Have a Fair Trade Christmas

So the stores are playing Christmas music and as I visit Tampa this past weekend for a friends wedding and the highs are in the 70s and 80s, so the holiday season must be upon us. But as we gear up for the celebrations, the spiritual reflections, and the traditions, now is a good time to start deliberately planning how we can make this Christmas a just Christmas. In other words, how can we subvert systems of oppression and exploitation through our holiday habits. And while I think some of those habits might need to be reevaluated, some of them are beautiful and hold special meaning. So while I am wary of over-consumption, we still practice the giving of gifts in my family. I just do my best to therefore try to make my consumption ethical.

So I’m excited by Trade As One’s campaign this holiday season to encourage all of us to buy Fair Trade gifts this Christmas. We turn our traditions into a way to help and love others through such purchases. And if enough of us do it, we can make a big difference. They write:

    Think about this: Just One Fair Trade purchase from every American churchgoer this Christmas would lift one million families out of abusive poverty for one whole year. Let’s make sure that when gifts are given, they speak of the sort of world that Jesus came to show us — one where the last is first, where the poor are included, the sick are healed, and the captive is set free.

Fantastic idea. 

There are numerous ways one can support Fair Trade or other justice causes this Christmas. We are excited this year to find a Fair Trade Chocolate Advent Calendar. And I take time with the kids to support families around the world by purchasing animals from Heifer International. But there are numerous places online where one can find Fair Trade items to give this Christmas. I’ve listed some of my favorite sites below. But all it takes is just a little tweak to our holiday habits this Christmas to help show love to people around the world.

Clothing and Accessories

    * Be The Change Elements

    * Earth Creations

    * Ecoland

    * Fair Indigo

    * Greenheart

    * Indigenous Designs

    * Mata Traders

    * No Sweat Apparel

    * Rawganique

    * Simple Shoes

    * Tinctoria Designs

    * Tom’s Shoes

Food, Coffee, and Gifts

    * Cafe Justo

    * Equal Exchange

    * Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee

    * Natural Candy Store

    * SERRV

    * Taraluna

    * Ten Thousand Villages

    * Trade As One

    * World of Good

Other

    * Fair Trade Sports

    * Reusable Bags

So have yourself a merry little fair trade Christmas. Celebrate traditions and do some good while you are at it.

Thanksgiving Meditation

I have to confess that, sometimes, I have a hard time being totally present with the person or in the place that I am. Instead, I find myself thinking about chores still to be done, what I will say next in the conversation, or where I have to rush off to next. However, I became aware recently of an activity in which I found myself totally present: weeding.

One afternoon, I spent some time in a row of onions overgrown by some weeds. It was during this time that I found myself totally present in the activity; there was no thought of anything else. I forgot about my “to do” list or what would be happening the next day. My mind was nowhere else.

As I pulled the weeds, I noticed the detail of each—the shape of the leaves, the length of the roots, their color. As my hands began to get dirty, I smelled the freshness of the earth. As I worked, I felt the wind blow and the warmth of the sun, and I heard the sounds all around. Then, I noticed her watching me, something my otherwise busy mind would not have paid any attention to.

She was as ordinary as I was, but at the same time very beautiful. She would move almost in synch with me as I moved down the row. My activity did not seem to bother her as she sat very still a few feet away. For whatever reason, she shared this time with me, and, because I was totally present, I noticed.

On this day of thanksgiving, as you spend time with family and friends, I invite you to really be present. Don’t think about the things still left to do at work or that you have to hurry off to Aunt "Suzy's". Instead, as you share a meal together, reconnect with those you love. As you play with the children, let yourself get lost in their world for a while. As you spend time outside, observe creation all around you. If you do, I think, at the end of the day, you will be able to say, “I have seen remarkable things today.”

The weeding of that onion row ended way too soon. As I stood up, the moth, sensing my disconnect, flew up and faded into the distance. As I watched her fly away, I felt grateful for her presence that day. Maybe she had been there a number of other times as I worked, but, that day, I was there with her as well.

I hope that this Thanksgiving Day I find myself really present with those I love. My prayer is that you can do the same.