Fair Trade Recycled Materials Christmas Gifts from Around the Globe

So you don't want to try making it yourself, and you don't think that the intangible charity donation is a gift that will warm the heart of your intended recipient. What options are left?

Quite a few, actually! In fact, far too many for me to post here. Here are some of the fair-trade, recycled material gifts that caught my eye. If you're not finding the 'right gift', do search the linked websites yourself - it may be that your perfect ethical, eco-friendly gift is waiting for you there.

Incidentally, if you're looking for gifts for the cyclist or the tech-saavy, there's plenty of cool repurposed bike chain and upcycled computer circuitboard based art on offer! Environmentally sound and ethically traded - can't argue with that.

By retailer & country of origin:

TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES

Haiti: Recycled oil drum fishes wall decoration ($24) and leafy candleholder ($90)

Vietnam: Recycled newspaper coiled ball ornament ($6) and coiled bowl/basket ($12)

From TenThousandVillages.ca: Coiled Recycled Newspaper Bowl

 Nepal: Recycled sari coin purse ($6) and shoulder bag ($36). Reclaimed silk shoulder bag $55

From TenThousandVillages.ca: Handmade Jute Paper Journal with Recycled Fabric Cover

Bangladesh: Recycled glass and palm fibre drinking glasses ($20 for 4), matching pitcher ($25). Plain recycled glasses - tall ($5 each). Cheery fabric patchwork journal with handmade jute paper small ($16) and large ($24)

From TenThousandVillages.ca: Recycled Glass Drinking Glasses

India: Recycled polished metal bangle set ($16). Recycled bike chain small round frame ($18) and rectangular frame ($24). Repurposed metal washers photo frame small ($14) and larger washer frame ($24). Awesome metal washer fruit bowl ($38)

From TenThousandVillages.ca: Recycled Metal Washer Fruit Bowl

Philippines: Recycled newspaper beaded necklace ($5)

Indonesia: Gorgeous modern recycled aluminum server with woven handle detail ($58)

Guatemala: Recycled native Huipiles (blouse) fabric handbag ($42)

GIFTS WITH HUMANITY (USA)

Haiti: Recycled oil drum metal Christmas tree ornaments set ($14.99USD); Recycled oil drum metal sun wall decoration ($37.99USD) and beautiful 'Tree of Life' wall art ($79.99USD). Another with giraffes and trees ($79.99USD)

From GiftsWithHumanity.com: Oil Drum 'Tree of Life'

From GiftsWithHumanity.com: Oil Drum Giraffes Wall Art

Kenya: Recycled beads made of washed-up flip flops earrings ($17.99USD) and another version ($24.99USD) - you're actually cleaning beaches with this purchase! Recycled newspaper bead long necklace ($24.99USD). Recycled tin and wire bicycle pin ($9.99USD)

From GiftsWithHumanity.com: Gorgeous Long Newspaper Bead Necklace

Mexico: Pop-top clutch purse ($39.99USD); recycled wrapper coin purse ($19.99USD)

India: Recycled inner tube messenger bag ($39.99USD)

From GiftsWithHumanity.com: Crabby scrap tin sculpture

Zimbabwe: Recycled scrap tin crab sculpture ($11.99USD)

From GiftsWithHumanity.com: telephone wire bangles (featured by Diane von Furstenberg)

South Africa: Recycled colourful telephone wire bangles (featured in haute couture designer Diane von Furstenberg's show!) ($24.99USD)

RENEWPURPOSE

Cambodia: Recycled newspaper (laminated) wallet ($14.99USD) or  messenger bag ($44.99USD). Recycled rice bag deluxe wallet ($24.99USD)

From Renewpurpose.com: Laminated recycled newspaper messenger bag

GAIAM

Indonesia: Recycled glass bead bracelet & earring set ($14USD) or necklace ($18USD)

From Gaiam.com: Incredible woven recycled plastic floor mat

Thailand: Fantastic recycled plastic woven "Turkish-style" floor mats for indoor/outdoor use ($39-$89USD); recycled fabric commuter laptop and computer accessories case set ($69USD)

SHARED EARTH

India: Recycled brass temple bells / mobiles - camels, horses and fish (5.99UK). Recycled sari fabric Christmas stockings (12.99UK) or star ornaments made of sari fabric (2.99UK). Recycled sari coin purse (7.99UK). Bike chain art - gear tealight holder (3.99UK), 3-hook bike chain coat rack (13.99UK)

From SharedEarth.co.uk: Recycled Sari Fabric stocking in red

Madagascar: Recycled pop cans racing car (6.99UK) and a mini version (3.99UK). Incredible recycled pop can airplane (14.99UK)

From SharedEarth.co.uk: Recycled Pop Can Racing Car

From SharedEarth.co.uk: Recycled Pop Can Airplane

GLOBAL EXCHANGE FAIR TRADE

Haiti: Recycled oil drum metal sacred heart ornaments ($24USD) and small 'Tree of Life' wall decoration ($36USD)

From GlobalExchangeStore.org: Recycled oil drum metal small Tree of Life

From GlobalExchangeStore.org: Recycled oil drum metal sacred hearts

Thailand: Recycled Singha or Chang beer (or Coke) can wallet ($22USD)

From GlobalExchangeStore.org: recycled beer can wallets

THE RAINFOREST SITE

Extra benefit: each purchase helps fund rainforest habitat preservation!

Haiti & Ghana (jointly): Recycled glass bead and copper "Shared Hope" necklace ($18.95USD) and bracelet ($14.95USD)

From TheRainforestSite.com: "Shared Hope" recycled glass necklace

Haiti: Recycled oil drum metal Christmas tree 3ornament set - probably the best deal for this material ($4.80USD)

From TheRainforestSite.com: Guatemalan coffee bag recycled tote

Guatemala: Recycled understated but lovely coffee or rice bag tote with clasp ($14.95USD) - another great bargain

France: Recycled garden soil bag gardening apron ($22USD)

Indonesia: Recycled parachute, old paintings and magazine material Ikat-patterned tote bag ($19.95USD)

From TheRainforestSite.com: Ikat-patterned recycled tote

Mexico: Recycled billboard fabric tote bag ($10.95USD)

Ghana: Recycled water package cosmetics case ($14.95USD) or backpack ($29.95USD)

From TheRainforestSite.com: African bottle-cap basket

Zimbabwe: Recycled African bottle-cap and scrap metal shopping basket ($29.95USD)

Philippines: Recycled plastic and foil 'trashy-chic' 3 bracelet set ($8.95USD) and beaded bracelet ($12.95USD)

From TheRainforestSite.com: Recycled plastic bangles

Burkina Faso: Recycled plastic floor mat fibre bracelets ($4.95USD)

India: Recycled computer circuitboard products:

From TheRainforestSite.com: Recycled Circuitboard Ornaments

• keepsake box ($9.95USD)
• money clip ($6.95USD)
• wall clock ($19.95USD)
• Christmas tree ornaments ($7.95USD)
• pen holder ($9.95USD)
• key chain ($5.95USD)

Similarly, a recycled computer key box or telephone key box ($12.95USD)

From TheRainforestSite.com: Recycled sheet metal ornaments

Recycled sari shoulder bag ($19.95USD). Recycled sheet metal colourful star ornaments ($4.95USD) or Punjab-style lantern ($14.95USD). Recycled and reclaimed plastic shopping bags material yoga mat bag ($20USD)

From TheRainforestSite.com: Recycled plastic yoga mat bag