Category: Christmas

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Ethical Gift Guide to Love People & Help Our Planet (2019 Edition)

I have a confession to make: I hate shopping. But when I can A) shop from the comfort of my own home, B) have access to a curated list of beautiful goods, C) know that my dollars contribute to the well-being of the artisans and their families, and D) enjoy a discount, then I am more on board with shopping.

As in the past couple years, the difference between this list and other lists you may come across is that I aim to keep each gift below $50.00, since that’s generally my budget for Christmas gifts. Not only have I added a few more companies and individual artists to the list, but nearly two dozen offered discounts to Scraping Raisins readers this year!

Please share this post with your friends and family so that more people have the chance to enjoy these discount codes and spread the word about these incredible artists and companies!

2nd Story Goods

EMPOWERS: Men and women in Gonaives, Haiti

SELLS: house goods, toys, journals, and metal art

From their site: “We’ve been working on the ground with our artisans in Gonaives, Haiti for 8 years, creating recycled, handcrafted goods for a livable wage. Last year our impact enabled over 108 children to stay in school, not because of hand-outs, but through the dignity of their parents’ work with 2nd Story Goods.” My pick is this leather bottle holder for $22.00:

Barefoot Books

PROMOTES: green business practices and diverse books

From the site: “From sustainably sourced paper to vegetable-based ink, the materials that make up our books are ones that you can feel good about having in your classroom or home. Whether it’s donating Barefoot books to Marley Dias’ #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign or planting trees across the globe, the Barefoot family is taking action to make an impact every day.” My pick is this World Atlas for $19.99:

Dignify

EMPOWERS: women in Bangladesh

SELLS: table runners, baby blankets, throw blankets, bedding

DISCOUNT: Enter “ScrapingRaisins” for 15% off until December 31st! Also, everything in the store (except gift cards) will be 20% off on Saturday, Nov 16th only!

Dignify helps women experience and share hospitality with their one-of-a-kind kantha blankets, sustainably made with dignity by vulnerable populations of women in Bangladesh. My pick would be these stockings for $28.00:

Divine Chocolate

EMPOWERS: Farmers in Ghana

From their site: “Divine Chocolate is co-owned by the 85,000 farmer members of Kuapa Kokoo, the cooperative in Ghana that supplies the cocoa for each bar of Divine. As owners, they get a share in the profits, a say in the company, and a voice in the global marketplace.” This 10-pack for $35.90. These would make great stocking stuffers!

Do Good Shop

EMPOWERS: A variety of artisans around the world

SELLS: jewelry, accessories, women’s clothing, and gifts for men

From their site: “Do Good Shop runs like a business, but is actually a nonprofit organization. This means that not only does each purchase create jobs for vulnerable artisans, but also ALL of our net proceeds go directly back into supporting the artisans and their communities, and educating others about this great need.” My pick is this journal for $15:

Elegantees

EMPOWERS: women coming out of sex trafficking in Nepal

DISCOUNT: 20% off using the code “ScrapingRaisins” until Dec. 25th!

From their site: “We dream to expand from one sewing center to several to provide more jobs. The waiting list is between 300-500 women who desire to work for Elegantees …The designs are ethically made by women (and some men too) who are paid fair wages. Fabric is sustainable using organic cotton in new fabrics we dye. We also source from dead stock fabric for non-organic blends.” My pick is this top for $44.00 ( my mom bought be a shirt from Elegantees last year and I LOVE it!)

Fazl Socks

EMPOWERS: Women and orphaned children in India

SELLS: socks, bags, and hats

DISCOUNT: Buy one pair, get the second pair at 50% off using the code “SCRAPINGRAISINS”

From their site: “Every time you purchase Fazl, you are helping to provide orphaned and destitute children in India with food, shelter, education, and clothing. What’s more, we give fair wages to artisans in need who handmake every Fazl item. We are committed to supporting orphanages in India that care for vulnerable children, and we dedicate 50% of our net profits to this cause. We also provide dignified work opportunities for women in need. Bonus! Our products are fabulous! ” My pick is these socks for $24.00:

Gobena Coffee

EMPOWERS: vulnerable and/or orphaned children

From the site: “100% of our profits go to enriching the lives of vulnerable and/or orphaned children. When you buy one bag of coffee $4 (our profit) goes to enrich the lives of vulnerable and orphaned children.”

The Gobena Coffee Club is their subscription coffee service and you get discounted coffee when you sign up for this option that includes free shipping! It would make an excellent gift for a coffee lover;-) My pick would be this Ethiopian coffee for $15.99:

The Grain of Rice Project

EMPOWERS: Kenyans living in the Kibera slum

SELLS: jewelry, accessories, housewares

DISCOUNT CODE: 15% off using the code “ScrapingRaisins” until Dec. 31st!

Grain of Rice Project empowers Kenyans living in the Kibera slum by helping them become self-sufficient through employment, education, and skills training.  My pick would be these paper bead hoop earrings for $12.00:

Green Toys

PROMOTES: Local manufacturing using recycled materials

DISCOUNT: 20% off using the code “ScrapingRaisins” (minimum order of $20) until 12/15/19

This site has a wide range of toys for children. From their site: “From our 100% recycled materials to our US-based manufacturing, we’re raising awareness about sustainability while delivering unquestionably safe products.” This car carrier for $24.99:

Imagine Goods

EMPOWERS: Trafficking survivors in Cambodia, disadvantaged in Haiti, and those coming out of homelessness in Pennsylvania

SELLS: clothing, men and women’s aprons, bags, and even dress shirts and neckties for men! (It is very difficult to find reasonably-priced, ethical clothing for men.)

DISCOUNT: 20% off Nov. 15-Dec. 15, 2019 using the code “ScrapingRaisins”

Imagine Goods empowers trafficking survivors in Cambodia and vulnerable in the Haiti to provide opportunities for empowerment through employment. They also lead trips abroad for people to learn about poverty and the garment industry.  I bought some wristlets last year for my nieces and adore them. I still do:-) I love this one for $25.00:

Just Coffee Co-op

EMPOWERS: famers in South and Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia

From their site: “Just Coffee is a certified B Corp. B Corp certification gives us a credible third party certification to ensure that our practices meet our mission and values– it vouches for us that we are a business that aims to be a force for good in the world. It looks at our commitment to environmental sustainability, being good partners to our suppliers, a good place to work for our employees, and a good neighbor our communities.” My pick is this coffee for $15.00:

JusTea

EMPOWERS: Men and women in the Nandi Hills community in Kenya

DISCOUNT: 15% off using the code “ScrapingRaisins15”

JusTea is a specialty tea factory staffed, managed, and owned by small-scale tea farmers in the Nandi Hills of Kenya.

My pick is the Purple Rain tin (I have it and LOVE it )for $13.00:

LOVELY

EMPOWERS: men and women coming out of the sex trafficking industry in Texas

SELLS: T-shirts, jewelry, prints, candles

From their site: “We visit strip clubs cross Texas, build relationships with club employees without strings attached, and connect them to community and spiritual resources. For those desiring to transition from the industry, we offer various programs to assist their journey. We also work with “Johns” who have been caught up in prostitution through our Stop Demand School. We stand against exploitation from materials to manufacturing while creating avenues of opportunity.” Their site is a little tricky, so click on the menu (three lines) and use the sidebar to view all their products. They have shirts with messages like: “The kingdom of God smells like cigarettes and perfume: Jesus Said Love.”

My pick would be this salt scrub for $15.00:

Meenal Patel Studio

PROMOTES: individual artisans

SELLS: art prints, cards, childrens’ books

DISCOUNT: Meenal is offering 15% for orders of $50 or more from Nov. 25 to Dec. 3. She also offers free standard shipping within the U.S. for orders of $35 and up.

I discovered Meenal’s work at an online popup shop and fell in love. She is a talented illustrator, children’s book author, designer and artist. I adore this one for $26.00:

And this one is my all-time favorite for $26.00:

Mighty Nest

PROMOTES: green living

DISCOUNT: Get the first month of their Mighty Fix monthly subscription for $3.00 (usually $11.00) using the code “ScrapingRaisins3”–this would make a great gift! They’ll send you things each month to promote green living like reusable snack bags, bags to buy in bulk, Swedish dish cloths, or dryer balls to use instead of dryer sheets).

From the site: “Mighty Nest is a unique Web site that provides you the ability to research, get advice and buy natural, organic and non-toxic products all in one place. All of the products we sell are free from known toxic ingredients such as: BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Lead, Melamine, Formaldehyde, Flame retardants, Parabens and more.”

My pick is this reusable bag set for $11.99:

Papillon Marketplace

EMPOWERS: artistans from Haiti

SELLS: bags, jewelry, home décor, toys, T-shirts

DISCOUNT: 20% off until Dec. 24th using the code “ScrapingRaisins”

Papillon Marketplace provides jobs for Haitians and trains individuals to use metal, cardboard, aluminum, dirt, and paper to create jewelry and other products. My pick is these mugs (Papillon donated some for pre-order bonuses for my book and the are PERFECT–great color, shape, handle, and mug size). They’re $22.00 each and have a wide variety of color options:

Poiema Creations

EMPOWERS: Individual artists

SELLS: Handmade jewelry

This etsy shop belongs to an artist friend from college named Katie Coons. Inspired by her love of nature, Katie creates gorgeous pieces of jewelry. My pick would be this moon over mountain pendant for $10.00:

Her grandmother taught her how to make these beautiful sterling silver baby bracelets for $45.00 that would also make a great gift for a new mama:

Preemptive Love

EMPOWERS: Refugees in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and the U.S.

SELLS: soap, candles, services/items for refugees

DISCOUNT: 20% off using the code “ScrapingRaisins” (applies to all individual soaps and 5 bar sets in the store)

I met the CEO and founder of this organization three summers ago at a conference. This is an incredible organization, and this site is just one small part of what they are doing. In addition to soap and candles, you can buy chickens for a displaced family, medical treatment for a war survivor or water for families in conflict zones in Iraq. This is their mission: “We’re a coalition stretching across Iraq, Syria, the United States, and beyond, working together to unmake violence and create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.” I gave some of these $10 soaps for stocking stuffers for my mom and nieces one Christmas. My pick is this Sisterhood Soap, Fig & Date Tea Towel Set for $30.00:

PURPOSE Jewelry

EMPOWERS: women and girls escaping human trafficking in Mumbai, India; Kampala, Uganda; Tijuana, Mexico; and two in Orange County, California.

