A kinder way to shop

As we settle into the winter months and gear up for Christmas, I find myself thinking about my spending habits. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, but whilst keeping in mind that I enjoy the giving part of the holiday, I hate spending unnecessarily.

Currently we have (in the western world) fast fashion, fast food, cheap holidays and Amazon for everything in between.  The pros and cons of this could have many books written on it and it’s definitely too big a subject for me to tackle in one blog post! So instead, I will focus on a quick and easy way to minimise your carbon footprint whilst still adding to your local economy this Christmas.  Quite simply, shop small.

Just in case you are unfamiliar with this term, ‘shop small’ means buying from small local businesses instead of the larger businesses. Independent shops are more likely to support local designers/producers as they don’t need such a large order to satisfy their demand.  Even if you can’t get to the shops easily, have a look for their online presence.

Below is a selection of my favourite places to shop for gifts:

Choosing Keeping, my favourite stationery store in London, they have gorgeous planners and a cracking selection of pens.

Daunts books, where they do a book subscription service, including one for children for £140 per year and the receiver has a beautifully wrapped book delivered to them every month. Ideal.

Finally, Assembly in Frome for menswear – but I wear some of the pieces too. The well curated selection of brands offer top-notch quality and is all about British design.

And if you are looking for something for your secret santa present at work, why not give to charity on their behalf instead of begrudgingly spending £5 on a joke mug??  Shelter is my go to charity.