author intrusion

need a skirt?

Well, the time of shameless consumerism has begun! The headline of our paper last Wednesday read, WHY GIVE THANKS WHEN YOU CAN SHOP? I don't know about you, but that made me pause and feel a little sick. It's funny how the one holiday that hasn't been co-opted by consumerism may be simply overtaken by it. I mean, why encourage people to buy stuff for Thanksgiving when you can have people buy stuff on Thanksgiving?

I'm always in a quandary about Christmas gifts. It's so easy to just run out to Target or the mall. But for me, I'm so awful at shopping, I get overwhelmed and just pick up stuff that looks good enough. I hate that about myself. This year, I'm kicking back a little.

For the next couple of weeks, I'll be directing you to websites where you can shop in your jammies and slippers and help support people in developing nations who are trying to support their family. The items are fair trade and ethically made. (Just say no to Sweat Shops! :-D) This tree skirt was made in India through ASHA, an organization that represents 800 artisans. At the website, A Greater Gift, you'll find scads of beautiful holiday linens, teas, coffees, dishware, jewelry, home and office organizers, and more.

Why not make your Christmas shopping count for more?  Besides, some of this stuff is just gorgeous.

Saint's Coffee

Link: Saint's Coffee.

Buy a Pound of Coffee, Feed an Orphan for a Month!

What a great way to support an ethical, socially conscious company. Hey, as much as I love a good cup of Starbuck's here's an easy way to get great, fairly traded coffee and help kids in Africa.

I love it!

You'll see our good friend Tom Davis at the website with some of his friends in Swaziland. His relief organization, Children's Hopechest, is hosting Ty and I for our trip to Africa in January. So please, buy some coffee and feed an orphan. It's win-win!

lisa

Update: I logged on and ordered two pounds at $10.00 a pound. The shipping came to 6.52. Most fairly traded coffee runs 9 - 10.00 a pound, so even at 9.00, you've spent 8.52 to feed two orphans for a month AND the coffee comes to your door. Awesome.