The holiday season is a time of giving and gifting. As you approach your holiday gift list, keep in mind the safety of the products you buy – not only for the people you love but for the planet, too. Whether you are shopping for gifts for the home, for kids, or for yourself, follow these principles to find gifts you can feel good about giving and getting:
Home in on Home Goods
With pandemic restrictions keeping people at home this year, shoppers are redirecting their holiday spending towards furnishings and décor that help keep things festive at home, according to Deloitte’s annual holiday spending survey. Tap into that trend with gifts including bed linens, towels, and pillows. More time at home means prioritizing comfort, so consider clothing items that get lots of mileage indoors, like pajamas, robes, and socks. We also know that consumers want to learn more about choosing safe furniture and fabrics for their home, but they aren’t sure where to start. OEKO-TEX® labeling is an important step in making informed decisions.
Shop Your Conscience
According to the same recent Deloitte survey, 71% of “conscious shoppers” prefer to shop at retailers who adopt sustainable practices, compared to 50% of shoppers overall. If you count yourself among this group or the nearly half of consumers who are health-conscious – a growing segment of shoppers who care about the health impact of the products they buy – consider investing in your values as you shop.
Highlight Humanity
“2020 is shaping up to be a very ‘human’ holiday season for consumers, with a desire to support the people who have served our communities,” according to a September 2020 consumer insights report from Accenture. “There’s never been a more important time for retailers to be authentic to their purpose and transparent about how they’re looking after their employees and the wider community.” When checking items off of your shopping list, focus on products that center the safety, health, and wellbeing of the people who make them and use them.
Look for the Label
Our OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is one of the world's best-known labels for textiles tested for harmful substances, certifying that every component of the product – from the fabric to the buttons to the finished product – has been rigorously tested for toxic chemicals.
Our OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label means a product is tested for harmful substances and comes from a facility that implements environmentally friendly production processes – from the use of chemicals to responsible handling of wastewater. Suppliers must also take actions to improve working conditions and strengthen health and safety protection for workers at production sites.
This holiday season and beyond, looking for the OEKO-TEX® labels can help you find pieces for everyone on your list while also giving you peace of mind.
