fair trade gifts

Seeing as I love both Nativity sets and tea lights, that golden set from Ten Thousand Villages caught my eye. Pretty, isn't it? Speaking of, if you need a few last minute Christmas gift ideas, Ten Thousand Villages is an excellent choice:

"Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit fair trade organization that markets handcrafted products made by artisans from more than 130 artisan groups in 38 countries. As one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 60 years cultivating long-term buying relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to unique gifts, accessories and home decor from around the world."
[read more here]

You can shop online or visit your local store. We purchased a Tree of Life table runner for Christmas Day, for the dining room. I ordered our Godson's (Judah's) gift from Ten Thousand Villages, too, but I can't reveal which toy. His parents read my blog and they might want to be surprised along with their cute son.

I'm afraid my blog-writing is gonna suck this week and next though I'll probably find time for brief commentary, inspirational bullet points, photos, and/or poetry. Johnny is helping me not give into holy-day stress, but even so, we're a tad busy preparing to host 14 people in our house next week: my parents, brother, Aunt Pat, and Uncle Bobby; Johnny's Mom and sister Beckye's family; our friends Omar, Lorena, and Judah; and our friend Aric. I can't wait to see all those crazies. We've got cleaning to do, a few more gifts to purchase, gift-wrapping (which might involve paper doilies), and grocery-shopping, but it will all get done and be just fine.

For now, though, there's a neighborhood walk to be had, then a long bath while finishing Plainsong (I hope Katy Budget Books still has the next book, Eventide. Is that so wrong? It was only $5.00 or so). Oh, and listening to Cat Stevens' Tea for the Tillerman - deluxe edition - a very kind belated birthday gift from Kemper. I love Cat Stevens or whatever his name is now.

P.S. ~ Mom, if you're reading, happy birthday again! You better call me back. xoxo.