Whether you celebrate Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or none of the above, the Global Exchange Fair Trade Store Holiday Parties are a great time for socially responsible shoppers to come together and celebrate. And they’re coming up fast!

This year, all of our Fair Trade store locations will be celebrating on the same evening; Thursday, December 6th. (See below for more details.)

Party highlights:

• Enjoy some holiday cheer and find gifts for your loved ones, while creating a more sustainable and just world.
• FREE Fair Trade mug hand-painted in Tunisia FULL of steaming Fair Trade hot chocolate! *First 25 people to spend $25 or more
• Mix and mingle with new friends and old
• One-Night! 20% OFF Storewide for Global Exchange Members Only (Click here to become a member now). *Please bring your Global Exchange membership card to receive your discount.

RSVP On Facebook:

• Berkeley Store:  2840 College Ave (at Russell) Berkeley, CA 94705 510-548-0370
• San Francisco Store: 4018 24th Street (near Noe) San Francisco, CA 94114 415-648-8068
• Virginia Store (inside Busboys & Poets): Shirlington Village 4251 South Campbell Avenue Arlington VA 22206 703-379-9756
• Washington, DC Store (inside Busboys & Poets): 5 & K 1025 5th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 202-842-4525

 I seriously don’t think I’ve missed a single Global Exchange Fair Trade Store holiday party since I started working here waaaay back when. It’s such a fun night. I’ll be at the San Francisco party this year, hope to meet some of you there!

San Francisco Global Exchange Fair Trade Store

Election season may be over, but the holiday season is right around the corner–can you believe it?! And while some of you may be busily stocking up on Fair Trade ingredients for the big Thanksgiving meal (like Fair Trade spices for pumpkin pie), over at the Global Exchange Fair Trade stores we’re getting ready for some exciting events!

Here’s what we’ve got coming up:

1) We’re taking part in Fair Tuesday, a Fair Trade day of action;

2) We’ll be lending our support to a handful of local organizations by hosting “Shop for a Cause” nights in their honor.

Here’s more about both:

Image courtesy of Global Goods Partners

1) FAIR TUESDAY

Not sure when to kick off your holiday shopping? Avoid Black Friday blues by participating in Fair Tuesday on November 27th, an event spearheaded by Global Goods Partners, a New York-based nonprofit. Fair Tuesday is a Fair Trade initiative created in response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with the goal to inspire conscious consumerism and show how an everyday purchase can change lives in a whole community.

Here’s how to participate in Fair Tuesday:

Whether you are an individual, organization, or a member of the press, you can join Global Exchange in the #FairTuesday movement in two simple ways:

1) Buy a fair trade item on Tuesday November 27th at a Global Exchange Fair Trade store near you, or any other brick-and-mortar or online Fair Trade store—Check out this great list of Fair Tuesday partners for some good ideas, or let us know about your favorite store in the comments!

2) Help us spread the word about this movement on social media using hashtag #FairTuesday. Tell your family and friends that what you really want for the holidays is global economic justice.

Global Goods Partners is a fair trade organization that supports over 40 women-led artisan groups in Asia, Africa and the Americas. Their goal—and our challenge to you—is to galvanize the fair trade community around #FairTuesday and make this movement global!

2) “SHOP FOR A CAUSE” NIGHTS IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

This year we are partnering with FOUR inspiring organizations to host “Shop for a Cause” nights at our Fair Trade stores in the Bay Area. Our goal is simple and speaks to our vision for a better global economic system: give back to our communities while giving back to artisans around the world through Fair Trade.

During these special event evenings, you can shop for your friends and family and 20% of your purchase will go to the featured local Bay Area organization to help support their social justice work.

ONE: La Casa de las Madres
Where: San Francisco Store
When: Wednesday November 28th 4pm-7pm
Rsvp on Facebook here

La Casa de las Madres acts boldly to create a community where violence against women and children is not tolerated. They offer a continuum of comprehensive and empowering services to women, teens, and children exposed to and at risk of abuse. La Casa also provides access, tools and support—clinical and peer-based—that strengthen their ability to affect change and break the cycle of violence.

