There are plenty of eco-friendly presents available for the men in your life. But if bamboo socks aren't just what you're after - although they're probably very comfy - check out our five top choices for ethical presents to put under the tree this Christmas.

Here at Hippyshopper we love nerdy, geeky gadgets that can help us be even more eco-friendly and save energy. But with all the tech wizardry around, it can sometimes be difficult to filter through all the shiny gadgets to find those that can help with a greener lifestyle.

[thanks to energyrethinking.org]

We're already half way through November and it's not a minute too soon to start getting prepared for your eco Christmas. After all for environmentally minded folks there is nothing worse than having the festivities surprise you so that you've got to rush around on the 24th and gift your loved ones mass-produced items that have been flown in from a country far far away, increasing that carbon footprint - and adding to the general throwaway mentality that is too widespread these days.

But going eco for Christmas means planning ahead, making a list and perhaps checking it twice. To help you we'll be looking high and low for great green gifts as well as share our best tips for homemade presents because nothing warms the heart more than something you made yourself.

Make sure you check in regularly as we'll be adding each guide below to make it easy for you to find what you need.

And if you got a brilliant idea that we haven't mentioned yet or know of an amazing locally produced product, let us know by emailing us or tweet us @Hippyshopper.

Eco Christmas Gift Guides

5 great energy saving gadgets for a greener lifestyle

Here at Hippyshopper we love nerdy, geeky gadgets that can help us be even more eco-friendly and save energy. But with all the tech wizardry around, it can sometimes be difficult to filter through all the shiny gadgets to find those that can help with a greener lifestyle.

5 gifts for him

There are plenty of eco-friendly presents available for the men in your life. But if bamboo socks aren't just what you're after - although they're probably very comfy - check out our five top choices for ethical presents to put under the tree this Christmas.

Gift for her

Getting Christmas presents for girls can be easy, just head to the nearest beauty section and you'll be safe. But if you're looking to get something a bit more unique - and not to mention - eco-friendly, then you've come to the right place. I've waded through the froth to find some of the more desirable and sustainable presents for her out there. If organic knitwear, limited handmade pieces and fairtrade scarves is her thing, look no further!

Decorations

The greenest way to buy a Christmas tree

The merry season that is Christmas is just under one month away so it's time to start thinking about festive decorations, delicious food for vegetarians and carnivores alike, and not to mention the staple item; the Christmas tree! Click here to find more about buying a Christmas tree.

Christmas Recipes

Pistachio, sage & cream cheese free range cockerel Christmas roast

Buying locally or free range is a great way to ensure that the meat on your plate has been reared with animal welfare in mind and that is environmentally sound. A great alternative to your traditional Christmas turkey is a free range cockerel roast, and here's a recipe courtesy of Packington Free Range to get your started.

More ethical gift guides, Christmas recipes and decoration ideas to follow...

A great gift for boys and girls - both young and old. This cool space explorer kit is made up of fourteen easy to assemble wooden parts to build and paint - making your own rocket!

There's more. The box is printed on the inside layer with cut out shapes to make a space mobile with!

Talk about a great way to reduce packaging and make recycling fun.

Feeling artistic? Get the space rocket kit from Pea Green Things for £14.00.

Photo: Pea Green Things

I love this notebook! Not only is it 100% ethically produced, I simply love the name of it. Ok, so it might be because my first name can be shortened to Betty...

The notebooks are made with soft organic cotton, and are available in several stylish colours.

Whether you want to use it as your 'to-do' list or to jot down notes for your blog, this will make writing so much more fun!

Available at Eco Age for £8.00.

Photo: Eco Age

Now this is a great gift for any music aficionado. These days vinyl records aren't found in most homes, but with this clever new use of the classic item, you can add a bit of retro style to you home.

The coasters are made from abandoned records that have been pressed into shape and coated for durability. A great way to add a special touch to your New Year's Party!

Better yet, all sales support the Natural History Museum's research into understanding diseases like malaria and conserving biodiversity of our planet. So it's actually two gifts in one!

Available from the Natural History Museum's online shop for £18.00 + delivery.

Photo: Natural History Museum.

If your Christmas present receiver is an urban dweller with no garden space, why not wrap this sleek looking aerogarden and place it under the tree?

An indoor hydroponic garden that allows you to easily grow a variety of herbs, lettuce, cherry tomatoes or even chilli peppers, the Aerogarden is an energy-efficient, organic-based environment to see if you have been blessed with 'green fingers'.

Quick and easy to set up, you can start the growing process immediately. The mini-garden monitors itself to create ideal growing conditions for each plant and alerts you when it's time to add more water and nutrients. So you don't need to worry, even if you're lacking the gardening gene.

Head over to Eco Age's online store to get your hands on an Aerogarden for £130.00.

If you're at a loss of what to get your loved one, why not opt for this indulgent gift set from The Body Shop?

Perfect to de-stress after Christmas Day, everyone would love a bit of 'me-time' with these delightful luxury gift set with the tropical scent of fresh coconut.

The set contains:
- Coconut Shower Cream 250 ml
- Coconut Body Butter 200 ml
- Coconut Soap 100 g
- Coconut Body Scrub 200 ml
- Two-Tone Bath Lily

Available through The Body Shop's website for £23.00.

The Body Shop believe there is only one way to beautiful, nature's way. They constantly seek out wonderful natural ingredients from all four corners of the globe, and bring products bursting with effectiveness to enhance your natural beauty and express your unique personality. Against animal testing, all products and ingredients are sourced responsibly.

Photo: The Body Shop

For anyone wishing to add a bit of Old Hollywood glamour to this year's Christmas parties, red lips are a must.

