Obakki gift guide: ethical gifts too beautiful to pass up
Our Holiday Gift Guide makes it easy to choose sustainable, ethical presents that will feel just as good giving as they do getting.
More than ever, people are discovering the joy in giving gifts that give back. Obakki’s Artisan Holiday Gift Guide makes it easy for you to choose sustainable, ethical holiday gifts that feel just as good to give as they do to receive.
Our exclusive line of carefully curated products are ethical, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Each piece honours the heritage and craftsmanship of the artisans who create them—from fair trade gifts and artisan glassware to small-batch skincare and handcrafted ceramics. These meaningful, sustainable pieces are thoughtful, stylish, and most beautiful of all, made with integrity.
Sustainable Glassware MADE
FROM RECYCLED GLASS
Everyone in your life will love our collection of hand-blown recycled glassware from Eswatini. Designed to be both sustainable and sculptural, these pieces transform everyday rituals into moments of quiet beauty — meaningful holiday gifts that feel as good to give as they do to receive.
Nestled in the mountains of Eswatini, Africa’s oldest glassblowing studio has been shaping recycled glass into timeless works of art since 1979. Under the legacy of master glassblower Sibusiso Mhlanga, each piece is mouth-blown from discarded bottles, giving new life to what was once waste. The result is glassware that feels weightless yet strong — organic, luminous, and alive with the marks of the hands that made it.
Upcycled GOLD Jewelry
from Kenya
Crafted in the heart of Nairobi, this jewelry collection brings together the work of two local artisans, Sylvester and Jack, each with their own unique approach.
Using 100% upcycled brass—from discarded taps, padlocks, and old coins—these pieces are shaped by hand into striking, wearable forms, then plated in 18k gold or silver. More than adornment, this is jewelry with a story. What was once overlooked is transformed into an emblem of sustainability, ingenuity, and human connection. Each piece holds a past, a purpose, and a future.
HANDMADE Japanese Candles
AND INCENSE
Traditional Japanese scents make a thoughtful, meaningful gift for everyone. Our candles are handmade in Ishikawa, Japan by a family-run studio that has perfected this ancestral craft since 1892, these ethical, artisan candles embody more than a century of dedication and artistry.
Each candle is made from sumac wax, carefully harvested from the fruit of the Japanese Haze tree, and poured by hand using age-old methods. Their distinctive hollow wicks create a tall, bright flame that burns cleanly and gracefully — a symbol of light, mindfulness, and continuity.
Our incense is hand-rolled using traditional techniques passed down by masters over hundreds of years. Many of the enduring, high-quality fragrances produced today are still based on original formulas—sophisticated, grounding, and deeply evocative.
Organic Beeswax Candles
for Conscious Gifting
There’s something quietly magical about a candle that’s been crafted with care — the way its glow softens a room, sets a table, and transforms an ordinary moment into something intentional.
Co-founded by Fraser and Chloë Malyk, this is UK’s first certified organic candle studio. Their mission is simple yet radical: to bring honesty and restoration to a broken industry long dominated by synthetic waxes and misleading claims. Each candle is made in small batches using certified organic beeswax sourced from pesticide-free, regenerative European apiaries — landscapes protected for the wellbeing of bees, beekeepers, and the ecosystems they sustain.
Handcrafted SERVEWARE
FROM MOROCCO
If you’re looking to gift something soulful and enduring, our walnut wood pieces from Morocco, crafted by Lahcen and his fellow artisans, bring natural warmth to any space. From sculptural bowls to elegant candle holders and small dishes, each item is carved and sanded entirely by hand.
Working in a small atelier in Marrakech, Lahcen uses locally sourced walnut wood, chosen for its rich grain and durability. Every curve, groove, and surface is shaped using traditional tools and a practiced hand—no machines, no shortcuts. The result is a quiet celebration of slow craft and functional beauty. These pieces don’t just decorate a space, they carry the legacy of Moroccan woodworking, passed down through generations.
OBAKKI ETHICAL GIFTS TO INSPIRE YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
At Obakki, every gift tells a story — of hands, heritage, and heart. Our ethical gift collection celebrates the artistry of global makers who craft with intention and care, using natural materials and time-honoured techniques passed down through generations.
From recycled glassware in Eswatini to walnut wood candle holders in Morocco and organic beeswax candles from the UK, each piece is created through fair trade partnerships that empower artisans and sustain their communities.These are more than gifts — they’re symbols of connection, purpose, and respect for the planet. When you choose handmade, sustainable gifts, you’re not just giving beautifully crafted objects; you’re supporting a global movement toward conscious living and mindful consumption.
Discover the full collection of global ethical gifts and artisan-made treasures designed to bring beauty, meaning, and integrity into every home this holiday season.
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Sustainable, Handcrafted Gifts for Every Personality
Looking for a meaningful holiday gift? Whether you're shopping for the minimalist, the homebody, or the ritual seeker, our curated guide has you covered. Each piece is sustainably made, ethically sourced, and handcrafted by artisans around the world—ensuring your gift carries not just beauty, but purpose. From slow-made decor to one-of-a-kind treasures, these thoughtful picks are designed to suit every personality on your list.
Ethical Gifts Too Beautiful to Pass Up
Our Holiday Gift Guide makes it easy to give with intention. From ethically sourced homeware to up-cycled jewelry, these handcrafted pieces are as meaningful as they are beautiful—gifts that feel good to give, and even better to receive.
NOTES FROM THE FIELD: sourcing in morocco
Join us on our first Morocco sourcing trip, where founder Treana Peake set out to uncover true artisanship—beyond the souks, beyond the souvenirs, and into the heart of Morocco’s enduring craft traditions...