Christmas Shopping with a Purpose

I don't know about you, but a lot has happened in my life this past year that has made me rethink what matters. I've had to redefine words like "need" and "contentment" and it hasn't been pretty. In fact, I've learned much of it kicking and screaming. To you, maybe Christmas is about the gift of Jesus. Or maybe it's a time to spend time with family and give to others. Or both! :-) Either way, we know this time of year is about others--even if it is full of stress, credit card debt, anxiety, and such intense shopping that people die. (Thank you, Black Friday!) Isn't that crazy? Somehow, Christmas has turned into prime-time consumerism.

I want to encourage you to consider giving creatively this year in a way that helps others, including giving to people who won't be giving you a gift in return. You can always write a tax-deductible check, sure, but even when giving friends and family gifts, consider that they could unwrap a gift that is directly benefiting those in need. Then they can share with others when they get complimented on their necklace, bag, or scarf! Maybe give a stuffed chicken or goat to a child in your life and tell them another one--a real one!--went to someone like them in another country that needs it very much.

Below are some ideas for ways you can creatively give this holiday season. Or simply donate to your favorite charity. I'm happy to say that there our countless other ways! These are just a few that I have come across lately and wanted to share. Feel free to pass this e-mail along, blog it, add giving ideas that matter particularly to you, etc.

Much love,

Heather Colletto


Purchasing Fair Trade Items that Raise Awareness and Encourage Freedom

When it comes to issue like sex trafficking, the rate of return for victims is very high when they do not have another skill that enables them to support themselves or family in any other way. That's why many orgs specialize in training these women in areas like jewelry-making, cake-baking, etc. That way, these women can work in safe, fair, and sustainable businesses that offer them dignity and hope. The items below are fair-trade gifts that offer workers fair income, use recycled material, and are a part of the fight for freedom.

* Freeset Bags come in a lot of different sizes and styles, and they are a great conversation piece. Though they cannot be directly purchased from this site, you can search the site of U.S. retailers. One, Better Way Imports, is listed below.

* Better Way Imports is one of the U.S.-based sellers of the wonderful Freeset bags! They also sell Nightlight jewelry from Thailand, other bags, scarves, etc.

* Women at Risk International, working in 19 countries, sells jewelry, scarves, etc. made by women who have been rescued from trafficking. They have a storefront in Rockford, MI where most of their jewelry sells from, so their online shopping isn't great. But beautiful jewelry is still a great and hopeful way to approach the issue of trafficking in women. Learn more about WAR Int'l here.

* SariBari.com sells gorgeous throw blankets made by women in India. They're really popular, so they're almost always sold out in the full-size throws. Each blanket is named after the woman who made it, a woman you help maintain freedom for through your purchase. Baby blankets are also available.


Donations Towards Others (* - tax deductible)

Most non-profit organizations have a gift catalog where you can "give" your friends or family an item that goes to a family in need in other parts of a world where one livestock animal, well, or baby bottle can literally save lives. Consider giving the gift of investigation through IJM and having the receiver scout for it. Or give a stuffed goat to a child and explain that they have a friend on the other side of the world who now has a goat too and loves it very much.

Here are some links to gift catalogs of several large U.S. non-profits:

* World Vision (huge variety; animals, sports equipment for kids, wells, etc.)*

* Heifer International (gifts of bees, trees, chickens, cows, etc.)*

* International Justice Mission (anti-slavery org; gifts of aftercare, investigation, legal representation, etc.)*

* Gospel for Asia (choose from categories: From the Stable, Gifts for Missionaries, Gifts of Outreach, Gifts of Compassion)*

* a donation to kids at-risk for prostitution in Thailand via the SOLD Project.* You can give here and choose where you want the gift to go from a list of their needs. (If you're interested in giving to Heather and Mike Colletto's trip to Thailand this January, give through the above link and click 'yes' when it asks if you'd like to give in someone's name, then type in our names.)*

* Shop Target's gift registry in the store and give to orgs like The Red Cross. Consider shopping for the new safe house opening for domestically trafficked girls in West Michigan this January by The Hope Project. Maybe your small group could get together and sponsor a girl's room. They also need items like tissues, toilet paper, dishes, etc.

* Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project, gives shoeboxes filled with gifts to kids overseas who wouldn't otherwise get them


Other Ways to Shop and Give in Ways that Count

Consider Storyville Coffee Company (coffee snobs, rejoice!) or similar companies that often have promotions where all their profits go to orgs like International Justice Mission.

World of Good is eBay's eco-friendly, fair-trade sector that offers "shopping that shapes the world" in the wide range of items you'd expect from eBay. It's a shopping site, not a bidding site. A lot of shipping is free and they have a great price range.

P.S. I'm not sure all this HTML coding will work, so sorry if the links are troublesome!