The Art of Gift Giving

Gift Giving Traditions: Fair Trade Gifts ~

There is no doubt that the tradition of gift giving at the Christmas and/or end of year holiday season has become big business, and yet it was not so long ago that the idea of showing your appreciation for friends and family was the giving that which came from the creativity of your own hands – whether it be from your kitchen, your workshop or your pen.

As many get frenetically stressed out in the closing weeks of December, it is easy to forget the reason behind this frenzy of  ‘gifting’. It could be said that the friendliness and charity that filled one’s heart for sharing at this time of year seems lacking today, and that forgotten also is the ultimate reason for giving a gift: that is, to express good-will, a sentiment that goes so well with the historical traditions of the holiday. It would seem to be a loss all around when creativity and homespun simplicity is replaced by commercialism and competitive materialism.

However, imagine if your gift served not only to express your kindness to your loved ones, but could also gives back to the less-fortunate makers of your gift, then it would seem that some of that spirit of the past could be captured. Many of us who would love to volunteer our time helping out those less fortunate then ourselves have work and commitment constraints that make it hard to do.

How wonderful it is, therefore, to be able to ‘partner’ in the Fair Trade efforts of Galeria Namu to both support the tribal and folk artists in their desire to make their livelihood through their art while at the same time giving a meaningful gift that brings joy to the recipient. All are rewarded!

On the GaleriaNamu website you’ll see that you don’t have to dig too deeply into your pocket to make a meaningful gift of one of the lovely pieces you’ll find there – you can even shop by price point. Rest assured that everything you see is a unique gift that will arrive at your recipient’s hands with background information and the awareness of the fact it has been acquired from a Fair Trade gallery.

For example, for under $50 you will find an eye-catching, ethnically expressive T shirt; a graceful, carved ‘vegetable ivory’ (tagua nut) hummingbird, or a hand painted ceramic tile. And for under $100 you will find hand-carved recycled fine hardwood bowls, recycled car-part animals or a beautiful framed engraving (wood-cut).

With this kind of gift giving, you can be sure you will bring joy not only to the recipient, but to the dozens of families in Costa Rica and other Central America countries who are talented, super dedicated to their art and, sadly, truly needy. Your gifts to your loved ones will actually help to provide a better Christmas as well to the families of these folk and tribal artists. Now that is the spirit!