Fair Trade Christmas Gifts are Twice as Nice
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What if your holiday gifts could not only bring joy to the recipient but also hope to the artists who made them? Fairly traded Christmas gifts tell their own story while offering quality that your friends and family will appreciate..
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Sarasota, Fla. – December 11, 2007 This Christmas season you’ll undeniably hear the bells of the Salvation Army, see drives for Toys for Tots and hundreds of other opportunities to help those in need. But what if the Christmas presents you bought your friends and family could benefit people twofold? They can.
It's a movement called Fair Trade, and its presence is spreading across the US and the world, with over $2.6 billion in sales worldwide last year. Though fair trade accounts for only one percent of globally traded goods, this business model is going strong - and with good reason. Involved companies and organizations are providing world artisans with materials, business resources, and fair wages. Even better is their commitment to safe and healthy work environments for countless groups of disenfranchised women and other disadvantaged people, while bringing uniquely handmade goods to the marketplace.
"As we enter the 21st century, peace, prosperity, food and health for all seem more and more distant hopes for many of the poorest people on this planet. A key factor in addressing these issues is for all people - both business owners and consumers - to consider the impact of their daily decisions on other people around the world," says Don Blackowiak, co-founder of Lucuma Designs, a fair trade company based in Sarasota, FL. "Fair Trade may not solve all the problems of the world, but as part of a movement toward greater social conscious, it helps put human dignity, sustainability, and respect back into business."
In addition to good will, Fair Trade companies are bringing all kinds of goodies to the marketplace: toys, placemats, baskets, purses, furniture, coffees , finger puppets, ornaments, clothing, folkart like Arpillera art quilts and carved gourds, and even chapstick. There is a wonderful gift for everyone – literally.
So, maybe you're still wondering how these gifts give twice… well, the gifts you give this year can give back to the hands that made them. For ideas of creative and fair trade Christmas gifts visit http://www.lucuma.com, find online retailers at http://www.fairtradefederation.com or visit http://www.tenthousandvillages.com to find a store near you.
About Lucuma Designs: Since 1998, Lucuma Designs has promoted the best of Peruvian folk art and fine craftsmanship
while helping artists and small producers improve their livelihoods and keeping traditions alive. Lucuma Designs
is a proud member and supporter of the Fair Trade Federation, a non-profit association of businesses helping
disadvantaged producers all over the world through sustainable business practices. Lucuma collaborates with a network
of about 20 family workshops and small producers, reaching over 200 artists throughout Peru. Lucuma and Lucuma Designs
are trademarks of Lucuma Designs in the United States and/or other countries. All other names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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