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

The holidays are just around the corner!

Holiday shopping is hard. We've all given a gift to a hard-to-buy-for friend and watched as they forced a smile and a 'thank you' through their teeth, realizing only too late that our great gift wasn't so great. But not to worry: giving a fair trade gift pleases even the hard-to-please while giving back to global artisans and farmers.

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

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.

Use a set of festive Cookie Cutters to craft the perfect Christmas sugar cookie. Don't forget the sprinkles!

Five-Star Pick: Mango Wood Recipe Stands

"This [media stand] is so beautiful and makes a great gift."--Selma, Washington D.C."

The handmade Mandala Media 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 Media Stand for something a little simpler, or the elegant Evergreen Media Stand. Pair your media stand with a recipe book, baking mix or spices (our Spice It Up Sampler Set is perfect!), and handmade kitchen tools, and you have the perfect gift for your favorite cook.

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 Beagle is a super cute addition to any holiday tree, and perfect for dog 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!

A nesting set of Celestial Lanterns bring soft, ambient light to any room. These candle lanterns made with partially-recycled metal by artisans in India are beautiful shelf or mantel pieces. Pair them 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

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 experience, our Soft Gray Boucle Alpaca Robe features a super-soft, hand-knit texture made with ethically-obtained alpaca wool. Luxurious!

Five-Star Pick: Divine Chocolate

"I personally believe [this is] the best chocolate candy I have ever tasted."--Sheila M., ME

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! If you need a stocking stuffer, our 6 Little Bars is the perfect size for a sweet treat, and a great way to sample popular Divine Chocolate flavors.

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.

Our Sombra Tapiz collection is a great gift for anyone on-the-go. Each bag is made from genuine leather and a traditional tapiz-style weave in black, white and gray. Plus, each pattern is unique, making a fair trade handbag a great gifting option. Choose from a tote, crossbody bag, or waist bag to find the perfect fit. 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 luxuriously soft alpaca scarves from Peru or our colorful scarves from India are great options! Made from unique materials and inspired by traditional colors and designs, these unique scarves will delight any recipient. We also carry some gender-neutral styles for a unique gift for him.

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 Necklace from SERRV features a one-of-a-kind semi-precious stone set in sterling silver, making this handmade accessory perfect for dressing up or even everyday wear. Complete the look with the matching earrings!

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.

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.

Staff Pick: Nesting Sari Basket Set

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!

Short on time? Give a handmade gift basket from SERRV! From our popular Divine Chocolate Gift Boxes to cozy mug sets and more, each gift basket is curated with unique handcrafted items and delicious foods. Find one for anyone on your list!

Don't know what to give? A SERRV Gift Card ensures they'll get something they'll love while supporting skilled artisans and farmers around the world.

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!