Gifts That Give Back: The 2023 SERRV Fair Trade Holiday Gift Guide

3-Dec-21, Updated 14-Aug-23

The holidays are just around the corner!

If you're stuck on what to buy for the hard-to-buy--or you just want to give differently this year--a fair trade gift will make your shopping dollars go twice as far. A gift from SERRV isn't just one-of-a-kind; it brings vital income to global artisans and farmers with few opportunities.

To help you navigate all the options on our website, we've put together a handy gift guide featuring customer and staff favorites--and something for everyone on your list!

Upcycled Sari & Denim Aprons

Gifts for Cooks & Bakers

Nothing says it's the holiday season quite like the smell of fresh-baked treats! We carry tons of great handmade gift options for cooks and bakers of all kinds.

Our selection of handmade kitchen textiles, from our colorful Upcycled Sari & Denim Aprons hand crafted in India to our popular Kantha Pot Holder hand-stitched in India are perfect for baking, cooking, and grilling! We also have coordinated kitchen textile sets featuring unique, block-print patterns or hand-stitched kantha embroidery for an all-in-one gift.

Roll out the dough with a handmade Mandala Rolling Pin made from sustainable mango wood, and use a set of festive Cookie Cutters to craft the perfect Christmas sugar cookie. Don't forget the sprinkles!

Mandala Recipe Stand

Staff Pick: Mango Wood Recipe Stands

The handmade Mandala Recipe Stand is hand carved by artisans in India, who burn detailed mandala designs in fast-growing mango wood whitewashed for rustic appeal. The stand fits recipe books and tablets, making this a must-have kitchen accessory. Check out our Dali Tree Recipe Stand for something a little simpler. Pair your recipe with a recipe book, baking mix (we recommend the Cream Scone Mix!), or handmade kitchen tools, and you have a baker's gift set!

Gifts for the Christmas Lover

Someone on your list who can't get enough Christmas? We have unique holiday decorations from around the world, all perfect for the Christmas lover in your life.

Our handmade felted Cozy Cardinal is a super cute addition to any holiday tree, and perfect for bird lovers! This ornament makes a great stocking stuffer, or a wonderful choice for a holiday ornament exchange. For more color, a Quilled Rainbow Ornament made with tiny strips of paper coiled by artisans in Vietnam is a sweet option. Build your own Christmas gift set with one of these delightful choices --or any of our 70+ handmade Christmas ornaments--and some delicious fair trade chocolate!

Cozy Cardinal Ornament

Quilled Rainbow Ornament

Glittering Glass Ornament Collection

A nesting set of Nativity Story Lanterns brings the story of Christmas to light. These candle lanterns made with partially-recycled metal by artisans in India are beautiful shelf or mantel pieces. Pair this handmade nativity scene with a hand-poured, soy-based candle in our selection of holiday scents, from fresh Whitebark Pine to fragrant Pomegranate & Champagne.

Staff Pick: Glittering Glass Ornament Collection

Need a gift for couples celebrating their first Christmas together? Why not some ornaments that will bring memories for years to come! This set of hand-blown globes with sparkling, henna-inspired glitter designs is a great Christmas starter set or a beautiful addition to a well-established tree. Set of 4 unique Christmas ornaments comes in a pre-divided box for safe and easy storage. Wrap and give it early to enjoy throughout the season!

Gifts for Rest & Relaxation

All-Natural Bath Salts

Have someone in mind who's earned a break? Let them know with a fair trade spa day!

Our handcrafted bath salts are the ultimate go-to for a luxurious at-home soak. Each aromatic blend is made with all-natural ingredients, including genuine sea salt from South Africa!

A Recycled Sari Eye Mask helps put the aaaah in spa! Each is hand made from recycled sari by artisans in India, making these sustainable wellness accessories truly one-of-a-kind. It's also perfect for the traveler. For a cozy, stay-at-home spa day, our Soft Gray Boucle Alpaca Robe features a super-soft, hand-knit texture made with ethically-obtained alpaca wool. Luxurious!