SELLS: jewelry, candles, ornaments

DISCOUNT: 10% off using the code “ScrapingRaisins10” [on November 26th, for Ethical Tuesday, they are offering 15% off using the code “ethical15”]

From their site: ” International Sanctuary and PURPOSE Jewelry’s mission is to empower girls and young women escaping human trafficking to embrace their true identity and worth. The art of craftsmanship through our social enterprise, PURPOSE, paired with holistic care through our program, International Sanctuary, ensures that every woman gains hope, dignity and freedom for the future. ” My pick is these lunette earrings for $24.00:

Re:New

EMPOWERS: Refugees in Chicago

SELLS: purses, wallets, bags and journals made from upcycled materials

DISCOUNT: 10% off using the code “ScrapingRaisins”

From their site: “We engage, equip and employ refugee women in the Chicagoland area. It is our greatest desire to provide a space for refugee women to thrive as they rebuild their hopes and dreams in the United States.” My pick is these hana earrings for $28.00:

Sak Saum

EMPOWERS: Exploited men and women in Cambodia

SELLS: accessories, apparel, bags, wallets

DISCOUNT: 25% off using the code “ScrapingRaisins” until Dec. 15th!

This company came highly recommended by a friend. From their site: “Located in Phnom Penh and the Saang District of Cambodia, Sak Saum is a ministry dedicated to the rescue, restoration, transformation and rehabilitation of vulnberable and exploited women and men.” My pick is this hat for $16.00:

Sari Bari

EMPOWERS: survivors of trafficking in India

SELLS: bags, tablecloths, baby gifts, home décor

DISCOUNT: 25% off using the code “SCRAPINGRAISINS”

Sari Bari partners with women who have chosen to empower themselves by exiting the sex trade in India by providing jobs to create beautiful products using vintage saris from Kolkata’s largest red light district. *This company came highly recommended by my friend living in India. ” My pick is these six dinner napkins for $42:

Serrv

EMPOWERS: Various artisans around the world

SELLS: just about anything

From their site: “One of the first fair trade organizations in the world, Serrv International began its mission by helping displaced European refugees trade their handcrafts for income after the Second World War. Since then, we’ve extended our reach to 25 countries worldwide, working to empower over 8,000 artisans and farmers every year by selling their beautiful handcrafts. ” They have some really cool nativity sets here. I love this West Bank dipping bowl set for $32.00:

The Shop Forward

From their site: “Every product sold on The Shop Forward follows our mission of supporting programs and organizations that are effectively working to help others around the world.. Since launching in November 2014, The Shop Forward has raised over $3,100,000 for various charities by selling items associated with a cause. Our goal is to provide a platform to collaborate with charities for fundraising and spreading awareness while offering great, unique, and ethically made products for customers to enjoy.” My pick would be this custom 4-things tote (takes up to 3 weeks, so plan ahead!)

Soap Hope

EMPOWERS: Women in poverty

From their site: “Each time you shop at soaphope.com, 100% of the profits – yes, every dollar – goes to empower women to lift their lives, families, and communities from extreme poverty. We select partners each year based on need and outcomes.” My pick would be these soaps for $10.49:

Sparrow House Botanicals

EMPOWERS: survivors of human trafficking

From the site: “We provide a sustainable hourly wage, an opportunity to build a job history and a resume, as well as work making quality products the ladies can be proud of. We use organic, fair trade ingredients in the manufacturing of our products to ensure that they are the most natural and socially conscious that they can be. We want to make sure that as we seek to provide freedom for the women we employ, we will not be oppressing any others!” This orange mint bath set for $42.00 might make a great gift for a female teacher, or a mother, sister, friend, etc.:

Starfish Project

EMPOWERS: Women coming out of trafficking in Asia

SELLS: jewelry

DISCOUNT: 25% off using the code “SCRAPINGRAISINS. (Excludes the Darling and Dressember collaboration pieces and sale items.)

This company provides shelter, counseling, employment and education to women coming out of trafficking in Asia. From their site: “We provide life-changing opportunities through our Holistic Care Programs and our social enterprise where women create beautiful jewelry and become managers, accountants, graphic designers, and photographers.” My pick is this rose gold star-shaped bracelet for $44.99:

SutiSana

EMPOWERS: Formerly prostituted women in El Alto, Bolivia

SELLS: apparel, leather bags, accessories

DISCOUNT: Use code “ScrapingRaisins20%” for 20% off until December 31st!

From their site: “SutiSana was founded by Word Made Flesh in 2010 to provide dignified employment and a new life for women attempting to leave prostitution in El Alto, Bolivia …Word Made Flesh coordinates sewing training for women to prepare them to work in SutiSana. When a woman joins SutiSana, she receives all the benefits, including health insurance. She and her children are supported through community, and she is given opportunities to continually grow – learning to design bags, work with new materials, and even coach other women as they leave prostitution.” My pick for a guy is this dopp kit (why did I always think it was “dob kit!?”) for $45.00:

Thistle Farms

EMPOWERS: Women survivors of trafficking and addiction in the U.S.

SELLS: lip balm, bath sets, non-toxic bug spray, lotions, soap

DISCOUNT: 10% off until Dec. 15th using the code “scrapingraisins”

From their site: “Thistle Farms’ mission is to HEAL, EMPOWER, AND EMPLOY women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. We do this by providing safe and supportive housing, the opportunity for economic independence, and a strong community of advocates and partners.” First of all, this lip gloss is amazing--buy it right now as stocking stuffers for anyone you love ($4.00 each–comes in tea tree mint, lavender, citrus wood, and no scent–I like them all!)

This bath soak trio for $34.00 also looks pretty amazing:

One more–this Cinnamon Cedar Soy Candle for $30.00 (try saying THAT three times fast!):

The White Peacock

EMPOWERS: Women in India

SELLS: handicrafts, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, bags

DISCOUNT: 20% off Nov. 15-Dec. 15 using the code “SCRAPINGRAISINS” (does not include the holiday collection)

The White Peacock empowers Indian women to work at home and support their families through creative design, crafting, and marketing handmade items. *Recommended by my friend living in India. I’m a fan of these luggage tags for $4.99 each:

Women’s Bean Project

EMPOWERS: Disadvantaged women in the Denver, CO, area

SELLS: dried soups, cornbread, brownies and other food

DISCOUNT: 20% off until Dec. 15 using the code “ScrapingRaisins” (can’t be used in conjunction with other discounts, on sale items, or for donations)

From the site: “We hire women who are chronically unemployed and we teach them to work by making nourishing products that we sell across the US through some of the country’s largest retailers. We offer a transitional job in dry food manufacturing designed to provide women immediate income, arrange support services to overcome barriers to employment, and teach the job readiness and life skills needed to get and keep a job. Through their work at the Bean Project, the women learn to stand tall, find their purpose and break the cycle of poverty. Because when you change a woman’s life, you change her family’s life.”

My pick is this old fashioned chili and cornbread gift bundle for $13:

Ziyada

EMPOWERS: Women and men in India

SELLS: tablecloths, aprons, pillow covers, bags, holiday decorations, and more

DISCOUNT CODE: 25% off from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15 using the code “ScrapingRaisins”

Ziyada provides meaningful employment in a safe, loving environment for twenty-two women (and two men) in an impoverished area of North India. *Recommended by my friend living in India. I love this canvas tote bag for $18.00:

Other Incredible Ethical Companies: 

These companies are partnering with many different artisans and/or fair trade businesses around the world to provide quality products to empower men and women around the globe:

Accompany

Equal Exchange

Global Girlfriend

Finders and Makers

The Flourish Market

Global Goods Partners

The Honest Consumer

Justly Market

Karama Collection

Krochet Kids

The Little Market

Mercy House

Noonday Collection

Simple Switch

Ten Thousand Villages

Trades of Hope

Please leave links to other ethical sites you love. There were so many more that I couldn’t include. And share this post to spread the word on these amazing companies!

Sign up for the monthly-ish newsletter and I’ll send you chapter 1 of Invited: The Power of Hospitality in an Age of Loneliness:

Ethical Gift List (2019 Edition) I aim to keep each gift below $50.00, since that's generally my budget for Christmas gifts. Not only have I added a few more companies and individual artists to the list, but nearly two dozen offered discounts to Scraping Raisins readers this year! #ethicalgift #ethicalcompany #ethicalshopping #ethicalconsumer #fairtrade #greenliving

* Images from various shops

**Contains some Amazon affiliate links

Photo by Mel Poole on Unsplash

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Jobless at Christmas {guest post}

By Stephanie Thompson | Twitter

I don’t like surprises.

Actually, let me clarify-I like surprising other people, but unexpected interruptions in the rhythms of my life make me uncomfortable.

I’m the one who likes to sit in the front seat of the rollercoaster so I can anticipate what’s coming next. Chalk it up to birth order, personality, life experiences … I like to have a sense of what lies ahead.

I’ve been learning to trust God more in this area. But, as you know, you don’t recognize progress until you encounter circumstances that test it.

Several years ago, my husband found out he was going to lose his job. Right before Christmas.

How do you prepare for that kind of news? We prayed, talked, and waited. And just as he thought, it happened.

My mind had not forgotten the prophetic nudge I had received randomly at a stoplight a year earlier. The Target sign advertising seasonal hiring had drawn my eyes and, for some reason, it resonated with me. As the light turned to green, the thought was packed into the back of my mind and I proceeded down the road and onto my day.

Until a year later, when we faced with my husband’s job loss. Questions loomed. Working at Target would entail nights at work and sleep during the day. How does one do that with a two year old? What about getting my older kids off to school? Would I have to work on Christmas?

God spoke into our lives in a way we had hoped but could not have imagined.

My husband’s company did not have a current space for him to work, so they gave him the opportunity to work from home until January, which was something he had always longed to do. I did end up working on Christmas, but the blessings in that season of waiting came packaged in ways I never anticipated.

Scriptural narratives consistently bear witness to a God of surprises. The packaging of the Messiah was no exception.

Of course, the Jews were well familiar with the prophecies including:

Isaiah 9 :6-7: For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.

The anticipation of his arrival was passed down through generations. Hope wove through the retelling of how God’s hand guided, intervened and never abandoned them. The Torah spoke of the repeated acts of redemption on behalf of the Israelites. And now, as a fractured people, the promise of permanent restoration appeared to be close to reality.

But how do you reconcile all that was hoped for in a Messiah with the reality that he arrived as an infant? Not a seemingly powerful king. Not a savvy political figure. Not even an adult.

