trade

When it come to gifting this holiday season, give the gift that impacts communities across the globe. Fair trade gifts are not only fun to give, but they make a difference for people who are less fortunate. I’m a huge fan of Noonday Collection because they combine 4 of the things I’m passionate about…empowering women to become the best version of themselves, making an impact in communities without the economic advantages we have in the US, orphan care and of course, fashion! When you shop from this list, you can be assured you’re making a difference!

Fair Trade Home Decor Gifts

Peruvian Pom Wreaths

I’m more than slightly obsessed with these Peruvian Pom Wreaths. Want a holiday wreath that’s full of life and environmentally conscious? These gorgeous wreaths are handcrafted by Artisans in Peru and are bursting with life, bringing color and vibrancy to even the darkest winter nights. You can buy a Large Peruvian Pom Wreath or a Small Peruvian Pom Wreath.

Peruvian Pom Garland

My pom obsession extends to this gorgeous garland. Soft Peruvian wool poms dance along this cream colored garland for a lovely home accent, no matter the season. Grab it here.

Snowbound Ornaments

Felt materials make these gorgeous ornaments feel like plush snow globes you can hang in your home. Share the stories of Artisans in Nepal by giving them as a gift or keep them to add to your collection. We won’t tell. You can purchase them here.

Upcycled Snowflake Ornaments

With all that’s going on in Haiti right now, I love that you can make a difference by purchasing these gorgeous ornaments. Metal from oil drums and other unneeded items are given new life when these elegant ornaments are created. Each is hand-finished with a holly colored leather backing. You can purchase them here.

Festive Paper Bead Garland

I love the colors found in this gorgeous paper bead garland. Each garland represents the beauty of opportunity for the Artisans who make it. Made in Uganda, you can gift this gorgeous paper bead garland or trim your tree with this bright garland strung with vibrant paper beads. You can purchase it here.

Lovely LLama Ornament

This snuggly llama ornament makes for a whimsical addition to your tree, and a perfect gift for anyone you’d like to send some holiday cheer to. It’s made in India and can be purchased here.

Fair Trade Jewelry Gifts

Maasai Earrings

These Maasai earrings are my current favorite! I’ve even purchased a few outfits just to go with them! Each pair comes in a unique colorway made just for you…bringing Kenya’s Maasai market experience to you. These make a fun gift and will bring a smile to anyone’s face! Get them here.

Water Drop Prism Earrings

Gift a pair of earrings that can be worn every day. These have been my go-to everyday earrings for the last 4 years. They bring a pop of shimmer and shine to a casual outfit but are dressy enough for an evening out. Made in India, an eye-catching net of faceted silver beading makes a brilliant statement with each turn. You can’t go wrong with this gift! Get them here.

Dora Necklace

Give this pop of sunshine to someone in your life! Dazzling yellow tassels greet the world in this knockout piece. Sure to elevate the mood and the style of the recipient. This necklace is made in Uganda and can be purchased here.

Wild and Free Cuff

Looking for the perfect gift for your fun, fierce friend? Look no further! This Wild and Free Cuff is made in Guatemala and features a beaded leopard motif over golden buttery leather. You can purchase it here.

Wilderness Earrings

Golden buttery leather tassels in a shoulder-sweeping length make these Wilderness Earrings the perfect punchy addition to any ensemble. Black and white bead detail keeps it neutral and adds sparkle. These would make a great addition to the Wild and Free Cuff {pictured above}. You can purchase them here.

Tropica Necklace

We all have that one friend who insists on wearing black all. the. time. Gift them this Tropica Necklace which adds a pop of color to any outfit. Textural lavender and magenta suede fringe combine with brushed brass in this triple-layer style with an accompanying long brass chain. This necklace is made in India and can be purchased here.

Woven Dreams Bracelet

My twins were born in Guatemala, so anytime I purchase or wear a piece of jewelry made in Guatemala, my daughter Shayna gets excited. She knows that these purchases help women in Guatemala to earn a living wage and to keep their families intact. Guatemalan Artisans are so talented and my daughter Shayna obviously has that running through her blood. If you’ve ever seen any of her crochet creations, you know she’s an artisan in her own right. Gift this bracelet to give hope to families in Guatemala. It makes an unforgettable statement with its festival of rich hues woven together. You can purchase it here.

