5 Ways to Spread Christmas Cheer!

December 13, 2013 - Posted by Casey Trogden to General Gift Guides

I think we all love the “giving” aspect of the holiday season. Gifts are a wonderful way to show a loved one how much you care. But sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the glitz and glam and place the spotlight on the gift, not the true spirit of sacrifice of time and attention. So if you’re looking for simple ways to make someone’s holiday merry and bright, read on!

1. Have a friend or relative who’s just too busy to shop? Offer to help them out by cleaning their house so they have time for a quick trip to the mall or watching the kids for a few hours so they can get some shopping done! For a busy mom or overworked college student, sometimes the gift of time is better than the prettiest package.

2. Drop off some homemade goodies when your paycheck is starting to feel the strain of holiday purchases. Everyone appreciates some holiday cookies on a snowy day! Make it festive by arranging them on this rustic personalized wooden serving tray.

3. Head to a homeless shelter and spend a day volunteering. You can serve food, drop off clothes and toys, or bundle up and brave a game of soccer with the kids! No matter what you’re doing or where you’re doing it, volunteering is a wonderful alternative to gift giving. Help decorate the shelter’s Christmas tree with some fun ornaments, like this adorable felt baby penguin and these gorgeous handmade beaded balls from India!

4. Organize a Secret Santa exchange at your office, church group, etc. The small giveaways are always fun and a great way to get people to interact with those they might not normally spend as much time with. Set a limit, like $10, and then enjoy researching what your secret pal would like the most! We think anyone would love these petite travel Dreambean soy candles.

5. Write (not email!) letters to loved ones and catch them up on your life and ask about theirs in return. Let them know how important they are to you this Christmas! Snail mail that isn’t a bill never fails to make me smile. You could always stick a Seven Hopes United gift card in with the letter if you want to make their day extra special!

How do you make others smile during the holiday season?

XO,

Casey

Tasty Thursday: Christmas Cookies

December 12, 2013 - Posted by Dawn Stary to General Recipes Tasty Tuesday

The holidays are upon us and Christmas is just two weeks away. I cannot believe it is almost here. I sort of wait the entire year for Christmastime! I love this time of year so much. The lights, the parties, the gift exchanges, the joy on kids’ faces when they meet Santa (and the hugs that moms and dads give out when kids aren’t so keen on Santa!). I just love it all. But since I love to eat sweets almost as much as I love Christmas I thought I would talk a little about Christmas cookies in this week’s blog.

Fair Trade USA is a doing a really fun contest this year regarding baking with fair trade ingredients. Submit your fair trade cookies and sweets recipes for a chance to be featured on their site. They even offer a list of all the fair trade ingredients out there that you can use in your baking this year. Click here for more details. And use the hashtag #BakeFair to spread the word.

Make these delicious Gingerbread Boys with fair trade brown sugar!

Recently, I came across a great article in the New York Times featuring 20 recipes for holiday cookies! They have an assortment of fun, traditional and non-traditional cookie ideas that can all use at very least fair trade sugar in them! If you bake one of these recipes let us know what you think.

1PicMonkey Collage_holiday baking

And we are always happy at Seven Hopes United to help you with your Christmas cookie and holiday baking needs!

Kids Dark Retro Ruffled Apron

Red Rouge Oven Mitt

Franjipani Floral Trays

Happy Baking and Happy Holidays – Dawn

Fair Trade Gift Ideas for Men

December 6, 2013 - Posted by Casey Trogden to General

If you’re anything like me, you still have a specific category staring you down on your Christmas list—the guys in your life! Do you need a few fair trade gift ideas for men?

Let’s face it–the males are the hardest. I can walk through a store and put five things in my cart for the ladies on my list before I even begin to think about the guys. If they were as easy to shop for as we are, this might not be a problem! But since I want to get them things they’ll enjoy too, I’m shifting my strategy this year. Instead of buying them something unplanned at the last minute, I’m planning ahead and focusing on fair trade gift ideas for men!

