My favorite thing for today is actually two things- shopping local and fair trade.
My friend Sherry started a wonderful little business in her home: "Accessories for Hope". She purchases great accessories from organizations that not only pay their employees a fair wage, but help people (women and children) break the bondage of slavery. (Did you know there are 27 million people enslaved today?)
A few of the items she sells: Animal backpacks, like this little elephant!
Super cute, right? He is made by a survivor of human trafficking. You can find more great things at their web site: madebysurvivors.com
Chocolate chips. Fair trade and organic. All the fat and calories *nearly* vaporize when you ingest these! You can get more information here: Sunspire
Jewelry. 31 bits is a great company that pays women fairly for the paper bead jewelry they make. They also provide english lessons, finance training, and vocational training amongst other things. Check them out here: 31bits.
This beautiful scarf is sold by "global girlfriend". Made by women, eco friendly, fair trade.
Bags. After yesterday's post, ya'll know I like bags. These bags are beautiful. Women in India take old sari's and create these great canvas bags.
Two of the great reasons I like this bag, it has a smooth 'plastic-ey' finish on the inside and pockets on each end.
If you would like to "throw your hat" in to the mix for the entire lot of fairly traded items, tell me about the favorite gift you've given.
One winner will be randomly drawn a week from today, December 29th.
8 to leave a comment, click HERE:
It will be the changing table my dad made this year for lillys dolls. Live that it is homemade and even better by papaw!
Homemade dress up costumes have been the favorite gift around here. I think they like it because mom took the time to do something special for them besides just buying it from the store.
This year we are doing things a little different. We are just celebrating having another Christmas together. My mom is fighting lung cancer and she believes in odd folky remedies...so for her gift I am giving her a bottle of lemon juice. She told me that she heard that the lemon juice helps fight off the cancer cells. This made me smile and I hope that this gift, even tho inexpensive will make her realize that I am here for him through it all :)
This yea I can't decide which is my favorite gift I have given. The most fun were the pajamas I made for the family...the one I was the most excited to give was the tallit for Conrad....
I am giving my mom, Rob's mom, and Connie's mom necklaces made by women in Uganda who used to be in prostitution or made alcohol to support their children. http://www.amazimastore.org/
Anything that I give to my nieces or nephews. You just can't beat the excitement and genuine joy of a child opening something as simple as a box of crayons or as cool as a new 'armyman helicopter'!
This year would be the homemade candies I made for my family and friends.
A few years ago when my best friend got married, I made a scrapbook of her and her husband growing up. It was from when they were babies until they got married.
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