24 July 2024
Shopping in Antwerp: these are the best and more sustainable hotspots
- COSH! Member Publicity
- City Guide
- Lifestyle
You know what time it is when Mariah Carey is blasting through the speakers and the streets are lit up with cosy lights: Christmas time! And in addition to a delicious dinner and cosy moments with family and friends, this also means time for presents! Do you have no idea what to buy or ask as a Christmas present this year, and are you looking for eco gift ideas? Then you’ve come to the right place! This article offers you ‘First Aid for Gift-Giving Anxiety’. Discover our extensive overview of great, sustainable Christmas presents for every budget!
Gift Inspiration for True Eco-Warriors
CÎME ‘Nuts About You’ gift set (€29,90)
Would you like to give organic and fairtrade care products as a present? Look no further! The festive CÎME Christmas gift box is the perfect fit for you! The box contains a ‘Nuts About You’ body wash & scrub (the newest addition to the collection) and a ‘For Your Hands Only’ hand cream. For each box, a part of the proceeds goes to Little Doctors, a project in Nepal. This way, you not only give a beautiful gift to your loved ones, but you also support a good cause.
Read more about CÎME here and discover the points of sale at the bottom of this page.
Give a Warm Gift from Head to Toe
Warm, fair-trade slippers (€59.90)
Do you want your family to have warm feet all year round? Discover the cosy slippers made from sustainable wool at Supergoods in Antwerp, Ghent and Mechelen. The warm slippers are completely recyclable and biodegradable! Moreover, these slippers are made under fair working conditions in Nepal.
Shop the Baabuk slippers for men and women at Supergoods in Antwerp, Ghent and Mechelen
Kalani loungewear (from €59.90)
The winter months are the perfect time to cocoon indoors. That’s why a warm pair of sweatpants or a comfortable hoodie makes a perfect gift for under the Christmas tree! With the Kalani loungewear collection, you are guaranteed a comfortable and eco gift. The T‑shirts, pullovers and sweatpants are made of certified organic cotton and recycled polyester.
A warm scarf and matching hat from Wolvis (€125.00)
Looking for a sustainable Belgian gift? Then we have just the thing for you: a warm, soft scarf from Wolvis! This Belgian brand makes scarves and hats from 100% merino wool and is produced in a local workshop in Belgium.
Shop Wolvis at Supergoods in Antwerp, Ghent and Mechelen, at mAke in Hasselt, at HOST in Antwerp Berchem, at Mais Oui in Bruges, at Harvest Club in Leuven.
Hooked beanie (€60.00)
Give a warm, soft hat as a present! The hats by Hooked are made of 100% alpaca wool. The beanies are handmade in Peru and help vulnerable women to support themselves and their families.
Shop Hooked at Gruun pop-up in Mol
Natural Cosmetics
Are you looking for a nice gift set with natural cosmetics? Then definitely take a look at the following addresses:
Clothilde in Aalst, Druantia in Lier, Teint Teint in Antwerp, Løv Elly in Deurne, KIEZ in Antwerp, at MINIMAL in Antwerpen Berchem Kudzu in Bruges.
A Shiny Gift
Would you like to buy ethical jewellery as a present, or are you still looking for beautiful earrings, a necklace or a bracelet you can put on your own Christmas wishlist? Discover our overview of sustainable and ethical jewellery brands here.
Looking for Creative DIY Gifts?
Is the person you are buying a present for someone creative? Then, they will love a DIY kit or a fun workshop! At Anne Drake, you will find packages for making your own shampoo bars or bath bombs.
Want to discover more experience gifts? Discover our overview here.
Gifts for Sustainable Sports Lovers
A sporty gift with a sustainable character is what you’ll find at Addict Store in Antwerp and Wilrijk. Discover the Belgian, sustainable sportswear brand Recto Verso as well as Veja Running’s ecological sports shoes, among other eco-sports brands.
