink grapefruit, artemisia, rhubarb, cardamom and ginger) with a touch of Marsala wine. Its sister SKU, Orancio, is made with orange wine infused with citrus, fruit and ‘the exotic richness of saffron and pomegranate, inspired by Marco Polo’s journey along the silk road in Asia’. Both drinks are ready-to-serve.

Winter warmers

From English Tea Shop this Christmas comes the Advent Calendar Tea Book — a custom-designed product which ‘captures the spirit of the season beautifully’. Awaiting the recipient behind each window are 25 different hand-selected tea blends; favourites such as Ceylon Black Tea and Vanilla Earl Grey are joined by the palate-broadening combinations of Apple, Rosehip & Cinnamon, Mate, Cocoa & Coconut, and Lemongrass, Citrus & Ginger. Winter Balance, Winter Warmer and Seasonal Siesta complete the collection, offering tea drinkers a moment of quiet and comfort.

Upsizing with UpCircle

UpCircle is adding ‘a touch of magic’ to trees with limited edition Jumbo and Under the Mistletoe baubles. ‘Bursting with beauty treasures’, the baubles are a holiday must-have, sure to ‘captivate beauty enthusiasts’. Eco-friendly bestsellers in jumbo sizes hide within the recyclable card shell — from Face Moisturiser and Face Oil to Shampoo Crème and Conditioner. Under the Mistletoe focuses on luscious lips with UpCircle’s award-winning vegan Lip Balm." “Beautifully designed and with no need for wrapping, it’s ideal for last-minute shoppers,” says the brand.

Sustainable Secret Santa

Single origin Colombian cacao from the Luker Chocolate estate takes centre stage in Cox & Co’s new Christmas Tree Bars. Presented in four flavours profiles (Bee Pollen & Honey; Raw Cacao Nibs; Mint Crunch; and Miso & Caramel — the latter three being suitable for vegans) the 50g bars are an ideal inclusion for any Secret Santa, with the packaging consisting of biodegradable card, vegetable-based inks and wood pulp-based compostable film bags.

Leaves Bar bundle

The perfect end-of-year gift for anyone looking to reduce their plastic usage as they head into 2025, a bundle of ATTITUDE products can easily be created to showcase the brand’s EWG-certified vegan body care products. For thirsty winter skin the solid Dry body Oil ‘nourishes and beautifies the body’ using ingredients such as jojoba, argan and grapeseed oils. “Our dry body oil will revolutionize your moisturizing routine because does it not only penetrate the top layers of the skin effectively, but it's also solid and can follow you on all your adventures. You'll love the sensory experience of the rich, velvety perfume of sandalwood,” says the brand.

Festive flavours

Devon-based Luscombe Drinks introduces its Mulled Winter Warmer — an alcohol-free alternative to traditional mulled wine. Blending organic fruit with mulling spices, the brand has created a seasonal recipe to be enjoyed as a hot drink or served cold over ice, which calls upon the tartness of cherry, the floral notes of hibiscus and the warming, spicy notes of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to capture the flavours of the festive season.

Tear & share Daisy Bread

Designed in a flower-shaped centrepiece, perfect for any festive tablescape, the artisanal Daisy Bread from Pur Pain brings together seven individual organic rolls, each one baked into a daisy-shaped cluster, ready to tear-and-share with friends and family. Created using white pistolet dough, the rolls have crusty exterior and soft, fluffy centre. They’re finished with roasted cereals and crunchy toppings such as pumpkin, poppy and sesame seeds.

Moments of calm

Pitched by Neal’s Yard Remedies as ‘a gift to help them unwind’, the Moments of Calm Collection is a set featuring three aromatherapeutic formulations — each one certified vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. The gift set contains Relaxation Remedies to Roll to apply to pulse points throughout the festivities; Aromatic Foaming Bath to enjoy when guests have departed; and Goodnight Pillow Mist to encourage a restful night’s sleep.

Flexitarian stocking fillers

Aimed at flexitarians, HAPPi has added three new vegan SKUs to its sustainably made oat m!lk chocolate range in time for Christmas celebrations. Gently-spiced Christmas Pudding Hot Chocolate Spoons are packaged in a limited edition gift box; Candy Cane flavour has been added to HAPPi’s line of oat-m!lk chocolate buttons, perfect as stocking fillers; and the Festive Slab now displays the message ‘Have a Sweet Xmas’. The launches sit alongside the brand’s Triple Flavour Plastic-Free Advent Calendar.

Green beauty gifting

A carefully curated range of skincare and haircare sets has been released by Green People, each designed as entry points into the world of organic beauty. Organic Hair Essentials caters to those looking to transform their haircare routines, featuring shampoo, conditioner and serum from the Protein Boost range; Radiance Skin Essentials comprises a trio of skincare favourites to rejuvenate wintery complexions; and for those with sensitive skin comes Calming Skin Essentials, featuring soothing scent-free cleanser, moisturizer and SPF to protect against harmful rays year-round.

A door a day for dogs

Pampered pooches need not be left out of the festive fun; dogs aged 16 weeks-plus can enjoy a daily December treat with Denzel’s all-natural Christmas Advent Calendar for Dogs. With 24 doors concealing 8g ‘bites’, puppies and mature dogs get to try an array of seasonal ingredient combinations, from Duck & Orange to Christmas Lunch and Pigs in Blankets. Each internal pouch is biodegradable and will break down in 30 weeks.

Plantable crackers

‘Plant-Me’ Wild Flower Christmas Crackers from The Good Zest Company offer a waste-free, recyclable solution to a popular Christmas dinner ritual. Each cracker contains mini certified organic, vegan haircare and skincare gifts, a paper hat and a joke. After use, simply pot them indoors or sow directly into the soil.

By Rosie Greenaway, editor