God spoke into their lives in a way they had hoped, but could not have imagined.

Yet, truthfully, what had been pictured was not what transpired … at least not from a human perspective. Since fear and despair can quickly clutch us as we wait, how can we let hope and joy liberate us in the midst?

We remember the narratives which speak of God’s character throughout history. We, like, the Israelites, cling to the ancient truths which speak to present circumstances.

“and again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.” Romans 15:12

God speaks into our lives in ways we hope, but cannot imagine-even when our blessings look differently than expected.

About Stephanie:


Stephanie is an ordained pastor, speaker, writer and mental health advocate. She writes about sensing the voice of God and encountering the Holy Spirit in the midst of our everyday routines. In addition, the themes of parenting and mental illness find themselves woven into some of her posts. She is a member of the Redbud Writers’ Guild, and her pieces have appeared at Altarwork, Amity Coalition, Her View From Home, The Mighty, and The Mudroom blog. Stephanie lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and three teens. She blogs at stephaniejthompson.com. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

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Sign up for the (occasional) Mid-month Digest and the (loosely) “end of the month” Secret Newsletter for Scraping Raisins Here:

Follow me on Instagram @scrapingraisins–I frequently give away books and products I love! 

Announcing the themes for next year! Visit here for submissions guidelines!

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St. Ignatius, Mary & the Great Advent “Yes” {guest post}

By Kimberly Baldwin

While in grad school I spent some time in India with fellow students. After dinner one night, our host led us through some of the city’s streets until we ended up in Dharavi, which I would later learn was one of the largest slums in Asia, covering more than five acres in the heart of the city and home to as many as100,000 people. Dharavi was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced. We walked single file down the narrow alleys, the streets of Dharavi, following our guide closely, minding his instruction to keep close.

It was getting dark and it was a busy time of night. There were people everywhere. It felt as though I was pushing my way through a crowded train car. Our guide told us to avoid stepping in the water. With no proper waste system, the water running down the walkways was sewage. There were slabs of meat hanging from open windows. There were tiny shops. There was corrugated metal, cardboard and wood, all pieced together to build homes and businesses, a community. I was overwhelmed in every sense of the word. How do they all fit? How do they not get sick?  How do children not get lost? When we finally emerged from the narrow alleys of Dharavi we were led up five flights of stairs to the roof of a neighboring building and told to look down.

Below was Dharavi, the community we had just walked through. All I could see were rooftops pieced together, the alleyways not visible from the view above. Then looked up and out. The rooftops kept going. Dharavi kept going. It was bigger than I could have ever imagined. We had only covered a block. There was so much more. Stretching out before me were the lives of thousands of people … women, men and children living and breathing, working and cleaning, preparing food for their families, bathing their babies, caring for those who were sick. Suffering and celebrating. Laughing and crying. Dying and being born.

In Ignatian Spirituality, St. Ignatius of Loyola invites us to contemplate the incarnation in two parts. In the first part we are asked to imagine what the Trinity sees when looking out upon the earth before making the decision to enter into it in human form.  

For me, when I pray this first part of the contemplation I always see Dharavi.

I see the expanse of metal rooftops going on for miles, seemingly without end, and it astounds me every time that somehow God sees all of this and is, at the same time, still acutely aware of the individual moaning and exultation of each person. We don’t just get lost in the mix and that to me is astonishing. God can both see the broad view of the whole world (the rooftops of Dharavi view) and at the same time can see, feel, and hear the inner workings of each and every single person … all 7.5 billion of us. God sees all of this and then decides to enter into it, right into the middle of all our pain and all of our mess.

But first, Mary had to say yes.

For the second part of the contemplation on the incarnation, Ignatius invites us to imagine what that moment must have been like for Mary. However we might describe what Mary’s life was like in her time and day, it’s safe to assume it wasn’t easy. She most assuredly had dirt under her fingernails on the regular. But when presented with what must have seemed a crazy proposition, she said yes, and in doing so, made a very clear statement about her life’s orientation. Advent invites us to orient our lives just the same.

This is what Advent boils down to for me.

Advent … a time of hopeful anticipation, a time of inviting God in, a time of recognizing where we need God, and a time of re-orienting our lifetowards that which matters most.

My family and friends know that I love Christmas. I love all the cheesy romanticmovies. I love the lights and the photo cards that come in the mail. I treasure buying presents for the people I love. But I don’t think I could love Christmas the way I do without Advent.

Advent is when I am reminded that, just as Mary had to say yes, I too have to say yes. Not a one time yes but an ongoing, day-by-day and year-by-year yes. I have to make a decision about the direction I want my life to be heading. I have to open myself up to the God who wants to make a home in me. Advent gives us time to decide (maybe for the first time or maybe again), towards what or whom is our life oriented. 

Then we might see more clearly the incarnation. We might more joyously participate in the lights, and music and gifts of Christmas because Advent will have prepared us well.

The seemingly secular Christmas hype won’t concern us because instead it will serve as a reminder that the Trinity looked at the world and upon seeing the destruction and the suffering, responded out of compassion and mercy, deciding to incarnate God’s very self into the world in order to heal it. But that’s not all (as if that wasn’t enough). Advent reminds us that God gazes at each one of us in the very same way, with compassion and mercy, wanting to heal us, wanting to re-orient our lives. We just have to make the space. We just have to say yes.

About Kim:

As a wife and mom to four young children, Kim Baldwin is happiest when spending time with family and friends, enjoying the gorgeous Arizona sunshine, watching a little HGTV and volunteering with organizations doing good in the world. Professionally, she spends her days working with awesome undergrads in the Next Generation Service Corps at Arizona State University who are committed to creating change. This is where her passions lie and where her heart is most drawn. Kim looks forward to connecting with you as you too discover and share how you have been called to love and to impact change as you carve out estuary moments in your everyday life. Read more from her at http://www.ignatianmama.com.

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For December, the theme on the blog is “The Other Side of Advent.” Let me know if you’re still interested in guest posting (I’m usually willing to extend deadlines)! Check submission guidelines here.

Sign up for the (occasional) Mid-month Digest and the (loosely) “end of the month” Secret Newsletter for Scraping Raisins Here:

Follow me on Instagram @scrapingraisins–I frequently give away books and products I love! 

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Eight Nativity Myths: How the West Gets It Wrong

My children tore into the Christmas boxes yesterday, leaving books, toys, ornaments, lights and wrapping paper strewn about the living room. They arranged the Fischer Price toy manger in bizarre configurations and started in on their own versions of the Christmas story. A week ago for movie night, we watched the kids’ movie, The Star (complete with Oprah, Tyler Perry and Kelly Clarkson as voice actors) on Netflix and I wondered how much of the plot to critique with my children, age six and under.

Should I tell them there wasn’t a man in armor sent to kill Mary and Joseph—or a talking donkey? Or that Jesus wasn’t born in a barn? Should I point out that while the characters in the film looked more Middle Eastern than most adaptations of the nativity (apart from the blue-eyed Mary), their speech and mannerisms were decidedly “Western”? Was it even worth pushing against a story that has morphed into a romanticized version unlike what actually happened two thousand years ago …?

Living overseas and studying culture in graduate school taught me that I often view the world through Western lenses, forming incorrect assumptions as I read the Bible. Yes, the Reformation brought the freedom to study the Bible on our own, but with that comes the mighty weight of responsibility to research the culture behind the text. We can’t just take the Bible at face value and expect to get it right.

As I researched for my book about hospitality from a cross-cultural perspective this past year, I racked up late fines for a book I checked out of the library three times (and finally bought this week). Kenneth E. Bailey spent forty years living and teaching New Testament in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem and Cyprus. The book, called Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes peels away the lenses we’ve used to read the nativity story, confronting our assumptions with truths about Eastern culture.

He says the misinterpretations of the nativity began when an anonymous Christian wrote a “novel” two hundred years after the birth of Jesus. It’s the first fictional account suggesting that Jesus’ birth occurred the very night Mary and Joseph entered Bethlehem. Bailey describes it as “full of imaginative details.” Along with this fictional account, we’ve managed to invent plenty of myths on our own. Here are some I hope to eventually debunk for my children (and myself) as we lug out our Christmas paraphernalia year after year:

Myth 1: No Room at the Inn

Our nativity stories usually involve a dejected Joseph and Mary finally bedding down in the straw of a barn because there was no room for them in the inn. But Bailey writes that “if Luke expected his readers to think Joseph was turned away from an ‘inn’ he would have used the word pandocheion, which clearly meant a commercial inn. But in Luke 2:7 it is katalyma that is crowded …literally, a katalyma is simply ‘a place to stay’… if at the end of Luke’s Gospel, the word katalyma means a guest room attached to a private home (22:11), why would it not have the same meaning near the beginning of this Gospel?”(32, 33)

Bailey points out that most Middle Eastern homes for the past 3,000 years were made of two rooms—one a guest room, and one for the family and their animals. Joseph had likely already arranged to stay at the home of a friend (he knew Mary would be giving birth around then, so of course he would plan ahead–perhaps he’s not as inept as we imagine …). Rather than a story of rejection, the birth of Jesus was, in fact, one of grand  hospitality—a family gave up their own room to make space for the holy family.

As proof that Jesus wasn’t born in squalor, Bailey points out that in the spirit of Middle Eastern hospitality, the shepherds would have whisked Mary away to their homes had their accommodations been unacceptable for a baby. As it was, they left them there, deeming the lodging fit for royalty, and raced off to spread the incredible news.

Myth 2:  Feminine Angels

 

For whatever reason, this misinterpretation of the Christmas story really irks me. In the Bible, angels were feared. They were warriors who inspired trepidation and trembling, not cuddling and cooling. Perpetuating the myth of an anemic angel lowers the bar on God’s unnerving power. Every single angel in the Bible is described as male, and most immediately say, “Fear not”—because they were terrifying.

Myth 3: White Jesus

 

Last year, I rounded up all the toys and pictures of baby Jesus I could find in my home. Most of them revealed a Caucasian, white-looking Jesus. While every culture has depictions of a Jesus who looks like they do, it’s still important to acknowledge that Jesus was born in the Middle East, therefore he most likely had brown skin, brown eyes and dark hair.

Why does this matter? In an article for Christianity Today, author and speaker Christena Cleveland writes, “Not only is white Jesus inaccurate, he also can inhibit our ability to honor the image of God in people who aren’t white.” (While you’re at it, you should follow her on Instagram because her posts lately have been amazing.) Deifying whiteness deadens the broad brush of a God who pigmented all skin and called it “good.”

