Loading ...Fair Trade Gifts from the Middle East, The Gifts That Keep on Giving
By: Blanche Shaheen / Arab America Contributing Writer
If you are feeling tired, anxious, or overwhelmed this holiday season there is a way you can simplify your life in the most rewarding way.
By trading out your corporate purchases for fair trade gifts, you not only find one of a kind, handmade presents, you also help marginalized people. Shopping fair trade ensures that the artisans and producers behind the products are paid fair wages, work in safe conditions, and benefit from equitable business practices, empowering communities and fostering economic stability.
Sustainable shopping reduces environmental impact by prioritizing eco-friendly materials, ethical production processes, and minimizing waste. By choosing fair trade and sustainable gifts, you can spread joy not only to loved ones but also to those who make the products, while contributing to a healthier planet. This thoughtful approach to holiday shopping transforms your giving into an act of kindness for both people and the environment.
This year I wanted to concentrate on how to help Palestinian farmers in particular, who have been facing significant challenges from relentless settler violence, disrupting their livelihoods and threatening their way of life. Many endure harassment, physical attacks, and the destruction of crops, livestock, and infrastructure by Israeli settlers, particularly in the West Bank.
Olive trees, a vital source of income and cultural heritage, are often targeted, with thousands being uprooted or burned annually. Farmers are frequently restricted from accessing their own land due to settler encroachment or military-imposed closures, further exacerbating their economic hardships.
This violence not only undermines their ability to sustain their families but also contributes to a climate of fear and instability, perpetuating a cycle of conflict and displacement. Despite these challenges, Palestinian farmers continue to work their land, demonstrating resilience in the face of systemic oppression.
This is where organizations like Zaytoun come in. Zaytoun is a social enterprise inspired by a love of Palestinian culture, communities and cuisine. They support Palestinian farmers through fair trade, where 100% of their profits are reinvested into delivering this mission. From fresh cold pressed olive oil and zesty za’atar, to fudgy Jericho dates and olive oil soap, their products are great for literally anyone on your list.
Keep in mind that you can purchase fair trade gifts all year round for any special occasion, from birthdays, Mother and Father’s Day, wedding showers etc. This helps these communities earn a living wage outside the month of December.
Below is a list of organizations, including Zaytoun, that sell artisanal gifts for a good cause, and to see what you might find in a Zaytoun gift basket, click on the video below:
- Ethical Shop: https://ethicalshop.org/
- Zaytoun: https://ethicalshop.org/food/food-gift-boxes.html
- https://www.shoppalestine.org/
- https://www.darzah.org/
- https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/
- https://wearthepeace.com/
Blanche Shaheen is an Emmy Award winning journalist, host of the YouTube cooking show called Feast in the Middle East, and cookbook author. For more authentic and classical Middle Eastern recipes, you can purchase her cookbook, “Feast In the Middle East here: https://secure.mybookorders.com/mbo_index.php?isbn=9781545675113 For her cooking video tutorials, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/blanchetv Her recipes can also be found at https://feastinthemiddleeast.wordpress.com/
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