Check out this article and links about Fair Trade goods during the holday season courtasy of The Romero Center in Camden, NJ!
The Advent season is a powerful time for us to engage the mysterious and unexplainable love of God. During Advent we are asked to pause and prepare our hearts for the little baby Jesus, as we try to take on the anxious miracle of the Incarnation. Our hearts are invited to enter into the holy choir of the heavenly angels, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) This is the beginning of the kingdom of God and we are its heralds.
At the same time, we are invited by our society to whip ourselves into a holiday frenzy, leaving our Thanksgiving tables early, forgoing sleep, dodging clouds of pepper sprayto chase the best of the retail bait. We show our love materially, by purchasing the most that we can for the least amount of money in as short a time as possible. We wipe the rabid foam of our consumerist lust from our tired jowls and say, “I hope you like it.”
It is difficult to keep the peace and joy of Advent intact in our hearts with the false promises of consumerism. By being thoughtful and intentional with our gifts purchased this year, we can express the love and joy of the holiday season while respecting the dignity of the human beings who created the clothing, toys, and other gifts that we purchase.
Here are some great fair trade resources for Christmas:
Romero Center Ministries
Clothing and Accessories
- Be The Change Elements
- Earth Creations
- Ecoland
- Fair Indigo
- Greenheart
- The Hunger Site
- Indigenous Designs
- Mata Traders
- No Sweat Apparel
- Rawganique
- Simple Shoes
- Tinctoria Designs
- Tom’s Shoes
Food, Coffee, and Gifts
- Cafe Justo
- Catholic Relief Services
- Equal Exchange
- Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee
- Natural Candy Store
- SERRV
- Taraluna
- Ten Thousand Villages
- Trade As One
- World of Good
Art, Green Living, Sports, and Misc.
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