I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the world of fair trade as a high school student. An ethics teacher of mine required us to complete a social justice project and for mine, I chose to investigate all of the positive aspects of shopping Fair Trade. I learned shortly into my research why shopping Fair Trade is a lifestyle choice that is beneficial not only for the consumer but also for the producers of the products.
Fair Trade can simply be defined as a social movement that creates opportunities for economically and socially marginalized workers to gain sustainability. It promotes respectful and accountable relationships between producers and their markets and ensures ethical work conditions. Although Fair Trade makes these characteristics very clear, there are still some myths and misconceptions about Fair Trade’s impact on North America and our economy. First off, Fair Trade Certified organizations do not pay developed world wages to their workers in underdeveloped countries. Fair Trade wages are designed to provide fair compensation based on the true cost of production and are not based on North American wage standards. Therefore, Fair Trade products can be more expensive than their competitors. This is also a result of Fair Trade organizations working directly with producers and cutting out the middle man in order to greater benefit the producers’ local economies. Fair Trade is often viewed as a form of charity, but that is not necessarily the case. Rather than accepting handouts for marginalized countries, Fair Trade promotes lasting change through trade-based relationships that build self-sufficiency. Lastly, a common misconception about Fair Trade is that it only applies to coffee and chocolate. While those products are the most common and well known, Fair Trade is a term that can be applied to a wide variety of products.
Now that you know the facts rather than the myths about Fair Trade products, you are ready to incorporate these products into your lifestyle. What better time to shop Fair Trade than the holiday season? This change in routine can alleviate the monotony of going to department stores and malls and waiting in the dreaded holiday lines. Shopping Fair Trade for everyone on your list is easy, but in case you don’t know where to start, use this 12 Days of Fair Trade Holiday Shopping Guide!
On the 12th day… 12 bars of soap
Hand In Hand Soap is a Fair Trade USA certified organization that sells an everyday product and enables it to save lives. Over 5 million people each year die because of poor water quality and lack of proper hygiene, but half of those deaths could be prevented with a single bar of soap. At Hand In Hand, the Buy a Bar, Give a Bar program will donate a bar of soap to those in need with each purchase made. Their products are conveniently sold online or at Anthropologie stores nation wide. Click to visit Hand in Hand Soap.
On the 11th day…. 11 Mr. Ellie Pooh Paper Notes 
Mr. Ellie Pooh LLC is an eco friendly, Fair Trade, company that makes paper products partially composed of elephant poo. In Sri Lanka, elephants are hunted at an alarming rate and Mr. Ellie Pooh LLC hopes to change that. They envision opening Pooh paper facilities in rural areas of Sri Lanka, training locals to make the paper, and creating an industry that can directly contribute to the local economy. By doing all of this, Mr. Ellie Pooh LLC hopes to show Sri Lanka that elephants can be an asset rather than a threat. Click to visit Ellie Pooh LLC.
On the 10th Day….a 10 Thousand Villages ornament
Ten Thousand Villages is a Fair Trade Retailer that has been in business since 1946. They have had years of success in establishing sustainable marketplaces in North America for hand-crafted items from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. For the holidays, Ten Thousand Villages’ stores and online site are great one-stop shops for all your Fair Trade gifts, but their ornaments are especially beautiful. Click to visit Ten Thousand Villages.
On the 9th day….9 Picture Frames 
These small frames are made from recycled soda or beer cans and come in a variety of bright colors. Since they are the perfect size for a stocking stuffer, they make a great gift! All products sold through The SPIRAL Foundation will have their proceeds sent to fund projects in Vietnam and Nepal. These frames in particular will fund medical programs of Hue Medical College in Hue, Vietnam. Click to visit Spiral Foundation.
On the 8th day….8 Bags of Tea
Numi Organic Tea is a leading brand purchaser of Fair Trade Certified tea with over half of their products bearing the Fair Trade label. By selling these Fair Trade teas, Numi is pledging to support the fair minimum wage pay of farm workers and efforts to end the cycle of poverty for these workers by creating sustainable business practices. Numi Organic Tea features teas from a variety of different countries, including China, India, and Egypt. Click to visit Numi.
On the 7th day….7 Dog Collars
Who knew your pet could join the Fair Trade trend? Global Goods Partners is a nonprofit organization that sells handmade products with the mission of improving the economic status for women in almost 20 marginalized countries around the world. On their website, they now feature pet products such as dog sweaters and leashes that support women in Bolivia, Peru, and Tanzania. We know your pet is part of the family, so don’t forget to add them to your Fair Trade gift list! Click to visit Global Goods Partners.
On the 6th day…6 Soccer Balls
Senda Fair Trade Soccer Balls are the perfect gift for any athletes in your family. Senda develops long-term partnerships with nonprofit organizations and supplies them with Fair Trade soccer equipment to use sports as a tool for development. They hope to use training and sports curricula to transform the lives of young people in both the US, and abroad. Click to visit Senda.
On the 5th day…5 Silver Rings
Gifts with Humanity is an online Fair Trade marketplace where a variety of items can be found. This silver and turquoise wrap ring makes the perfect gift for any daughter or niece on your list and is available in two more colors. The specific artisans that produced these rings are a group of empowered women from Mexico who call themselves ArtCamp, or Artesanas Campesinas. Click to visit Gifts with Humanity.
On the 4th day…4 Pairs of Sandals
Sseko Sandals is an organization based in Uganda, Africa and by selling sandals in North America, they successfully help young women to continue their education. These sandals have interchangeable straps that can be worn in hundreds of ways with any outfit! The women who make these sandals in Africa receive money that is to be used directly towards their university tuition. Click to visit Sseko Sandals.
On the 3rd day…3 Baby Booties
Don’t think we forgot about those little bundles of joy on your gift list! These baby booties featured on Maya Works are hand-crafted in Guatemala and will fit your little loved ones perfectly. If booties aren’t enough, Maya Works also features a variety of other baby apparel that is Fair Trade certified from all over the world. Click to visit Maya Works.
On the 2nd day…2 Chocolate Bars
Equal Exchange Chocolate bars are fairly-traded and support small-scale farmers and their families in countries such as Peru, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Their products are rich and come in a variety of flavors, including caramel crunch and dark chocolate with almonds. And don’t worry if you’re buying for someone on a diet, Equal Exchange offers multiple dark chocolate options, which are proven to help blood pressure! Click to visit Equal Exchange.
On the 1st day… 1 Profugo Bag Set
The Profugo Bag Sets really do make the perfect gift for any fashionable female on your list. Now available in our holiday patterns, there’s no better way to support the women of our Tailoring Cooperative while spreading holiday cheer. Click to visit the Profugo Store.
With all of these choices it’s undeniable that Fair Trade items are available for anyone on your holiday gift list. By purchasing Fair Trade gifts, you will not only be supporting the lives of men and women who need your help, but you will also be purchasing goods you can be proud of!!
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