An ‘Always on the Go’ Gift
Be the fibre weekend bag (€99.00)
Are you looking for a gift for someone who often goes away for the weekend or often has to move a lot of stuff? Then, an overnight bag is a super convenient and useful gift! The weekend bag of Be the fibre is made of 100% recycled material, and the leather finish is also made of leftover leather.
Shop Be the fibre at Allossa in Izegem, at MOOSE in the CITY and Circuit in Antwerp and at Anders Getint in Leuven.
An insulated thermos from Dopper (€29.50)
Would you like to give a quality, insulating thermos for a coffee, soup or tea lover? Then we have good news for you! Because Dopper, the well-known water bottle brand, recently added two new colours to their thermos range: Lilac and Lemon Crush! Avoid single-use coffee and soup cups and keep your drink warm for 9 hours (or cold for 24 hours)! Ideal for the winter months but also very handy in the summer!
Shop Dopper at Supergoods in Antwerp, Ghent and Mechelen, Kudzu in Bruges, Løv | Elly, Allossa in Izegem and Fonetik in Aalst.
A Christmas Gift for Your Favourite Four-Legged Friend
Gifts for a Cosy Home
IWAS scented candles (€19.99)
Are you looking for a gift that brings warmth and cosiness to your home? Then, a natural-scented candle is a good option. The IWAS-scented candles are made from organic wax and have a natural aroma. The glass jar consists of an upcycled bottle, and the box is also made of upcycled cardboard. Moreover, the candles are handmade under ethical working conditions in India and Indonesia.
Discover the IWAS products at the Allossa concept store in Izegem, at Ma Reine et moi in Heverlee.
Want to discover more ecological candles? Click here.
House Raccoon vase/crop holder (€24.50)
For beautiful, minimalist design plant pots and interior accessories, House Raccoon in Mechelen is the place to be. All products are handmade in Belgium, and House Raccoon plants a tree for every product sold. This way, you don’t just give a nice gift, but you also contribute to a greener world.
Discover the House Raccoon products in their shop in Mechelen, at HOST in Berchem, at Mais Oui in Bruges and Fonetik in Aalst.
A Unique and Personalised Gift
Houthuys embroidery workshop
Would you like to surprise someone with a personalised gift under the Christmas tree? Then Houthuys’s embroidery workshop in Ghent is the place to be. At Houthuys, you can have garments and accessories embroidered with a name, a logo or an illustration of your choice. Sara from Houthuys embroiders with embroidery thread made from recycled polyester on Fairtrade-certified clothes. Interested? Visit the Houthuys atelier in Gent or contact Sara from Houthuys via the website.
A Green Gift on a Small Budget
A green gift under €20?
Are you looking for a cool, sustainable gift but don’t have a big budget? Then take a look at our sustainable socks Christmas special! Because let’s face it, who doesn’t like colourful socks? Discover cheerful socks in different sizes and colours for men, women, and kids!
Can’t Choose? Give a COSH! Gift Card!
Does your recipient not have a clear wish list, and do you have no idea what you can buy to make them happy? Give a sustainable gift card! With the , you are guaranteed to give an ecological gift. The receiver can choose where to spend the voucher. This way, you can discover several local, sustainable retailers in the COSH! network.
Zero ‑Waste Gift Wrapping
Found the perfect Christmas gift? Great! Time to wrap it! Looking for an ecological way to wrap your gifts? Try Furoshiki! This Japanese wrapping method uses textiles for gift wrapping. This way, you can avoid disposable options. Take a look around the house for some textiles you can use or discover ecological gift wrap made of 100% organic & Fairtrade certified cotton at Kalani. Add a sprig of pine tree, eucalyptus or a dried flower yourself and give a 100% eco-conscious gift! Want to discover other sustainable gift-wrapping options? Check out our blog post here.
Would you like to score a sustainable Christmas gift at a sustainable retailer near you? Take a look at our shopping guide and discover even more sustainable hotspots!
