Christmas Gifts That Give Back
Christmas gifts that give back do the giving twice. The chocolate box comes from Harry Specters, where autistic chocolatiers earn real wages. The hand-embroidered cushion is stitched by prisoners learning a trade with Fine Cell Work, whose makers reoffend at less than 2% against a 40% national average. The macarons from Miss Macaroon fund jobs for people facing barriers to work.
If you are looking for charity Christmas gifts or ethical Christmas gifts with a story behind them, everything in this guide comes from a social enterprise or purpose-led brand featured in Purpose Picks. Start with the curated picks below, then browse by section, from stocking fillers to hand-woven scarves. Shipping varies by brand, so check the brand page for where each one ships before ordering from abroad, and order early: many of these are small teams making things by hand.
The 18 best Christmas gifts that give back this year
A short list to start from, one reason next to each. Every pick is in stock at the brand’s own shop as of the last weekly catalogue refresh, and the price shown is the price they charge. The full sections follow underneath.
Handmade Christmas Pudding Decoration
£25.00
From Fine Cell Work: read why we picked themA hand-stitched Christmas pudding decoration from Fine Cell Work, which has trained over 8,000 prisoners in needlework since 1997.
Handmade Needlepoint Robin Christmas Decoration
£30.00
From Fine Cell Work: read why we picked themA needlepoint robin, stitched by a maker in one of the 55 UK prisons the charity works in.
Stocking Hand-Embroidered Christmas Decoration
£17.00
From Fine Cell Work: read why we picked themA hand-embroidered stocking decoration at £17, the cheapest way into work whose makers reoffend at under 2% against a 40% national average.
Linen Star Christmas Decoration
€15.00
From We Make Good: read why we picked themA linen star from the Dublin social enterprise that has trained and employed over 37 people since 2018.
Zero Waste Tree Irish Christmas Decoration
€7.00
From We Make Good: read why we picked themA zero waste tree decoration at €8, made by hand in Ireland from offcuts.
Michael D. Higgins Screen Printed Christmas Decoration
€11.00
From We Make Good: read why we picked themA screen-printed Michael D. Higgins decoration, which is the Irish tree ornament nobody else will have brought.
PRE-ORDER: The Christmas Bit of Everything 12 Chocolates Box
£24.00
From Harry Specters: read why we picked themTwelve Christmas chocolates made in Ely by a team where autistic employees do the tempering and packing. Sold as a pre-order, so order early.
PRE-ORDER: The Slowdown Countdown Luxury Chocolate Advent Calendar
£50.00
From Harry Specters: read why we picked themA luxury chocolate advent calendar from the brand that has generated more than £283,127 in social value through paid work. Also a pre-order.
Christmas Macaroon Gift Box
£15.00
From Miss Macaroon: read why we picked themA Christmas macaroon box from Rosie Ginday MBE's Birmingham social enterprise, which employs people facing barriers to work.
Christmas Madeleine Gift Box — Box of 15
£20.00
From Miss Macaroon: read why we picked themFifteen Christmas madeleines, for the host who already has enough chocolate.
Bare Kind Christmas Reindeer Socks
£8.33
From Y.O.U Underwear: read why we picked themReindeer bamboo socks under £9 from a brand that donates a pair through Smalls for All with every pair sold.
Leiho Christmas sock cracker
£10.00
From Y.O.U Underwear: read why we picked themA sock cracker, which is the stocking filler and the cracker in one.
Bauble Scenes, Christmas Card
£6.00
From Arthouse Unlimited: read why we picked themA bauble-scene Christmas card carrying artwork by an adult with complex neuro-diverse or physical support needs.
Christmas Tree Seeds
£6.00
From Arthouse Unlimited: read why we picked themChristmas tree seeds at £6, for the person whose present should still be there in ten years.
Owl I want for Christmas is you!
£7.00
From Washed Up Cards: read why we picked themA Christmas card handmade from plastic collected on London river and coastal beach cleans.
Mission Christmas Charity Socks
£6.00
From Stand Out Socks: read why we picked themCharity Christmas socks at £6 from the brand that employs people with Down syndrome in design and fulfilment.
Black & Beech Christmas Decoration 2025
£3.00
From Black & Beech: read why we picked themA £3 decoration from the Cardiff label that has donated over £25,000 to feminist causes.
Naveta Velvet Stocking
US$39.00
From The Citizenry: read why we picked themA velvet stocking from a brand whose artisan partners across 23 countries are paid on average over twice the fair trade wage requirement. Priced in US dollars.
Chocolate & food gifts
Chocolate boxes, celebration cakes, and beer boxes from kitchens that hire and train people the job market overlooks.
Lemon and Blueberry Cake
From £55.00
From Luminary Bakery: read why we picked them
Salted Caramel Letterbox Brownies [Flourless]
From £15.00
From Luminary Bakery: read why we picked them
Luxe Chocolate Box
£46.00
From Harry Specters: read why we picked them
House Chocolate Box
£28.95
From Harry Specters: read why we picked them
Home & candles
Hand-embroidered cushions, soy candles, and linen made by skilled hands with a second chance behind them.
Aurora Alpaca Throw
$146.00
From The Citizenry: read why we picked them
Navya Hand-Knotted Accent Rug
$139.00
From The Citizenry: read why we picked them
Beloved 'Irish Dogs' Jigsaw Puzzle
€15.00
From National SPCA Shop: read why we picked them
Botanical Glow Soy Wax Massage Candle
£30.00
From LoveWell: read why we picked them
Botanical Glow Aromatherapy Candle
£25.00
From LoveWell: read why we picked them
Spring Gentian Scalloped Linen Napkins
€48.00
From We Make Good: read why we picked them
Arán Screen-printed Irish Linen Bread Bag
€24.90
From We Make Good: read why we picked them
Black Plum & Rhubarb Large Candle
£25.00
From Acorn Shop: read why we picked them
Coconut Vanilla Scented Candle
£18.50
From Lux Luz London: read why we picked them
Gift Combo Signature Scented Candle and Wick Trimmer
£30.00
From Lux Luz London: read why we picked them
Scarves, jewellery & accessories
Hand-woven scarves, rescued-material bags, and jewellery that turns waste into something worth keeping.
Cards, prints & art
Greeting cards made from beach plastic and art created in supported studios.
For her
Tees, hoodies, and pieces designed with the women in your life in mind.
Stocking fillers
Small gifts under £15, or thereabouts in euros and dollars, that still carry a story.
Hot Dog Pet Rope Toy
€12.95
From National SPCA Shop: read why we picked them
Happy Go Lucky - Specialty Coffee
£8.95
From Change Please: read why we picked them
Cool, Calm & Collected Decaf - Specialty Coffee
£9.95
From Change Please: read why we picked them
Carlingford Whispers Soy Candle
£12.50
From Acorn Shop: read why we picked them
Classic Collection Box
From £14.00
From Miss Macaroon: read why we picked them
Birthday Gift Box
From £13.00
From Miss Macaroon: read why we picked them
Bare Kind Bamboo Socks - Save the Bees
£8.33
From Y.O.U Underwear: read why we picked them
Give by cause
Pick a Christmas gift by the change it funds. Each cause hub lists every brand we feature for that cause.
More gift guides
- Gifts made by disabled makers →
Chocolate, art-led homeware, socks, and tees from brands where disabled people hold the paid roles.
- Ethical greeting and Christmas cards →
Cards made from rescued beach plastic, drawn by disabled artists, and printed to fund feminist causes.
- Social enterprise chocolate and food gifts →
Chocolate boxes, celebration cakes, madeleines, coffee, and beer from kitchens that hire people the job market overlooks.