Deifying whiteness deadens the broad brush of a God who pigmented all skin and called it “good.”

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Images matter. The more we surround ourselves with images of a white Jesus, the more we begin to believe that he was white. (That said, it is very difficult to find nativity sets with a brown Jesus–the Fischer price one we have has only one brown-skinned figure–the shepherd. But I have a few options at the end of this post.)

Myth 4: The Timeline

In our carved wooden nativity set, shepherds, donkeys, wise men and sheep crowd around baby Jesus. Most people know about this myth, but Richards and O’Brien in Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes note that, “When the wise men arrived, they went to a house where the toddler Jesus and his parents were living (Mt. 2:11)” (144). The visitation of the wise men occurred years after the birth of Christ, not on the night of his birth. While it’s not wrong to compress the Christmas story for the sake of a play or pageant, it still bears acknowledging that events have been tampered with in our retelling.

Myth 5: The Omission of Infanticide

Image from The Advent Book.

This isn’t so much of a misconception as an omission in the story we tell our wee ones. I’m not suggesting we go into this as we light our Advent wreathes and eat cookies as a family, but like so many of our Bible stories, I think we’re in danger of desensitizing ourselves and our little ones to violence when we gloss over murder, rape, genocide, torture, and abuse in our common Sunday School Bible stories. Amazon offers a startling disclaimer for the children’s Adventure Bible: “As with any full Bible, in the context of Scripture there is frank mention of drunkenness, nudity, and sex that parents may not expect to see in a children’s edition.”

As adults, we grow so used to the familiar tales that we forget to be shocked, horrified or to even to acknowledge the sickening violence. The story of the birth of Jesus is no different, as Herod slaughtered innocent children in his rage at the coming king. Bailey says “there appears to be a conspiracy of silence which refuses to notice the massacre. Why then does Matthew include it?” (58) He suggests that “if the Gospel can flourish in a world that produces the slaughter of the innocents and the cross, the Gospel can flourish anywhere” (59). Perhaps as adults we need to meditate on the violence and allow ourselves to absorb the horror as a way of recognizing God’s presence in suffering.

Myth 6: Mary Was an Unwed Mother

Most Americans read “betrothed” and incorrectly assume it means the same thing as “engaged.” In reality, under Jewish law, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem as fully married couple who had not yet consummated their marriage. The Middle Eastern view of betrothal bears little resemblance to our conception of engagement in the West.

Myth 7: Mary and Joseph Were All Alone

My Chinese students could never understand why I wanted to be alone–because they never were. In fact, most non-Western cultures are collectivist and can’t understand the individualism of those of us in the United States and parts of Europe. Our Saudi international student said even her 12 year old sister still slept in her parents’ room, an example that holds true in many Middle Eastern cultures. Why would Mary and Joseph have been any different?

As they were traveling back to Bethlehem to register, Bailey points out that most homes would have been available to Joseph, who was of the royal lineage of David. To reject someone of that heritage would bring shame and humiliation to the community. Mary, too, had relatives in the area and had just been visiting her cousin Elizabeth not far away in the “hill country of Judea.” Bethlehem was in the center of Judea. They were not friendless in Bethlehem.

The birth in the family room of a friend’s home would have been attended by other women and midwives as tradition dictated. Far from alone, Mary and Joseph would have been surrounded by more help than they needed. (My friend, Sarah Quezada, is sharing more about what she’s calling “the Advent caravan” the next three Sundays, you can sign up for that here.)

Myth 8: The Boot-Strapping Holy Family

In America at least, many of us love the Cinderella stories of the underdog rising to power. The United States lauds those who pull themselves up by their bootstraps, forge ahead without the blessing or need of others and make something of themselves. I wonder if this love of independence and individualism has seeped into our telling and retelling of our beloved nativity story. We love the idea that an unwed family left home and made something of themselves in spite of rejection. Not needing anyone else, they gave birth alone in a barn to the audience of only animals.

But what if we changed the narrative to reflect the culture in which it was written? A culture that valued hospitality, relationship, togetherness and family? How would this alter our tale?

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Why does all this matter? The more I learn about other cultures, the more I realize how much of my own culture I project onto my personal reading of the Bible. Understanding the nuances of stories in the Bible from the perspective of the culture in which it was written fills in the gaps of our shallow, faulty understanding.

I know there are resources out there that offer a more accurate nativity story. In our family, we use the Advent book and the Jesus Storybook Bible to share the Christmas story with our little ones, though these also fall short.

The Jesus Storybook Bible has a brown-skinned Jesus.

The Jesus Storybook Bible also has a more accurate timeline.

The Advent Book is straight from the Bible, and we open a door each night leading up to Christmas.

I want my children to peel away the heroics and white-washed Bible stories to see the God behind the myths. Mostly, I want my kids to know the many dazzling facets of God they’re missing when they settle for a Western god made in their own image.

I want my kids to know the many dazzling facets of God they’re missing when they settle for a Western god made in their own image.

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Resources:

The Story of Christmas (recommended by a friend of a friend)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olive Wood Miniature Nativity Set (we have this one–it’s small and not for play, but nice!)

 

 

Nativity Sets from Peru (this site looks awesome–they have sets from all around the world!) This mini one from Peru is $16.99.

African American Nativity for $54.99

 

Bark Cloth Nativity Set for $29.99

 

 

 

Painted Peg Doll Nativity Set for $40 (Looks more Middle Eastern, but still has a female angel…)

 

 

Diverse Peg Doll Nativity Set for $142 (more money if you order the Dr. Who character!!!…???)

 

 

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For December, the theme on the blog is “The Other Side of Advent.” Let me know if you’re still interested in guest posting (I’m usually willing to extend deadlines)! Check submission guidelines here.

Sign up for the (occasional) Mid-month Digest and the (loosely) “end of the month” Secret Newsletter for Scraping Raisins Here:

Follow me on Instagram @scrapingraisins–I frequently give away books and products I love! 

I want my children to peel away the heroics and white-washed Bible stories to see the God behind the myths. #whitejesus #nativitymyth #nativitystory #advent #adventmyth #westernculture #easternculture

**This post includes Amazon affiliate links.

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Ethical Gift Guide to Love People & Help Our Planet (2018 edition)

I feel like I need a business degree just to be a responsible consumer these days. Words like “ethical, fair trade, green, sustainable, direct-trade, certified B Corp, fast fashion, direct trade, and multi-level marketing” are just some vocabulary you may encounter as you google around for companies you can get behind before you trust them with your hard-earned money. 

I’m still learning, but here’s what I’ve discovered:

I’d rather buy something that may help a person in need than perpetuate a system thriving on the backs of underpaid workers in sweatshops.

During my research, I searched for ethical companies that may not be on your radar. The larger and more well-known ones are at the bottom of this post, because they are doing good work, too, but this year I wanted to showcase some smaller companies you may not know about. Almost every one of the companies on this list comes from a personal recommendation.

I chose ethical businesses that were affordable, had personal contact with the artisans, had a story and vision I loved, didn’t have cringe-worthy marketing perpetuating elitism or the white savior complex, and offered pretty products. All the specific gifts I picked are in the $50 or below range because that’s about what we can afford for gifts these days. 😉

I’m not receiving any compensation for sharing these, though several companies generously offered discount codes for Scraping Raisins readers, which you’ll find in bold. I’ve noticed many also offer discounts if you sign up for their mailing list.

The companies on this list are doing incredible work among disadvantaged people in the world. Read their stories, you’ll be amazed. You can feel better about spending your money at these companies this holiday season:

LOVELY

EMPOWERS: men and women coming out of the sex trafficking industry in Texas

SELLS: T-shirts, jewelry, prints, candles

From their site: “We visit strip clubs cross Texas, build relationships with club employees without strings attached, and connect them to community and spiritual resources. For those desiring to transition from the industry, we offer various programs to assist their journey. We also work with “Johns” who have been caught up in prostitution through our Stop Demand School. We stand against exploitation from materials to manufacturing while creating avenues of opportunity.” Their site is a little tricky, so click on the menu (three lines) and use the sidebar to view all their products. They have shirts with messages like: “The kingdom of God smells like cigarettes and perfume: Jesus Said Love.”

My pick for a guy would be this shirt for $30:

JusTea

EMPOWERS: people in the Nandi Hills community in Kenya

DISCOUNT: 20% off if you use the code “RAISINS20”

From the site: “This small specialty factory is processing orthodox teas that have never been seen before in the world market: Purple, Green, Oolong and Black artisanal teas. The factory is fully staffed, managed, and owned, by small-scale Kenyan tea farmers in Nandi Hills.”

My pick is this Sunkissed Rooibos tea for $13 (it’s also available on Amazon here):

Sparrow House Botanicals

EMPOWERS: survivors of human trafficking

DISCOUNT: $5 discount at checkout using the code “Take5”

From the site: “We provide a sustainable hourly wage, an opportunity to build a job history and a resume, as well as work making quality products the ladies can be proud of. We use organic, fair trade ingredients in the manufacturing of our products to ensure that they are the most natural and socially conscious that they can be. We want to make sure that as we seek to provide freedom for the women we employ, we will not be oppressing any others!” This orange mint gift set for $25 might make a great gift for a female teacher, or a mother, sister, friend, etc.:

Ziyada

EMPOWERS: women and men in India

SELLS: tablecloths, aprons, pillow covers, and more

DISCOUNT: Use the code “Scraping Raisins” for 10 percent off until Dec. 10th!

From their site: “Ziyada exists to provide meaningful employment in a safe, loving environment for people caught in the devastating cycle of extreme poverty in North India, and in the process, to bring you more quality and beauty through each good we create.” *Recommended by my friend living in India.

My pick–4 napkins and placemats for $32 (I’d need two sets…):

Barefoot Books

PROMOTES: green business practices and diverse books

From the site: “From sustainably sourced paper to vegetable-based ink, the materials that make up our books are ones that you can feel good about having in your classroom or home. Whether it’s donating Barefoot books to Marley Dias’ #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign or planting trees across the globe, the Barefoot family is taking action to make an impact every day.” My pick is The Barefoot Book of Children for $19.99, by Tessa Strickland and Kate DePalma:

The White Peacock

EMPOWERS: women in India

SELLS: handicrafts, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, bags

From the site: “The White Peacock is an outreach that helps Indian women work at home and support their family through creative designing, crafting and marketing handmade items. We have 60 working members who participate in weekly meetings of fellowship and chai. We exchange work at these meetings.” *Recommended by my friend living in India.

