Just the start of a massive resource for finding the perfect gift - help us to add to it.
Alternative inspiration
Shops & Markets
2nd hand, vintage or antique items on the web
Charitable gifts
And for those times when it just has to be new:
New but eco presents
Children's birthday parties - in response to questions on how to de-theme!
Finally, some sites to nose around:
Just Plain Interesting
Keep sending in useful info and links and feedback on what's here!
Alternative Inspiration
Poetry Magic - "No infallible advice can be given on how to write a poem, but here are a few exercises to generate the raw copy"
Poetry Tips for Children - How To Write Poems, for children aged 8-12
Foraging Courses - try a course with the very informative and entertaining Fergus the Forager.
Shops & Markets
Directories to find shops close to you
Charity Shop Directory - have a good rummage, save the environment and support a good cause all in one! We've found everything from 1st editions and Gucci shoes to fantastic kitsch
NCT Nearly New Sales - use the NCT's event finder to find sales in your area
Netmums - support sites for mothers, also lists free things to give away, items for sale, wanted items and local events such as sales. Register for free to get local info.
Country Markets - home grown veg, flowers and plants, local organic meat, homemade cakes, meals and other goodies and handmade items. If you can't get to your local one, you may be able to phone in an order.
Finding not new on the net
Ecojam - Bristol based eco-site which includes posting unwanted items or finding free stuff in the area
Freecycle – try your local Freecycle group for giving away or finding free gifts
Gumtree- Free Classified in London and the UK, and beyond
Oxfam - on-line shopping from their charity shops
Ebay - the ubiquitous but very useful auction site. Watch out for brand new stuff though. If you sell on ebay, why not say on your ads when you think an item is in a good enough condition to use as a gift - and include a Present Sense gift label!
Fashion Space - A place to buy, sell or swap your independently designed, vintage or 2nd hand fashion and network with other designers, creatives and fashion-lovers
Green Home Electronics - buying and selling rescued hi-fi and audio equipment
Urban Threads - making funky new clothes from clothes – course and info in Bristol: Urban Threads 07989 323952 info@urbanthreads.co.uk
Every secondhand, out of print and rare book under the sun:
www.booklovers.co.uk
www.abebooks.co.uk
Amazon - sells secondhand books/DVDs etc as well as new
Charitable Gifts
Good Gifts
Oxfam Unwrapped
World Vision Alternative Gifts
Positive Presents
Global Giving
New but eco
Janey Lee Grace's books "Imperfectly Natural Woman", "Imperfectly Natural Home" and "Imperfectly Natural Baby & Toddler"
Bubble House Worms - "Promoting Global Worming"! Worms and other creatures to turn food waste into productive soil in recycled plastic or wooden containers.
Green Gizmo - green toys & games - including big boys toys - and even a solar powered lawnmower
Pants to Poverty - here to rid the world of bad pants and eradicate world poverty and global warming in the process.
from you to me - give a gift to give back! So good you have to check this out "Gift of the Year 2008". Lovely journals for sharing family memories and experiences, produced locally using FSC certified paper.
The Recycled Products Guide - owned and administered by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme), aims to provide a national, comprehensive database of products made from recycled materials. Find gifts and products for your home, garden or office. Currently over 450 companies listed.
Natural Collection - fair trade, organic and eco-friendly goods
Ethical Consumer - not a gift source, research the eco-credentials of companies
Fashion Space - A place to buy, sell or swap your independently designed, vintage or 2nd hand fashion and network with other designers, creatives and fashion-lovers.
Green Eyed Frog - eco gift store offering an affordable collection of organic, natural, fair trade, recycled, green and environmentally friendly gifts
Greener Style - all sorts of homeware made from natural & recycled products
yourtomorrow - educational toys, environmentally friendly gifts, recycled & fair trade goods
Plant Trash - "beautiful, inspiring high quality gifts and products for you and your home made from recyled materials"
Nature's World Elephant Poo Poo Range - fun and natural products made from elephant poo!
National Geographic Kids - magasine subscription for 6-14 years
Children's Birthday Parties
eco my party - new site offering everthing you need for eco party ware
Bath Art Company - art kits beautifully boxed and delivered to your door with everything you need for creative party activities
Just Plain Interesting
The Life Style Movement - "To life simply so that others may simply live"
The New Economics Foundation - "nef is an independent 'think and do' tank. We believe in economics as if people and the planet mattered"
The Story of Stuff - easy viewing video on how stuff is made and consumed and whether rampant consumerism is a natural human trait or a manmade habit
ZeroCarbonBritain - energy policy from the Centre for Alternative Technology
RE:Fashion Awards - the world's first dedicated awards for ethical fashion
WasteBuster - an environmental awareness campaign for children and schools
The Nag - "this is a place for anyone who'd like to do something about climate change, or sweatshops, or eating better food, but, well, you know... busy, things come up..."
justfortheloveofit - advocates of the "freeconomy" - run evenings in Bristol where you can learn a new skill for free or share yours
Global Generation -
AntiApathy - "work with anyone and everyone who wants to be greener and cleaner in their worklife, their homelife, their shopping-trips, their holidays... and who wants to see other people around the world getting a fairer slice of the pie"