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TWO: Berkeley Student Food Collective
Where: Berkeley Store
When: Wednesday December 5th, 2pm-6pm
Rsvp on Facebook here

The Berkeley Student Food Collective is dedicated to providing fresh, local, healthy, environmentally sustainable and ethically produced food at affordable prices to the Berkeley campus and greater community. They seek to educate students about nutrition and food systems, empower new leaders, and train youth to work in and manage a sustainable business. Through inclusive, democratic decision-making, they operate a cooperative grocery market that promotes community-building and environmental stewardship.

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Photo courtesy of Turning Heads & the Sweet Dreams Project

THREE: Turning Heads
Where: San Francisco Store
When: Wednesday, December 5th 4pm-7pm
Rsvp on Facebook here

Turning Heads Sewing and Fashion Design provides vocational arts education, entrepreneurship training, and develops young women leaders in San Francisco. They challenge race, class and gender stereotypes by believing that young women of color can work together and create a future that is personally, socially, academically and financially successful. Turning Heads Sewing and Fashion Design gives young women the opportunity to express their creativity, develop a sense of self-reliance, and follow their dreams.

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Photo courtesy of the OMI Family Resource Center

FOUR: OMI Family Resource Center–YMCA SF Urban Services
Where: San Francisco Store
When: Thursday, December 13th 4pm-7pm
Rsvp on Facebook here

The OMI Family Resource Center’s mission is to empower families living in the Oceanview, Merced and Ingleside neighborhoods through services aimed at strengthening relationships, building community and fostering healthy lifestyles. They offer a safe and welcoming environment and aim to engage families in services that build on current strengths and are respectful of each participant’s right to self-determination. All services are offered in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese.

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TAKE ACTION!

All in all, we have a great list of events coming up–we hope to see you. Visit our Facebook page to see the complete list of upcoming events, including our annual Fair Trade Store holiday parties. Stay tuned for more about those!

The holiday season always seems to take over like a train barreling down the tracks faster than you can control. You want to live up to your values, appreciate your friends and family and have fun during this season.  Here are five ways you can accomplish all three:

Equal Exchange Singing a Fair Trade Carol

1) Fair Trade Caroling is a great way to share the message of Fair Trade with your neighbors and community, so put on your Santa hat and have some fun!

To get you in the spirit, here are some clips of carolers making music and sharing the ideals of Fair Trade:

• Equal Exchange Carolers
  
• Teen Carolers in the News
• Fair Trade USA Carolers
• Granny Carolers
• Global Exchange Carolers

Ready to Start Caroling? Great, here’s all you need to know: First, download lyrics from our web site or make up your own. Next gather your carolers and start singing. Don’t forget to film it and send us the short video clip link of your Fair Trade Caroling adventure so we can share it with the world.

Fair Trade Gift Membership Package

2) Shop Fair Trade.  Yes you probably had thought of that, but did you know there is a way to give a Fair Trade gift that won’t take up much space in your friends tiny apartment but will still make a big difference in the lives of small producers and farmers? It’s true. Simply give a Fair Trade Membership Gift Package. Your gift supports Global Exchange’s Fair Trade program and commitment to growing the Fair Trade movement and includes all sorts of cool perks. Check it out online here!

Of course, if you are looking for unique Fair Trade products, pop by one of our Bay Area or DC stores to find a wide selection of Fair Trade products. Or use the Fair Trade Federation product locator http://www.fairtradefederation.org/ to search for Fair Trade products throughout the US.

3) Petition Hershey– With all those bowls of chocolates at holiday parties wouldn’t  it be nice to be able to nibble without worrying about whether a child’s forced labor was used to produce it?  Over 50,000 signatures have been collected encouraging Hershey’s to “Raise the Bar” by making the switch and they have heard us. We’d like to reach 100,000 by Valentine’s Day. Add your name here.

4) Bake Something Delicious – Instead of Hershey’s kisses or guilty gelt in your stocking, try making your own delicious Fair trade treat – Here is a recipe for Zarah’s own mud pie as featured in our sister organization CodePink’s cookbook Peace Never Tasted So Sweet:

Fair Trade Mud Pie

Pie Crust:
1 1/2 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup Fair Trade cocoa powder
1/3 cup Fair Trade powdered sugar
6 tablespoons melted margarine

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and press it into a 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 350F for 8 minutes. Cool.