Other Fair Trade Accessories Gifts

Cultivate Clutch

Add a pop of color to the life of the recipient with this gorgeous clutch in hand-woven wool. Vibrant florals sit on a background of rich black, and a delightful zipper pull with multicolored pompoms completes the look. This clutch is made in Peru and can be purchased here.

Rustic Leather Tote

If you’re thinking about giving yourself a gift, this is my recommendation. It will quickly become your favorite bag! And if you decide to give this as a gift, you’ll quickly become someone’s favorite! 🙂 This luscious leather tote is the perfect accessory to house all your must-haves and features a sweet cotton print lining and convenient exterior pocket. Because of the unique vegetable tanning process our Partners use, over time the leather will transition from a light fawn to a rich caramel color. I get compliments every time I carry this bag! It’s made in India and can be purchased here.

Suede Arc Crossbody Bag

Gift this perfectly-proportioned crossbody bag in black suede. It features a black leather whipstitch detail on the front flap. A fringe tassel adds a bit of boho charm and conceals a magnetic closure to keep everything in its right place. It’s made in India and can be purchased here.

Celeste Kimono

Gift this kimono-style shawl in black, white, and accents of yellow. It will transform any outfit. The tassel detailing sets this piece apart and shows off your style. This gorgeous kimono is made in India and can be purchased here.

Postmark Jewelry Roll

Looking for the perfect gift for the avid traveler? Gift this Postmark Jewelry Roll. It will allow them house their Noonday jewels safely. This fun printed travel pouch just begs to be taken along for an adventure! It’s made in India and can be purchased here.

Ruffled Scarf

Give the gift of warmth with this soft ruffled scarf. Handwoven in Peru, this richly ruffled scarf adds comfort and style to any cold-weather look. You can purchase it here.

Fair Trade Gifts That Won’t Break The Bank

Looking for Fair Trade gifts that won’t break the bank? Here are a few of my faves…and they’re all under $35.

Drifter Makeup Bag

Gift this gorgeous makeup bag! Hand-dyed fabric loomed together into a perfect pouch to grab on the go. It’s made in Guatemala and can be purchased here.

Huipil Luggage Tags

Looking for the perfect gift for someone who travels regularly? You just found it. In the villages of Guatemala, women take great pride in stitching an array of vivid colors and motifs onto their cotton garments, called huipiles. Our Guatemalan Artisan Partners transform these traditional textiles into gorgeous luggage tags that brighten up every journey. You can purchase them here.

Treasured Textile Journal

This journal is a meaningful gift for a friend with a story to tell…or a beautiful way to record your own story. From the cotton pages within to the beautifully woven cover, this journal is a one-of-a-kind find. It’s made in India and can be purchased here.

Cow Horn Hoops

These earrings are carved from the tremendous cow horns found in Uganda. Each earring is hand-cut from a different part of the horn, making every pair truly unique. You can purchase them here.

I hope you were able to find some amazing gifts for the people you love!

Want To Give Gifts That Give Back? Shop Now!

Want to learn more about Noonday Collection? Check out

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Hey folks! I am back on the bloggie, this time to chat about choices businesses have to make with ethical labeling, product sourcing / supply chain, and profits in the essential oil businesses. This is no defense thesis, but you may learn something new or have an opinion to share. To begin with. Today’s post was brought about by the opportunity to try out a new brand of essential oils (Simply Earth). You may be an essential oil user or not. I was not until I moved to Guatemala and wanted a natural, chemical-free bug repellent. One of my students’ parents in Guatemala actually sells essential oils out there too!

