As you rack your brain trying to come up with the 'perfect' gift for Grandma or that little something for your favorite babysitter, it's important to remember that there is more to gift giving than the gift itself. There are people behind the gift. People who work in the fields, operate machines, package it up and send it on its merry way.
So when you make a purchase, you're really making 2 decisions. One for the gift itself and the other for the manner in which it was made. When you buy Fair Trade you can be assured that the people who made the product were treated fairly and the process was an equitable one. Some of the benefits for buying Fair Trade include:
- Fair wages for workers
- Safe and healthy working conditions
- Equitable partnerships between producers and marketers
- Long-term working relationships
- Environmentally sustainable practices followed
To create a little excitement about buying Fair Trade, I contacted some of my favorite Fair Trade vendors about doing a giveaway. And WOW did they ever come through with some wonderful prizes!! Read on to learn out about these terrific companies and some of the really great Fair Trade products they have to offer.
Wedge Worldwide- This online marketplace for earth-friendly and Fair Trade goods is offering a $50 gift certificate so you can pick out whatever Fair Trade items you want! Choose from earrings like these from Robin Rife, durable market bags made from recycled rice and feed bags, or an adorable Fair Trade poncho for the kids. Buying Fair Trade is a win-win for everyone involved!
Fair Indigo - Look Good. Feel Good. Do Good. That is the motto of Fair Indigo, a clothing and accessories company that specializes in Fair Trade partnerships. They do a great job with basics like t-shirts and pants but be sure to check out their cute skirts, stunning jewelry and fun toys for kids too. Fair Indigo is giving away an adorable Fair Bear made in Peru from 100% dye-free organic cotton - a perfect gift for the little one in your life!
Equal Exchange - If you love chocolate, but don't dig supporting the practice of forced child labor (quite common in the West African cocoa trade - where 70% of the world's cocoa comes from), then you'll be happy to discover Equal Exchange. Their cocoa comes from small-scale, farmer co-ops in the Dominican Republic, Panama and Peru and is Fair Trade Certified. As a frequent consumer of Equal Exchange chocolate bars I have to say...YUM!!! You can try it for yourself if you are the winner of the Sweet & Spicy Chocolate Sampler...including a can of Organic Spicy Hot Chocolate, an Equal Exchange ceramic mug and 3 delicious chocolate bars.
Ten Thousand Villages - One of the world's largest Fair Trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages works with disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries. Products range from home decor to jewelry to baskets as well as lovely toys and gifts for children. One lucky Mindful Momma reader will win this precious Twin Doll with a very special story to tell. Two identical, handmade dolls are produced by artisans working for the Batsiranai Craft Project in Zimbabwe. One doll is sold by Ten Thousand Villages and the other, its 'twin' is given to a family affected by HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. Many of these children have never had a doll before - so giving a gift like this goes far beyond the gift itself!!
The Andean Collection- While working on her masters degree in Ecuador, Amanda, the owner of The Andean Collection, realized that she could help bring women out of poverty by starting a business that trained artisans and paid them fair and honest wages. And so her jewelry business was born with a mission to produce socially conscious fashion! All of the jewelry is made using natural, native South American materials including the tagua nut, the acai seed, coconut palm, the huayruro seed, jabon seeds and pambil seeds. All materials are harvested in a sustainable manner that does not involve cutting down trees. Having won a tagua bracelet from Siel's Green LA Girl blog this summer, I can personally attest to how nice this jewelry really is! And now I've got this gorgeous acai wrap bracelet up for grabs!! Be sure to check out the rest of the collection of irresistible and very reasonably priced jewelry.
OK then - are you ready to win? Poke around these wonderful websites for awhile and let me know a few of your favorite things. There will be 5 separate winners - one from each company. The contest will run through midnight, central time on Monday, December 14th. (only one entry per person and you must have a US shipping address.)
I love nativity sets from Ten Thousand Villages. I've bought several things from them over the years. I've been wanting a market basket for a while.
Posted by: Fun Mama - Deanna | December 07, 2009 at 03:39 PM
These look great.
Posted by: Krista | December 07, 2009 at 05:43 PM
I like the Organic Flop the Frog at Fair indigo for my son!
Posted by: melissa | December 07, 2009 at 06:32 PM
I love the huaryruro earrings from the andean colloection.
Posted by: Ashley Elaine | December 07, 2009 at 06:43 PM
I love the Andean Collection bright colors, including the red circle cascade necklace!
Posted by: Elizabeth Turner | December 07, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Well, I love the Blue Vine Tablecloth from India, at 10,000 Villages, and also the Nepalese singing bowls.
I adore the coconut branch bracelet from The Andean Collection.
Posted by: WEHAF | December 07, 2009 at 08:54 PM
We have to CHOOSE??? There are just too many! I love everything that each company offers: Equal Exchange's coffee, those sweet twin dolls, the bamboo nesting baskets, the whole Andean collection, etc. Thanks for this AWESOME giveaway!
Posted by: Keri | December 07, 2009 at 11:19 PM
What wonderful artisans from all over the world! I am so happy to see more and more Fair Trade Sites.
Wedgeworldwide: I like the Waterproof Hemp Backpack and
Recycled Cotton Rugs.
Fair Indigo: Peace Trees Tote Thistle PJ Set from the
Organic Section.
Equal Exchange: The Coffees, Organic Teas and the Organic
Tamari Roasted Almonds.
Ten Thousand Villages: Celebration Bamboo Bowls Set,
Many of the handcrafted Mugs and the Olive Wood Condiment
Tray.
The Andean Collection: Huaryruro Seed Necklace, Earrings and Bracelet Set.
Many thanks for such a delight contest.....
