Baby clothes and teddy bears are pretty high up the list of feelgood purchases, but there’s a way to increase that cosy glow even further.
From Babies with Love is a baby brand that donates 100% of its profit to orphaned and abandoned children.
Their collection of clothes, blankets, teddies and cards are ethically sourced, using organic cotton and even filling their soft toys with recycled plastic.
“When I first became a parent and watched the children’s charity Christmas appeal adverts on TV, with my baby in my arms, I felt a new strength of emotion,” says founder Cecilia Crossley.
“Becoming a parent heightened my concern for the welfare of children everywhere. I was out shopping for my son’s clothes when I thought to myself: ‘If I could buy beautiful baby products and enjoy knowing the profits help vulnerable children, why would I buy anywhere else?’ So I set up From Babies with Love.”
The brand supports more than 850 children in 31 countries and donates profits to partner charity SOS Children, which builds and runs dedicated children’s villages where youngsters grow up in loving family homes.
Each village has around 10 homes, each headed by an SOS mother. She looks after 10 children, who become brothers and sisters.
Cecilia adds: “Every penny of profit from our designs goes to help the children, we support individual babies and the nursery schools in the villages, supporting early years education.”
So for a gift that brings new meaning to the concept of sharing the love, you know where to look!
But if you don’t have any babies on your Christmas present list this year, then don’t worry as The Big Issue Shop is now stocking Birdsong fashions and jewellery, click on the image below to see more of their goods.
For women who expect more from their wardrobe. Birdsong finds the best female makers and brings them to you, no sweatshops, no photoshop. A trio of feminist founders, Birdsong sources fairly made fashion, from knitted scarves to quirky jewellery. Each purchase through The Big Issue Shop gives 50% back to the women who made it, 25% goes to Birdsong and 25% goes to The Big Issue. They don’t think our bodies need changing. Birdsong wants to clothe your body, beautiful as it is.
Guilt-free Christmas gifts… new website for ethical buys
Consumers wanting their money to go further this Christmas can buy presents for their family and friends from social enterprises – businesses that give back.
A new website – buysocialchristmas.org.uk – showcasing a range of goodies from social enterprises (including The Big Issue Shop too!), from laptop cases made from recycled cement bags to upcycled bespoke furniture pieces, is for those who want their purchases to make a difference.
Social enterprises support good causes both in Britain and overseas. In the UK alone, there are 70,000 social enterprises, contributing £24 billion to the economy and employing almost a million people.
There are social enterprise products to suit all budgets, from fashionwear and furniture to baby clothes and beer.