My pick (if I did yoga) would be this yoga bag for $14.99:

Sari Bari

EMPOWERS: survivors of trafficking in India

SELLS: bags, tablecloths, baby gifts, home décor

Sari Bari has offered Scraping Raisins readers a discount code of 25% of per customer until December 15th! Enter the code “RAISIN” at checkout!

From their site: “Each Sari Bari product is marked with the name of the woman who made it. Vintage saris arrive at our sewing center in Kolkata’s largest red light district. Freshly laundered saris are sorted into product types and grouped by color and design. Bag and blanket patterns are traced and cut, all by hand! Pattern pieces are hand sewn using the traditional Kantha stitch. *This company came highly recommended by my friend living in India. ” My pick for a friend with a new baby, this baby changing mat for $30:

Or these fun dinner napkins (set of 6) for $42:

 

Gobena Coffee

EMPOWERS: vulnerable and/or orphaned children

DISCOUNT: Use the code “go10” for 10% of all coffee and k-cups!

From the site: “100% of our profits go to enriching the lives of vulnerable and/or orphaned children. When you buy one bag of coffee $4 (our profit) goes to enrich the lives of vulnerable and orphaned children.”

The Gobena Coffee Club is their subscription coffee service and you get discounted coffee when you sign up for this option that includes free shipping! It would make an excellent gift for a coffee lover;-) My pick would be this Ethiopian coffee for $14.99:

The Grain of Rice Project

EMPOWERS: Kenyans living in the Kibera slum

SELLS: jewelry, accessories, housewares

DISCOUNT CODE: Enter”SR15″ for 15% off any online purchase!

From the site: “Grain of Rice Project is a non-profit ministry, which seeks to empower Kenyan people with the love of Christ by helping them become self-sufficient through employment, education, and skills training. Most of the artists and children we work with live in the Kibera slum, which is the largest slum in East Africa.” My pick would be this coffee cup sleeve for $8.:

Or this apron for $25:

SutiSana

EMPOWERS: Formerly prostituted women in El Alto, Bolivia

SELLS: apparel, leather bags, accessories

DISCOUNT: For 10% use the code “RAISINS” at check out. One use per customer. Valid until December 31st!

From their site: “SutiSana was founded by Word Made Flesh in 2010 to provide dignified employment and a new life for women attempting to leave prostitution in El Alto, Bolivia …Word Made Flesh coordinates sewing training for women to prepare them to work in SutiSana. When a woman joins SutiSana, she receives all the benefits, including health insurance. She and her children are supported through community, and she is given opportunities to continually grow – learning to design bags, work with new materials, and even coach other women as they leave prostitution.” My pick for $45 (for a guy):

Elegantees

EMPOWERS: women coming out of sex trafficking in Nepal

From their site: “We dream to expand from one sewing center to several to provide more jobs. The waiting list is between 300-500 women who desire to work for Elegantees …The designs are ethically made by women (and some men too) who are paid fair wages. Fabric is sustainable using organic cotton in new fabrics we dye. We also source from dead stock fabric for non-organic blends.” Ok, so even though I’m trying to buy only used clothing these days, my reasoning is mainly because of the fast fashion industry. I could maybe make an exception for this shirt for $54... if it was a gift;-)

Just Coffee Co-op

EMPOWERS: famers in South and Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia

From their site: “Just Coffee is a certified B Corp. B Corp certification gives us a credible third party certification to ensure that our practices meet our mission and values– it vouches for us that we are a business that aims to be a force for good in the world. It looks at our commitment to environmental sustainability, being good partners to our suppliers, a good place to work for our employees, and a good neighbor our communities.” My pick is this coffee for $12:

Ciderpress Lane

EMPOWERS: those coming out of sex trafficking

SELLS: a cookbook, kitchenware

From their site: “What if, by sharing dinner together with our friends, we could fight the injustice? Seven people showed up to that first dinner and $300 was given to fight human trafficking. We didn’t know it at the time but the Freedom Dinners at Ciderpress Lane had begun. Now, that spark of an idea has turned into a full blown Fair Trade Shop that allows us to do what we love to fight what we hate. We are continuing to expand our online shop so you can buy the things that make Dinners at CiderPress Lane possible. From the cookbook that tells you exactly how to host a dinner in your own community to the very tables that we use in our orchard. Through the shop we are able to create local community workshops, host more dinners and give even more to Rescue:Freedom.”

My pick is this book for $28.99 (+$6 shipping):

Or this tray for $42:

Mighty Nest

PROMOTES: green living

From the site: “Mighty Nest is a unique Web site that provides you the ability to research, get advice and buy natural, organic and non-toxic products all in one place. All of the products we sell are free from known toxic ingredients such as: BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Lead, Melamine, Formaldehyde, Flame retardants, Parabens and more.”

My pick is this reusable snack bag/sandwich bag lunch set for $35.97:

Dignify

EMPOWERS: women in Bangladesh

SELLS: table runners, baby blankets, throw blankets, bedding

From the site: “We work exclusively on all of our textile products with Basha Boutique, HQ’d in the Mirpur district of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Basha is a generous, safe, kind- & whole-hearted business that employs vulnerable and at-risk women in dignified, sustainable work.”

My pick is this table runner for $48:

Meenal Patel Studio

PROMOTES: individual artisans

SELLS: art prints, cards, childrens’ books

I discovered Meenal’s work at an online popup shop and fell in love. She is a talented illustrator, children’s book author, designer and artist. You can check out her kick-starter for a children’s book called Priya Dreams of Marigolds and Masala here. This is my favorite  print from her etsy shop for $24:
And this one, also starting at $24 depending on which size you want:

PURPOSE Jewelry

EMPOWERS: women and girls escaping human trafficking

SELLS: jewelry, candles, ornaments

DISCOUNT: Use the code “PRRAISINS15” for 15% off until Dec. 9th!

PURPOSE is the social enterprise of International Sanctuary, and 100% of the proceeds go directly back to the non-profit. “The mission of International Sanctuary is to empower young women and girls escaping human trafficking to embrace their true identity and worth.” The current sanctuaries are in India, Uganda, Mexico, and California. Their 2020 vision is “to launch 10 sanctuaries around the world where girls and women rescued from slavery are empowered in the restoration of their mind, body, and soul.” (from their site) My pick is these shimmer hoop earrings for $26:

Women’s Bean Project

EMPOWERS: disadvantaged women in the Denver, CO, area

SELLS: dried soups, cornbread, brownies and other food

From the site: “We hire women who are chronically unemployed and we teach them to work by making nourishing products that we sell across the US through some of the country’s largest retailers. We offer a transitional job in dry food manufacturing designed to provide women immediate income, arrange support services to overcome barriers to employment, and teach the job readiness and life skills needed to get and keep a job. Through their work at the Bean Project, the women learn to stand tall, find their purpose and break the cycle of poverty. Because when you change a woman’s life, you change her family’s life.”

My pick is this old fashioned chili and cornbread gift bundle for $13:

 

Favorite Companies from My List Last Year:

Copper & Torch

PROMOTES: buying handmade items from small businesses

SELLS: jewelry, trays for display, home décor

This company is run by my sister-in-law out of Marietta, GA.”Her mission is to preserve beautiful specimens from lace, botanicals and papers in glass as an archive of the past in a clean, minimal and modern way using traditional stained glass processes.” (from her site) Love this photo frame for $48:

Divine Chocolate

EMPOWERS: Farmers in Ghana

From their site: “Divine Chocolate is co-owned by the 85,000 farmer members of Kuapa Kokoo, the cooperative in Ghana that supplies the cocoa for each bar of Divine. As owners, they get a share in the profits, a say in the company, and a voice in the global marketplace.” This is a 3.5 oz bar for $3.99. These would make great stocking stuffers!

Do Good Shop

EMPOWERS: A variety of artisans around the world

SELLS: jewelry, accessories, women’s clothing, and gifts for men

DISCOUNT: 20% off + free shipping with the code “DOGOODSHOP20”

From their site: “Do Good Shop runs like a business, but is actually a nonprofit organization. This means that not only does each purchase create jobs for vulnerable artisans, but also ALL of our net proceeds go directly back into supporting the artisans and their communities, and educating others about this great need.” I got this journal for Christmas last year and LOVE it (it’s $26):


My pick this year would be this eyeglass case for $20:

Green Toys

PROMOTES: Local manufacturing using recycled materials

This site has a wide range of toys for children. Though they are plastic, they are much sturdier than your typical plastic toy and they use recycled materials. From their site: “From our 100% recycled materials to our US-based manufacturing, we’re raising awareness about sustainability while delivering unquestionably safe products.” We have this tool set for $29.99 and really like it!

Imagine Goods

EMPOWERS: Trafficking survivors in Cambodia, disadvantaged in Haiti, and those coming out of homelessness in Pennsylvania

SELLS: clothing, men and women’s aprons, bags, and even dress shirts and neckties for men! (It is very difficult to find reasonably-priced, ethical clothing for men.)

DISCOUNT: 15% off with the code “scrapingraisins” until November 21st!

This site includes a ton of information about the artisans involved and each product has a symbol indicating who made it. From their site: “We are creating products that care for the human race—giving opportunity for individuals to care for their children, families, and health. . . so that a new generation has a fighting chance to break the cycle of poverty.” They also lead trips abroad for people to learn about poverty and the garment industry.  I bought some wristlets last year for my nieces and loved them. I still do:-) Here’s another one I like for $25:

Mercy House

EMPOWERS: Artisans in Africa and refugees in the U.S.

From the site: ” Founded in 2010, Mercy House started with a dream to help pregnant teen moms in Nairobi, Kenya. Today, Mercy House fully funds two maternity homes in Kenya. They are paid more than a fair wage and empowered by your purchase. The artisans who make the lovely items in our shop are some of the most oppressed and impoverished in the world, from Kenya to Ethiopia to refugees relocated to the United States.They also have a “charitable gift catalogue” where you can donate to practical needs of real women such as: “provide a mosquito net, food for one mom and child, an academic scholarship, fund literacy classes for women, provide a sewing machine, or rescue a pregnant girl.” This case for $22 that comes with colored pencils and a journal would be great for kids (or adults!) to bring when they’re on the go (like if they want to draw during church ..):

Papillon Marketplace

EMPOWERS: artistans from Haiti

SELLS: bags, jewelry, home décor, toys, T-shirts

DISCOUNT: Enter code “RAISINS” to get 15% off now through end of 2018! 

