HAPPY ECO CHRISTMAS!

HOW TO HAVE AN ECO-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS IN GENEVA

by Camilla Camponovo

Every year tons of plastic and paper are thrown away after the all important “unwrapping” moment. How about having a different (conscious) Christmas with less waste and better sustainable materials this year?

Check out our list of local shops (cosmetics, clothes, yoga mats, jewellery, wine, etc.), Christmas markets and festivals that will contribute to the creation of your eco Christmas.

TIPS FOR HAVING AN ECO-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS

First of all, here are some tips for a mindful Christmas:

Less plastic, less paper and more textile
To wrap your gift, try to do it yourself with some reusable textiles and avoid wrapping with infinite layers of paper or plastic. You can find all kind of textiles, colours and shapes.
Less is more
Try buying gifts that are really useful and avoid buying items that will end up in the trash! Think about functional items that will be useful (if not essential) in everyday life.
Local items and renewable materials
Prioritise and support small and artisanal shops (or second hand shops). And if you need to buy from a non-local big store, make sure your gift has a minimal impact on the environment.

SHOPS

BIJU: Backpacks for women and for men

These colourful and unique handmade backpacks are made from recycled materials and are painted by a Swiss designer (Yvan Mermod). Biju offers backpacks, bags, kits and wallets. The price range goes from CHF 10 to CHF 150.

MORE INFO

To order your personal backpack check out the website: http://biju.ch/

YOGA SHOP GENEVA: Yoga mats, Blocks, Clothes (and more) for women and men

For the Yoga lovers: there’s nothing better than a brand new yoga mat or a new yoga outfit to kick off the new year in total comfort and style. Yoga Shop offers a vast choice of Yoga mats (natural rubber, 100% natural cotton, bricks, straps, pillows, wheels and everything else you might need for an excellent yoga or meditation practice).

The clothes are designed in Germany and are ethically produced in Portugal.

Good to know: some of the mats present the OEKO TEX label which means that they are tested for harmful substances.
Some of the brands: Jade Mat, Manduka, De Uria

MORE INFO

Website: http://www.yogashop-geneve.ch/home.php

Address: Rue Jean-Violette 18, 1205 Geneva

LE JARDIN DE DÉNISE: Beauty and Care

Le Jardin de Dénise is an artisanal local cosmetics online shop. Le Jardin de Dénise (English: Denise’s garden) offers a vast selection of natural cosmetics (shampoos, creams, soaps, deodorants, etc.) and essential oils. The online shop proposes some excellent ideas for Christmas gifts such as gift boxes or vouchers.

https://www.lejardindedenise.ch/

JESSIE’S GENÈVE: Cosmetics for men and women

Jessie’s Genève is an online cosmetics brand that is 100% vegan and is not tested on animals. Their Beauty Boxes are personalised to your type of ‘beauty’. You can also choose singular products for hair, body, face and make-up. The price range for the products goes from CHF15 (makeup brush) to CHF150 (the luxury beauty box for 3 months).

MORE INFO

For more info check out their online shop: www.jessiesgeneve.com

FORET BLEUE: Natural and Responsible Cosmetics

Foret Bleue is a brand that offers natural and responsible cosmetics in two different shops in Geneva. Their products are: solid shampoos, facial serums, natural creams, oils, and more!

MORE INFO

For more info concerning their Christmas boxes check out their website ( https://foretbleue.ch ) or go directly to their shops in Geneva.

Address:
a) 7 rue Saint-Joseph

1227 Carouge

b) 18 place du Bourg-de-Four

1204 Genève

AVINAS: Bohemian Chic Jewellery

Avinas is a brand created by a Swiss-born designer (Fabienne Ymar Fryba), her jewellery combines a mix of bohemian and vintage feel with a modern twist. Avinas offers spectacular necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings.

MORE INFO

Address: 48 Rue du Rhône, Geneva

www.avinasjewelry.com

L’ECHAPÉE BELLE: Home Decor

Wonderful decor items for your house and creative jewellery. L’Echappée Belle is a brand designed by local artists and artisans.

MORE INFO

Address: Rue Saint-Victor 1, Carouge

www.lechappee-belle.ch

AOKAS: Ethical Brand Helping Cambodians In Need

AOKAS is a chic and ethical shop for children, women and men; the shop offers sleepers, scarfs, hats, kimono, backpacks and blankets! The exclusivity about AOKAS is their authentic and handmade products made by Cambodian families. AOKAS’ goal is to help Cambodians in extreme poverty by giving them a healthy working environment and economic independence.

MORE INFO

Address: Route de Nyon 21, 1196 Gland

www.aokas.ch

SEP JORDAN: Sustainable Fashion with a real mission

SEP JORDAN offers luxury social accessories to lifestyle conscious shoppers. The brand helps refugees in Jordan, with their stated mission to bring thousands of refugees above the poverty line.

The brand has a home collection, as well as bags, shirts, jackets, scarves and baby clothes.

MORE INFO

Addresses:
a) Rue du Conseil-General 18 (Boutique Wiish)

b) Rue Henri-Blanvalet 14 (LeLabo Boutique)

https://sepjordan.com/

WINE

MI FOOD MI RAISIN: Wine

Wondering where to find an excellent 100% natural wine from the region? Mi Food Mi Raisin is a wonderful spot selling THE best wines!

MORE INFO

Website: https://www.mifoodmiraisin.com/

Address: Chemin Neuf 4, 1207 Geneva

Opening hours :
Monday 17 h – 23h
Tuesday – Friday : 12h – 23h

SECOND HAND SHOPS

AFFAIRES À SUIVRE: Second hand shop

This lovely second hand shop is open by appointment only!

Address: Rue Saint-Joseph 6, 1227 Carouge

Contact Number: +41(0) 22 556 33 34

Instagram: @affairesasuivre_carouge

LE 13: Ethical and Vintage shop

Website: http://mamzellepopeline.blogspot.com/

Instagram: @le_13_geneve

Address: Rue des Rois 13, 1204 Geneva

FLAIR NO3: Vintage Shop

Address: Rue John Grasset 3

1205 Genève

More info on their Facebook page : Flair3

BOUTIQUE NUMÉRO 6: Second Hand Shop Delux

Address : Rue Saint-Joseph 31, 1227 Carouge

More info here : https://www.timeout.com/switzerland/shopping/numero-6

FESTIVALS AND MARKETS

Northern Lights Festival – Switzerland’s first sustainable lifestyle event Festival

On Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of December head over to the Bahama Yellow for a Scandinavian experience of healthy and conscious living. At the Northern Lights Festival you’ll be able to find more about sustainable living, mindful goods and local talents. The festival will offer Nordic food and you’ll definitely experience the Scandinavian Hygge factor. Entrance to the festival is free.

MORE INFO

When: Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 of December from 10 am to 9 pm

Address: Rue Prévost-Martin 47, Bahama Yellow, Plainpalais
www.northernlightsfest.com

MARCHÉ DE NOËL FERME DE BUDÉ: soap, ceramics, books, jewellery, wine and more

A local bio Christmas market will take place in Petit-Saconnex featuring different types of products from 25 artisans from Geneva. Definitely a MUST GO event to add to your list before Christmas.