Comments on: Gift Guide #4: Doing Good

By: Caren

Caren — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 04:23:01 +0000

I’d love to add our direct trade non-profit, Hill Country Hill Tribers. We work with refugees who have escaped persecution from Burma and are creating new lives here in Austin, TX. Every item is hand made and helps them hold on to their traditional craftsmanship. Thanks for highlighting other gifts that give back. Love the call for people to celebrate the true spirit of the season.

By: Heather HS

Heather HS — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:36:45 +0000

Here’s one for the person who doesn’t need/want “stuff”… food! http://www.donatefruit.com/
The send fresh fruit to your gift recipient, and for every pound of fruit that is given, they match it with a equal amount of fruit for a food pantry! Tasty and a double gift. :)

By: liz bohannon

liz bohannon — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:08:03 +0000

EEEEKK! You must be a friend of Alexandra! I miss her SO MUCH already. What a brillant beautiful soul. We were so lucky to have her as part of the Sseko team this past year!

By: liz bohannon

liz bohannon — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:06:51 +0000

YAY! Love this list, Gabby! Adding Kenana Knitters to my gift list for some little ones in my life. So cute! Have never heard of them before! xo

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:03:25 +0000

Thanks for these great ideas, Gabby!

By: mandi@herbanhomestead

mandi@herbanhomestead — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:53:30 +0000

So glad to see you doing this post! I do posts like these every year, but I reach a much smaller readership. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone bought just one gift that gives back this year?!?

ps- Sseko sandals are some of my favorites. Every time I wear mine I get compliments too! And it’s so fun to share the story! I also get compliments on my Apparent Project beads and Haitian Creations purses. My challenge to myself sometimes is to wear a completely Fair Trade/ Free Trade outfit!

By: Giselle

Giselle — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:14:08 +0000

My friend just came back from a 9 month design stint in Uganda with Sseko, she worked with the women there and designed their new line. It’s so lovely and her experience there was amazing. It’s a great company to purchase from.

By: Sharon @ Discovering Blog

Sharon @ Discovering Blog — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:43:44 +0000

This list is great – I just ordered a makeup bag from Nomi and 2 scarves from FashionABLE scarves. Perfect gifts for one of my friends – she’s going to love them!

By: Design Mom

Design Mom — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:08:16 +0000

Toms! I too, am partial to a herringbone.

By: Design Mom

Design Mom — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:07:47 +0000

Oh and those hand-printed pillow covers — love!

By: Design Mom

Design Mom — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:06:17 +0000

Zimbags are new-to-me, Meghan! The ZimMarket bag with the green elephant has stolen my heart. : )

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:39:20 +0000

I pinned those prints when you first posted about them – just too gorgeous not to share!

Toms shoes (http://www.toms.co.uk/) are always great! Casual, comfy, easy to style, and so. many. choices. They follow the buy-one-give-one model, too (and have recently branched out into specs). There’s lots of interesting info on the website – like I totally thought shoes were necessary for dignity and avoiding sharp things, but hadn’t even thought about soil-borne diseases.

Maybe the geometry ones are my favourites – http://www.toms.co.uk/womens/new-styles/navy-geometry-women-s-vegan-classics

But I’m also partial to a herringbone. Or a multi-coloured knit. Or even the white lace ‘bridal’ range (so dainty!)

Giving Tuesday rocks. I hope it goes worldwide!

By: Marille

Marille — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:15:54 +0000

I was going to mention those! They are just the bet things ever.

By: Deborah G

Deborah G — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:43:00 +0000

Awesome list! I’m currently volunteering in Kenya with an amazing organization called Heshima Kenya that empowers orphaned and seperated refugee girls.

The girls are completely inspiring and hard working – they manage a scarf-making income-generation project called The Maisha Collective- seriously beautiful, competlely hand-made and super fashionable scarves- they are even more striking in person. Check ‘em out on Etsy! http://www.etsy.com/people/HeshimaKenya

By: Meghan M

Meghan M — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 04:23:58 +0000

Love this! My Sseko sandals are all I wear in the summer. Zimbags (www.zimbags.com) has some pretty bags that empower women (& therefore their children) in Zimbabwe! Thanks for introducing me to Kenana Knitters!

By: Design Mom

Design Mom — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:57:53 +0000

Oh my goodness. Yes! I’m so glad you reminded me. I wrote about Punjammies just over a year ago: http://www.designmom.com/2011/10/punjammies/

But I had forgotten them! They are truly beautiful. And I’ve been craving some lounge pants. I need to add these to my wishlist.

By: Design Mom

Design Mom — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:55:34 +0000

Oh. It’s my favorite! (And great minds think alike.)

By: Design Mom

Design Mom — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:55:04 +0000

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the pins, Lori! These are such great products and great causes. Delighted you’re spreading the word!

By: Design Mom

Design Mom — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:54:25 +0000

Yay! I’m so glad. Thanks for letting me know, Lisette.

By: Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Lisette Wolter-McKinley — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:51:28 +0000

I just ordered the Abeba scarf. Thanks for bringing such a great gift to my attention. I am hoping to give more meaningful gifts this year and this will certainly be one of them.