Pie:
1 cup Fair Trade powdered sugar
1 cup (6oz) Fair Trade semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped nuts (Fair Trade almonds)
1 1/2-2 pints Fair Trade coffee ice cream (Ben & Jerrys!) make sure it is slightly softened. [If you want, can make one pint FT chocolate, one pint FT coffee ice cream. !! yum]
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

Heat up the FT sugar, FT chocolate chips, butter, cream & corn syrup in a small heavy duty saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. (Can look online for good tips on how to melt chocolate and get to a good consistency.)
Once smooth, remove it from heat and stir in the organic vanilla. Cool it down until it is slightly warm.

Drizzle 1/3 cup of chocolate mixture in bottom of crust, sprinkle FT chopped almonds. Layer 1/2-1 pint of FT coffee ice cream, using thin scoops. Freeze for one hour to one hour and a half.
Repeat layering with remaining mixture, nuts and ice cream until ingredients gone or no more room in pie crust.

Freeze for two more hours or until pie is firm then enjoy! You have yourself and Fair Trade mud pie. Yum.

5) Be Generous – It’s been a rough year, many of us don’t have a lot of money to spare, but generosity of spirit enriches. Donate what you can afford to your favorite Fair Trade organization or if you can’t do that, share your time, your attention and your good energy.

What else haven’t we thought of? Share your Fair Trade holiday ideas that we’ve left out.

For that special woman in your life…

Butterfly jewelry! Real butterfly wings are encased in sterling silver to make this eye-catching, unique jewelry. Made in Peru, the butterfly wings are collected from naturally deceased butterflies, which are raised in a species rehabilitation center.

Scarves! We have cotton scarves, organic cotton scarves, 100% silk scarves, cotton-silk blended scarves, alpaca wool scarves, scarves with hoods… the list goes on! Whether you’re shopping for someone 16 or 65, a scarf is a  gift that’s both practical and beautiful!

More Ideas:

Le Souk Dishware

Tablecloth/Napkin Sets

For that special man in your life…

Recycled Inner Tube Wallet! We all know someone with a wallet issue. Credit cards and cash constantly falling out, maybe a rubber band or two holding it all together. Making someone’s wallet woes a bit easier with a new (recycled) wallet! Made out of recycled truck inner tubes tires in El Salvador, this wallet is vegan and functional!

Hand Made Scissors! Hand made by a family India who has been making scissors for generations, these scissors are actually used by the Indian tailors who make some of Global Exchange’s Fair Trade tablecloths! The hand-forged carbonized steel blades and brass handles are durable, and each pair is even signed by its maker!

More Ideas:

Recycled Magazine Frames

For your teen daughter/son/niece/nephew…

Alpaca Winterwear! Fingerless gloves, beanies, scarves, berets! All 100% alpaca wool! And, when you buy 3 of any alpaca wool gift item, you’ll get one free gift!

Tagua Jewelry! Lightweight, affordable, colorful and eco-friendly, jewelry made out of Tagua Seeds are an excellent choice for any teenage girl.

For your co-worker…

Tea Infuser Mug with Rishi Tea! Made in Vietnam, these tea mugs have their own tea infuser for loose-leaf tea! You no longer need tea strainers or bags with this dishwasher and microwave-safe mug! Complete the gift with loose-leaf tea, also available at Global Exchange Stores.

Palestinian Olive Oil! Made from hand-picked, tree-ripened organic olives, this olive oil has a rich taste traditional to Palestinian olive oil, and comes in a variety of flavors. Choose between Rumi Tree or Nabali Tree Olive Oils if you’re looking for something more conventional, or try the garlic, pepper, or chili-infused olive oil!

For someone who has everything…

Recycled Bike Chain Coat Hooks! (Pictured at top) Hand crafted in Moradabad, India, these post-industrial bike chains have been recycled into creative coat hooks! Be sure to also check out the Recycled Bike Chain Picture Frames, available at San Francisco’s Global Exchange Store in Noe Valley (map).

Pumice Feet! Carved out of volcanic rock in Indonesia, these Pumice Feet are a perfect gift for everyone who loves pampering themselves! Lightweight and affordable, mix and match Pumice Feet with soaps, vetiver sachets or fleece-lined booties for a thoughtfully put-together gift!

Need more ideas?

Come into your local Global Exchange Fair Trade Store and we will help you find the perfect Fair Trade gift for everyone on your holiday gift list!

