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Hilary’s Picks: Gifts with Impact
Find the perfect gift, while supporting a woman artisan.
Opportunity Collection black Ikat bag and Meyelo canvas tote bag
Ikat Shoulder Bag by The Opportunity Collection
Proceeds from this artisan collective provide opportunities for the artisans, their families and their communities to participate in income-generating projects locally in Kenya, Thailand, Guatemala, India, Cambodia and Haiti. I love the saddle-bag style, so I was immediately drawn to their Black Tribal Ikat Sling Bag, which is made from hand-loomed ikat fabric and eco leather (tanned without all those nasty chemicals), only $76, and is the perfect hippie-chic day bag.
Canvas Tote by Meyelo
The large Juma Canvas Tote is $85 and handcrafted with premium canvas by local artisans in Kenya. With sturdy leather straps, a leather base, and interior pockets, it makes a super-chic reusable shopping bag (I use it to put my groceries in). A portion of all proceeds from this artisan collective is invested in business training programs for over eighty local artisans in Kenya, providing sustainable incomes and support for their families and communities.
Symbology clutch and Shupaca scarf
Alpaca Scarf by Shupaca
I love the $75 Liviano Berry Alpaca Scarf because it’s lightweight and made from the softest and most ethical material on earth: Alpaca. Shupaca’s fair trade collaboration in Ecuador sustains artisans whose indigenous traditions are at risk, supporting families and creating new opportunities for economic growth. Working directly with skilled Ecuadorian artisans in a small region outside of Quito, all of Shupaca’s products are hand woven on wood looms, using the same traditional methods that the artisans have used for hundreds of years.
Foldover Clutch by Symbology
I’ll be using this stunning and significant Woven Foldover Clutch well into the new year. It looks much more expensive than the $128 it costs, and has a sexy deep red flap lining and zippered interior pocket. Symbology uses fashion as a platform for women’s empowerment. Each handcrafted piece supports the preservation of traditional arts through artisanal women’s collectives. Women are actively involved in each step of the production process, from hand block-printing fabrics using ASO-free dyes, to hand-weaving & hand-embroidering each style.
Ofelia Ruley
I’ve heard of True Moringa a lot. I heard that it really does help the skin feel moisturized. Is it okay for sensitive skin though? It might be comedogenic and I don’t want to end up with clogged pores and breakouts. That would be really terrible.
Doreen Morales
Are there gifts for men too? Women aren’t hard to give gifts to. But men? It’s so difficult…….
Felicia Sanders
Socks, huh? I kinda wished that the prints would be colorful or aztec like! Well, I do love socks and I collect them in different colors and designs. Weird, right? But I just find it really cute. Thanks for the gift suggestions that you prepared here. I would love to offer a little bit of help for these very lovely goods. Do they ship worldwide? I really admire how you always do the right thing for the world, Hilary. I wish that there would be more people like you.
Roe Merry
Hmmm… I love that the suggestions are unique. That’s what I need, alright!
Kristina Gonzales
It’s already -ber month and it’s almost Christmas! I’m so excited.
Felicia Romero
That sling bag looks pretty. My only problem is that it’s not my style. Not sure if I can also give it to people I know as well. My mom would definitely love the bangles and necklaces here though. It’s a really interesting piece that means a lot to those women artisans. I really do hope that they profit and sell more in the future so that they can benefit from it. Love the Symbology clutch as well. Very simple yet chic looking, definitely more my style!
Shirley Haynes
The ones from India look really nice. I love their bold style.
Hachi Komatsu
I dislike giving away candles. No matter what greater purpose it serves, most people will just store them and not even notice it until there’s a city blackout. But seriously, if I give this to my friends they’d stick it up my ass and say that I could do better. My friends are nice but they don’t take presents seriously. ? But if I may add, before some of you hate on my friends, these are really fantastic crafts.
Karen Abeyta
It would be really great to help women artisans by buying these and giving it as gifts. They’re really talented women who produce great creations.
Meiga Jenk
These are very affordable if you ask me. Now, it would only depend on who you give it to.
Sandy Green
Yeah, I don’t give expensive gifts to people I don’t value that much. ?