Recycled Sari Eye Mask

Soft Gray Boucle Alpaca Robe

Staff Pick: Divine Chocolate

Divine Dark Delights Gift Box

Our Divine Dark Delights Gift Box is perfect for the chocolate lover, and is a great way to add the finishing touch to a home spa day. It features six delicious dark chocolate bars made from cocoa grown by farmers in Ghana. Dark chocolate not their first choice? Check out our dozen different varieties in different giftable sizes, including delicious milk and white chocolate!

Gifts for Fashion Lovers

For the best-dressed people on your list, why not make their everyday even more beautiful with fair trade fashion gifts. Handmade by skilled artisans around the world, our jewelry, cozy scarves and sturdy handbags are ideal for the fashion-forward, or for those that love a one-of-a-kind look.

Tanay Denim Collection

Our Tanay Denim Collection is handcrafted from recycled denim by artisans in Bangladesh and screen printed with a metallic gold marble design, making these vegan-friendly travel accessories a must-have. Gift the Tote or the Crossbody Bag to anyone who's always on the go, or the Dopp Bag for the traveler. Stash chocolate, jewelry, soap and more inside for a fun surprise!

Our beautiful and shimmery Imbabura Scarf from Ecuador is the final touch any fashionista needs! With its open weave construction, gold metallic highlights, and bright colors, it lends texture and interest to any outfit. Need something warmer? Our super soft Kashmiri Scarves are great for keeping cozy! If you're looking for a scarf with character, our hand-knit scarves from Nepal or our woven scarves from Vietnam are great options! Made from unique materials and inspired by traditional colors and designs, these unique scarves will delight any recipient. Plus, our gender-neutral styles make one of these handmade scarves a great gift for him.

Imbabura Scarf

Rahasi Kashmiri Scarf

Peruvian Lapis Circle Link Necklace & Earrings

Staff Pick: Peruvian Lapis Circle Jewelry

Give a gift as unique as they are! Colorful, one-of-a-kind, and truly unique, the Peruvian Lapis Circle accessories from SERRV feature one-of-a-kind semi-precious stones set in sterling silver, making this handmade jewelry collection perfect for dressing up or even everyday wear.

Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap

Now that you've picked your gifts, it's time to wrap them up! This year, why not skip the paper, and try one of these sustainable gift wrap options.

Our Sari Shoe Bags are great for larger gifts. Don't let the name fool you--they hold more than sneakers and stilettos! Giving something a little smaller? We have Sari Tote Bags, Wine Bags, and Tote Bags, too, each one made from recycled sari in different patterns and colors. Bold, unique, and 100% fair trade, each handmade recycled sari bag is the perfect finish for your beautiful handmade gift. Plus, they're reusable. Encourage your giftee to pass the bag along when they give a gift, or use them for storage and travel.

Sari Tote Bag

Sari Shoe Bags

Sari Wine Bags

For a more traditional approach to gift giving, consider sustainable gift wrap! You'll find something perfect for any season while minimizing your impact on the planet. Our Gift Bags are screen printed with festive and colorful designs, and our Paper Jewelry Boxes are great for small gifts. We even have handmade gift card holders! Pair one with a SERRV Gift Card and you have the perfect gift for anyone on your list.

Holiday Gift Bags

Handmade Paper Gift Boxes

Fuchsia Heart Gift Card Holder

Staff Pick: Nesting Sari Basket Set

Recycled Sari Baskets

Build your own gift basket with one of these Recycled Sari Baskets. Truly unique, these woven baskets are wrapped with recycled sari, so no two are alike! With three different sizes, you'll find the perfect option for whatever gift you give. These decorative baskets are also great as gifts themselves. We also have a round set!

We've got a lot more gift ideas at serrv.org to help you finish (... or start!) your holiday shopping. Have other great gift ideas? Share them with us by emailing marketing@serrv.org.

Your holiday purchase from SERRV will make a difference in more ways than one. You'll be giving twice--once to your friends and loved ones, and once to a small-scale artisan or farmer who earns a fair and vital income with each purchase.

Looking for employee gifts? Visit our Corporate Gifts page, or take a look at this article from Museum Hack for more inspiration!

Thank you for choosing fair trade this season!

Tags:   Gifts  

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