Ethical gift giving?

November 28, 2008 5:07 PM

What are some good places to buy ethical gifts?

As much as I'd like to have a no-gift or charity only holiday this year, for much of my gift-giving list that isn't really an option. (I'm working on it.) I'd like to, then, buy gifts from places that I know will benefit the workers who make it beyond a paycheck.

I received a catalog from Serrv this year, and I've found some very promising stuff in there. I saw a link to Thistle Farms on the blue yesterday. I will also be buying stuff from the crafters at etsy. Where else can I look?

posted by sugarfish to shopping (13 comments total)

Ten Thousand Villages
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 5:19 PM on November 28, 2008

You might try, in addition to Ten Thousand Villages:
Amnesty International
Global Exchange
Gifts with Humanity
posted by runningwithscissors at 5:23 PM on November 28, 2008

Heifer International
posted by nicwolff at 5:35 PM on November 28, 2008

Novica
posted by smalls at 6:54 PM on November 28, 2008

Organic Coffee Cartel a project by photographer Clay Enos is a neat way to send wonderful coffee with the majority of the profits going to charity...

And, Clay is a fantastic photographer, his images appear on the cans.... it makes a wonderful gift!
posted by HuronBob at 7:07 PM on November 28, 2008

Trade As One.
posted by immlass at 7:50 PM on November 28, 2008

+1 on novica great site, excellent products and overalll pretty good prices

(also look on retailmenot for codes for novica for FS or anything)
posted by knockoutking at 8:35 PM on November 28, 2008

Fair Indigo, which for me is also a local company.
posted by Madamina at 8:43 PM on November 28, 2008

The Body Shop is against animal testing, for community trade and human rights, etc.

I received a World Wildlife Fund catalog recently. They have a variety of "adopt an animal" programs at different price points, and you get a cute cuddly stuffed animal with your adoption.

Also, American Apparel is all Made in the USA, sweatshop-free. Their clothes also lend themselves very nicely to printing because they are such high quality. So you could get some shirts or sweatshirts from somewhere that uses AA blanks, like Neighborhoodies.
posted by radioamy at 10:34 PM on November 28, 2008

The New Internationalist shop.
posted by Mephisto at 6:28 AM on November 29, 2008

Oh, American Apparel. Why do your skeezy clothes have to fit so well? But it's up in the air whether they're as ethical as their advertising makes them out to be. This company has Areas of Concern regarding Workers Rights and Business Ethics. Better than most but not great; the size of the divide between the two depending on how you feel about "slut" and "cunt" being regularly thrown in business settings, and how you feel about labor unions.
posted by felix grundy at 8:37 AM on November 29, 2008

This is slightly different, but some shops on Etsy might suit.
posted by divabat at 3:52 PM on November 29, 2008

River Kids
posted by shannonm at 9:56 PM on December 4, 2008