Simon Dowling, Communications Manager at WCVA, is offering up his annual list of Christmas gift ideas that support organisations doing great things in Wales.
This Christmas list of gift ideas supporting social enterprises and charities across Wales continues to be one of WCVA’s most popular blogs.
Do remember that, this Christmas, you can use your buying-power for good and #MakeABiggerDifferenceTogether in Wales by finding #PresentsWithPurpose.
SUPPORT PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY BUYING SOCIAL THIS CHRISTMAS
These suggestions help the local economy or support charities, social enterprises and community-owned companies, tackling a range of issues facing Wales and the world.
Happy Shopping!
1. FOOD AND DRINK FROM WALES
There are lots of tasty gifts to choose from this Christmas.
Social enterprise TetrimTeas launched their brand-new Rhubarb Root Evening Tea in 2023. It includes the remarkable ingredient, Welsh Rhubarb Root, from Anglesey. Clinical trials by Aberystwyth University have shown the tea to have ‘significant’ benefits for mind, digestion and lipids, including lowered cholesterol. All profits are ploughed back into community projects in Trimsaran, where the tea is blended and packaged.
Câr-y-Môr is the first community-owned regenerative ocean farm in Wales, which grows and sells different native seaweed and shellfish. This includes fantastic products like sea spaghetti, sea truffle oil and even seaweed fertilizer. Profits are reinvested into the community benefit society, which is owned equally by all its members and membership.
Cardiff-based Manumit Coffee Roasters is one of several small coffee independents that seek to make a difference in their community. Be it a one-off coffee purchase or a regular subscription, this company offers dignity and hope to survivors of modern slavery through training and employment. Sourcing ethical coffee beans, their coffee is roasted by men and women who have been exploited by modern slave traders and who are now rebuilding their lives. All profits fund local and global anti-slavery initiatives.
Cwrw Ial is a community ale brewing company from north east Wales, which produces the highest quality beer and works in collaboration with other local business, artists and social enterprises. Shipped anywhere in Great Britain, it also has free deliveries in Denbighshire Flintshire and Wrexham.
When you buy gin, rum and other products from St David’s Distillery they will make a donation to charity. For example, a proportion of Ramsey Island Welsh Dry Gin will go towards funding projects on and around Ramsey Island that are essential for the vital work undertaken by RSPB Cymru.
2. THE BEAUTY OF WELSH CRAFTSMANSHIP
The charity Makers Guild Wales curates, commissions and sells unique contemporary objects rooted in craftsmanship. Their aim is to inspire craft engagement, support Welsh craft makers and celebrate craft excellence. There is a wealth of unique and beautiful handmade craft from Wales to choose from that is never mass produced and always an original! Jewellery, glass, ceramics and much more.
You can be confident that, when you buy from them, you are supporting Welsh Makers and supporting the promotion and preservation of craft skills both in Wales and internationally.
Melin Tregwynt was set up as an Employee-Owned Trust last year, by its former owners – the Griffiths family. Employing 40 members of staff, this woollen mill in Pembrokeshire has been in continuous operation since 1841. The Trust keeps control of the company safely in the hands of the people who have been integral to its success. Most items are discounted by 10% up until 20 December 2023.
Alternatively, pop over to leading refugee charity, Oasis Cardiff, and get your hands on the covetable Blancot products made from vintage Welsh blankets. This is a Teilwr Bach project in collaboration with refugees and asylum seekers at Oasis Cardiff, and includes beautiful draft excluders and hot water bottle covers – perfect for this time of year.
3. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR YOUR CANINE FRIENDS
Hope Rescue is a small, independent dog welfare charity in South Wales. Their online shop has a selection of Christmas gifts including festive treats and toys for your dogs, as well as merchandise for you.
You can also buy a Hope Rescue calendar with delightful photos of the dogs that have been rescued by Hope. Proceeds help Hope to rescue dogs in need in South Wales and provide canine respite schemes which support owners in crisis to keep their pets (such as domestic abuse, homelessness or hospitalisation).
