I think the worst gifts are the oh-no-it’s-almost-Christmas kind. I cringe when I see the things stores have out for last-minute shoppers. Ugly boxed costume jewelry. Boxed candies that was probably made and packaged at Easter. Car safety kits.
I pity the mothers and wives who are going to unwrap a Chia pet or a pair of pajama jeans given un-ironically. And don’t get me started on the footie pajamas for grown women.
And it’s not just guys who will wander around a store this week, desperate for an appropriate present for a dear mother-in-law or sister before a family get-together. There is no present-picking gene attached to the second X chromosome (unlike the gene for finding the remote or differentiating turquoise from aqua).
May I suggest a gift that is not only lovely and thoughtful, but that also helps artisans in a third-world country?
Since last year Macy’s has carried a line of home décor from Fairwinds Trading. Fairwinds sells both the Heart of Haiti line, which I love, and the Rwanda Path to Peace collection.
The Rwanda Path to Peace collection features hand-woven baskets of sisal and sweetgrass. My Fair Winds Trading Rwanda Basket is the Spring Breeze fruit bowl. The colors are more vivid that what is pictured, but still delicate and natural. It has the faintest, most pleasant aroma of fresh hay. And it’s lovely in a way only hand-crafted items are. 
By the way, it’s sky blue and aqua.
The Heart of Haiti collection has the most beautiful metalwork and papier mache objects. I have the 4” x 6” Songbird frame on my mantle right now. I love birds, and this intricate frame is perfect for your favorite vacation photo or a picture of the kids for grandma. 
See that water; that’s turquoise.
Fairwinds Trading is the realized dream of Willa Shallit. Her company gives artist and artisans impoverished countries a way to sell their creations to the American market. They can make a living wage and support their families and care for their children in ways previously unavailable. Read more about the mission of Fairwinds on its website.
So Saturday afternoon as you are shambling through the mall, stumble into Macy’s. Pick out a nice present that also should make you feel good because it is doing good.
I received the fruit bowl and songbird frame for purposes of review. I was not otherwise compensated and all opinions are my own. Please check out your local Macy’s for the Heart of Haiti and Rwanda collections and give gifts with heart this year.
Oh, what a nice post, Anne.
I think we saw that very frame at the Macy’s in Atlanta, did we not? It’s lovely!
A lovely gift, for a loving cause.
Can’t get better than that!
Yes, we saw the frame and the basket.
I want the papier mache rooster. Jeff should get it for Chloe for her kitchen.
If I needed any last-minute gifts I would absolutely go to Macy’s. I love supporting those types of ventures.
Also – thanks for the mini-tutorial on shades of blue. 🙂 I smiled!
The topic of shades of blue is a hot topic at my house.
There is someone in my house who shall remain nameless who can’t tell the difference between navy blue and dark green. *cough* it was navy blue *cough*
Oh I should forward this to my Dad. Two years ago he gave my Mom a Chia pet and a snuggie for Christmas. Do you know how hard it was to keep a straight face while she was opening them?
Oh, honey. That’s bad. Unless she wanted a Chia pet and a Snuggie. My kids would love a Chia pet, but they aren’t women in their 50’s.
I love your heart for the least of us who really aren’t least, they just have less.
I was recently in Haiti and saw the handiwork from Heart of Haiti and all of the pieces from the collection are beautifully made. Every piece something I’d love to have in my home. Thank you again for highlighting these beautiful pieces of art.
I love and shop at the fair trade shops where I live. Here, the shops are called World Trade. Every item is beautifully crafted and so beautiful, it makes me ooh and ahh. And what better way to shop than where you’re helping a worthy cause? The frame and sisal bowl are beautiful!