What’s on the Christmas wishlist of the COSH! team?

When the Christmas lights twinkle in the streets and you hear the Christmas sounds through the speakers, it’s time to think about what you’re going to give your loved ones this year and what you’d like to unwrap yourself under the Christmas tree. Christmas is certainly not the most sustainable time of the year, but you can change this by choosing a more sustainable, conscious and greener Christmas gift. More is not always better, so instead of putting piles of gifts under the Christmas tree, go for less this year and surprise someone with one high-quality and meaningful gift that someone can cherish for many years. For example, choose something handmade, local, upcycled, a creative activity or something that helps make someone’s lifestyle more sustainable.

Could you use some gift inspiration? The COSH! team put together a wish list with original, more conscious and sustainable Christmas gifts to give or receive.

Niki

COSH! founder 

Our COSH! founder Niki has big and small wishes this year, some of which can physically be put under the Christmas tree and some that are much greater than that. First of all, she wishes that everyone in the world would have more understanding for each other, so that we can live together on a better and more beautiful earth. And she certainly also has wishes that she and her family will be able to unwrap under the Christmas tree this year. She dreams of a grand and timeless gift that she can take with her every day, such as a minimalist bag by Eef Theys or a sophisticated handbag by Belgian bag designer Annelies Timmermans. For smaller gifts, she is very happy with the colourful tea towels by Foekje Fleur, available at garment in Amsterdam. This cheerful collection of kitchen towels is made from fabric scraps from the fashion industry. Upcycling all the way!

Lynn

FOUNDER OF THE Acquired

Lynn also has big and small wishes this year from local, more sustainable shops in her neighbourhood, such as in Antwerp and Aalst. For example, she dreams of restyling her interior with a stylish side table from Fonetik in Aalst. She also likes to take care of her appearance in a more conscious way. The organic and vegan primers from Clothilde in Aalst will give her a natural glow every morning and with a warm, merino wool turtleneck from the Colorful Standard store in Antwerp she will always look comfortable and stylish. You couldn’t make her happier!

A gift that she would not only love to receive herself, but also recommends to more conscious fashionistas is a subscription to the clothing library Dressr. Please let the gift arrive earlier this year, so that she can rent a beautiful outfit for her Christmas dinners.

Wieke

Head of Research

With the holidays coming up, Wieke has a number of handmade and creative wishes on her list. Such as the unique, handmade 18k gold-plated necklace from Tiny Sea Tales, with a piece of light blue sea glass. Or a fantastic, comfortable scarf from the Amsterdam brand Julahas, which can also be worn as a kimono or shawl. These scarves will not only keep her warm this winter, they are also an ode to traditional craftsmanship in India.

She also likes to boost her creativity by doing workshops. That is why she would be absolutely thrilled with a creative workshop at Fidjiart in her hometown Bruges. Here you can, for example, follow a tufting workshop, an age-old technique with which you can make artisanal textiles!

Irena

Head of Marketing

Who says original gifts can’t be sustainable? Irena’s wish list includes a number of eye-catchers from more sustainable and leading fashion brands from Belgium and Germany. Such as the stylish Enya blouse in Off White by Borrenberghs or a unique, upcycled sneaker corset by &LadyMondegreen. Irena is also often found in second-hand and vintage shops, so you can make her happy with a gift voucher from her favourite vintage shops: 22ND Vintage in Hasselt and The Locker Vintage in Bruges.

Sophie

com­mu­ni­ty mana­ger BE

Practical and sporty gifts, that’s what makes Sophie happy. She often goes by bike and to stay dry on the road during the drizzly winter months, she dreams of a waterproof and stylish raincoat from the Amsterdam brand Maium under the Christmas tree. These raincoats are specially designed for cycling (super handy!) and are available at Moose in the City in Antwerp. She loves wearing colourful outfits during her sports, so the bright pink sports shirt from the Belgian brand Recto Verso is perfect for her. She also regularly treats herself to a self-care moment, which is why the Rainpharma body duo at Clothilde in Aalst will definitely be a hit!

Rucha

Sustai­na­bi­li­ty Researcher

For Rucha, Christmas gifts can be a bit more edgy. She loves luxurious, high-quality items – quality over quantity – so you can make her happier with one more expensive gift than with a lot of smaller individual gifts. Her wish list includes the upcycled Knight Rider bag from Freitag, a luxurious and timeless woollen coat from Borrenberghs, an edgy and playful two-piece set from King Louie and a stylish statement bracelet from jewellery designer Line vanden Bogaerde.

