Fair Trade + Rwandan Made | Our 2019 Holiday Gift Guide

We’ve gathered gifts for just about every person on your list! Give this year knowing that your purchase has an impact beyond the brand. Each item included in this guide provides fair trade income for an artisan in rural Rwanda and support through local initiatives – like adult literacy programming!

FOR THE COOK:

The Macy White Home Collection Mixing Set features spoons hand-carved from the Musave tree – a tree that regrows after it’s been cut – making it a sustainably made tool set for the kitchen!

FOR THE CHILD:

Hand Carved Safari Animal Ornaments are a fun way to share African wildlife with children in your life. Available in gorilla, elephant, lion, giraffe, or zebra designs, you can gift indivually or as a set (with a $15 discount!)

FOR THE HOST/HOSTESS:

Wrap up the Macy White Home Collection Fay Pie Server and it’s ready to serve up for your favorite holiday host/hostess. The sustainably hand carved server is a beautiful addition to any pie or cake! This unique server will be cherished.

FOR THE BEST FRIEND:

Our Hand Carved Bird Ornaments make us think of peace- the peace which prevails in Rwanda, but also a beautifully simple wish to your loved ones this holiday season.

FOR THE BOOK WORM:

Each of our Safari Animal Bookends are carved from a single piece of wood, making them a functional work of art. Available in giraffe, lion, rhino, elephant, and zebra designs.

FOR THE MUSICIAN:

Our Musical Shakers are hand crafted percussion instruments made from natural dried gourds and local wood by craftswoman, Petronille Uwimana, who has over 20 years of experience. 

FOR THE TEEN:

Palm Leaf Phone Purse is made from hand-woven palm and banana leaves and lined with vibrant fabric from the local market- the same kind of fabric that Rwandan ladies use to tailor their Sunday dresses. The clutch is a fun and stylish way to carry all the essentials – phone, cash, cards, and maybe even a lip gloss or two!

FOR THE ART COLLECTOR :

Local + Lejos Collection Bowl Sets offer a wide range of color and size options – all displaying the beautiful handiwork of Rwandan artisan partners. The quality of weave will be admired by any art lover on your list! Bowl sets are a great way to create a basket wall installation without the stress of mix and matching.

FOR THE COFFEE LOVER:

The Macy White Home Collection Gentry Coffee Scoop holds approximately two tablespoons, the perfect amount of coffee grounds to brew 6 ounces! This scoop is a great pair for your favorite Rwandan grown coffee.

FOR THE MINIMALIST:

The Local + Lejos Collection Staccato Bowl is the perfect juxtaposition of a sharp, bold pattern and a soft, neutral color palette, the great for those with a minimalistic style. It’s available as a small and medium bowl, and as a large tray.

FOR THE COWORKER:

Miniature Basket Ornaments are tiny replicas of the traditional Rwandan peace basket. Hand woven in the traditional style, the baskets can be opened to hide a small gift.

FOR THE ORGANIZER:

The Banana Leaf Divided Serving Tray can be used to organize office supplies on a desk, teas on a coffee bar, glasses on a drink cart, or anything that neatly fits into one of its six compartments. In the right hands, it’s the ultimate fair trade organization tool!

FOR THE TRAVELER:

Has someone on your gift list traveled to Africa? Fabric Star Ornaments, with their bright colors and patterns, will bring the memories of African markets and dresses as your loved one celebrates the holiday season. These stars are perfect as a small, meaningful gift tucked into a Christmas card.

FOR THE PARENT:

Holy Family Nativity comes from the faith and imagination of Rwandan artisans and depicts Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and a sheep. The wooden figurine will remind the recipients of the beauty of welcoming a child into the world – even in the most unexpected circumstances.

FOR THE OILY FRIEND:

We’ve all got friends that remedy everything with essential oils! If they happen to be on your gift list, too, give them a Palm Leaf Coin Purse. It’s the perfect size for oil bottles!

FOR THE PERSON THAT HAS EVERYTHING:

Gifting someone the skill of reading and writing is truly invaluable. Can you imagine not being able to read or write? Can you imagine not being able to read a street sign, an important legal document or even a text message from a friend?  What if you needed to open up a bank account to deposit your earnings? Sadly, illiteracy is still the reality of many rural Rwandan adults.  Poverty and the genocide caused the formal education of many Rwandan adults to be disrupted, and eventually, non-existent.

Azizi Life is working to break down the barriers caused by illiteracy through Adult Literacy classes. Since 2016, 638 students have learned to read and write with materials that teach topics like health and nutrition, clean water, immunizations, women’s rights, and business development. 500 more students are on track to graduate this December! They now have the ability to read and write! For the people on your gift list that don’t need a thing, consider making a dontion in their honor to our Adult Literacy Impact Project!