Trade Aid is asking us to think ethically and globally when we buy gifts this year: the global recession has hit the poor of the world much harder than the more wealthy nations. As one village woman from India said to Trade Aid’s founder, Vi Cottrell, “Yes, yes, but where is the rice for my grandchildren?”

Trade Aid gifts are a great choice because they are beautiful, unique and handcrafted. You know they will be ethical because they come from an organisation dedicated to giving the poorest workers in the world a fair price in exchange for their efforts, and at the same time, because they are fair trade goods, they are much more likely to be produced in a sustainable way. And when you give a gift from Trade Aid, you give twice – once to your loved one and once to the person who produced the gift!

So pop down to Trade Aid and see what they have – there’s a huge range and you can find something to suit virtually anyone! Christmas gifts, food, men’s and women’s gifts, and of course there are things for children, for the home and for fun! Lots of the goods are green, so you can shop there for the greenies in your life!

Find out more about Trade Aid, find your local branch and get tips on being a responsible shopper, at www.tradeaid.org.nz