We recently posted about the U of C’s Fairly Traded Market Day and a few of us were able to attend last weekend. We were able to find awesome holiday gifts for friends and family, and for surprisingly reasonable prices, too.
Just because the Market is over doesn’t mean you can’t still buy fair-trade goods for the holidays. 10 Thousand Villages is open for business and has two locations in Calgary. Joel is a fan of their Holiday Blend coffee, and Sheena and I picked up some really cute bags of tea. They also have awesome bags, scarves, and incense sets available, among other things.
My favourite Kensington store, Mañana, was also at the market, and is another awesome fair-trade store for the holiday season. Their jewelery and incense selection is unmatched.
But if you do want to make it out to another fair-trade market, the Social Justice Club at Centennial High School will be hosting its third-annual Celebrate with a Conscience event, open to the public for the first time this year. On December 10th from 3-7pm you are welcome to browse fair-trade goods from around the world at this student-run event.
So try an ethical gift this season, or even just treat yourself to a bar of fair trade chocolate or a cup of fair-trade tea/coffee. It can’t hurt, and there are really no downsides to knowing you’re supporting the livelihood of independent craftspeople and farmers worldwide.