This deep, timeless red lipstick designed by Daniel Sandler for 'all for eve' is the perfect choice. A blue based red; it is suitable for most skin types.

'all for eve' is a stand-alone beauty and lifestyle brand that works together with some of the leading brands in the beauty and fashion industry, and donates its net profits to The Eve Appeal, which supports women's cancers.

The crimson lipstick is designed to create a feeling of courage and poise in celebration women's strength.

It is available from Pure Design for £10.00 + delivery.

Pure Design has chosen to match 'all for eve's' commitment by donating 100% of Pure Design profit from sales to The Eve Appeal.

Photo: Pure Design

Despite the iPad taking the world with storm, there is sometimes nothing better than to curl up in the sofa with a good book. For anyone interested in great organic British food, check out the third book in Sawday's hugely successful Go Slow series: Eat Slow Britain.

Take a journey to forty-five of Britain's most special places to eat and meet owners and chefs who grow their own food, source only the very best local produce, and who prepare it all with love and flair - all from the comfort of your own home! Eat Slow Britain is published in collaboration with the Soil Association, and also focuses on some of Britain's best organic food producers.

Discover the flavours of British foods, and meet artisan cheese makers, master bakers, farmers and brewers, and get a couple ideas for your holiday next year too.

Available from the bookshop at Sawday's for £12.99 + delivery.

Photos: Sawday's

This is the perfect stocking filler for anyone heading to sunnier climates in the New Year or for someone you want to treat to a relaxing night in.

The sweet and handy tin is packed with head to toe essentials, including Milk & Honey Body Lotion, Champagne Lip Shimmer and Beeswax Lip Balm, and is recyclable, making sure it isn't damaging to the environment.

Burt's Bees products contain honey which has a soothing effect and adds softness to the skin - an excellent natural moisturiser!

The holiday suitcase tin contains:
- Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo (29.5ml)
- Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Conditioner (29.5ml)
- Citrus & Ginger Root Body Wash (29.5ml)
- Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion (29.5ml)
- Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub (15g)
- Radiance Day Cream (7g)
- Beeswax Lip Balm (4.25g)
- Champagne Lip Shimmer (2.6g)

Available from Burt's Bees for £19.99.

Photo: Burt's Bees

Don't know about you, but I love great quality food products. So for me a hamper full of fairtrade delights would be perfect!

The Fairtrade Foundation Festive hamper from Traidcraft Shop contains a selection of handpicked products from dedicated fair trade organisations including Zaytoun olive oil from Palestine, Divine chocolate with cocoa from Ghana and award-winning Cafedirect organic coffee from Peru. That's three of my favourite things!

Available on Traidcraft Shop online a large basket is filled with one each of the following:
- Traidcraft Fruit, Chocolate and Nut Cookies 180g
- Traidcraft Fairtrade Cashew Nut Snack Pack 50g
- Harry's Nuts Salted Peanuts 120g
- Divine Dark Chocolate after Dinner Mints 200g
- Dubble Milk Chocolate Christmas Puddings 90g
- Divine Drinking Chocolate 400g
- Fairtrade Sweet Justice Honey 340g
- Qi Organic Green Loose Tea 100g
- Cafedirect Machu Picchu Organic Ground Coffee 227g
- Palestinian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml
- Valdevina Malbec 2009 Argentinean Red Wine 75cl

Giving a Fairtrade Christmas hamper to a loved one this holiday will help producers in 13 developing countries, so that they can get a little extra to spend on the necessities of life.

And if you quote 'HAMPER' in the online basket, the lovely people at Traidcraft are offering free delivery.

Available from www.traidcraftshop.co.uk for £49.95.

Photo: Traidcraft

Ok, so I might be a bit too old for a toy car, but it would make the perfect present for the Little Mr or Little Miss in your family.

With no motors, batteries, lights or sounds, each car is hand made with love and attention for a child to treasure and one day pass to the next generation.

The Baghera retro pedal cars are the perfect mode of transport for pint sized passengers. Made by a reputable French manufacturer, these timeless metal cars are built to last a lifetime. The range is inspired by vintage classics, and includes cars, fire trucks and helicopters.

What is not to love about them!

Prices start from £59.00, and the cars are available from selected retailers nationwide, including:

The Shock Group
T: 01630 656737
www.craftandplay.co.uk

Surbiton Natural Health Centre
T: 020 8399 2772
14 Claremont Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 4QU

I love decorating my home with unique and quirky things. And this beautiful map of Britain is definitely on my Christmas wish list this year. Not only does it look fantastic, it is also hand produced in the UK and printed on 100% recycled card!

The graphic is made up of the text of place names around the UK, so for any fellow non-Brits and born-Brits it is not only cleverly created but educational too. Carefully hand produced, the print is made using the silkscreen printing method and is printed onto off-white recycled card made from 100% de-inked post consumer waste. Art that is actually rubbish!

Available in slate and blue from ecocentric.com for £37.99 + delivery.

Photo: ecocentric.com

It's the perfect item of clothing. In summer it keeps you cool and stylish; in winter it's an essential part of the layered look. I'm of course talking about the versatile t-shirt. Add some cute animal prints and you get Brat & Suzie.

Launched in 2009, Brat & Suzie is the collaboration between fashion obsessed designer Polly Vickery and illustrator Louise Boulter. Together they create cute hand printed t-shirts with original designs featuring quirky animal illustrations.

Using well-sourced ethical materials which are manufactured in the UK, each t-shirt is hand printed locally in London using vegetable based dyes.

A rising star in the fashion scene, the collection now also includes vests and canvas bags, as well as dresses and will be expanding into shorts for the complete look.

For more info or to buy visit www.bratandsuzie.com.