Sooooo, I KNOW I said I would do this Ten Thousand Villages gift guide the day after the post about The Citizenry, BUT, I've been busy, so, a little late, but here it is!
Ten Thousand Villages
This organization has been around since 1946, and they have done so much good for the makers of their goods. They provide a fair wage and a reliable income, they use environmentally conscious practices, and they prohibit child labor. You seriously have to read about all the good they do to appreciate it. These are not common business practices nowadays. If you have time, click here to read about this awesome non-profit.
So, because we're all in full-blown gifting mode, I have gathered a few items that are currently available from Ten Thousand Villages, that I think would make excellent gifts!
For Small Kids:
Measuring Tape Kitty - $12.99
Okay, this may seem like a weird thing to include on this gift guide, but it totally caught my eye as a fun gift for kids. I know my kids ALWAYS want to play with our measuring tape, so I would asume all kids want to. So, that's why this made the list as a cute gift for a kid. Plus, it's kinda educational because they can start looking at how to measure. Fun and educational!
For Big Kids and Older:
Hidden Secrets Book Box - $30 - Carved out of Sheesham wood from Northern India
Now, I don't know about you, but I LOVE super secret stuff! This gift is good for all ages. It's a hand carved "book" with a box hidden inside. You can stash all kinds of stuff in here, money, jewelry, pictures (ooh la la), candy you're hiding from your hubby with the sweet tooth, ANYTHING little, and then stick it on your bookshelf.
For the Expectant Mom, Current Mom, Out-With-The-Baby Dad:
Cotton Weave Tote to Go - $40 - This is soooo cool. I love black and white stripes! - Made in India
Who couldn't use a great bag?! This is a cool tote bag on it's own, but I also think it would make a super stylish diaper bag! This is way more modern and cool than the flowery pink diaper bag I used to carry (shudder). Plus, a guy or gal could carry this around no problem, because black and white stripes always look good. Again, much better than when my hubby would carry around our pink flowery diaper bag....he wasn't a fan.
For the Cool Teen Guy or Cool Old Man in Your Life:
Dash of Fancy Bowtie - $13 - made in Guatamala of recycled fabric
This is a fun little gift for a teen guy, or a fun grown-up guy. I love a guy in a bowtie. Like Indiana Jones when he was in professor mode :)
For the Cool Teen Girl or Cool Old Lady in Your Life:
Sugar Crystal Necklace - $39 - Made in India
I love bib necklaces. They just pretty up everything. You can wear this with a simple white t-shirt or tank and it's instantly cool and dressy. Plus, look how happy this model is! It must be good!
For Your Favorite Cat Lady:
Kitty Clean Doormat - $40 - made out of coir fiber, which is from the outer brown husks of a coconut - water resistant and durable
For Anyone That Loves Beautiful Things, or Just Loves to Look at Themselves:
Glowing Petals Mirror - $395 - wood and mirror
Yes, yes, this is a very pricey gift, but I had to include it here because it is so pretty! If you are trying to impress someone super special or are trying to woo a special lady (or man who likes pretty things), this will do the trick! Cuz who doesn't want a show stopper mirror in their house?!
Okay, so I'm not the biggest fan of tchotchkes or other cluttery things, BUT, if you are buying for someone that does love that kind of stuff, this vase is a very beautiful piece that's created with some kind of super secret process that's been handed down for generations in the West Bank. I love all those swirls!
Springtime Dawn Wall Art - $145 - Made in India from the embroidered pieces that have been saved from saris
I LOVE this! The hubby and I went to Rajasthan (where this is made) in India years ago, and I brought back one of these types of tapestries for my friend Brooke (you can actually see it in the tour of her home), and it looks so beautiful with her bohemian style. I think this would actually look pretty cool as a faux headboard too. Love all the colors.
For the Eco-Conscious Person that Likes to Entertain:
Fresh Air Napkin - $6 - Block printed on Cotton - Yay for cloth napkins!
For Your Friend Who Prides Himself/Herself on Having the Coolest Barware Around:
Salt Crystal Drink Glass Set -$50 - Carved out of pink Himalayan salt
How cool are these? They're carved out of salt crystals! If you're going to do shots, why not use these for glasses, just add tequila and lime! This is such a unique gift...nobody else but you would think of this, because you're awesome! Not dishwasher safe (duh, they're salt), but easy to clean and store. Just use water and a dry cloth.
Well, that's it for today's list, and I hope you got some good ideas!
Tomorrow, we'll look at the next company on my list: Living Threads Co.
Until then...