Fair Trade Christmas Gifts

Welcome to Fair Trade Christmas Gifts. As the world becomes more global and profit drives companies and individuals to cut costs, the Fair Trade movement grows. Predicated on the idea that workers everywhere should be fairly compensated for their labor, Fair Trade makes philosophical and moral sense. Make this holiday a Fair Trade Christmas. Gifts sourced from Fair Trade certified vendors are featured here, everything from Fair Trade Christmas coffee and Fair Trade Christmas tea to Fair Trade Christmas chocolates. We hope you find something you like among these many Fair Trade gift ideas. Happy holidays!

What does it take to satisfy a sweet tooth? How about a piece of chocolate cake with a thick, rich banana milkshake on the side? Chocolate Monkey is fun-loving dessert in a cup, guaranteed to make you grin from ear to ear. It is a deeply satisfying blend of Organic Fair Trade South African rooibos, organic South African honeybush, organic cacao nibs, organic apple bits, organic banana bits, organic pink peppercorn, chocolate seeds and natural flavors. Caffeine content is low in this tea that is blended by award winning tea artists who have been awarded the “Best Tea in America.” And it is Fair Trade so you can sip this “dessert in a cup” knowing that all who were involved in the planting harvest and production were fairly compensated.

Kahero Farm is located 10 miles north of the equator in the Great Rift Valley. There, many years ago, olive trees were cut down for firewood and charcoal. More recently and with a lot of foresight, new owners of the farm looked at the tree stumps left behind decades ago and saw naturally aged, fine wood. They also could see how bowls of different sizes and fanciful things like this salad tong set could be shaped from the wood. The two elements of this salad tong set feature twisted and twirled handles artfully hand-carved of Great Rift Valley olive wood. With its lovely patina, you may want to give one set as a gift and order another one for yourself. And as always with all Fair Trade gifts, you are assured that artisans are being fairly compensated for their work. It is one of the best ways we can care for each other in our human family on this planet.

If you have a gift of whimsy, these napkin rings are just the thing. How they are made and what they are made of tells the story of one woman’s ingenuity in a small village in the Kitui area of Kenya. Her name is Esther Karluki and she uses banana fiber from the verdant banana stalks that grow in abundance in her home village. Her resourcefulness has spread as she has taught women in her village how to dry, cut and varnish these wonderful whimsical works of art. They look similar to tortoise shells but are more inventive than that, using banana stalks that would otherwise be discarded. Because of one woman’s creativity, many families in the village now earn sustainable wages. An elephant and a zebra along with 4 more of their animal friends makes a perfect Christmas gift set of 6 that is sure to bring a smile here as well as there.

These fine handmade soapstone coasters are a very cool look on any coffee table. Made in the village of Tabaka in Kenya this set of six is completely handmade. Each chunk of red soapstone is chiseled into coaster size pieces, then using rudimentary tools, the round, polished coasters take shape. These are made by skilled hands of artisans who are part of the International Fair Trade Association. Coasters are delightful Christmas gifts that can grace every table all year long and they come with an assurance that every artisan is paid a living wage.

The joy of giving a handmade bowl is a pleasure to behold. This hand carved olive wood bowl is the kind of gift you want to cradle in your own hands. It is a one of a kind design so there is no other bowl exactly like it in this world. Made in Africa, just 10 miles north of the equator where stumps from trees that had been cut down for firewood and charcoal decades ago, are being given a second life as these beautiful olive wood bowls.

The stumps of trees are cut into workable pieces then while tending their animals, sheep and cattle herders sit and whittle away with rustic handmade tools. This kind of multitasking is often done during the long hours of the day while animals graze. These artisans have no workshop; their workshop is wide open spaces and for each bowl they shape and polish, they are given a fair price. When you give this Christmas gift, you can be assured the hands and heart that crafted your bowl is being fairly compensated. You too can touch it and admire its beauty and know this gift acknowledges an artisan and herder who is watching over the flock.

For most of us, a hearty cup of coffee is usually tucked into the first part of every day. Why not tuck a bag of Britt Fair Trade Coffee in a Christmas stocking or two? Costa Rican Fair Trade Coffee is a dark roast from the Brunca region in Costa Rica and is 100% Fair Trade certified. It has a buttery, nutty taste with an enticing aroma, the kind of aroma that rises from your cup and gently nudges Christmas day or any day to begin. It comes either ground or as whole beans. When you buy this coffee, you can be assured you are helping to promote earth-friendly agriculture and contributing to the self sufficiency of small and mid-size Costa Rican farmers. Now that’s a way to start every day.

