Current Holiday Activities

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed us by, and this gift-giving and celebration-of-our-oneness season is going so fast. Thanksgiving came and went last week. Whew. I truly hope all of you had much to be thankful for and enjoyed the feasting and conversation and hugging that comes with our late November holiday. I've been busy at Shopping for a Change, and I do have much to be thankful for, with much gratitude to all of you who have helped support us in many ways. Today, Thursday, November 29th, I am participating with other venders at the Domenico Winery's Ladies Night and a Night of Giving benefit event. The winery is turned into a giant Annual Holiday Boutique and we'll have our booth set up for greetings visitors and talking about our items and the philosophy of fair trade. Men are welcome too, as long as they shop for their lady. Admission is free. If you're in the San Carlos, California area, come on by. Check out domenicowinery.com for directions.

Our accessories collection has some nice new items added to it. Check out the Chunchu scarves, hats and fingerless gloves—trendy, very warm and perfect for the winter season. Each is sold separately. They'd make great gifts for girls or women.

Another beautiful and multi-functional item to consider for your holiday shopping is the Zulugrass Trio set of three similar-colored necklace strands that can be used as a necklace, choker, bracelet, waist belt or anklet bracelet. Three color sets to choose from: grasslands green, mother earth natural and pure water blue.






And don't forget we do have fifteen items on holiday sale. And we also have gift certificates. Often, the best way to buy for someone is to give them a gift certificate. All they do is come to our site and put in their gift certificate code for an item(s) at the same total value as the gift certificate.

Not Too Early for Holiday Shopping

Our hearts (and donations) go out to all the people in five states of the eastern seaboard who are displaced, have no power or heat, and lack food and gas in the wake of the superstorm Sandy. There has been an inspiring coming together of community spirit and helpfulness in the affected east coast areas that reflects our mission as well: helping those in third world countries (and here in the U.S.) in a spirit of sharing and helping to build lives. Our fair trade gifts and accessories provide helping hands to many communities living at poverty level. And we are unique in giving part of the profit from each gift to U.S. based nonprofits.

It is now only seven weeks to the holiday gift-giving season. Usually the holiday celebrations and gift-giving bring on a feeling of connected warmth and good feeling toward others. Yet, there is also a shade of commercialism associated with the holidays. Buying gifts can turn into a harried adventure of buying overly-commercialized gifts.

Fortunately, there are handmade, handcrafted gifts  that are more intimate and more expressive of our feelings of shared goodness and special giving. And these gifts—when they are fair trade—not only express a handcrafted care, but also help women, men and children in poor villages or towns who are working hard, being creative and disciplined at their crafts. They work and carry great hope toward creating a better life for themselves and their community.

We’ve started our Shopping for a Change Holiday Sale in this opening week of November. We’ve got fifteen items so far, each priced to save you money as you shop for gifts. Each item is unique and made entirely by hand using eco-green elements.

Among our outstanding items are the Angeline Suede Hobo Bag. This bag is from Fredd & Basha, comes in two colors, is hand stitched and combines leather and suede with decorative features, and includes two zippered pockets.

Another special gift item for men is our Organic Cotton Men’s Polo Shirt. This handsome, comfortable shirt comes from Tompkins Point, crafted from 100% organic cotton that is prewashed with an organic softener—for a great feel.

We hope to see you at our Shopping for a Change market for all of your gift-giving.









Shopping for a Change® (SFAC) empowering others, transforming lives® is a web-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization where artisans (predominantly women) from developing countries, sell their handmade creations enabling them to earn a sustainable income and lift themselves from poverty. The net proceeds subsidize community improvement projects abroad as well as help fund select U.S.-based non-profit organizations of the web shopper’s choosing from SFAC’s partner list.

Horn It In

Shopping for a Change® is excited to feature our newest range of jewelry. Chub Bull, an artisan crafted line led by Esther Silvera, was created with innovation in mind. The company began as a small family business in Peru, but has developed into a fashion line focused on bringing new ideas into the style world. Chub Bull’s unique bullhorn accessories are inspired by Esther’s father, who used to make rustic bullhorn combs in a variety of shapes and sizes. As the simple horn objects became outdated, Esther found a way to combine her Peruvian heritage with her need to make something different. The result? Chub Bull’s beautiful handcrafted horn bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. 

Handcrafted using fair trade practices, this gorgeous jewelry captures the elegance of nature with flattering neutrals that compliment any outfit. Make a statement with your fall and winter wardrobe with these incredible pieces, or consider giving them as holiday gifts knowing that every purchase makes a difference for an artisan in an underserved community. 

Shopping for a Change® (SFAC) empowering others, transforming lives® is a web-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization where artisans (predominantly women) from developing countries, sell their handmade creations enabling them to earn a sustainable income and lift themselves from poverty. The net proceeds subsidize community improvement projects abroad as well as help fund select U.S.-based non-profit organizations of the web shopper’s choosing from SFAC’s partner list.