I know.. it’s 2026 already. It goes so fast right? We’re all gifted out, 5 kg heavier, and getting back into the usual routine, but now that the dust has settled on the holiday season it’s as good a time as any to pause for a sec and think about the gifts we give.
In our busy lives it’s so easy to default to quick, impersonal buys (last-minute shopping on that river site, anyone?) but there’s something profoundly special about choosing handmade items. Items that carry stories, traditions, and a real human touch.
The Lanna region of northern Thailand is a huge source of inspiration for us, as we mention in just about every journal article! This is in large part due to the rich history of hill tribe communities that reside in the mountains here. Most notably we have hill tribes such as the Hmong, Karen, and Lisu. Artisans in these small communities use techniques passed down through generations, such as weaving hemp to create textiles or hammering silver with crude tools to create custom, personal jewelry.
But ethical handmade gifts extend far beyond one region, especially today in our connected world. It’s wild to think about, but in today’s world pretty much anything is just a few clicks away from being delivered to your doorstep. That doesn’t mean it’s all vapid consumerism and next-day mass-produced junk, though – ethical gifts are the opposite.
Whether you’re sourcing them from Thai villages, Southeast Asian markets, or fair trade cooperatives worldwide, these items show that gifting can be an act of kindness on multiple levels. It’s a bit of a triple whammy – your thoughtful act of gifting positively affects the recipient, the maker, and the environment. A quadruple whammy if you add the fact that you’ll forever be known as the person who gives the best gifts.
So with that in mind, we’d like to offer you a few ethical gift ideas, each with a little Lanna influence.
Hill Tribe Silver Jewelry
Truly ethical jewelry? Yes, it exists. If you’ve never seen handmade silver jewelry from Thai hill tribes – let me tell you! It’s truly stunning, can be personalized, and is quickly becoming more sought after as word spreads. High-purity silver is hammered and etched into earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, often with traditional motifs like spirals symbolizing eternity or floral designs for growth.
As well as being pleasing to the eye, hill tribe jewelry is incredibly unique. It’s a wearable piece of culture after all. Elegant, yet remaining visibly handcrafted, it’s jewelry that is perfect for everyday or special occasions. There are a few sources for hill tribe jewelry, but we recommend options such as Karen Silver House or the collection of hill tribe jewelry at NOVICA.
Handwoven Seagrass or Rattan Baskets
If we’re talking practical yet beautiful storage, handwoven baskets are an unbeatable choice. Super popular nowadays too. Typically they are woven from sustainable seagrass, rattan, or water hyacinth – each a rustic material with it’s own little quirks. They come in both open and lidded styles, perfect for blankets, toys, laundry and more.
While we don’t stock these, they are widely available from Southeast Asian artisans. We recommend checking out some ethical sources like Ten Thousand Villages.
Hill Tribe Textile Cushion Covers
We all know it – nothing transforms a living space as effortlessly as a few throw cushions with vibrant textiles and patterns. It’s like a home decor hack. Throw a few funky pillows around and you’ve got a mini-makeover.
Hill tribe artisans are masters of intricate needlework, creating patterns inspired by nature. Embroidered birds, flowers and geometric motifs feature often. All in bold colors on sturdy fabric, often thick hemp. These cushion covers add instant character to sofas, beds, or little seating nooks.
At Lanna Passa we stock cushions crafted from authentic hill tribe textiles. If nothing here catches your eye, similar cushions can be found through fair trade sources like NOVICA‘s Thai artisans.
Indigo Batik or Ethnic Fabric Poufs and Ottomans
Following on from cushions, we go to something just as cozy, but multi-functional too. Ottomans and poufs make large but excellent gifts for anyone who loves relaxed living. Ours are filled with natural kapok and covered in hand-dyed indigo batik or embroidered fabrics. Whether used as a footrest, extra seating, or just to fill a space in a room, they are a fantastic ethical housewarming gift. We also offer rattan-based ottomans and poufs for a rustic feel.
View our ottoman and pouf collection.
Thai Celadon Ceramics
The subtle crackle glaze of celadon ceramics – oooooh! It’s so beautiful. The pottery style originated in China many centuries ago but quickly spread throughout East Asia, techniques changing slightly over time. This ancient Thai technique uses natural ash glazes for that signature finish. As a ceramics and pottery gift, hand-thrown vases, bowls, and mugs in soft jade-green hues can’t be beat.
Perfect for flower lovers, tea enthusiasts, or anyone with a passion or interest in pottery and ceramics. Check out makers like Baan Celadon or browse NOVICA’s celadon collection.
Carved Teak Wood Decor
We’re getting into over-sized and heavy stuff now with carved teak wood gifts. We’re fond of teak wood door carvings as there are a few local wood carvers here in Chiang Mai busting out some amazing works of art on wooden doors, but they’re a little big to be gifting, and definitely won’t fit through the letterbox. That said, teak’s rich grain shines in hand-carved bowls, sculptures, or trays, too. Artisans etch intricate patterns – elephants, lotuses, or abstract designs – turning functional items into art.
Sustainable sourced teak pieces add warmth to any decor style, and there are many options in the Chiang Mai region such as Siam Sawadee, shown below.
Summing up our ethical gift ideas
That’s it for our ethical gift ideas list. Regardless of whether you choose something we’ve mentioned or not, remember that the best gifts are those that spark a little conversation. Joy, too, of course. The conversation shouldn’t be about what possessed you to choose such a gift, so make it something that’ll bring joy, not a bemused look!
That’s why we push for something handmade. A handmade item often comes with a story. It tells of an artisan’s village, the journey of a material used, and the tradition it upholds. Don’t forget also that by choosing an ethical gift option, you’re contributing to positive change. Genuinely. You’re empowering men and women in rural communities. You’re helping to reduce waste. You’re celebrating diversity and tradition. I know, I know, that all sounds a little cheesy, but it’s true – you are really making a difference.
It’s January at time of publishing this journal entry, so we’ve lots of time until the next holiday season – let’s gift with intention. No excuses for a last minute shop. Think about craftsmanship and how and where your gift is made.
Explore ethical handmade gift collections for more ideas – there are tons out there nowadays so you’re spoilt for choice. Start with our shop or some of the fair trade sites linked above.
With love, and wishing you a fantastic 2026,
The Lanna Passa Team.
