Holiday Gifting ideas that keep on giving

After the hellish year we’ve had, let’s think of others when we look for Holiday Gift ideas through the World Vision Gift Catalog.

Kindness is a language the blind can see and the deaf can hear.

There has been too much tragedy this year, even more than we are usually used to. Man kills man, then nature intervenes and lays waste to nations. If you thought that Hurricane Harvey and Irma were the worst hits this year, you are mistaken. It started with a cyclone in New Zealand, then flooding in China and Peru, disastrous snowfall in Afghanistan, landslide in the Congo and Columbia, rainfall induced flooding in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sierra Leone and the earthquake in Mexico – all of which devastated the world causing huge losses of life. Millions affected, thousands orphaned and it would be a very long time before these people could get back on their feet.

Every year the holiday season elicits a frenzy of shopping in us, as we throng to crowded stores at the rush hour to grab what we can to please the people in our lives, either out of love or duty. And every year, as I do the same, a twinge of guilt never fails to take root in me. Guilt, as I think about those without, all over the world, whose idea of a happy Christmas is probably one where they have one proper meal. And I’m sure most of you feel that way!

But guilt doesn’t earn forgiveness, guilt doesn’t fix things, guilt doesn’t heal. Actions do.

This year, when I was approached by World Vision to spread the word about their unique Gift Catalog, it felt like it was meant to be. As easy as shopping online for your favorite sweater, you can now donate to Where Most Needed and send funds either one-time, monthly or annually to someone who desperately needs it, starting as little at $25!

We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone….

If you think $25 is too little in your corner of the world, here’s what it can do in others:

1. It can provide bed nets for an entire family, protecting them from malaria and zika. Did you know that mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest creatures and kill 627,000 people every year! I did the research and far fewer people die from snakebites!
2. It can give a family 2 chickens, saving them from hunger. Did you know that a chicken can lay more than 300 protein-rich eggs in a year?
3. Provide faster growing, drought resistant seeds to feed a family with nutritious food.
4. Feed a family of 5 for a day. Did you know that 1 in 4 children in America live in poverty? You can help restore hope to American families struck by disaster, homelessness or job loss, by sending them nutritious oatmeal, potato soup, pasta, and a bean-and-rice casserole.

But in addition to sending just a little money to someone somewhere in the world, you can go that extra mile and inspire someone else to do the same.  Help where it’s needed most — AND receive a gift for yourself or someone you care about! 

We rise by lifting others

World Vision works with artisans all over the world, providing them with a stable livelihood and a chance to live life with dignity through Fair Trade wages. Visit the World Vision Gift Catalog, choose from their selection of handcrafted pieces, and when you purchase them, you:

1. Get the product- either for yourself or for someone else, in which case the torch passes on, and they may be inspired to do the same!

2. Provide fair trade wages to the artisan

3. Help where it’s needed most, as a large portion of every purchase is sent to someone who needs it.

Featured here are some of their craftsmanship, which would make an excellent gift to someone this holiday season – a gift that keeps on giving!

Upcycled Artisanal Bowl ($135)

This stunning bowl is up-cycled from reclaimed industrial waste (bonus for the environment!) such as wires and metal. Artisans in India have hand bent and soldered each piece into inspirational shapes to create this artistic and elaborate bowl that is great as a decorative piece or to hold fruits and special items.

What’s even more intriguing is the color of the metal, taking on hues of muted orange and green, reflecting the brilliant colors of Fall in its eco-friendly design.

Organic Coffee Blend ($75) 

This organic blend features a peat flavor with dark chocolate and berry notes. The coffee scoop is hand-carved by artisans in India and doubles as a handy bag clip. Believe me, the scoop alone is a conversational starter, and the bag is equally exquisite, and the coffee, mind blowing good.

I got the Aurora Blend – A true world tour – featuring “Certified Fair Trade” coffees from world’s top three growing regions – Indonesia, Africa and  South America. The Indonesian coffee brings a subtle peat flavor, while the dark chocolate and berry notes come from the rest of the tour. Certified Organic.

Reversible Placemats – Set of 4($95)

This lovely set of four reversible place mats is handmade by artisans in Bali who use only sustainable materials and recycled fabrics, thereby incorporating traditions of Balinese craftsmanship and honoring nature with the smallest carbon footprint possible.

One side is a glorious orange, and the other side is a bright sunshine yellow – use either style to match with your table setting, or alternate between the two colors for a little extra oomph!

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Kenyan Salad Scoops ($75)

Each one of these beautiful sets of two hand-carved Olive wood serving scoops is uniquely made by hard-working artisans in Kenya who are raising themselves out of poverty thanks to Fair Trade wages.

The scoops are very comfortable to hold, have a wonderfully smooth texture and is perfect for tossing salads without hurting or bruising the ingredients.

Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.

Salad Servers and Scoops ($75)

These exquisite wooden salad servers are made by a craftsman in Kenya who uses his wood carving skills to support his family, allowing him to send four children to university. Now that’s a cause worth fighting for, don’t you think?

Besides, the long handled scoop with the intertwined handle is crafted from a single piece of wood and is just beautiful to behold and even more wonderful when set on the table.

Children learn more from what you are, than by what you teach.

Show them that together, we can make a difference in this world, because if we can’t, no one else can. Do what you can today, and trust that they learn by your example and spread the love and light the torch of hope wherever they go.