Gift-giving that gives back: explore fair-trade with Hannah Lee.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah or even the Winter Solstice, the gift-giving season is quickly approaching. And that means time to start thinking about who to give to and what to give. This year, why not put your holiday dollars to good use? While there is always the idea of donating to a worthy cause in your giftee's name, wouldn't it be nice to select gifts for friends and loved ones they would not only enjoy, but that would also make a difference in the world? Conscious gift-giving gives you the best of both worlds: a wide array of unique gifts to choose from and piece of mind, knowing your purchase is good for the environment and good for humankind.

The plight of many workers in developing nations is devastating. Often people are forced to work unbelievably long hours in conditions that can only be described as subhuman. Exposed to deadly chemicals in poorly ventilated rooms and without proper safety gear, often separated from their families to live in the factories that employ them and a payment of wages that provide no hope for ever tiffing themselves out of poverty are just a few of the hardships faced by workers in traditional international companies.

However, there is another way. Fair-trade companies provide a better way of life for the people in developing nations. By paying workers a fair wage for their work and creating safe working environments, people and communities are able to thrive. According to the Fair Trade Federation, "In alternative trade organizations, 'fair trade' means that trading partnerships are based on reciprocal benefits and mutual respect; that prices paid to producers reflect the work they do; that workers have the right to organize; that national health, safety, and wage laws are enforced; and that products are environmentally sustainable and conserve natural resources." While fair-trade companies still only account for one percent of the international market, the demand for their goods is growing. And just by supporting fair-trade companies, you can be a part of the solution for workers everywhere. Below, you will find a taste of the many fair-trade companies to consider for your gift giving purchases.

Equal Exchange: www.equalexchange.com

More often than not, many of the foods imported to this country from so-called third-world nations are cultivated and harvested in ways that do tittle to enhance the lives of the workers in the fields they come from. However, there are companies out there that offer yummy, organic edibles to satisfy more than your palate. For the coffee and chocolate lovers on your list, Equal Exchange offers organic coffees, dark and milk chocolates and a variety of teas. One of the pioneers of the fair-trade movement in the United States, they are supplied by 28 small farmer organizations in fourteen developing countries, working directly with the farming cooperatives which are owned and governed by the farmers' themselves. Equal Exchange also works to help not only the farmers but the communities they live in by doing such things as promoting sustainable farming free of dangerous pesticides and offering credit to farmers to prevent debt. And, in turn, the communities are able to help themselves by creating schools, public transportation and training programs for women.

Ten Thousand Villages: www.tenthousandvillages.com

There is something to be said for being able to pick potential gifts with your own hands. And with 160 stores in the United States and Canada, you are sure to find a Ten Thousand Villages store near your village. Started in 1946 after an American Mennonite woman visited a sewing circle in Puerto Rico and saw that, although the wears they were creating were extraordinary, many of the craftspeople still lived in poverty. Edna Ruth Byler brought some crafts home with her and began selling them to her friends and neighbors. As the popularity grew, she began traveling worldwide looking for other international artisans to help. Thus Ten Thousand Villages was born. With an incredible selection of jewelry, home furnishings, baskets, toys and musical instruments from all over the world, Ten Thousand Villages has a selection that will surely have something for even the pickiest patron. Whether in their stores or online, you can learn more about the different artisans featured and how fair-trade commerce has helped insure a better future for the communities involved.

Blue Ridge Bags and More: www.blueridgebagsandmore.com

For the farmer's market fanatic or avid library patron on your list, for just $18 Blue Ridge Bags and More offers versatile, eco-friendly (recycled or organic/hemp) canvas bags printed with the work of a talented artist. But what makes Blue Ridge Bags and More unique is that the employees and artists are adults with autism living in Western North Carolina. It all started in 2003 when Laurie Kozar was having problems finding her autistic son appropriate and meaningful work. So she started the company as a way for her son, and people like him, to have challenging work in a structured environment. Later, Lauri and her partner Sara donated Blue Ridge Bags and More to the Autism Society of North Carolina, a non-profit serving, people with autism. Proceeds go to the company, to sustain the business and create an art space for those living with autism. On the website, you can pick from a wide variety of work to have printed on your bag. One of the featured artists, Caryn Schlosser, has created amazing landscape paintings of familiar sites in Western North Carolina. If you are looking for decorative art, rather than functional art, the paintings are also available in poster prints and Christmas cards.

Spiritex: www.spiritex.net

Have you ever checked the label on the clothes you buy from traditional retailers? More often than not they will say "Made In ..." and list a developing nation. You may have gotten a bargain on that shirt, but have you ever thought what the conditions are like for the workers? In the garment industry, sweatshops have become commonplace for both the discount and designer clothing manufacturers. Even labels that say "Made in USA" are not a guarantee that the workers do not endure a sweatshop-like environment. But downtown Asheville's Spiritex offers clothes and accessories that are 100 percent exploitation free. In the store, they carry a wide variety of different labels in a variety of sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and even corn. On the website, there is a variety of organic cotton clothing that not only oozes comfort but also support fair wages for garment workers in the United States.

Now that you have so many choices for gifts this year, what will you wrap these beautiful, ethical presents in? Recycled wrapping paper of course! Look for tree-free paper alternatives such as hemp, flax or cotton fibers. Even better, reuse recycled paper you already have around the house instead of buying new stuff. The comic pages from the newspaper are great for the kids. Or become your own artisan with brown paper bags and some holiday themed stamps. What better way to save a tree and show the people in your life how much you care for them?

Local Ten Thousand Villages:

Asheville, NC--10 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801, [phone]

Montreat, NC--Moore Center, 303 Lookout Road, Montreat, NC 28751, [phone]

Atlanta, GA--1056 St. Charles Avenue N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, [phone]; 227 Sandy Springs Place, Atlanta, GA 30328, [phone]

Greenville, SC--2 West Lewis Plaza, Greenville, SC 29605, [phone]

Are you a conscious shopper?

This state-of-the-art, scientifically-based quiz will let you know where you fall on the global market conscious continuum.

1) Fair-trade is:

A) A global structure I support to help workers around the have a better life

B) A label that is sometimes on the coffee I buy

C) When the gifts I give and the gifts I receive are of equal value

2) When purchasing a gift, I:

A) Always seek out the fair-trade emblem

B) Will start looking for fair-trade emblem

C) Shop the pre-holiday sales at my favorite department store

3) This year I am getting my gifts from:

A) One of the many fair-trade companies in this article

B) After reading this article, I'm going to check out one of the Ten Thousand Villages store in my area

C) My local mall

4) When it comes to my clothes:

A) The only sweat involved is from a Vigorous Pilates class

B) I am going to have to start Checking the labels

C) I only look at the label to check the size

5) My gifts are wrapped in:

A) Reused and recycle paper

B) Recycled paper when I happen upon it

C) Whatever is on sale

Mostly A's--A bonafide conscious shopper. You are going to change the world! With your overwhelming support of conscious shopping, you are making a difference to millions of Workers and the planet.

Mostly B's--A conscious shopper in training. With a little work, you can change your habits to make a difference in the global economy.

Mostly C's--An unconscious shopper. All those cinnamon bun fumes at the mall ate messing with your head. Run for the nearest exit and get to the closes Ten Thousand Viilages store ASAP!

Hannah Lee is a freelance writer living in Asheville. You can contact her at [e-mail].