Gift giving can be a a rewarding experience depending on how you look at it. Either you are getting a gift for someone that is important in your life, or you are giving out of obligation. The latter doesn’t usually leave you all warm and fuzzy inside, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Why not use gift giving as an opportunity to do something good for someone else? Regardless of WHY you are giving the gift, you can offer a gift that gives back.
Macy’s has developed a partnership with Global Goods Partners — an organization which, according to its website:
“…is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting social justice in the Global South. Founded in 2005, GGP creates economic opportunity for women in some of the world’s poorest communities by providing access to the U.S. market for the fair trade, handmade products they produce. GGP provides technical assistance, product development, operational expertise and small capacity building grants to our community-based partners. With this support, GGP is empowering women to create sustainable change — advancing the health and well-being of their families and communities.”
So what does this mean for you and your charitable gift giving plans? This means you can give gifts that will make the recipient happy, and do something that will benefit the greater good. Here are nine of our favorite gifts from Macy’s that will make everyone smile:
This Rwanda Raffia and Sweet Grass Lalande Round bowl makes a beautiful addition to any home. Use it to keep your keys in one place, as a centerpiece or a conversation starter.
If you (or the person you are buying for) want MORE color — we’ve got you covered there too. These Rwandan Woven Baskets are just the ticket. They can be used as traditional baskets for keeping things organized around your house, for centerpieces or even for wall art. Regardless of how they are used, these handmade masterpieces are the perfect gift.
For the foodie in your life, why not give them beautiful serving products made from olive wood? Items include salad bowls, rolling pins, mortar and pestles, and cutting boards. Each of these is perfectly unique as no piece of olive wood is exactly the same.
Want to give a gift that no one else will think of? Try out these Heart of Haiti All-Horn Salad Servers. These handmade cow horn servers will add class with a touch of exotic to every table.
If random acts of kindness are your thing, or you really want to start being better about remembering to do something nice for someone else, you should see the 100 Good Deeds bracelets. These bracelets have 100 glass beads in a variety of colors with a rubber ring that slides over each bead to let you count how many good deeds you have really done. The good news? You can start with the first bead complete, since purchasing this bracelet made by women in Haiti, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, India, Bali and the U.S. helps to empower women and transform communities.
I absolutely LOVE the colors in this Ikat Stripe Pillow. The bold and rich colors will enhance any room with just enough pop of color. The best part is you can decorate the rest of the room with a variety of colors to coordinate!
If color isn’t your thing (or if the person you are buying for prefers a more subtle look), this Mayan Black and White Stripe Pillow may be just the right speed. Hand sewn in Guatemala, there isn’t a person around that wouldn’t adore this addition to their room.
Know someone “whoo” likes owls? Terrible pun aside, this handcrafted grey soapstone Heart of Haiti Owl Candle Holder will make any room light up. Whether it’s for the living room or master bedroom, no one could possibly resist the urge to display these owls prominently.
While we are on the subject of lighting and candles, this simple hand-carved Heart of Haiti Rectangle Candle holder for votives is a sure winner whether the decor is trendy, traditional or somewhere in between.
Handmade and handcrafted gifts are unique, timeless and show that you’ve put a lot of thought into the recipient. These just have the added bonus of also helping out on a global level. So, pat yourself on the back — you’ve found the perfect gift that gives back!
