Nov 22, 2021
The Perfect Gift: Australian Social Enterprises to Support this Christmas
As we wrap up the crazy year that was 2021, help your loved ones unwrap gifts that support social and environmental good. These Australian social enterprises have just what you need to spread some holiday cheer.
Course from Digital Storytellers
Help a loved one or fellow changemaker unlock their inner storyteller with the Stories for Impact online course from Digital Storytellers. In just over 6 weeks, they’ll learn how to use tools they already have to share their story with the world.
Coffee and Hot Beverages from Bellarine Coffee Roasters or Aussie Veterans Coffee Co.
Help out that caffeine addict in your life (and a good cause) when you give them beans from Bellarine Coffee Roasters or Aussie Veterans Coffee Co. Your purchase will support mental health initiatives and Australian veterans, respectively.
Telco Services from Goodtel
We all use it, meaning we can all do telco in a way that’s better. With mobile and nbn available, a plan from Goodtel sends 50% of their profits to environmental and social causes.
A Photo Shoot from Forevermore
The Forevermore Foundation wants to capture special moments, which is why they provide the gift of free family photography to families faced with a cancer diagnosis. When you purchase a photography session for your own family, it helps to fund one of these gifted sessions.
Aboriginal Art from Yarli Creative
With clothing, masks, prints, canvas prints, digital downloads, and stickers available, Yarli Creative provides an excellent way to share beautiful Abroiginal art with loved ones. They have greeting cards, too!
Recycled Yarn from Dempstah
Made from 55% recycled textile waste fibre and 45% Australian merino wool, the recycled yarn from Dempstah is an eco-conscious gift perfect for any crafter! It’s available at Citizenwolf.
Second-Hand Products from Green Collect
With furniture, IT and electrical products, care packs, designer clothes, and more, Green Collect is a one-stop shop for upcycled products that supports job creation for those who need it most.
Refugee-Powered Products from Welcome Merchant
With Goody Bags and climate neutral organic cotton bags and t-shirts available, Welcome Merchant takes care of your ethical gift-giving needs. The Goody Bags feature products from 4 refugee businesses, and with every purchase in November, $5 is donated to a women’s shelter.
Sustainable Period Products from Hey Girls
Hey Girls are an award-winning social enterprise fighting to end period poverty by selling and donating environmentally friendly period products in Australia. For every single product purchased, Hey Girls donate the equivalent product to someone who needs support. All Hey Girls products are sustainable, biodegradable or recyclable and follow their eco-conscious ethos.
Australian Food Gifts from Aggie
Bringing together some of Australia’s best items, the hampers, bushfood collections, Indigenous products, and gift boxes from Aggie make for an excellent gift for a foodie friend or family member.
Carbon Offsets from Adventure Junky
We all know and love jet-setters, so give them and our planet some Adventure Junky offsets for their travel emissions. Monthly subscriptions are available, with funds supporting reforestation projects in Madagascar and wind power projects in Turkey.
An Experience from Culture Quest Tours
Between lockdowns and travel restrictions, we’re all craving new sights. You can treat your loved one to a Cultural Quest Tours virtual tour of Persia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, or Georgia. Real walking tours in Melbourne and its suburbs are available, too.
Handcrafted Natural Soap from Base
Base uses natural ingredients to create artisan cleansing products, with proceeds supporting positive health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Sports Gear from Boots for All
Not only do they provide training and employment pathways for people with barriers to employment, but Boots for All also provides new and near-new sporting goods for children and adults.
Gifts that Do Good From the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)
The ASRC shop has an impressive range of responsibly-sourced gifts — totes, artwork, clothing and accessories, games, homewares, and more. 100% of profits are invested in programs supporting and empowering people seeking asylum.
Ethically-Sourced Medical Scrubs from Art x Scrubs
Show some love for the healthcare professional in your life with ethically sourced, sustainable, and Australian designed medical scrubs from Art x Scrubs.
Handmade Skincare Products from Bush Medijina
Using traditional knowledge and locally sourced ingredients, the skincare products from Bush Medijina help to preserve traditions and the Warningakalina women who founded the brand. Lotions, balms, scrubs, gels, botanicals, and gift sets are available.
Conscious Card Sets from Ethni
In addition to some clothing, Ethni has ethically produced feelings and strengths cards designed to support young women from diverse cultures as they learn valuable resilience skills. 100% of all profits support Ethni’s mental health programs.
Seedlings from The Paddock Project
If you’ve got a green thumb in your life, give them a tray of mixed seedlings from The Paddock Project. Each tray includes an ideal range for a backyard garden, and all proceeds support the Mullumbimby market garden and their programs to provide employment for people with NDIS packages.
Life-Changing Gift Box from Mettle
Mettle Women Inc. is in the business of using gift boxes to support women experiencing homelessness due to domestic and family violence. Their range of organic, vegan, and sustainable gifts are perfect for the holidays — or any excuse to spread some love!
Menstrual Cup from YONI
It’s not exactly the most glamorous gift, but it will certainly be appreciated! The eco-friendly menstrual cups from YONI are a great way to cut down on the waste associated with period products. Plus, for every cup sold, another one is donated to a menstruator in need.
Jewellery from Secret Sisterhood
100% of the profits from Secret Sisterhood’s range of beautiful jewellery goes towards supporting women’s charities. They’ve got necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
Designer Clothes from Ngali
With dresses, tops, bottoms, scarves, and basics available, a gift from Ngali can help fill a woman’s wardrobe — all while embracing slow fashion and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives.
Upcycled Snacks from I Am Grounded
Snacks are a perfect stocking stuffer — even more so when they’re sustainably produced. I Am Grounded uses upcycled coffee fruit to make functional plant-based energy snacks!
Zero Alcohol Craft Cocktails from Altina Drinks
For delicious non-alcoholic drinks to sip all summer long, there’s no better company than Altina Drinks. The social enterprise uses their zero proof drinks to start a conversation about mindful drinking and sobriety support.
Socially Responsible Fashion from YEVU
Supporting mostly-women artisans in Ghana, YEVU’s range of uniquely-beautiful clothing provides fair and sustainable employment and above living wages. With gifts for everyone (men, women, kids, homewares, and more), they’re an excellent social enterprise for “kick-ass clothing in mind blowing prints.”
Ethical Clothes and Shoes from Etiko
As Australia’s first ethical fashion company, Etiko paved the way for many other sustainable fashion social enterprises to follow. They’re still one of the best brands to turn to for organic, fair trade, vegan clothing and footwear for men, women, and kids.
Gifts from Marketplaces like Dinidae and Goods 4 Good
If you don’t have your heart set on a specific gift, check out one of Australia’s conscious consumer marketplaces. Dinidae exclusively features products from social enterprises and charities, while Goods 4 Good allows shoppers to view products that align with their values (animal welfare, environment, mental health, and homelessness). Both are excellent resources for holiday season shopping!