Cindi
Posted by: Cindi | December 07, 2009 at 11:38 PM
A few of my favorite things --
cuddly teddy bear for friend's kids
juicer for healthy eating
raindrop choker for hubby
any jewelry for me!
Kate
Posted by: Kate Thomas | December 08, 2009 at 05:22 AM
i love poking around the ten thousand villages store and seeing all their beautiful products. rugs, dolls, pillows... and the chocolate from equal exchange - delish! thanks for spotlighting these conscientous companies.
Posted by: elaine | December 08, 2009 at 06:54 AM
Okay, I'm not a Momma, I'm just a Dada, so maybe you'll think it's weird that I'm looking at your site, but maybe not. My wife shares enlightening sites with me to help me in my effort to become a better Dada for our 1 year old Daughter, and to become a better human in general. Not easy for a guy, you know...
So...The Wedge has these cool recycled paper placemats I'd like, because our daughter loves pulling everything off the table so I'd like to at least teach her about recycling while she does that!
That Equal Exchange cocoa sampler would be good because my wife's trying to get me to eat more DARK chocolate instead of processed milk chocolate - guess she wants me around for a while.
Can I keep the Fair Indigo bear for myself? :)
The twin dolls from Ten Thousand Villages are fantastic! Our friends little girl Catarina has one and our daughter has been coveting it. I'd be a hero if I came home with one of those!
Speaking of hero, can you imagine my wife's smile if I won the Andean Collection acai bracelet for her? Whoa!
Anyway, thanks for your site and for helping even us clueless Dads become more mindful.
Posted by: David | December 08, 2009 at 07:03 AM
These are some of the most creative ideas I have seen. I can not wait to let my children in on them. Thanks.
Posted by: Jill | December 08, 2009 at 07:14 AM
So much to love! I really like the coconut ladder bracelet from the Andean collection and just about everything from Ten Thousand Villages--especially the Hammered Embossed Copper Tray and the Congolese Nativity Figures. Thanks!
Posted by: Lisa | December 08, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Fair Indigo has these great stuffed animals called Joobles. All different colors and styles. Love them.
Posted by: Michelle | December 09, 2009 at 06:19 AM
I'm a long-time fan of Ten Thousand Villages, and a total coffee lover. Those rainbow ponchos are to die for!
Posted by: Monica | December 09, 2009 at 08:59 AM
I agree with earlier posters -- there's so much that's great! I loved the ponchos, too -- my 3-year-old girl would love one (because I don't knit quickly enough to whip one out for her). Since I'm a gardener, I loved Wedge's triple bell garden stakes. I hope to put in more flower beds and these would be neat in there. And ooh, they have rain barrels, too! Andean Collection's huaryruro necklace was something I've been looking for with its deep red and multiple strands. Chocolate, did someone mention chocolate? What's not to like there? My husband is even more of a chocoholic than I am; maybe I could get him switched to dark...
Posted by: Elizabeth | December 10, 2009 at 03:06 AM
Wow, so many great products on these sites! First, I LOVE the Classic Acai Necklace from the Andean Collection. I spent time in Peru back in March and this collection definitely evokes memories of that! From Equal Exchange, all of their dark bars sound delicious, especially Organic Mint Chocolate with a Delicate Crunch. From Fair Indigo, the Recycled Snowflake Throw & Pillow are beautiful!!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Posted by: Melissa | December 10, 2009 at 07:23 AM
I have visited the Ten Thousand Villages store in Winter Park, Florida, and I love it!! After peeking around on the site a bit, I can't even choose an item that I like better than the rest. There are so many amazing products there. But, I do love the baskets, particularly the Coiled Rafia basket from Uganda. I would also love some pretty table linens from somewhere far away. :)
the Andean collection has some gorgeous jewelry!! I love the tagua necklaces.
Posted by: Emma N. | December 10, 2009 at 08:11 AM
so many wonderful finds and ten thousand villages---especially love the brass arabesque mirror in the tapestry collection
zmama09 at yahoo dot com
Posted by: zmama | December 10, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Love the acai earrings, the circle cascade necklace, and the pambil earrings.
Posted by: Cindy | December 10, 2009 at 05:58 PM
That Acai jewelry is gorgeous, and perfect for my beautiful sister in law. And the little bear ... excellent for my new nephew... and oh, the nativity set, since my grandfather's homemade creche has lost population due to overexcited kids....
Posted by: Sara | December 11, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I like the acai wrap bracelet from the Andean Collection - how cool and what a story when people comment on it!
Posted by: Kim | December 11, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I've always wanted to try drinking chocolate, so the organic drinking chococlate from Equal Exchange seems perfect.
Posted by: Barbara | December 11, 2009 at 11:33 AM
These are all really special things. I hadn't visited the Ten Thousand Villages site before so that was fun. I am partial to the Fair Trade food products because I volunteered to help bring Fair Trade rice to the US with Alter Eco. Living with farmers in northern Thailand I have seen firsthand how the Fair Trade model allows farmers to earn a living wage and send their kids to school. I know Equal Exchange does great work and it is the same for the cocoa farmers they support. Plus who doesn't love spicy chocolate in the winter? I also like the Andean Collection jewelry because it is vital to support womens' economic empowerment. What a cool acai bracelet.
Posted by: Carolyn | December 11, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Ten thousand villages: stuffed stacking turtles
Equal Exchange: dried sweetened cranberries and roasted salted almonds
Fair Indigo: Firewood USA Toy Wood Airplane
Andean: Pambil Canopy necklace-olive green
Wedge Worldwide: Haba Funland Farm
But really everything is wonderful
Posted by: Kirsten | December 11, 2009 at 09:20 PM