I read an article yesterday which mentioned that lots of online stores are helping consumers get a 'head start' on their Black Friday shopping by offering deals online starting on Thursday... On Thanksgiving. I understand that Thanksgiving is ideologically a complicated holiday, but in my life it has always been a time for my family and friends to get together, eat, drink, and have an all around great (community focused) time. I am pretty grossed out by the idea that Black Friday is slowly eating away at the community aspect of Thanksgiving by encouraging people to spend Thanksgiving day shopping online instead of hanging out with their family and friends. I propose an alternative idea... make your first stop for gifts this year FAIR TRADE! There are lots of online stores that sell fair trade items and plenty of stores around the country to visit as well. See what you can knock of gift you list by shopping at these places before you headed to Wal Mart, Macy's, or the mall. I know some people say that Fair Trade is too expensive, but check out these prices before you pass judgment - for the list below I picked stores that actually that sell things I can afford.
Here are a few shopping suggestions:
Mercado Global
http://mercadoglobal.org/ sells beautiful cloth purses and beaded jewelry from Guatemala (online)
Top picks: Ikat Texture Purse & Peacock Feather Mugs
Ten Thousand Villages
http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/ has an online store with products from around the world- they also have a store on Roosevelt ave. in Seattle
Top picks: Lotus and Fern Bowl & Tuareg Etched Earrings
Sustainable NYC
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/SustainableNYC/StoreFront.bok A cute little general store in the East Village (New York City) which has an amazing collection of sustainable and fair trade products many of which are not available online or at any other stores!
Top picks (from the store): Divine Chocolate (yum) & reclaimed wooden picture frames
Theo Chocolate
http://www.theochocolate.com/ Theo makes the best chocolate IN THE WHOLE WORLD and their factory in Seattle is a magical place, factory tours are $6 and I would highly recommend them to anyone visiting Seattle. The shop at their factory sells not only bars but confections (truffles) and all sorts of fun products like chocolate body lotion and lip balm. If you are not in Seattle you can find their bars of chocolate at Whole Foods, you can also order many of their products online.
Top Picks: Holiday Confection Collection & Nutcracker Toffee chocolate bar
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