Christmas 2017 felt so very different. There are so many people I love deeply and there is no doubt my love language is gifts. Even still, having seen and experienced Africa and all the need therein, it just didn’t feel right to spend a bunch of money on gifts that further American consumerism and maybe can’t even fully be appreciated (especially by the kids who get so many gifts that it is almost overwhelming). So I took a step back, evaluated, and did a whole lot of fair-trade and ethical shopping. It was REALLY fun to feel like at least a portion of my dollars spent were truly impacting lives internationally and I was able to share stories of hope with a lot of my friends as I gave gifts that brought smiles and supported causes I truly believe in.
I don’t know if anyone REALLY reads this, but for my own remembrance and to have a record of where I should shop again in the future - HERE are some of the spaces I browsed and made HOPE-FILLED PURCHASES!
I’m not going to lie - I shop noonday all-year-long! I love me some noonday accessories and I really love my ambassador - Lauren Sanders! Lauren’s husband Kevin and I were World Changers together in 2006 and spent a summer in Puerto Rico and Florida encouraging teens to pursue missions and serve Christ wholeheartedly. Now Kevin and his family are church-planting in Arlington and Lauren is an incredible servant of the Kingdom as she raises up her family in the Lord, runs alongside her husband, and champions a business that gives women around the world an opportunity to support their families in a way that has never been possible before and gives a portion of all proceeds back to support adoptions! Noonday is the best!
2. 31 BITS
Another long-time love of mine is 31bits. They’ve been well-known in the ethical shopping community and they make some beautiful jewelry as well. Paper beads have long been their language but they’ve started to expand as well and when you’re rocking some bits, you always have the opportunity to tell someone the story of jewelry that makes a difference around the world, empowering opportunity and hope for people that desperately need better and more - and WE CAN HELP!
Purpose Jewelry is newer to me, but I have been gifted and have purchased several of these items throughout the past several years. They specifically support and empower women out of slavery and that is a cause we should definitely be standing behind as modern slavery is so real and just as oppressive and destructive as any other kind that has existed, it just runs in a darker and perhaps less obvious path than the versions we have been forced to confront in previous times.
This jewelry is made by and provides scholarships to inner city students who are then afforded the opportunity to attend college. They are first generation attendees and they are given hope in a way they never dreamed possible. Buying a bracelet or earrings makes their next chapter possible - small purchases really do change lives! I bought bracelets for all my CHOSEN leaders last year and I loved knowing that as we run alongside our teens, a small gift to my leaders ALSO provided opportunity for other teens who have needs! Double SCORE!
5. ABLE (previously FASHIONABLE)
I listened to a podcast with Barrett Ward who is the founder and owner of ABLE a few months ago on Annie F. Downs podcast: That Sounds Fun as he described the extreme poverty in Ethiopia and the desperate choices the women and young girls are forced to make due to an overwhelming lack of resources. ABLE works specifically with women who have overcome extraordinary circumstances and they sell a wide variety of beautiful goods from around the world. Their bags are spectacular and you won’t believe the smell. They’re worth every penny!
6. KROCHET KIDS
Krochet Kids was started by students at Vanguard University - they employ women in various countries to make products out of resources local to that specific country but desirable here. This year I got a really cute headband that will surely make an appearance on one of my upcoming trips to either Texas or St. Louis where the weather is a bit more brisk and I sent my brother a super legit beanie. His exact words, “it looks really expensive” and also, “the person who made my beanie dreams of someday owning a motorcycle just like me!” HE LOVED IT! Every product includes a tag that tells you specifically WHO made your product and you can go on their website and read about your maker! I love how personal it is - that touch is extraordinary!
7. AMAZIMA
If you haven’t heard of Katie Davis Majors, you should listen and quick! OH MY GOSH she is incredible. Her first book was Kisses for Katie and her second, “Daring to Hope” just released in late 2017. I went to a book signing and heard her speak at a church in North Orange County and I cried several times through her message. Perhaps it’s because there are things she said that resonated so deeply within my heart - or perhaps it is because it reminded me so deeply of Africa. Her book was extraordinary, it was like reading Scripture on each page and hearing the Word interlaced through her story - so beautiful. Amazima is the nonprofit she founded to provide scholarships to kids in Uganda who desperately need an education. You can also buy a wide variety of other products. This year I bought a few of the build your own paper bead necklace kids so while I was in Maryland with Jamie and the girls we could all do them together. We ran out of time, but I think they’ll love doing it as a family activity at some point and rocking their Africa jewelry together!
This is one of my very favorite finds from 2017. My friend Lauren Sopp who traveled with me to Africa sat down with me for dinner at a little mexican restaurant we love after we returned home and we talked about the kids we miss more than we ever imagined possible and we shared about how our hearts grew 100 times while we were away and we couldn’t wait to go back and then she pulled out her wallet and I stopped her right there and said, “TELL ME EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT!” and she did. Sak Saum makes amazingly beautiful products out of recycled cement bags. I now have a wallet as well and a few of my favorite friends do too!
I have been waiting for an entire year to purchase from ornaments for orphans as they’ve been on my radar since last Christmas. Obviously I have a heart for the orphaned and vulnerable and knowing that the ornaments I purchase can support the least of these, nothing better! Each year I gift ornaments to my lifelong best friends Anna and Jenny - we legitimately have 30+ ornaments on our trees from each other, so I love that their collections are from countries and continents and have amazing stories like this behind them! So beautiful!
I came home from Rwanda with a few pounds of seriously delicious coffee in my suitcase and promptly used them as gifts, which meant I needed more! Thanks to the Jamie Ivey Podcast, I found Westrock Coffee Company! This company supports improved and sustainable agriculture and supports farmers in access to education, healthcare and other necessities. I have only purchased RWANDA at this point and truth-telling, I stole a cup from my sister-in-law Jamie who received a bunch of K-Cups for Christmas. I also gave my dad coffee as a gift, but I haven’t checked in to see what he thought yet! The box included the name and story of the farmer of our coffee and the coffee itself was DELICIOUS!
There is a line of products by Kate Spade that supports 20,000 artisans in the village of Masoro in Rwanda. This year I was able to purchase several products knowing the products were made by wonderful ladies in Rwanda and the clutches are beautiful and each came with a tag including the name of the woman who crafted them - I’ll tell you - the name might be the most beautiful part!
The final gift I gave this Christmas may not have had a huge give back as far as finances were concerned, but I have no doubt it will make an impact in huge ways someday, somehow. I bought this children’s book for all the kids that call me auntshell -and that is MANY. I bought this beautiful book that literally shares the gospel in a really comprehensive way, and also reminds every single child regardless of socioeconomic background or physical appearance that he or she is valued, worthy, and so very special to God. Jesus came to rescue EVERY SINGLE ONE - and He has a story for you!
Alright friends, you should have LOTS of ideas now - get shopping - or wait until next Christmas! Either way!
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