10 ways to shop for justice this Christmas

Idea exchange
December 18, 2007

10 ways to shop for justice this Christmas
Almost one-fourth of Americans plan to include a charitable donation on behalf of a friend or loved one in their holiday budget this year, according to a recent consumer reportfrom GfK Custom Research.

Jacqueline DeCarlo, a program advisor of Catholic Relief Services' Fair Trade initiative, helps connect consumers with farmers and artisans within the United States and throughout the world, providing laborers with a fair wage. CRS then recycles those funds to sponsor programs geared towards expanding the fair trade market globally.

"People are trying this time of year to be generous and express love and concern for their families and friends through gift giving," DeCarlo said. "It's an opportunity at this time of year to give three times," she explained, referring to the actual gifts for friends or family members, the fair wage such purchases give farmers and artisans, and the programs and grants CRS sponsors.

Whether you've sworn off shopping in favor of charitable giving or you've got a shopping list 20 pages long, here are 10 ways you can do the most good with your dollars this Christmas season.

1. Shop fair trade
Whether you're looking for clothes, crafts or coffee, try shopping fair trade. At Ten Thousand Villages, Equal Exchange, or A Greater Gift, you can pick up gifts for anyone on your list with the knowledge that your purchase is helping a farmer or artisan receive a fair wage for their labor.

2. Buy a sheep!
You can fight poverty worldwide by buying livestock. Sounds weird, right? Well, through programs such as Heifer Internationalor Oxfam America Unwrapped, you can purchase sheep, cows, geese, or any number of livestock or supplies for someone in another country in need. Then, a recipient of your choosing (could be a friend, a sibling, a parent, etc.) receives a card from you detailing how their gift is being put to use. Not a b-a-a-a-d idea, huh?

3. Shop ethically
The contemporary clothing industry has been assailed by charges of Dickensian labor conditions and wages for its workers. In response, outlets such as Ethical Threads, American Appparel, All American Clothing, and No Sweathave sprouted to change the industry from the inside out.

4. Buy a book
Amazon.com revolutionized the way we shop for books by providing us limitless choice. Better World Books has capitalized on that revolution for charity by setting up an online bookstore where the proceeds fund literacy iniativies across the globe.

5. Send an e-card
Sending an e-card is a simple way to send a powerful message. Holiday e-cards are avaiable through a number of sites, including UNICEFand MalariaNoMore.org, to name a few.

6. Like to win?
If you're an eBay hound, bidding just got a whole lot better. Auction sites such as ShopGoodwill.comand Bidding for Goodallow shoppers to browse a number of goods and shop victoriously.

7. Start a fund
Looking for a smart way to give? The National Catholic Community Foundationhelps would-be philanthropists set up funds as an individual, through families or with organizations, and manages those funds. Money can then be disbursed to Catholic organizations or non-Catholic groups in accordance with Catholic teaching.

8. Nothing (sort of . . . )
Now you can shop at some of the same mainstream outlets, such as Barnes & Noble, Gap or The Home Depot, and donate a portion of your purchase to charity. Sites such as iGive.comand the Greater Goodoffer hundreds of mainstream choices, and then donate a portion of the purchase to the charity of your choice.

9. Spread the spirit
Not sure if Aunt Sally really cares about animals? Sites such as GlobalGiving.com, for example, put a unique twist on giving to charity for Christmas. Simply purchase a gift certificate to give to a friend or family member, and they get to choose where the money goes.

10. Thinking electronics?
For a limited time, the One Laptop Per Childproject has created a "Give One, Get One" policy. For $399, you can purchase an XO Laptop for someone you know, and dondate one to a child in a developing country.

Compiled by Matt Bigelow

See last year's ethical shopping guide

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