The environment is likely to be top of everyone's agenda following the COP26 summit as there is more awareness that we need to consume less to reduce our impact on the planet.
But with Christmas around the corner, how do we balance sustainability and the desire to give gifts to people we love, especially those we couldn't visit last year?
The average household spends over £700 more in December, according to the Bank of England, and sustainable items are often more expensive due to the way they are produced.
I tested five eco-friendly gift boxes (which also encourage sustainability) to see if it is possible to give a thoughtful, guilt-free present that is also good value for money.
Fiona Dalziel Facepack Spa Facial Box
A facial at a spa can set you back £40 upwards but what if you could recreate the experience in your own home?
This skin-boosting gift box contains a 10-step facial routine complete with instructions and a step-by-step online video. Each box also contains a couple of treats for the perfect decadent night in (some of which contain plastic).
The products contain 100% essential oils from family-run firm Eve Taylor London and there are no artificial colours or fragrances.
The oils are sustainably sourced and are not tested on animals plus the company works with Trees for the Future and all the items are packaged in recyclable material.
The facepack itself is a real treat and after an hour of application, my skin was definitely tighter. The heated eye mask was a particular favourite and nearly sent me to sleep on the sofa.
Although there are many little pots to handle, each one is carefully labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow.
I estimate there would be enough product for around three monthly treatments which is a really good deal. If you know someone who likes to pamper themselves and their skin, then this is a great little gem.
Price: £28 including postage
Perfect for: Your sister or close friend
Value for money: 9/10
The Ethical Trader
This is a monthly subscription service but there is also the option to buy items individually.
I tested out the Discovery box (£15 plus postage) which contained 15 delicious, unusual snacks from brands like Deliciously Ella, Candy Kittens, FUEL 10K and Love Corn.
The boxes vary each month and contain limited edition products so there will always be some great surprises.
The company strives for the most eco-sustainable products and logistics possible, and all of its cardboard boxes and paper are FSC approved and recyclable.
Even the energy supply at the company warehouse and office is from green sources and a tree is planted with every order.
The treats are genuinely tasty and contain items not always easily found on supermarket shelves, at a price that is cheaper than buying the items individually. Sadly, you’ll have to pay for postage, but it is free for orders over £50.
Price: £10 - £50 plus £4.99 postage
Perfect for: The whole family
Value for money: 8/10
Craft Box Club
This product is a sustainable craft box for adults which supports the planting of urban trees in Reading. There is a different box each month and one, three, six and 12-month gift subscriptions are available.
The kits are plastic-free and come with a video-guided craft project such as tie dye, jewellery making, weaving, and felt work. The materials and tools are high spec meaning they should last a lifetime.
The box I received was a beginners embroidery project to create ornate covers for three soy tea lights which were all provided in the box.
This was a great way to entertain my kids on a rainy afternoon whilst picking up a new skill. The video was easy to follow, and the end product looked impressive.
My only quibble is whether it is sustainable to buy items for crafting rather than trying to repurpose household items and therefore consume less. A gift that enabled me to transform an existing empty jar and an old tealight into a lovely, crafted ornament might be more environmentally friendly.
Price: £22 a month including postage
Perfect for: Your auntie or creative child
Value for money: 7/10
Luxury Christmas gifts for the super-rich
Little Box of Books
My children eat books for breakfast. We are always on the lookout for new stories and at bedtime I often find myself saying 'I've read this one so many times, can I read something new?'.
So, whenever they are given books for Christmas, the whole family is delighted.
The Little Box of Books company is a brilliant way to gift books to those up to the age of 11.
There is a range of titles and what caught my eye was their Love Your Planet Book Bundle. This contains seven books on the theme of sustainability and protecting the planet which is delivered in a recyclable cardboard box.
My six-year-old immediately picked them up and was particularly fascinated by the story of a plastic toothbrush.
There is a diverse mix of stories and illustration styles in the bundle and the messages are subtle rather than preachy, plus there are bundles of books created by black authors and LGBTQ+ themed books.
There are also lots of price options and if you are feeling particularly flash you can spend £500 on 100 books, which could save you a lot of money on children's presents in the long run.
The books are similar in price to High Street shops but have the added value of being curated to ensure they represent diversity in all its forms.
Price: £20.99 - £499.99 including postage
Perfect for: Your children or nieces and nephews
Value for money: 7/10
The Little Leopard Co.
Arriving in a cardboard box with shredded paper packaging and not a piece of plastic in sight, this gift box clearly takes sustainability seriously.
All of the items are sourced from independent UK businesses and there is a range of different options, including a create your own bespoke box.
I selected The Boar gift box targeted at men, which included ethically sourced cotton ankle socks with a funky leopard print design, organic beard, hair and skin balm, ground coffee beans (ethically sourced from small family farms) and Cornish chocolate made using sustainably sourced cocoa from the Ivory Coast.
All the items were high quality and had strong sustainability credentials when I researched the producers. The company also offers Christmas food boxes as well as gifts for children.
It is a shame that the price does not include postage which is an additional £3 - £5.95 but once again, given the quality of the products, the price is reasonable.
Price: £20.95 - £40.95 not including postage
Perfect for: Your husband or dad
Value for money: 7/10
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