Last week I wrote about birthdays. Gifts are part of birthdays. The most celebrated birthday of all, you know Jesus' birthday a.k.a. Christmas, is just around the corner. For most of us, gifts are part of Christmas too. Unfortunately, for some Christmas is only about gifts. This consumer focus had some tragic results recently as a WalMart worker lost his life on Black Friday.How can we celebrate the season and not lose the meaning?
I’m planning to do much less for Christmas. (Sorry to those friends who are reading this blog post. Christmas will be sparse.) I’d feel much better if Christmas giving could benefit people in need. Wouldn't you? I know that one of my friends tried this a while back. One year she gave her friends a card saying that instead of a gift she’d donated to a good cause in their name: such as a goat for people in Africa, blankets for the homeless, etc. She’d donated the amount she would have given in a gift. Her friends were less than appreciative. That’s one of the challenges, isn’t it? Many people want to do good but they want gifts too. What if we could give gifts to our friends and make a difference in the world at the same time?
Create Epic Change
You can purchase unique holiday cards and gifts while benefiting people in Tanzania through an organization called Epic Change. Their mission is to "help hopeful people in need share their stories to acquire resources that will improve lives." Epic Change seeks to raise funds for a locally-run primary school that serves hundreds of children in Tanzania. The gifts they sell are beautifully designed and feature artwork of the children. Their current project is the expansion of a primary school. Gifts include such things as candles, greeting cards, Holiday cards and stationary. Each gift sold allows the purchase of a brick for a new classroom. 1000 bricks are needed.
- "Each gift we sell incorporates the personal story of someone whose life will be directly impacted by your purchase. In addition, by sharing their stories, artwork and photos, our local partners directly inspire and collaborate in the design of each product."
- "Every purchase you make at Epic Change represents an investment in the eduction and future of children who have the potential to change the world."
Ten Thousand Villages - stores that make a difference
Another fabulous organization has various stores around the country and an online store. The Ten Thousand Villages stores sell unique items made by craftspeople around the world. You can find jewelry, home decor and gifts at these stores. Much of the merchandise will remind you of nationally known import stores but sold at a fraction of the price. How can they do it? Ten Thousand Villages is mostly staffed by volunteers. They pay for shipping and warehousing but labor is donated so that more of the proceeds goes to the artisans. Ten Thousand Villages pay artisans living wages.
They work with over 130 artisan groups in more than 38 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade organizations. They build long-term relationships with the artisans that are based on mutual understanding and respect. Trade enables artisans to earn fair wages resulting in the opportunity for a better quality of life.
HT: Janet Kroeker
As we continue getting ready for Christmas, let's buy gifts that make a difference to more than just the recipient.
