The Best Christmas Gifts for Women

Crafts That Inspire and Connect Women Can Also Change the World

Nov 28, 2009 K. Gregg Elliott

Whether celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, Kwaanza or the Solstice, the perfect gift is one that is both tangible and sublime.

A quality handmade gift created by women survivors of war, famine, or poverty is sure to touch the hearts of mothers, daughters, and sisters the world over. What could be more appropriate than a gift that gives women in crisis the ability to support themselves – the opportunity for an honest, hard-earned wage?

Charities and Social Entrepreneurs Offer Great Gift Ideas

Elaborately embroidered belts from Peru, boldly patterned bracelets from Africa, stunning jade and lapis jewelry from Afghanistan, bright Indian batiks and shimmering Cambodian silks: these are but a few of the gorgeous items available to shoppers who wish to put power for good into their purchases. Most items will also appeal to the eco-conscious consumer, since they tend to be crafted from sustainable sources of local materials using traditional designs.

This year, there is a heightened international focus on the plight of women and a growing realization that helping women may be the best means of fighting poverty and extremism. What follows are highlights from three organizations working to give women life-changing business opportunities.

Women for Women International

WfWI is changing the world one woman at a time. Their year-long programs of comprehensive education include women's rights training, trauma counseling, and job skills. They also train the men in women’s lives, helping them to support changed roles for their "better halves." Through a one-to-one sponsorship program in Africa, the Middle East, and Bosnia/Herzegovina, they help launch women on a road from victim to survivor to active citizen.

Uniquely handcrafted items created by participants in their programs are available through a number of partnering organizations, including trendy hand-knit scarves, mittens, and doggie sweaters available through Kate Spade New York. Prices range from $20 to $125.

Global Goods Partners

Founded by Catherine Lieber Shimony and Joan Shifrin in 2005, GGP gives community based organizations access to markets in the U.S. and elsewhere. GGP, which supports fair trade and is often the sole source of revenue for these artisans, also provides technical and small grant support. Their Shop for Change program gives schools a socially conscious fund-raising alternative, in which schools can earn 20% to 30% of sales through participating shoppers.

At Global Goods Partners, purses, scarves, jewelry, and even items for children and pets are available, the vast majority in the price range of $10 to $50. Their website allows shoppers to search by the producers of quality wares. Each page gives background on one of their 50+ community organization partners around the world, showcasing the products they create.

The Women’s Peace Collection

The Women’s Peace Collection, founded by Amber Chand, an East African of Indian descent, supports women in regions of conflict and post-conflict. Their work is predicated upon the power of meaningful enterprise to transform a woman’s sense of self worth. They offer the artistry of women and their men around the globe as a means of promoting prosperity.

Beautiful handbags, textiles, jewelry, dolls and baskets for sale at The Women’s Peace Collection generally range from $20 to $80 and are also searchable by region. The “Shared Prosperity Principle” guides their work. This means one third of the retail price goes toward the women and the project, while another third supports out-of-country shipping costs, and the final third is reinvested in the company.

More and more organizations are dedicated to the truth that bringing self-sufficiency to underprivileged women is a key strategy in fighting war and global poverty. Customers who purchase goods from women artisans in distant lands are an essential element in the strategy to make the world a better place. Such gifts serve triple duty: items of great beauty bestow blessings upon the giver, the receiver, and the maker.

HOL101

The copyright of the article The Best Christmas Gifts for Women in Green/Simple Living is owned by K. Gregg Elliott. Permission to republish The Best Christmas Gifts for Women in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Hand Woven Sudanese Basket	Give Silver Beaded Earrings from Guatemala	Exotic Gift, Labyrinth Bracelet from India
Self-Help Group in India	Gift Idea, Ethiopian Scarf of Dreams