Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Christmas related post #2-Gifts

I posted about this last year on the blog so you might remember it. I just wanted to give some ideas to all of you for Christmas gifts.

First of all, consider purchasing fair trade products. For those of you who are not familiar with Fair Trade here is a quick description...

Fair trade is an organized social movement
and market-based model of international trade which promotes the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods. The movement focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts and agricultural products. Fair trade's strategic intent is to deliberately work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency.

There are several websites devoted to selling these products. Some of our good friends Dylan and Molly have a company that sells some products from India online. It is called Asha Imports and they have products that are made by poor people in India to enable them get out of the slums and out of the sex trade. Their products are really cool. You should also check out all the fair trade product websites below and consider buying some of their products for your friends and family this Christmas.
By purchasing fair trade products, your helping to free more and more people from impoverished circumstances. If you live in Northwest Arkansas, the gift shop up at the Mt Sequoyah Conference Center sells lots of fair trade items.

www.ashaimports.com

www.worldofgood.com

www.saribari.com

www.tenthousandvillages.com

Another great thing would be to donate to a non-profit that helps people in need like LifeSource. They help families in need in Northwest Arkansas. Or you could donate to a non-profit in your area. You could also give to a missionary to help them continue to be able to spread the good news. If you don't know any missionaries, we know several we can recommend.

Another great thing you can do this Christmas is to give to World Vision or Heifer International. You can go on their website and buy practical things for impoverished individuals in other countries. Things like livestock, clothing, medical kits, etc. You can even buy a goat for an impoverished family, in honor of the Farm of Hale.

For any of you wanting to get Margo or I a gift, these kinds of things would mean more to us than anything else. Why not consider helping those less fortunate this year for Christmas.

2 comments:

Russ said...

Josh,

A donation has been made in your name to the Human Fund "Money for People."

That makes me feel better. How about you?

Josh and Margo said...

Awesome, are you guys coming to our Festivus celebration.