From the site: “Our mission is orphan prevention and we do that through job creation. Papillon is providing hope to Haitian Artisans with the dignity of a job, training, and the ability to create something new out of something discarded and seemingly unusable. We use metal, cardboard, aluminum, dirt, and paper to make jewelry and other beautiful things.” My pick is this Metal Art Tree Topper in brushed metal for $20:

Or this checkers travel set for $24 would be a great gift for a child!

Preemptive Love

EMPOWERS: Refugees in Iraq, Syria and the U.S.

SELLS: soap, candles, services/items for refugees

I met the CEO and founder of this organization three summers ago at a conference. This is an incredible organization, and this site is just one small part of what they are doing. In addition to soap and candles, you can buy chickens for a displaced family, medical treatment for a war survivor or water for families in conflict zones in Iraq. This is their mission: “We’re a coalition stretching across Iraq, Syria, the United States, and beyond, working together to unmake violence and create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.” I gave some of these $10 soaps for stocking stuffers for my mom and nieces last year. My pick is this Sisterhood Soap for $45:

Re:New

EMPOWERS: Refugees in Chicago

SELLS: purses, wallets, bags and journals made from upcycled materials

From their site: “We engage, equip and employ refugee women in the Chicagoland area. It is our greatest desire to provide a space for refugee women to thrive as they rebuild their hopes and dreams in the United States.” My pick is this mini tote for $27.95:

Sak Saum

EMPOWERS: Exploited men and women in Cambodia

SELLS: accessories, apparel, bags, wallets

This company came highly recommended by a friend. From their site: “Located in Phnom Penh and the Saang District of Cambodia, Sak Saum is a ministry dedicated to the rescue, restoration, transformation and rehabilitation of vulnberable and exploited women and men.” My pick is this bag for $40 (but in slate):

Soap Hope

EMPOWERS: Women in poverty

“Each time you shop at soaphope.com, 100% of the profits – yes, every dollar – goes to empower women to lift their lives, families, and communities from extreme poverty. We select partners each year based on need and outcomes. In 2018, we are providing interest-free capital to Milaap, a microfinance institution in India focused on the rural poor, and we are currently finalizing other partners for loans that will be disbursed later this year.” My pick would be this deep lavender bath collection for $30.99:

Starfish Project

EMPOWERS: Women coming out of trafficking in Asia

SELLS: jewelry

This company provides shelter, counseling, employment and education to women coming out of trafficking in Asia. From their site: “We provide life-changing opportunities through our Holistic Care Programs and our social enterprise where women create beautiful jewelry and become managers, accountants, graphic designers, and photographers.” I like this necklace for $42.99:

Thistle Farms

EMPOWERS: Women survivors of trafficking and addiction in the U.S.

SELLS: lip balm, bath sets, non-toxic bug spray, lotions, soap

DISCOUNT: Enter the code “ScrapingRaisins” for 10% off until Dec. 31st!

This is their mission: “Thistle Farms’ mission is to HEAL, EMPOWER, AND EMPLOY women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. We do this by providing safe and supportive housing, the opportunity for economic independence, and a strong community of advocates and partners.” They have some bath sets and smaller items for stocking stuffers that would make great gifts. Someone please buy me this bath soak set for Christmas…;-) This set is my pick for $25:

Other AMAZING Companies: 

These companies are partnering with many different artisans and/or fair trade businesses around the world.

Accompany

Equal Exchange

Global Girlfriend

Finders and Makers

The Flourish Market

Global Goods Partners

The Honest Consumer

Justly Market

Karama Collection

Krochet Kids

The Little Market

Noonday Collection

Serrv

Ten Thousand Villages

Trades of Hope

Support Indigenous Companies:

Kailin Curtice shared this fabulous thread on Twitter of gifts to support Indigenous people/organizations.

Please leave links to other ethical sites you love. There were so many more that I couldn’t include. And share this post to spread the word on these amazing companies!

Sign up for the (occasional) Mid-month Digest and the (loosely) “end of the month” Secret Newsletter for Scraping Raisins Here:

Follow me on Instagram @scrapingraisins–I frequently give away books and products I love! 

Ethical gift guide to love people and help our planet (2018 edition). Come here for your Christmas shopping to support ethical, fair trade, sustainable, and green companies. #ethicalcompany #ethicalgifts #ethicalconsumer #sustainable #fairtradegifts #Christmasgifts #giftlist #Christmasgiftlist #ethicalgiftlist

* Images from various shops

**Contains some Amazon affiliate links

Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash

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How to Simplify Christmas Shopping

For a person like myself who basically despises spending money or buying excess stuff, Christmas is a struggle. My favorite Christmases to date are still the ones I spent with very little in a tiny cinderblock apartment in China.

Last year I published an ethical gift list and thought nothing of it, but this year, I have some questions:

What is the definition of “ethical” when it comes to ethical shopping and gifts? (Does giving 1% of your profit to an anti-sex trafficking organization qualify you for this label?)

Does overspending because it provides jobs for farmers in Uganda qualify as “doing good”?

Do some “ethical” companies manipulate our desire to feel good about ourselves, perpetuate the White Savior Complex, and lead to excessive spending?

For example, here are some of the slogans I’ve run across in my research:

“shop with meaning”

“shop to end poverty”

“shop with intention and share in the joy”

“The jewelry she makes changes the world. What can your jewelry do?”

“Look good, feel good, do good, be good, give good, get good.”

“You shouldn’t have to sacrifice style to make a difference.”

Pictures of white women kissing “native” women …

But here’s my conclusion in spite of still having questions: unless I want to announce that I’m no longer giving gifts to friends and family, I will be spending my money somewhere this season. Because of that, I prefer my money go to companies that will aid in improving the livelihood of someone else.

With this in mind, these are five ways I plan to simplify Christmas this year:

1. I’m only buying from ethical or green companies unless there’s absolutely no other way.

2. We’re setting a low number of gifts for each of our family (our kids know this … we don’t do birthday gifts from friends at parties, either).

3. I’m directing grandparents and family members to mostly write checks rather than send stuff for the kids (that way we can buy museum memberships that will last an entire year).

4. I’m buying all my gifts before Thanksgiving. (Ha! I figure it will put the pressure on if I announce that online …) This will reduce stress (in theory) and prevent me from making impulse buys at the last minute.

5. I’m buying everything online.

On Wednesday, I’m publishing my ethical gift list for this year. This time around, I will be sharing some companies that aren’t usually in the spotlight. I wanted to focus on companies that work directly with one or a few different countries instead of contracting with hundreds of artisans around the world. Think of them as the underdogs or “mom and pop” ethical companies doing good, but quieter, work around the globe. A few of them have offered discount codes for Scraping Raisins readers, so be sure and take a look!

What are some ways you simplify the consumerism aspect of Christmas?

Sign up for the (occasional) Mid-month Digest and the (loosely) “end of the month” Secret Newsletter for Scraping Raisins Here:

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Great Expectations {guest post by Nikki Wuu}

By Nikki Wuu

It happens every December 25th. The buildup, the anticipation, the climax. The disappointment. I wish I were talking about something else–like a vacation, my birthday, (I’m NOT talking about sex) or even the sugar cookies I always burn. Because you’d think I should know better. (Yeah, about the cookies–parchment paper …)

But at the end of the day, every ounce of adrenaline that surged through my veins the past four weeks has completely dried up and is replaced by dirty dishes, shredded wrapping paper, and an empty feeling in the pit of my soul. Once again, I realize nothing about Christmas has exceeded, or even met, my expectations. Disappointment sets in, so I reach for another burnt cookie.

It’s taken me nearly 40 years to realize the problem lies with my expectations. Stay with me while I go deeper.

Starting November 1st, Hallmark Channel Christmas movies are my default. My husband thinks I’ve gone to the dark side. He smirks every time he catches me in the act. He wonders what I see in their formulaic plots that go something like this:

  • Opening: Upbeat Christmas music, with (usually New York) city skyline.
  • Main Character: Good-looking, likable, but overworked person, who has forgotten what Christmas is all about.
  • Plot thickens: Protagonist somehow finds self transported to a rural setting, complete with small-town charms and fake snow. There is some important task to accomplish here. All the while, our hero encounters townspeople who have chosen the tranquil, meaningful life over big city buzz.
  • Protagonist gets reluctantly paired with a charming counterpart of the opposite sex, where there is simultaneously relationship chemistry AND animosity. This counterpart is ALWAYS involved in helping underprivileged children in the community.
  • The two, despite their differences, manage to get coffee, fall in love, and complete the important task (that usually involves the children mentioned above) in 10-12 minutes.
  • Next, an old flame–a lesser romantic interest with flawed character traits, usually materialism– surfaces, because, there isn’t enough Christmas drama yet, but …
  • True love eventually prevails, and all of the deep, previously unmet Christmas dreams are realized, as the smiling, needy children exclaim, “This is the greatest Christmas ever!”
  • Cue digital snow and a winking, bell-ringing Santa.

Christmas, happily ever after, with only a few incontinence commercials thrown in.

I think I’ve figured it out. I crave these movies because of their predictably happy endings: all hopes realized, all dreams fulfilled. The best, most beautiful Christmas ever. And shouldn’t it always be that way?

After all, wasn’t this how it happened that first night? Beautiful angels, dazzling the skies, with shepherds and sheep marveling. A star, camel-riding kings from the East bearing the first extravagant Christmas gifts. A stable, snug and warm with accommodating animals gently looking on, as a baby is born “silently” because “no crying He makes”. Joseph huddles around Mary as she holds a glowing child, possibly with a halo. “All is calm, all is bright.” Unsurpassable beauty is the backdrop to tranquility, warmth, and deep, personal fulfillment.

That’s how I’ve always pictured it.

But as I crack open my Bible this December, I am experiencing some cognitive dissonance. Here, I see brutal reality, pain, confusion, and a million untied loose ends:

  • Terrified shepherds are paid a visit. (Think powerful, mighty messengers of God instead of winged ballerinas with tights.) (Luke 2:9)
  • Ancient astrologers, tracking a star they hoped would lead them to the political King of the Jews. This is no easy journey, with no certain destination. Along the way, they meet, and later avert, a power-hungry, murderous king. (Luke 2:1-12)
  • A previously disgraced, single mom gives birth to a baby, and lays him in a feeding trough. (Luke 2:7). It’s not written here, but I’m just guessing (and any mom who’s delivered can confirm) this birth was NOT “silent.” And since He was born alive, we can safely conclude, some “crying He makes.” No halo on record.

