The year-end parties are sometimes known as the “season of over-consumption”, and perhaps it is well-deserved. With all the unnecessary packaging that goes into the presents, the food wastage, and the Christmas lights that stay on throughout the night, all this merrymaking comes at the expense of our planet. To help you undo some of the damage, here are some nature-loving presents to consider. Now ditch the packaging, because it’s the gesture that counts.
“With our planet facing ecological and environmental challenges, luxury to me is being able to enjoy nature. There’s so much beauty on our planet, I am thankful for all that nature is giving us as I stand in awe of its beauty and wonder. We should all endeavour to preserve and conserve this gift from Mother Gaia, keeping initiatives to save our planet close to our heart.”
— Jacelyn Lai, nature advocate
A portion of every trip taken with luxe travel group andBeyond goes toward conservation efforts, but if you’d prefer to get closer to the action, sign up for their Phinda Impact Journey. An experienced team will lead you in the humane capture of rhinos for research purposes, where you’ll get to carry out ear notching or a dehorning (which doesn’t hurt the animal and protects it from poachers).
Continuing in her commitment to create products that are friendly towards animals and the environment, Stella McCartney’s Stan Smith sneakers just shot up to the top of our “need” list.
This moisturiser contains natural extracts and probiotics to help support the skin’s moisture barrier and boost its natural renewal process, combat texture, dullness and redness, and give users a glowy and radiant complexion.
Staying in the Muh Shoou Xixi hotel in Hangzhou is like living in a classic Chinese watercolour painting. Ancient persimmon trees, framed-views of the surrounding wetlands, and flowing lines that would make any calligrapher proud: It’s like living in a landscape painting brought to life.
The Greenhouse, from Tiffany & Co.
This fantastically luxurious greenhouse is crafted from solid sterling silver, and took four Tiffany craftspeople over 1,000 hours over the course of nine months to engineer. Naturally, it comes complete with a year’s worth of floral arrangements, and a suite of gardening tools.
Working with sustainable materials, this flirty little frock is the perfect thing to wear to brunch on a hot afternoon.
The Maldives houses one of the biggest populations of reef manta rays in the world, with around 5,000 of the majestic creatures in residence. The InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, situated beside the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, allows guests to get into breathtaking proximity with them – and you can even ‘adopt’ your own manta ray for sustainable purposes.
Part of NET-A-PORTER’s bid to help reshape the fashion industry’s effects on the environment, NET SUSTAIN champions fashion brands that have prioritised eco-conscious methods, materials, and designs without compromising on style. No better time than now to kickstart your journey to a greener wardrobe.
Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer, from Tata Harper
This lightweight gel moisturiser from the queen of botanical-based skincare is designed to deeply hydrate and drench skin in intense moisture.