The value of shopping Fair Trade extends beyond supporting artisans – every recipient of a Fair Trade gift must ask the question, what is Fair Trade?  By educating others about Fair Trade, you are extending a message of conscientious consumption. Giving a gift that is hand-made, sustainably-produced, and socially-empowering  (instead of mass-produced, environmentally-degrading, and socially-destructive) will allow others to learn why Fair Trade is important.

Stop in your local Global Exchange Fair Trade Store and check out the Online Store for hundreds of beautifully crafted gifts for everyone on your holiday list!

A few ideas…

Fair Trade Ornaments!

These recycled magazine ornaments are a perfect touch of color to any Christmas Tree! Fashioned out of long strips of recycled magazines, the ornaments are soaked in glue, dried, and then assembled piece by piece into the desired shape. Made in Vietnam, these recycled magazine ornaments are part of a social program in Ho Chi Minh City, aimed at helping street children, generating income for the poor, and promoting self-reliance for disadvantaged families and people of ethnic minorities.

Fair Trade Hats, Scarves, and Gloves!

Warm winter wear is surely the classic holiday gift. Perfect for everyone on your holiday list, you can’t go wrong with Alpaca wool, knit into beanies, fingerless gloves, earwarmers, berets, scarves, mittens, … the list goes on! Andes Gifts, a Fair Trade Federation Member, represents over 20 knitting cooperatives and 40 family-based knitting groups in the highlands of Bolivia and Peru. With limited employment opportunities in the area, Andes Gifts provides Aymara and Quechua women with free knitting instruction, computer and bookkeeping skills, and product design and development within their own communities!

Tagua Seed Jewelry!

Tagua seeds come from the Tagua Palm Tree, which grows in the rain forests between Colombia and Ecuador. Also known as eco “ivory” because of it’s strength, beauty, and adaptable qualities, the tagua seed is a renewable resource that is harvested sustainably. The seeds are dyed with natural dyes and crafted into necklaces, braces, and rings, or sliced into thin, flat pieces for earrings. The Vermont-based mother-daughter company Belart produces incredible Fair Trade tagua seed jewelry from Colombia while aiding many grassroots efforts in the region; for example, Belart supports the preservation of elephants, tropical rain forests, and indigenous cultures, as well as supporting groups who have been displaced by Colombia’s civil war.

As consumers, we must consider the impact of our purchases, which is especially relevant during the holidays. This holiday season, make the choice to consume ethically and give Fair Trade gifts.

Be sure to check out the Fair Trade Federation’s holiday gift guide, with a different Fair Trade gift idea every day!

We all know that the holidays are a time for reconnecting with family and friends. They are also a time to connect with our global community. When you support Fair Trade, you become part of a network of people dedicated to facilitating change for disadvantaged artisans and farmers.

To make this process simple, the Fair Trade Federation has created a NEW holiday gift guide full of products that empower women, provide education for children, heal the earth, and so much more!

It’s easy! You can just click on the link in each profile and visit FairTrade.us, an independent online news magazine celebrating Fair Trade, to read a full review of these and other great products and link directly to the seller of each one!

Whether you’re looking for a gift for Mom, Dad, the kids, or to dress your home in style, your purchases change lives! All of the gifts in this guide are sold by fully committed Fair Trade Organizations – members of the Fair Trade Federation – so you know these great choices really do make a difference.

Celebrate Fair Trade
In addition to the great items in the guide, they have even more ideas to Fair Trade your holiday and your life:

• Prepare a great Fair Trade Dish,
• Educate your Community with Films and Speakers,
• Invest in or Donate to a Fair Trade Organization,
• Host a Fair Trade Home Party when the weather’s too bad to go out,
• Suggest your office choose Fair Trade for its Corporate Gifts,
• So much more!!

At www.FairTradeFederation.org and www.FairTrade.us, you can find these and other great ways to be an advocate for change throughout the year.

For more than sixty years, Fair Trade Organizations have connected you with artisans and farmers across the globe by delivering high quality products that create a tremendous impact on their communities. This holiday season, let’s continue that momentum for change.

Be sure to check out this gift guide for a list of great places to get Fair Trade gifts this holiday season, including our own Global Exchange stores.

Also, you can find out more about Carmen Iezzi in this Change.org Faces of Fair Trade feature on her.