It turns out a King did come that day. But it wasn’t the arrival anyone expected.

Maybe it’s just years and years of staring at elegant nativity sets and beautifully illustrated picture books. Or my viewing of countless, adorable Christmas pageants. Or maybe it’s just something inside of me wants my expectations met. I want beautiful predictability, not this story. THIS story makes me uneasy.  I’ll take the Hallmark version instead.

I was born into a “my” society. So were you, if you are alive right now, and are a card-carrying member of the American middle-class. This is NOT to say that life is easy. I’m just saying that by growing up here, you inherit a me-centric, consumer- driven mentality. It’s almost unavoidable.

Have you noticed that, here in America, we’ve made just about every calendar holiday about us? (Ok, maybe not Arbor Day, not yet.)

This is especially true of me at Christmas. Somewhere, among all of those Christmas’s past, I’ve managed to turn a celebration of the “Dawn of Redeeming Grace” into, well, my own birthday, because Christmas morning I still wake up wondering, “Where are my presents, my celebratory decorations, my delicious desserts?”

My.

And even if my (poor husband) manages to nail it, and get exactly what my heart desires, I’m good for about an hour. Because almost everything about “my” is temporary. It is, at best, a bottomless pit that I unsuccessfully try to fill. And I can’t. No matter how I try, I fall short.

I’m learning that “expectations” are not the problem. It’s when I add the “my” in front (literally and figuratively).

But what if I inserted “Great” here, instead?

As in “His Greatness,” realizing that this definition defies almost anything my 21st century, western paradigm can imagine.

Great exchanged the glories of heaven to become the dust of earth. Great emptied Himself, so we could be filled. Great chose death on a cross to give us life. Great failed to meet human expectations, but instead redeemed humanity.

This is infinitely greater than my version of great.

Embracing this great means shedding all of my preconceived notions about what great really is. It’s trusting them instead to the Great One, because in all of His greatness, He still chose to come near.

About Nikki:

Despite a deep desire to belong, Nikki Woo often finds life nudging her to the margins. She’s been the only girl on the team, the only public speaking teacher afraid of public speaking, the only Caucasian in the extended family photo, and the only mom who lets her kids drink Fanta. She calls the Rockies home, often pretending to be a Colorado native in spite of her flatland origins.

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Advent in Spite of Christmas (Christmas with Littles Edition)

Christmas is meant to be magical, right? Starry nights, mistletoe, crackling fireplaces and soft snow falling outside while we are snuggled up under blankets with tea inside, watching It’s a Wonderful Life for the 80th time. And it still is—magical, that is– except that for this “brief” (10 year) blip in time, we have a child in our home under five years old. As a mom, perhaps this is what Christmas looks like for you:

1. Pull out the decorations. Unload and figure out where to them put so the kids can’t pull them down and smash every one. Wish you had cleaned the house before decorating on top of the clutter.

2. Set up the nativity set, Advent wreath, Advent calendar, and Advent book and wonder if you are over-doing it in an attempt to be a Good Christian Mother.

3. Give the kids the Little People nativity set to keep them busy while you put brightly colored lights on the tree (you like white lights, but your five year old won the battle this year). You glance over and see that Mary is in the back of a dump truck with the angels in hot pursuit.

4. Day 3 of decorating: allow the kids to “help” you put ornaments on the tree. Eighty percent of the ornaments end up on the bottom fourth of the tree, though you know that by December 23rd, there will be NO ornaments there.

5. Curse whoever thought it was a good idea to decorate trees with toys that kids aren’t supposed to touch.

6. Advent day 1. Begin the Advent ritual: light a candle, read page one of the Advent Book, move the first figure out of a felt envelope and Velcro precariously onto the manger scene at the top (swatting at hands that try to grab all the other figures tucked into other day’s pockets). Tell kids to stop picking their noses, hitting each other and grab the one year old who is throwing ornaments down the stairs because he likes the sound.

7. Figure out how to answer a tiny person who has no concept of time when they ask you, “When is Christmas?”

8. Do all shopping online from the comfort of your own home while drinking a glass of Merlot in the evenings. You forget about the steep shipping and handling fees, but decide it is still worth it not to schlep three children to stores to shop. Your brothers will get one less candle because of this.

9. Advent day 2 : You try and untangle the theology that mashes up Santa, Bethlehem, the North Pole and frosty the snowman, yet this doesn’t stop you from showing your kids the Christmas cartoons you loved as a kid.

10. You decide not to send Christmas cards this year and feel like a Bad Person. You wonder if you should ask people for their address when they ask you for yours, making them believe they’ll get a card in return.

You reflect on how nutty Christmas with small children is. And yet you remember loving being around kids at Christmas time when you were single. The excitement, energy and wonder is beyond what most adults are capable of exuding. And kids take this ridiculous Christmas story of a young woman getting pregnant with God and they BELIEVE it. They dig into the darker parts of the story we hadn’t thought of excavating. And they draw magic out of the dust, the grit and the grime.

So, yes, this is exhausting, but seeing this season through the prism of small people gives you a unique perspective on a familiar story. It forces you to audibly speak what you believe and why you believe it.

Children escort us through the story of Christmas straight back to Jesus.

Children escort us through the story of Christmas straight back to Jesus.

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 Because after another year of appointments and disappointments, moves, job changes, politics, personal and world tragedies, decisions, new friends, old friends and ordinary life, we are ready for a reset.

Advent whets the appetites of our souls for the Jesus who was born in squalor and later turned water to wine, then thundered from the grave. Advent is the pixie dust we sprinkle on our normal lives to remind us that God was there all along.

Life is not as it seems: a teenage girl isn’t a teenage girl, a star isn’t a star and a baby isn’t a baby. Something within us aches for more and Advent reminds us our ache is not for nothing. There is more–and Advent uses the most childlike among us to bring us back to the sacred ordinary of God-as- squealing-baby lying in a stable.

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Ethical Gift Guide to Help People & Love Our Planet

Christmas has started to feel icky to me. The more I read, watch and learn, the more the Christmas spirit is eclipsed by guilt over the amount of money we spend on junk that often comes at the cost of exploiting those in poverty or negatively impacting our planet. But what if our gifts had the dual purpose of celebrating one another AND providing opportunities to empower vulnerable men, women and children to get out of poverty? This seems like a better reflection of a sacred and joyful holiday.

But what if our gifts had the dual purpose of celebrating one another AND providing opportunities to empower vulnerable men, women and children to get out of poverty?

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I curated this list by asking my online friends for recommendations of sites they know to have high standards for quality as well as a commitment to maintaining ethical business standards. In addition to these key requirements, I also wanted to list companies that are in my price range, which tends to be closer to the $50 or below range for Christmas gifts.

For each site, I’ve picked at least one item either I or a father, husband, friend, family member, teacher or child might like to receive (each is less than $50 unless noted otherwise). I noticed many of the sites offer either free shipping or 10 or 15 percent off of your first order if you sign up for their newsletter. I am not receiving any kind of payment for sharing this, though I hope you all buy from here so that your gifts will empower others and promote a prettier planet. Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments section!

Here are the amazing companies I found. I confess some made me cry as I read the “My Story” section of their websites. Beautiful things are happening in this world in spite of it all–lives are being transformed and people are creating. And we get to be a part of it!

Happy giving;-)

Branded Collective

EMPOWERS: Survivors of human trafficking in the U.S.

From their site: “We exist to empower survivors of human trafficking through meaningful employment and economic independence.” You can also find their jewelry in shops around the U.S.–check here to see if there are any near you. This company has a really cool story: “Each BRANDED item is stamped with an initial and a number. The initial belongs to the survivor who made your cuff. You can read her story on our website. The number is your unique number in the Collective. You can register this number and send a Message of Hope to our survivors.” Love the redemption in this. These earrings are really beautiful:

Copper & Torch

PROMOTES: Buying handmade items from small businesses

This company is run by my sister-in-law out of Marietta, GA. She creates jewelry, trays for display, and home décor. From her site: “Her mission is to preserve beautiful specimens from lace, botanicals and papers in glass as an archive of the past in a clean, minimal and modern way using traditional stained glass processes.” I love these little vases/terrariums:

Divine Chocolate

EMPOWERS: Farmers in Ghana

I can certainly help a sister out through eating more chocolate. From their site: “Divine Chocolate is co-owned by the 85,000 farmer members of Kuapa Kokoo, the cooperative in Ghana that supplies the cocoa for each bar of Divine. As owners, they get a share in the profits, a say in the company, and a voice in the global marketplace.” AND they sell chocolate–and the site has some fun chocolate recipes, too! You can buy a variety of bars of chocolate for stockings (or anytime, really) or order bars in a 10-pack. This is what I’m eyeing…

Do Good Shop

EMPOWERS: A variety of artisans around the world

In addition to jewelry, accessories and clothing for women, this site actually has many gifts for men! From their site: “Do Good Shop runs like a business, but is actually a nonprofit organization. This means that not only does each purchase create jobs for vulnerable artisans, but also ALL of our net proceeds go directly back into supporting the artisans and their communities, and educating others about this great need.” My hubby would really dig this journal (as would I):

Evergreen Cards

EMPOWERS: Women in China

This company was recommended to me by a friend from when I lived in China. From their site: “Evergreen Cards is a rural economic development project that was founded by Evergreen team members to provide women with a source of supplemental income and to touch their lives in a tangible way with the love of God.” These would make a great hostess gift or gift for a teacher:

Green Toys

PROMOTES: Local manufacturing using recycled materials

This site has a wide range of toys for children. Though they are plastic, they are much sturdier than your typical plastic toy and they use recycled materials. From their site: “From our 100% recycled materials to our US-based manufacturing, we’re raising awareness about sustainability while delivering unquestionably safe products.” This would be a winner in our house:

Imagine Goods

EMPOWERS: Trafficking survivors in Cambodia, disadvantaged in Haiti, and those coming out of homelessness in Pennsylvania

This site includes a ton of information about the artisans involved and each product has a symbol indicating who made it. From their site: “We are creating products that care for the human race—giving opportunity for individuals to care for their children, families, and health. . . so that a new generation has a fighting chance to break the cycle of poverty.” They also lead trips abroad for people to learn about poverty and the garment industry.This company has some gorgeous clothing, men and women’s aprons, bags, and even dress shirts and neckties for men! (It is very difficult to find reasonably-priced, ethical clothing for men.)

