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5 Fair Trade Holiday Gifts to Give This Season

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This fair trade holiday gifts post is sponsored by Catalyst Collections

What if the products you bought for your home and gave as gifts did more? This season we can choose to support retail giants, small businesses in our community, or buy fair trade holiday gifts that support women in other countries. Personally, I love shopping small and for fair trade products whenever possible. I know the money I spend on these gorgeous handmade items directly supports women and their families in other parts of the world. 

5 Fair Trade Holiday Gifts to Give This Season

I have a very special place in my heart for items that are made in Haiti so it’s been a pleasure getting to know Catalyst Collections. They work to revive artisan capacity and entrepreneurship in Iraq and Haiti. Through social enterprise hubs, operated in Baghdad and Port-au-Prince, Catalyst Collections works with resilient and determined women.

In Haiti and Iraq it can be very difficult for women to earn an income, let alone get ahead. The women Catalyst Collection works with have faced a lifetime of struggle but the purchase of one product provides an income for themselves and their family.

This holiday season Catalyst Collection has an amazing collection of Haitian handicrafts that are part of the Fanm Limye line and beautiful offerings from the Akkadian Collection, made by vulnerable women all over Iraq.

Whether you’re shopping for a gift for a teacher, best friend, family member, or hostess, you can’t go wrong with fair trade holiday gifts from Catalyst Collection! Here are some of my favorites.

Dotted Round Earrings ($16) for a Favorite Teacher

These delicate earrings from the Fanm Limye line are handcrafted by Haitian metal workers from upcycled oil drums. They’re gently hammered into discs with a light curve (measuring 1.5” in diameter) and each dot is individually created for additional texture. They’re earrings that go with every outfit and will be ones that your favorite teacher reaches for each morning as they get ready for school. They also pair nicely with the other pieces of Fanm Limye jewerly from the collection.

Set of 3 Silver Star Ornaments ($14.50) as a Hostess Gift


My mother always taught me to never go anywhere empty handed and this set of 3 Silver Star Ornaments will bring cheer to any hostess this holiday season. Each star features the intricacies of Haitian metal work with each cut, scratch, line, and dot made by hand by metalwork artisans.

Each set includes 3 ornaments measuring 2″ to 5.5″ wide. Sets are available in gold or silver. The Star Ornaments are Certified Fair Trade by the Fair Trade Federation.

Quilts ($125) to Keep Her Warm

Nothing is better in the winter than having a cozy quilt to snuggle under and Catalyst Collections offers a variety of quilt designs in beautiful vibrant colors. Catalyst Collection’s quilts are part of their Akkadian Collection and are made by women like Sana whose father passed away when she was 5 years old. She was forced to learn to sew to help her mother support her family.

Joining the Prosperity Catalyst program gave her the opportunity to upgrade her sewing skills while providing her the first stable income she has had. Sana says, “I joined Prosperity Catalyst for the income, but now it means so much more. I’m getting the chance to learn and make new friends. Work can be fun if it is with the right people!”

Each quilt and pattern made by women like Sana is stitched by hand and is perfect for wrapping this quilt around your shoulders on cooler days or drape it over furniture for a handmade touch to your home. The intricate details of these quilts will make them a treasured piece of functional décor. Each quilt measures 60″ x 72″ (150 x 180 cm) and is handmade using 100% cotton fabric and polyester batting.

Angel Tealight Stands (from $25) for a Best Friend

Andre Michel has been a metal worker for over 20 years. He began at an early age and is proud to be one of the best artisans in his community. He recently asked his niece to take over managing the business to give her a sense of empowerment and to help her learn how to successfully run a small business. Together they have expanded the business to employ female metal workers who make the Angel Tealight Stands for Catalyst Collections.

The warm glow of the candle from an elegant Angel Tealight Stand can be enjoyed throughout the winter months and during the year. The angels come in four different designs, all inspired by the beautiful trees, streams, and night skies of Haiti. Each is hand cut and hammered from recycled oil barrels.

Available in small and large sizes, the tealights are 100% beeswax and will burn for four hours. The large angel comes with 4 tea lights; the small angel comes with 2 tea lights. The set comes with a story card providing information about our artisans and Prosperity Catalyst.

Round Tribal Mask for the Minimalist

The African Mask is inspired by the African diaspora represented in Haiti. Crafted by hand, this mask is sure to make a statement in any room, even with the most minimalist decor. Choose from three different mask shapes: Square, Oval and Round. The tribal masks are Certified Fair Trade by the Fair Trade Federation and handcrafted by a Haitian artisan seeking to build a better life for her or his family.

For more information about Catalyst Collections, visit their website and follow them on social:

Join me and The Compass Girls tomorrow (11/16)  AT 8 PM ET FOR a chance to win a Catalyst Collections Gift Card!

Join me and Catalyst Collections, and The Compass Girls for a Facebook Live on Tuesday, November 16 at 8 pm ET! You can join through the Compass Girls Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheCompassGirls 

2021 Holiday Gift Guides

2021 Gift Guides

AGE APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

Product and compensation were received to facilitate this post although all opinions are my own.