4. LUXURY WASH PRODUCTS FROM WALES
Good Wash is a former social enterprise, which now has its own charity. They fund projects that improve the lives of animals and people. They stock a number of high-end luxury wash products such as soaps, body lotion, shower products and gifts sets, sourced from only the very finest natural ingredients that are cruelty free. Good Wash products are available in a number of stores throughout Wales and online.
Myddfai Trading Company Limited is a social enterprise that provides employment and volunteering opportunities within the local community in Carmarthenshire. Their ‘innovative, environmentally friendly and original’ products include soaps, shower gels, shampoo and conditioner, hand wash, hand and body lotion, bath bombs and diffusers and candles, as well as a range of Christmas gift sets. Sales from the online shop fund their work, which provides volunteering opportunities to help vulnerable people gain work experience, social interaction and confidence in a safe and comfortable working environment.
5. THE ‘WONDER OF WALES’ & SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is a charity dedicated to the research and conservation of biodiversity, to sustainability, lifelong learning and the enjoyment of visitors.
The garden is the most visited in Wales and there are lots of things to see and do beyond the beautiful gardens including a range of activities and the British Bird of Prey Centre.
You can purchase gift tickets to the gardens or gift vouchers (which can be used at the cafes, restaurant or shop) or a combination of the two. You can purchase these from the online shop as well as a selection of items including beauty products, jewellery and more.
Another activity-based gift comes from Challenge Wales. The Charity offers an ‘exhilarating big boat sailing experience’ for someone who might fancy taking the helm of a round-the-world racing yacht. Gift vouchers are available (the experience is for adults up to the age of 85 years) and no experience is necessary.
Profits go directly into Challenge Wales’ innovative outdoor learning activities at sea with disadvantaged young people, improving their mental health, expanding their employability skills, and helping broaden their horizons to achieve their full potential.
6. GO FAIR TRADE
SUSSED Wales is a great social enterprise based in Porthcawl. Formed by the charity Sustainable Wales in 2006, the shop specialises in ethical products, specifically Fairtrade, environmentally-friendly, plastic free and local goods. The shop is entirely volunteer-led and raises funds for the charity.
7. ECO-FRIENDLY GIFTS FOR ALL THE FAMILY FROM THE CENTRE FOR ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an educational charity dedicated to researching and communicating positive solutions for environmental change.
Their online store has a MASSIVE range of products (too many to list here!) that are eco-friendly and high quality. This includes textiles (such as comfortable socks), garden gear (like bug hotels and seeds), books to support you in your endeavours to learn and be more kind to the planet, eco-friendly homeware (eg toiletries, cleaning products and cookware), and kids games, puzzles and toys from their learning through play collection.
You can also buy someone CAT membership, buying a gift from CAT helps support positive solutions to the challenge of climate change.
8. ZERO WASTE SHOPPING
Zero waste shopping is getting popular in Wales. Awesome Wales, the Vale’s first zero waste shop, has a shop right in the heart of Barry, and you can also choose from other places like Y Tŷ Gwyrdd, Denbigh.
A plastic free shopping experience offers products that are environmentally friendly and ethically produced. Both companies also recycle profits back into the business and invest in local community groups and activities, allowing more people to get involved while decreasing social isolation.
LOOKING FOR MORE #PRESENTSWITHPURPOSE IDEAS?
The festive folks at Social Enterprise UK have once again produced a #PresentsWithPurpose Gift Guide, an entire magazine full of Christmas gift ideas from social enterprises across the UK. Browse this handy guide online at www.socialenterprise.org.uk/gift-guide-2023.
Who did we miss?
Know a socially conscious Welsh gift that didn’t make the list? Let us know! Please email sdowling@wcva.cymru.
Are you involved in a social enterprise?
WCVA funds social enterprises through our Social Investment Cymru team, so please get in touch to find out more.