Seven Hopes United has plenty of wonderful, handmade items that are perfect for guys of all ages. Take a look below!

1. Recycled Cork Coaster Set–Most of the guys I know like for their homes to have a little flair without being “girly.” These quirky cork coasters are perfect for spicing up the coffee table in a subtle way.

2. Handblown Glass Ice Bucket–If you have a friend who enjoys the finer things in life, this one’s for you! A beautiful, timeless glass piece that he’ll use again and again.

3. Cobalt Spiral Highball Glasses–If he’s not in the mood to serve wine, these lovely gorgeous, handcrafted glasses can be used for iced tea, cocktails, or even craft beer!

4. Paulino Bud Vase–Add a touch of class to his home with this sleek, modern bud vase. Not too feminine and great for the guy who enjos decorating.

5. Ethiopian Dashed Cotton Hand Towel–A clean, bright design that would be at home in any man’s kitchen. A great inexpensive fair trade gift idea for men!

What are you getting the men in your life this Christmas?

XO,

Casey

Shifting Your Shopping this Holiday Season!

December 5, 2013 - Posted by Dawn Stary to General

This past Wednesday I had the chance to do some holiday shopping that gives back. Seven Hopes United along with five other businesses that are either fair trade, help kids take a step out of poverty or help combat human trafficking gathered to sell their beautiful and unique gifts. The gift fair was at the home of one of the women selling her items. She had food, wine and holiday music playing and it was a relaxed and fun way to meet new people and find new gift ideas. Below are photos from the event as well as the names of the purveyors who attended.

Seven Hopes United – If every American made just one fair trade purchase a year it would lift one million families out of poverty.

International Sanctuary – People are trafficked. Victims are rescued. Then what? iSanctuary provides dignity to survivors through professional opportunities.

Malia Designs – Socially responsible, fair trade handbags and accessories that are handcrafted in Cambodia; every purchase helps combat human trafficking.

San Diego Bath & Body Co. – Just like the foods that you put in your body, we believe that the products you put on your body should be as simple and direct from nature as you can get; fair trade, vegan, organic. (Also, that’s my mom on the right.)

Krochet Kids – Working to create sustainable economic development programs that support holistic growth of individuals and communities living in poverty. And working to inspire the knowledge of a generation about their ability to bring change to a world that is in need.

Wei of Chocolate – Organic, vegan, fair trade, soy-free and gluten free. Wei means transformative action, which is exactly what happens when you let their chocolate melt in your mouth.

Enjoy and happy holidays – Dawn

How Tuesday: Choosing a Great Gift!

December 3, 2013 - Posted by Dawn Stary to General

Have you ever received a gift that just didn’t fit you at all? If you are like me you graciously accepted the gift, noted the effort and wondered if you could return it (to yourself of course). We’ve all been given gifts that we haven’t liked and since the gift giving season is upon us I thought that I would reflect on my techniques to giving a good gift.

1. Ask! My mom for example isn’t much in to getting things any more, so I asked what she is interested. She’d prefer that I donate in her name to a cause she believes in. This year I am going to donate to The Children’s Aid Society, which helps prevent teen pregnancy.

2. Think! What is your friend’s favorite past time? This is a really great way to choose a gift. My dear friend and the godmother of my son is a world traveler. She’s living in Chiapas, Mexico these days and has been all over Europe, India and Latin America. I know that she would love some beautiful travel gear so I would go with the cosmetic bag and luggage tags.

Cute Luggage Tags

Beautiful Cosmetic Bags

3. Check it Out! Another good friend of mine really likes art, literature and good wine and this is reflected in her artistic dress. So for her I would get unique jewelry that fits her classic and sophisticated sense of style.

Sofia Aqua Earrings

Gypsy Bracelet

Taste! Do you have a friend who loves to cook and entertain? I do! She is the consummate host and over the years I know she’s received many cookbooks and things for the kitchen so this year I would put a spin on things for my gift to her. I’d like to buy her things that help set the mood for the party or get together she is hosting.