Giving the Same Gift...Twice

Everyone is concerned about the economy lately, wondering about the certainty of our financial futures. When the global economy gets chilly, countries like America may sneeze, but the poor of the world catch a cold, if not pneumonia. 

If you are looking for some nice--and reasonably priced!--gifts for the upcoming holiday season, consider giving fair trade gifts this year. That way, you not only give a gift to the person receiving your present, but you also give the gift of financial livelihood to the struggling artisan who made that gift. These artisans aren't looking to buy video games or new outfits for their children for Christmas--often, their sales mean the difference between heat or no heat in cold weather, or food on the table, or their child's school tuition.

If you live in the Tampa Bay area, consider attending our Fair Trade Holiday Market at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Tampa on Sunday afternoon, November 23rd. If you don't live nearby, or live up north, consider giving a handmade gift like these lovely "gloves-to-mittens" convertible mittens, made by our friends, the women of Kullakas. They're only $23, and every cent of your purchase goes to the women themselves. They're especially handy if you work outside at all in the cold, or like to have your fingers free for driving but need the warmth of mittens when you get out of the car. They come in a variety of nice colors, but the nicest thing about them is how warm you'll feel inside, knowing you've helped a woman like yourself continue to care for her family in difficult times. 

Check out Kullakas web site at www.alpacaartisans.com . This is a new web site, and if you're experiencing any problems trying to put an order through, don't hesitate to email me at karen_rushen@yahoo.com, and I will be sure you get whatever it is you need. 

You may not be able to depend on the stock market or any given bank, but you can rely on the fact that when you help those far less fortunate than yourself in a generous and compassionate manner, you WILL find your own life blessed!