Eva

Eva loves feminine and chic clothing and accessories, and her wishlist also includes a number of fashion items that match this. She can already see herself shining during the holiday season in the flowing dress by ÏMAIMA – the perfect balance between modest, delicate and chic. She completes her look with a gold-plated bracelet by the Rotterdam jewellery brand Xzota and a stylish ​‘Dumpling bag’ by the Arnhem bag designer Judith van den Berg. Items that she can wear not only during the holidays, but all year round.

Ellen

Com­mu­ni­ty Mana­ger BE

Cool, refined and a bit daring. That is the best way to describe Ellen’s style. She also has a preference for Belgian design and sustainability, which means that for a Christmas gift you can best go to leading Belgian designers who work in a more sustainable way. Such as the luxury fashion brand An Vandenberk, where Ellen is crazy about the long, black, sleeveless dress made of bamboo viscose. To complete this look, she is dreaming about the silver Sammy bag from the Belgian bag label Annelies Timmermans. Or surprise her with the Mismatched earrings from Or Service, a unique statement piece!

Silke

A Christmas tree with lots of cosy and comfortable gifts to spend the winter in a cosy way – and all from brands that work in a fairer and more sustainable way. That is why Silke’s wish list includes the Choc Lovers Gift Box from Paplou to make your own hot chocolate, a fun way to enjoy the ultimate chocolate pleasure. Or the warm woollen mittens from Wolvis with which she can brave the winter in a cosy way. You can also make Silke happy with a more practical gift. She likes to ride her bike and that is why the upcycled bicycle bag from the Arnhem brand Fraenck would be perfect for long bike rides.

Bonus tip for her boyfriend: choose the Oversized T‑shirt from Colorful Standard as a gift, because then she will no longer steal this great shirt from your closet!

Isabel

Sustai­na­bi­li­ty Researcher

Local crafts, upcycling or innovative concepts such as clothing libraries. The world of more sustainable fashion is so much fun, creative and innovative and Isabel loves it! That is why she likes to be surprised this year with unique gifts, such as an upcycled jacket made from old jeans from the creative fashion label Andrea Bos. Or a lovely knitted blanket from Vauno, knitted locally in Germany, for cosy evenings on the couch. But after all, you surprise her the most with the ultimate sustainable fashion gift: a membership of the fashion library Kleiderei in Germany, with which she can endlessly vary with cool outfits without having to buy!

Adelia

Mar­ke­ting Ger­ma­ny & COSH! Pop-ups

This year, make your loved ones happy with colourful and unique Christmas gifts, just like Adelia has on her wish list. Get inspired by the unique and colourful jewellery from Amsterdam brand TOAIE, handmade in a fairer way by women in Colombia. The matching Wanderer earrings and bracelet, inspired by dancing coral, will make a great Christmas gift! Or go for the colourful scarf made from recycled materials at HIT.IN-TV in Berlin, with which you’ll get through the winter in a warm, stylish and eye-catching way.

Marie

What is better than giving a Christmas present that someone has had on their wish list for years? This way you’re sure that your gift will be cherished for years to come! Marie has been dreaming of the knitted skirt from the knitwear fashion label Vincente from Berlin for years. Or the knitted, merino wool cardigan from Wolvis with a Bauhaus-inspired design on the back. Both garments are not only very beautiful, but also last for years due to their high quality. Marie also has something on her wish list for a slightly smaller budget: the gold-plated earrings from Xzota.

Puck

Giving more sustainable Christmas presents that will keep them cosy this winter, well that’s nice! How about the natural soap bars from Nature Bar, with which you not only pamper your skin, but are also kinder to the planet. Or a stylish candle made from rapeseed wax, a natural and more sustainable alternative to traditional candles made from paraffin. At Het Faire Oosten in Amsterdam you’ll find beautiful candles from the brand Very Goods Studio that are guaranteed to be a hit! And what gives a better feeling than crawling under a wonderfully soft duvet in the evening, such as the duvet covers made from organic cotton from the Belgian brand Kalani? Or surprise your loved one with a gift card from a special store where you can browse endlessly, such as Hidden Youth in Rotterdam.

Have you found the perfect Christmas present? Then it’s time to wrap it! Get inspired by these more sustainable, zero-waste ways to wrap your present. Original, fun to do and better for the planet!

-> Elegance Meets Eco: Sustainable Christmas Gift Wrapping for Timeless Charm