My favorite from this site would be this wristlet:

Karama Collection

EMPOWERS: Women in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania

They sell very classy leather bags, skin products, journals, scarves, jewelry and bags. From their site: “Karama alleviates poverty by restoring dignity through creative, purposeful work for artisans, beginning in Africa.”

I love this scarf:

Krochet Kids

EMPOWERS:  Women in Peru, Uganda and other countries

This site sells men’s and women’s clothing, bags, headware and accessories and some kid items as well. I liked a lot of the kids’ and  men’s knit hats.  From this site: “Our products, our partners, and our community work in unison to help people break the cycle of poverty, forever. We provide life-changing job opportunities to women in need. With each purchase you make we introduce you to the woman who made your product and invite you to visit her online profile to learn more about her.” Love that.

It’s so hard to find gifts for men! This site has a great scarf for guys:

 

Mercy House

EMPOWERS: Artisans in Africa and refugees in the U.S.

From the site: “The artisans who make the lovely items in our shop are some of the most oppressed and impoverished in the world, from Kenya to Ethiopia to refugees relocated to the United States. They are paid more than a fair wage and empowered by your purchase.” They also have a “charitable gift catalogue” where you can donate to practical needs of real women such as: “provide a mosquito net, food for one mom and child, an academic scholarship, fund literacy classes for women, provide a sewing machine, or rescue a pregnant girl.” Wow.

I’m in the market for Christmas decorations, so I loved this set:

But I also loved this because it is the tagline for my blog (and also Micah 6:8…):

Mustang Road

PROMOTES: Sustainable consumption and production

A friend of mine recommended this Scandinavian company that has beautiful gifts. From their site: “We believe in responsible and sustainable consumption and production. We have selected brands and designers who believe in those same values. We choose products that are made of natural materials; produced with minimal impact on the environment, and that are safe and healthy for the consumers and to those who are part of the manufacturing process.” They sell jewelry, dish towels, blankets, napkins, glassware, and mugs. Though the dish towels are a bit pricier than I would usually pay at the $20 range for one, there are some really cute ones if you don’t mind the price.

These mugs and towels would make a good gift for a teacher, family member or friend:

And this (because we live in Colorado and actually have moose;-) )

Noonday Collection

EMPOWERS: Artisans around the world

This company partners with 29 artisan businesses in 12 countries around the world to create beautiful jewelry, bags, scarves, and ornaments. From their site: “We develop these artisan businesses through fair trade, connecting them to a global market and empowering them to grow sustainably.”

You can shop for gifts under $50 here. My pick would be these earrings:

Papillon Marketplace

EMPOWERS: Artistans from Haiti

This company empowers Haitians who create the bags, jewelry, home décor, toys and T-shirts for sale on the site. From the site: “Our mission is orphan prevention and we do that through job creation. Papillon is providing hope to Haitian Artisans with the dignity of a job, training, and the ability to create something new out of something discarded and seemingly unusable. We use metal, cardboard, aluminum, dirt, and paper to make jewelry and other beautiful things.” As soon as I get out of the baby stage and start wearing jewelry again, I would love a necklace like this (and it comes in many different colors!):

Preemptive Love

EMPOWERS: Refugees in Iraq, Syria and the U.S.

I met the CEO and founder of this organization two summers ago at a conference. This is an incredible organization, and this site is just one small part of what they are doing. In addition to soap and candles, you can buy chickens for a displaced family, medical treatment for a war survivor or water for families in conflict zones in Iraq. This is their mission: “We’re a coalition stretching across Iraq, Syria, the United States, and beyond, working together to unmake violence and create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.” These candles are really pretty:

Re:New

EMPOWERS: Refugees in Chicago

From their site: “We engage, equip and employ refugee women in the Chicagoland area. It is our greatest desire to provide a space for refugee women to thrive as they rebuild their hopes and dreams in the United States.” They sell purses, wallets, eyeglass cases and journals from upcycled materials.

I like this journal:

Sak Saum

EMPOWERS: Exploited men and women in Cambodia

This company came highly recommended from a friend. They sell accessories, apparel, bags, wallets, and cosmetic bags at a really reasonable price. From their site: “Located in Phnom Penh and the Saang District of Cambodia, Sak Saum is a ministry dedicated to the rescue, restoration, transformation and rehabilitation of vulnberable and exploited women and men.”

This is a great bag for a mom with more than one kid because it has a backpack option (and it’s only $35)!

Soap Hope

EMPOWERS: Women in poverty

“Each time you shop at soaphope.com, 100% of the profits – yes, every dollar – goes to empower women to lift their lives, families, and communities from extreme poverty.” You can find gifts from $25 to $50 here. They also have collections for men, like this one for the man with a beard in your life:

 

 

Sseko Designs

EMPOWERS: Women in Uganda

From the site: “Sseko Designs uses fashion to create opportunity for women globally. We provide employment and scholarship opportunities to women in Uganda who are working to pursue their dreams and overcome poverty. To date, we’ve enabled 87 women to continue on to University! We also provide employment (along with access to a comprehensive social impact program) to our team of 50 women in Uganda.” They have really cute sandals, so I’ll need to bookmark this site for next summer;-) Most of the items were a bit out of our price range, but these earrings were cute and very reasonably priced:

Starfish Project

EMPOWERS: Women coming out of trafficking in Asia

This company provides shelter, counseling, employment and education to women coming out of trafficking in Asia. From their site: “We provide life-changing opportunities through our Holistic Care Programs and our social enterprise where women create beautiful jewelry and become managers, accountants, graphic designers, and photographers.” They have some very affordable, classic pieces of jewelry like this one:

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

I would be remiss to not include coffee on this list. Travel with my husband always includes visits to multiple used bookstores accompanied by drinking coffee in local coffee shops that offer freshly roasted coffee and pour overs. So the Oregon-based Stumptown is “Adam Verner Approved” in addition to practicing ethical business. A great gift for a coffee lover would be to buy a coffee subscription and have a 12 oz. bag of coffee delievered every two weeks. But since this gets pricey if you want to drink more coffee, just a nice gift of a bag or two would make a nice gift. Ethiopian roasts are always good, so I’d probably pick this one on their site.  Last year I bought my hubby his first coffee roaster from Sweet Maria’s and we eventually upgraded to this one and we now buy green beans and my husband roasts our coffee (only $6 a pound verses $20 a pound for good, freshly roasted beans!)

Sudara

EMPOWERS: Women escaping trafficking in India

This is a company that partners with women in India to end sex trafficking. From their site: “Donations made during checkout at sudara.org go towards Sudara Freedom Fund and have helped fund safe housing for women escaping trafficking, equipment for new or growing sewing centers, microloans and back-to-school programs. One of our most recent opportunities, the Sunetha Home, is supporting long-term, systemic change by directly addressing issues that lead to generational sex work.”

These”punjammies” are a bit pricier than I would normally pay for loungewear at $54.00 each, but perhaps for a gift–and a worthy cause–they might be worth it. I liked these:

Ten Thousand Villages

EMPOWERS: Artisans around the world

Although there are several actual brick and mortar shops, you can also find gifts online. This company works together with over 20,000 makers in 30 developing countries to give them an opportunity to sell their work in the global marketplace. From their site: “We are a non-profit social enterprise that partners with independent small-scale artisan groups, co-ops and workshops to bring their wares to our markets.” They sell jewelry, home décor, stationary, baskets, candles, cosmetics, kitchenware and more. They have so many cool nativity sets–we have this small one made of olive wood and really love it:

Thistle Farms

EMPOWERS: Women survivors of trafficking and addiction in the U.S.

This is their mission: “Thistle Farms’ mission is to HEAL, EMPOWER, AND EMPLOY women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. We do this by providing safe and supportive housing, the opportunity for economic independence, and a strong community of advocates and partners.” An online friend recommended their non-toxic bug spray, lip balm, lotions, and pretty much everything else. They have some bath sets and smaller items for stocking stuffers that would make great gifts. Someone please buy me this bath soak set for Christmas…;-)

Trades of Hope

EMPOWERS: Disadvantaged women around the world

This site has a variety of beautiful jewelry, bags, journals and scarves for a really reasonable price. From their site: “We work with the artisans themselves and organizations that are helping women in difficult circumstances. Some women have been rescued from sex slavery. Others are raising handicapped children alone. Some are in war torn countries and others have HIV/AIDS and leprosy.”

Jewelry, bags, journalsThey have some very pretty, affordable jewelry–you can find all their gifts under $50 here. I liked this piece, called the Golden Kenyan Necklace:

They also have some really pretty scarves, like this one:

Uncle Goose

I feel like kids of every age love blocks. From their site: “Uncle Goose makes wooden blocks. We handcraft every set in Grand Rapids, Michigan, using choice materials from around the Great Lakes. And yes, we are 100% made in the USA.” In addition to letters and numbers, you can also find these kinds of blocks: constellations, sight words, birds, planets and famous women! We have an older version of this set of blocks with Chinese characters, but I love these, too:

U.S.E.D. (Unlimited Supplies from Everyone’s Discards)

PROMOTES: Reusing materials and leaving a smaller footprint

This is a great site if you have a hipster-type family member, teenager or college student you need to buy a gift for. I love their bags made from old seatbelts and a friend of mine says she’s had hers for 7 years and it’s not even ragged around the edges! These products are all handmade in Canada, though they ship worldwide. They sell bags, men’s wallets and even dog collars. I think my 15 year old niece might like this one…

Useful Gifts

A friend of mine who lives in Australia recommended this site. Want to skip buying more “stuff” altogether? At this site you can provide for basic needs of those in need such as: preschool classes, a veggie garden, a goat, well, and even a toilet! From their site: “Every item in TEAR’s Gift Catalogue represents a contribution to a long-term poverty-fighting project run by one of TEAR Australia’s Christian partners. Each project is tailored to that community’s needs, helping people gain the skills and resources they need to address local problems and come up with sustainable solutions.”

 

Other sites related to ethical shopping:

The Good Trade–a gorgeous site offering lots of articles and resources related to minimalism and being an ethical consumer.

Slavery Footprint–you can take a quick quiz to find out how where you live and what you buy impacts the world.

 

Please leave links to other ethical sites you love. There were so many more that I couldn’t include. And share this post to spread the word on these amazing companies.

If you like posts like this, sign up for my newsletter so you won’t miss a post!

 

Ethical Gift Guide to Help People and Love Our Planet: Christmas gifts that empower those in poverty and promote sustainable, ethical business practices. Over 20 companies listed! * Images from various shops

**THIS POST WAS UPDATED 11/16/17

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