– – –

In a time where being a socially conscious business is hip and to a certain degree expected, it is important to not only understand the players, but the game, when we are making choices. Why? Because companies may obtain certain certifications or slap fancy labels on their website or products which may actually be misleading. You, as the consumer, should be aware of what that pretty label is actually worth, especially if you are trying your best to be an informed consumer. There are many certifications including Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance Certification and Equal Exchange to name a few of the popular ones (read more here). However, for multiple certifications, the certification process is out of budget, and for some, only a small percentage of the product’s materials has to follow the labeling standard to be certified. Recently in the makeup industry, we see the difficulties of following the production chain with how easy it is for the mineral mica to secretly involve child labor then be sold to a main supplier in a neighboring town who may in fact have an ethical certification. This is then sold to the producer of the sparkly lip gloss or eye shadow which you use. It is so easy to not be aware of all that occurs in the supply chain. The same thing happens with palm oil, which you can find in anything from makeup to ice cream to soap to shampoo! While I was studying for my Master’s degree, I learned a lot about supply chains. This is all to say that I view ethical certifications as better than nothing, but I do prefer direct trade. When dealing with companies which are direct trade, weather they are certified or not, it is really up to the consumer to believe what they see based on information provided to the consumer, since it is not an option to visit every supply chain supplier for every single product which you wish to consume. Imagine that!

I have looked into a few essential oils businesses and pleasingly see how multiple work directly with farmers in developing countries across the world. In cutting out the middle man, a buyer (like Simply Earth) is allowed to purchase the raw material from the seller (farmer) and the seller can name their price. There are actually essential oil farmers not too far from where I live in Guatemala. Some work with middle man and some work directly with companies. Many times a middle man will push a seller to lower his price so that the middleman can take a cut for the coordination work involved in the transaction. You can see this in everyday life too! So, when companies like Simply Earth work directly with the farmer, the majority of the time, it implies that the farmers’ work is more valued economically and socially. Moving forward to the post-production side of things, once a brand has their finished product, it is their choice to decide how to go about administration, packaging and profit distribution.

Simply Earth with their farmers in Haiti (Simply Earth 2019).

Companies like Simply Earth, and even food companies like Newman’s Own, have decided to not only go ecofriendly with packaging, but have decided to go a step beyond and give profits to help further a social cause. In the case of Simply Earth, they donate 13% of their profits to help end human trafficking! Human trafficking (labor trafficking, debt bondage and sex trafficking) is a real-life problem which takes freedom, innocence and joy from millions of people every year! In college, I was very involved with a few anti human trafficking groups and to bringing down a multi-billion dollar industry requires a lot of funds to help raise awareness, rescue victims and provide rehabilitation to survivors. If you want to get involved in anti-human trafficking efforts check out this link. This is all to say that I am so pleased with the Simply Earth business model. They not only take into consideration production, but they area also conscious with their packaging and profit choices. Way to go!

As far as their essential oils. I am no essential oils know-it all. I can tell you that I had a lot of fun whipping up a few mixtures and that I thought that lavender oil was the best in the world because of it’s anti-mosquito qualities, however, I am now a fur tree fan because of it’s fatigue and pain relieving and deodorizing qualities. The great thing is that this month’s Kid themed box came with both, so I am one happy camper! I was given a bonus box which came with a almond and coconut carrier oils, along with coconut oil and a bunch of glass bottles (diffusers and roll-ons). I am typically not a perfume smell person because strong smells usually give me a headache. But I think that in small portions I am a fan of these, because they smell like a fruit, a tree and a flower, which are all things found in nature! I also looked up the pros and cons of essential oils. One concern with the use of essential oils is that they cause free radicals. Free radicals are necessary for the body but are also found in fried foods and are created by excess alcohol and smoking and stress (anyone have stress in their life?). After reading more, I realized that, like anything, excess is harmful and that essential oils are an alternative to man-invented chemical lotions, bug repellents and detergents which also cause cancer. If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the choice closest to what God created for us. After all, if you are reading this, you are interested in a lifestyle that brings us back to the more natural and God-glorifying way of life. 🙂

Let me know what you think about certifications, supply chain and essential oils! This was very interesting for me to write and I would love to hear your opinion!

Have a blessed rest of your week,

Christine

Source link

Fair Trade Gifts You’ll Love To Give…Or Get! – Flabby Fashionista