Ethical Christmas - for her

1. Worn Again/ Virgin Atlantic Romero Black Handbag , £65 Ethicalsuperstore.com
This ladies handbag is made from disused car seatbelts weaved together and bicycle inner tubes for handles. The lining is from reclaimed Virgin Atlantic seat covers.
If I could have any gift, then it would be this.

2. Aveda Total face environmental compact , £12 available from Fenwicks

This recycled, refillable, portable and customizable make up compact, works with a magnetic system.
Choose your own colours and attach to the compact. For nights out this is a great companion, you can simply slip in the colours that you wearing and take it out with you for late night touch-ups.
I'm getting this for one of sisters and the best bit is, that we now know that we can buy her compatible make up inserts for future birthdays and Christmases.
Holds up to eight eye shadows, or one powder with puff/sponge, one blush and two shadows
Made of 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) and 20% post-industrial regrind (PIR) aluminum with lead-free mirror and magnet.

3. Black Faceted Drop Bead set - Necklace and Earrings, £12.00 from Traidcraft
Another gift on my own personal list, this set will look lovely with a little black dress at Christmas Dinner.
An outstanding value black and silver-coloured bead necklace and earrings set, both items having been handmade in India. Necklace has adjustable electro-plated brass chain, and earrings have electro-plated brass hooks, both with a silver finish.

4. Jo Wood Organics AMKA Eau de Toilette, 50ml, £35 Ethicalsuperstore.com

Jo Wood would perhaps be better known as ex-model and soon to be ex-wife of Rolling Stones guitarist and artist Ronnie Wood, but in her Jo Wood Organics beauty care range she is working to combine that glamour and rock 'n' roll lifestyle with a healthy and nourishing organic lifestyle.
Brand new to her range are two Eau de Toilettes. My favourite is AMKA; which is a gift for my Mother, being the same age as Jo and a big fan of hers (My mother was a secret wannabe Rock Chick).
Jo Woods' fragrances are officially certified organic by EcoCert; with each containing 95% organic ingredients.
The remaining 5% of ingredients are of natural origin too, from accredited and audited sources.
Better still, all Jo Wood Organics packaging is recyclable; everything from the bottles and pumps down to the labels are formally approved by ECOCERT.

5. Faith in Nature Shampoo and Conditioner (400ml) made with Lake District Water, £3.99 each available from:
Almonds & Raisins Health & Wholefoods, 2 Upper Princess Square, Newcastle, NE1 8ER Tel: 0191 2615959
The Honey Tree, 68, Heaton Rd, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 5HL Tel: 0191 2402589

For a hair treat this is about as local as you can get. Faith in Nature products are made from water from the Lake District and natural organic oils.

They are free of animal testing and synthetic colouring or fragrances.
Most importantly from my Mother-in-law, who is in recovery from Breast Cancer, they are free from SLES otherwise known as sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

6. Neal's Yard Remedies Relax Gift , £10. Available at Neal's Yard Remedies, 19 Central Arcade, Newcastle or Fenwick
For friends, aunts or work colleagues this is a fantastically priced treat.
The gift pack contains two deliciously soothing bath-time treats.
Seaweed & Arnica Foaming Bath and Rose & Pomegranate Foaming Bath both 50ml.
Neal's Yard Remedies have the UK's largest range of organic skincare and packaging is kept to a minimum using recycled or recyclable materials.

7. People Tree Fairtrade Christmas Socks , £20
Fun, colourful design socks in chunky handknitted wool.
These look so snug and warm. I'm buying these for a few teenage cousins, although I wouldn't mind a pair myself (hint hint).

Perfect for nights in, watching films with their friends over a cup of hot chocolate.
Buy quickly as these have already sold out twice.

8. Fairtrade and Organic Pyjamas, £45 from People Tree

What is Christmas without receiving at least one pair of pyjamas?
I have always relied on Christmas to provide me with a pair and this soft warm Fairtrade Organic set are listed on my 'Dear Santa' letter this year.

9. Fairtrade Hand knitted Wool Beanie and Mittens in Berry, £26 (Beanie £12 Mittens £14) from People Tree.

My sister-in-law goes for early morning walks with her Labrador Olive.
Sure to keep her warm, this sweet woollen hand knitted beanie and mittens set is made by a Fairtrade Co-operative in Nepal.

10. Cinnamon and Fig Soy Candles (Box of Four - 2 cinnamon 2 fig - 10 hours each) £14.95 (available singularly - prices start from £3.50) Pure Candles - based in Gosforth

Based in Gosforth, Nicky Helm & Judith Beven of Pure Candles set up their business out of a desire to make products that contain natural ingredients.

Producing a range of Handmade Beeswax Candles and Soy Container Candles, they have created this collection of Cinnamon and Fig Candles for the true aroma of Christmas.

The soy container candles are hand-poured using a plant based wax, created from soy beans. My Aunt has candles all over her house and will just love these winter wonder lights.

11. Rockin Ruby Chemise £75 and Rockin Ruby Shorty pants £38 (By Enamore) Available at Ethic Boutique, 151 Park View, Whitley Bay, NE26 3RF. Tel: 0191 280 2522

Thought that ethical pants were a bit, well, pants actually? Think again. Enamore amaze once more with their luxurious red and black Christmas range Rockin Ruby.

Made from soybean and organic cotton, their lingerie collection certainly costs more than cheap mass made versions but its soft, quality fabric makes it worth the extra.

Let's face it, who wants to wear the same pants as everyone else? Anyone wanting to impress the lady in their life would do well to ensure Rockin Ruby makes it in to Santa's stocking this year (Hope you noted that Mr Heywood).