Around the World Gifts owner, Evangely Aliangan, first learned about fair trade nearly four years ago through Catholic Relief Services. Since her early college days, she had the dream to, one day, start a business. While working with people and helping others has been such a part of her life, it had to be a crucial component of the type of business. The goal was to start a small retail business just in time for the 2010 holiday season. After countless hours of searching the web, browsing through library books, and engaging in conversations with friends and family, the business idea was developed. It actually came in the middle of the night – almost in a dream! And so it was…an all fair trade gift shop was soon to open in San Diego!
The excitement was such that many late nights of research followed. Finally, the location was leased, merchandise was ordered, a marketing strategy was lined up and the learning and exciting experience was started! Being at Horton Plaza and being able to share the “good news” of fair trade, has been a rewarding experience. Two months and the holiday rush have gone by and, like the New Year, new ideas are growing. Around the World Gifts will try to remain at Horton Plaza while focusing on web sales and farmers’ markets and special events. If the mountain won’t come to you….Around the World Gifts must come to you!
Please visit Around the World Gifts at Horton Plaza Mall in downtown San Diego, or visit our web site: http://www.aroundtheworldgifts.biz/
This is another great way to support fair trade in San Diego.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Your New Year’s Resolution and Fair Trade
The New Year is a fun and vibrant time. It is overflowing with new possibilities, and each year most of us resolve to better ourselves, often through a new system of organization or through a new, healthier exercise and diet regime. Fair Trade San Diego would like to propose another way to both better us and better our world at the same time.
Fair trade is a relationship between consumers and producers. By purchasing fair trade the consumer supports farmers and artisans in the developing world and contributes to their livelihood, which is sustainable and which allows them to better their lives and the lives of those in their community. And the fair trade items that producers sell are high quality, often organic, created with natural materials and comes with a story - the story of the producer who harvested or created the item. Fair trade creates a closer link between the producer and consumer; it encourages the human spirit. Through the human spirit we are called to reinvent ourselves in positive ways, we are called to re-envision our communities in positive ways, and while it may seem the New Year is the best time to do this, we are, in fact, challenged to embrace this renaissance spirit everyday throughout our lives.
Tips on supporting and incorporating fair trade in your life this year:
Fair trade is a relationship between consumers and producers. By purchasing fair trade the consumer supports farmers and artisans in the developing world and contributes to their livelihood, which is sustainable and which allows them to better their lives and the lives of those in their community. And the fair trade items that producers sell are high quality, often organic, created with natural materials and comes with a story - the story of the producer who harvested or created the item. Fair trade creates a closer link between the producer and consumer; it encourages the human spirit. Through the human spirit we are called to reinvent ourselves in positive ways, we are called to re-envision our communities in positive ways, and while it may seem the New Year is the best time to do this, we are, in fact, challenged to embrace this renaissance spirit everyday throughout our lives.
Tips on supporting and incorporating fair trade in your life this year:
- Buy fair trade goods from local vendors; check out our vendor list and past newsletters to learn about local fair trade vendors.
- Ask your supermarket to sell more fair trade; write a letter to the manager or have a conversation with him or her.
- Host a fair trade event at your congregation or with your community groups; host a movie showing with discussion, sell fair trade goods through SERRV after congregational services, offer fair trade coffee at events.
- Attend Fair Trade San Diego’s monthly meetings to learn more about the fair trade movement in San Diego; see our blog and Facebook page for date and time.
- Sign up for FTSD’s e-newsletter; follow us on Twitter and 'like' us on Facebook to participate in contests and learn about fair trade both locally and nationally.
- Visit Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade Federation and the Fair Trade Resource Network’s web pages to learn more about fair trade.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Gifts That Keep on Giving
They always say that giving is better than receiving. This year, how about getting that extra-warm glow inside from buying gifts that benefit more than just your loved ones. When you give a Fair Trade gift, you empower farmers and artisans with dignified work, and adequate incomes to access nutrition, health care, education for their families. You change lives.
Fair Trade San Diego would like to make your holiday shopping easy by providing you with a quick and easy list of where you can find Fair Trade here in San Diego and online!
Shop Fair Trade in San Diego
North Park Alternative Gift Fair – Dec 11 : Our Savior's Lutheran Church 4011 Ohio Street 10am – 2pm
Around The World Gifts (kiosk in Horton Plaza)
Open Door Books
Fair Trade Online
Alternative Gift Guide
Give Fair Trade
Seven Hopes United (a San Diego company)
Exotic World Gifts (a San Diego company)
Fair Trade San Diego would like to make your holiday shopping easy by providing you with a quick and easy list of where you can find Fair Trade here in San Diego and online!
Shop Fair Trade in San Diego
North Park Alternative Gift Fair – Dec 11 : Our Savior's Lutheran Church 4011 Ohio Street 10am – 2pm
Around The World Gifts (kiosk in Horton Plaza)
Open Door Books
Fair Trade Online
Alternative Gift Guide
Give Fair Trade
Seven Hopes United (a San Diego company)
Exotic World Gifts (a San Diego company)
***FACEBOOK CONTEST***
After all this Fair Trade shopping, you are probably secretly hoping to have a few of these unique and meaningful items for yourself. We have good news for you. By simply telling Fair Trade San Diego what is on your Fair Trade Wish list this year, you have a very good chance of winning $40+ in Fair Trade goodies. Click for Facebook Contest details.
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