The first time I went to my friend Elka’s house, I was taken aback when introduced to her family members. Her husband and son were friendly and unassuming, nothing unusual there, but when we turned the corner, occupying the majority of the family room, were her two greyhound dogs. If you’ve ever seen a greyhound up close, they give you reason to pause. Their presence is extraordinary. I was unaware of this gentle animal’s plight prior to that day, but after Elka talked about the adoption of the greyhounds, I left her home feeling even more endeared to her because of her love and genuine concern for the welfare of these special animals.

Here we offer a 2 lb. Mobile Greyhound Coffee Gift Set. Your choice of:

Harbor Dog Coffee – Can’t you just envision this dog lazing at the harbor with a twinkle in his eyes, glad he isn’t a reindeer? You can enjoy this Costa Rican coffee in the same way and it has neither bark nor bite, just a clean bright flavor.

Happy Dog Blend – This Costa Rican, Columbian and Sumatra blend is balanced, bounding and beautiful, just how we think a happy dog should be! Just don’t run into the Christmas tree!

Snow Dog Coffee – A rich aromatic 100% Sumatran coffee with a hint of hazelnut and cocoa. This blend will delight the senses and warm your palate Christmas morn, noon or even eve!

In addition to the coffee, you will receive a 5 by 7 photo of an adoptable greyhound from the Greyhound Adoption Center. The joy of giving this gift goes beyond the receiver in that the purchase positively affects those producing fair trade products, but also benefits greyhound’s plight as well.

The arrival of an impressive gift is one of the great dramas of Christmas and this one is three dramatic gifts in one. Two half pound bags of coffee and a hand carved wooden coffee scoop are all nestled in an intricately woven basket.

The name of this coffee reminds us of our childhood selves rousing ourselves awake with Mom’s cheerful, but directive, “Good morning, Glory!” The two half pound bags of Morning Glory Medium Roast Coffee are perfect for a very special Christmas morning wake-up. A breakfast blend of Guatemala & Peru La Florida coffee beans are 100% Certified Organic and Fair Trade. These beans are grown in the shade.

Made of olive wood by skilled artisans at the Jedando workshop in central Kenya, the scoop is an elegant accompaniment to the coffee. With the wood’s distinctive grain, it is complimented by a carved bone handle dyed in the traditional craft of batik. Carving is a tradition in Kenya that is handed down from one generation to another using simple hand tools. An important part of the group’s function is to educate craftspeople on the need for reforestation to enable the products to be available for years to come and offer a sustainable income for generations.

Intricately woven, the basket is made of raffia by artisans of Uganda Craft 2000. It measures a generous 12 inches in diameter and is 2 inches deep. As in all handmade baskets of distinction, these designs vary so each order will be filled with a basket that is unique and not necessarily the one pictured. Uganda Crafts 2000 was the first organization of its kind in Uganda and its high standards, it soon gained a strong reputation for quality and variety. Its mission has always been to support disabled, widowed women and their families through income generating projects, particularly handicraft training and production. Their baskets are a beautiful testament to their artistry and skill and the tenacity to live a life of dignity and purpose.

All Fair Trade certified, this three-in-one Christmas gift holds a particularly special meaning and purpose. As citizens of the world, both the giver and the receiver partner in making a difference in the lives of so many others.

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We were never fond of the Christmas tune “Grandma got run over by a reindeer, coming down to our house Christmas eve” During a time reserved for joy and good cheer, we thought it terribly unfortunate that such a catastrophe would befall grandma.

It made us wonder how her circumstances could have been different and then it dawned on us.

Had she pulled out her can of Kick-Ass Dark Coffee by Kicking Horse Coffee and had a cup before heading down the pike, she probably could have done more than avoid her collision. We can envision her now boldly exiting her sled and confronting that reindeer nose-to-nose. That reindeer would have timidly slinked back into the woods while Grandma hopped back onto her sled with head held high and feeling more than a little triumphant.

Yes, you might assume that Kick Ass Coffee is not for the feeble. It’s sturdy and full bodied, satisfying for the most dedicated coffee drinker. But it’s hard not to imagine how circumstances could have been favorable for grandma on Christmas Eve had she just sipped a cup of this delicious and powerful coffee before heading out the door. This is a gift with attitude. Kick Ass Fair Trade Dark Coffee isn’t for the faint of heart. A dark roast bean and plenty of sass, it’s 100% organic and fair trade.

Some of the best coffee is grown in Peru, and the Peruvian Medium whole bean coffee from Equal Exchange is simply wonderful. This 100% Fair Trade medium roast coffee makes a great gift or a treat for yourself!