Ethical Festive Gift Inspiration

Nov 13, 2024

As the festive season is (almost) upon us, it is a time for joy, celebration, and gift-giving. We have the power to make choices that bring joy to others and benefit the planet and its people. Ethical festive gifting is about choosing gifts that are kind to the environment, fair to workers, and support sustainable practices.

Supporting local businesses is one of the best ways to start festive shopping. Local companies, charities, makers, artisans and businesses often prioritise ethical practices and contribute to the community. You can support nearby companies and artisans by purchasing handmade gifts and unique items by shopping locally.

Giving ‘experiences’ is one of our favourite ways to show someone how much they mean to us. Consider gifting experiences like classes or workshops and see their smile appear on Christmas day. Experiences often create lasting memories, which we love.

By buying from a local charity, you’re donating to them, and your loved ones will appreciate the thoughtful and impactful way you give back.

By making conscious choices, we can celebrate the festive season while minimising our impact on the planet and supporting ethical practices.

With this in mind, we’ve compiled an ethical gift guide this festive season.

Tile Me a Story

Buy a ceramic tile for your loved ones. Our Tile Me a Story is a crowd-funding art project. Participants get to make a tile and fundraise at the same time.

You can gift in three ways:

If you donate £50, a Camphill MK resident will decorate your tile.
If you donate £75, you can submit a design you would like recreated on your behalf – this might be something you have created or artwork by a loved one.
If you donate £150, you will be invited to Camphill MK for a three-hour workshop where you can decorate your own tile under the guidance of our experienced staff.

All participants collated ceramic tiles will be permanently displayed at Camphill MK, leaving a lasting legacy.

Find out more HERE.

2025 Creative Ceramic Courses

Why not buy the gift of immersive craft? Have your loved ones ever wanted to try ceramics or pottery, and are they creative? Our 2025 Creative Courses are the perfect gift.

Our courses are facilitated by expert tutors who share our ethos by meeting the needs of the individual, designing and delivering sessions for absolute beginners and those wishing to build on their individual skills.

We’re offering early-bird discounts of 10% off all our 2025 courses until Saturday 30th November.

Our 2025 courses include:

Hand-Building Pottery with Andrew Macdermott 10-session course (20th Jan – 31st Mar).
Creative Ceramics Course with Rosa Wiland Holmes 4-session course (26th Feb, 5th Mar, 12th Mar & 26th Mar).
Hand-Building Pottery with Simão Romualdo 1-session course (1st Mar).
Introduction to Mindfulness through Pottery with Astrid Hogets Baerndal 2-session course (8th & 22nd Mar).

Find out more here.

Handmade Gifts in our Etsy Shop

If you’re searching for truly unique, handmade festive gifts that make a difference, then our Etsy shop is the place for you.

Our diverse range of handmade creations are conceived in our Art and Craft, Weavery and Ceramics studios. The workshops we offer cater to all abilities and cover various artistic skills. From needlework to embroidery, loom weaving and ceramics, our talented bunch are master craftspeople!

Choose from beautifully crafted zipped bags fully lined with a handmade ceramic badge, tote bags and ceramic angels in different sizes and colour combinations, each unique and made with love.

Get your festive shopping started by checking out our ETSY Shop here!

Become a Friend of Camphill

You could gift your loved ones by adding them to our Friends of Camphill gang. If you are in the position to donate to Camphill MK on their behalf regularly, you will support our 5-year plan to build additional accessible accommodations for adults with disabilities.

By donating anything from £10 per month, you (or your loved one) will become a Friend of Camphill. In return, they will receive a one-off ceramic pin badge made by our residents, glazed and fired, ready for pinning on their favourite outfit. You will be credited on our supporter’s documentation (website, presentation materials and e-brochure) if you choose. You will also receive an annual invitation to our community’s special Camphill MK Angels celebration and know that you are supporting something important, and your donation is really valued.

Find out more here.

Shop in our Camphill Cafe

Our much-loved Cafe is a hidden gem in Milton Keynes. Our vegetarian Café offers adults with a range of abilities the opportunity to receive supported work experience. Each team member undertakes continuous on-the-job training and tuition in customer service, food safety and food preparation. We aim to create a peaceful atmosphere with good food and first-class friendly service.

Our menu is delicious, and we use ingredients grown and produced in our gardens and bakery, meaning we can give you the freshest produce available.

Our Cafe also stocks local Blum honey, freshly pressed apple juice from apples grown in our orchard, local artwork, gift vouchers and more.