Make Dad feel special this Father’s Day with wonderful ethical Father’s Day gifts he’ll really appreciate. From funky mugs to delicious treats, we’ll share lots of lovely gift ideas in this post – all ethically sourced and fairly traded!
1. Check out our Ethical Father’s Day gift ideas
Surely, our own gift collection is where we have to start! We’ve collected the best present inspirations for him in one place.
From plastic-free, vegan-friendly ideas and gifts made from recycled materials, your Dad (or father-in-law) will be spoilt for choice. For example, choose from wooden coffee scoops hand carved by artisans, beautiful lighting for the patio, or new quirky mugs for tea time.
Great for those men in your life who love unique, ethically sourced, and eco-friendly gifts.
2. Fairtrade chocolates for Father’s Day
Who doesn’t like chocolate? Sadly, workers and children are often seriously exploited for this tasty treat. However, there are a few brands looking to change all that. Tony’s Chocolonely has (in my opinion!) the BEST chocolates. They also have a cool new feature where you can design your own chocolate wrapper for the ultimate personalised and ethical chocolate gift!
And their ethics are amazing. They entered the market with bold flavours, bold packaging, and an even bolder mission – to make the chocolate industry 100% slave-free.
Once you taste their range of chocolates, you’ll be wondering where on earth it’s been all your life!
However, there are plenty of others worth a mention, like Divine Chocolate or Seed & Bean who use natural ingredients for great taste.
3. Beer that’s better for the planet (and your Dad)
Now, Fairtrade beer isn’t something you see frequently. Little Valley, the Yorkshire-based family-run brewery, has revealed that its Ginger Pale Ale is now officially the UK’s only Fairtrade certified beer! A perfect gift.
Radical Roots Ginger Pale Ale, with vegan and organic ingredients, has also been named the first Fairtrade beer of its kind in the world. Now, that’s something!
However, there are new breweries coming to the fore who place ethics at the core of their business. The Ethical Consumer features my very own local Stroud Brewery in the top five most ethical breweries!
Not only do they make truly great beer (I would know, as my partner is quite the craft beer fanatic), but their products are organic, and they’re also B-Corp certified.
This means employees, communities, and the environment rank alongside shareholders in decision-making processes. Sustainability isn’t just an empty promise for them. Good stuff!
If you or your father are ever in Stroud, visit their lovely bar on the canal! The Crazy Bird Comedy nights are brilliant too!
4. Treat Dad with a more sustainable outdoor kit
Ah, the great outdoors! As we go into summer, many dads can’t wait to get out and about more. However, much of the outdoor gear now so readily (and cheaply) available is often made of poor-quality synthetic fibres. Unfortunately, most high-street superstores aren’t the most ethical choice here, so bear this in mind when shopping.
Luckily, there are some companies trying to change this, and Patagonia is always top of my list. They are certified B-Corp, use environmentally-friendly materials and practices, have Fairtrade options, and also own a second-hand shop – though sadly only in the US at the moment. However, there is always eBay.
Look out for items made with organic cotton or responsibly-sourced wool for a more eco-friendly Father’s Day gift. Sustainable fashion isn’t just for women, after all!
Other outdoor brands worth mentioning: Paramo clothing, Vaude and Rab, who have some great running kits as well, or may be a great choice for a good pair of new boots.
Another favourite in our house is Cotopaxi. These vibrant bags come in unique colours, as they are made from remnant fabric. It’s great that leftover materials have a second chance to shine!
Finally, don’t forget that used items are fine to give Dad, as long as they’re in good shape! We need to normalise second-hand gifting, as that’s one of the most sustainable ways to shop. Don’t let beautiful pieces go to waste in our landfills.
5. Give your Dad (or lovely father-in-law) the gift of time
Don’t worry if you don’t have a big budget. There are all sorts of things you can do with your father that don’t involve a purchase.
If Dad’s into cooking, you could plan a special meal to cook together. Does he enjoy fishing? Plan a day out at the local fishing spot.
You could teach him something new, or give your father a gift voucher for errands that he wasn’t looking forward to doing himself. (This always goes down well.)
Making your own gifts for your Dad can be a great choice too. We’ve come up with a few ideas:
- paint a tailored sign for his home office,
- use recycled wool to knit him an eco-friendly hat or some fun socks,
- make him some organic chocolate truffles,
- get the kids to draw a special handcrafted card,
- decorate an old tool box, or
- paint organic cotton handkerchiefs with eco-friendly colours.
There are many more DIY ideas online. Have fun!
Sometimes, the best (and most thoughtful) gift is free.
Happy ethical Father’s Day!
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