Shopping for someone who doesn't need more stuff? The Gifts That Give Hope Fair offers meaningful alternatives, from Fair Trade treats and experiences to gifts that support nonprofits and strengthen community.
by Marian Pontz
We all know those people have to buy gifts for those who are difficult to buy for. Some proclaim they want nothing. They are often relatives who share that they are trying to downsize or clean out the “stuff they have acquired through the years. Or there are those folks who return everything we buy no matter how much we try to personalize our gift buying. We just never find the right gift. Here are a few easy solutions for those gift buying quandaries.
1. Build a Fair Trade Gift Basket
Delicious chocolates, a variety of coffees and teas, nuts, dried fruits, olive oil, and even textiles like bags and napkins can all be purchased to create a gift that even the most discerning “foodies” will appreciate. You can include information about Fair Trade, explaining that Equal Exchange's items guarantee fair wages for farmers and workers and help create a more equitable and sustainable world.
2. Create a Richard Scarry world
In Richard Scarry's children’s books, the towns run efficiently, people are cared for, and everyone is happy. Mr. Scarry’s children’s books, like Marc Brown’s Arthur the Aardvark, show a community that is vibrant, fun, with people like librarians, teachers, fire and police people, doctors, and more, doing their jobs and looking out for each of us. It is a community that is safe, with kindness as its modus operandi. Why not buy one of those children books and then buy the donation gifts that match the story. For example buy a gift from Power Packs to guarantee children do not go home hungry, a gift from Bench Mark so local kids can receive tutoring, meals, support and a focus on body awareness and strength, and a gift to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary to protect and heal the farm animals. Create the world we grew up reading and believing existed.
3. Give an Experience and Make a Memory Together
What we learn as we age is that the experiences we create in this life are the memories we live with. Time with our parents, children , friends often often becomes something we squeeze into an overbooked schedule. Why not take Saturday, October 10 as an opportunity to slow down and create real memories with someone(s) we love. Bring them to the fair and make it a day of new experiences-from trying special drinks and foods from the nine food trucks, to chatting with the representatives at the thirty different nonprofit stations. Eat, drink, and learn together and then take a moment to listen to the Music for Everyone concerts. You can then enjoy shopping in the ethically sourced market. Find that memento to remember the day-the day where you took time to connect, listen, learn about each other and your community.
4. Surprise Someone With a Local Food Treat
Drop off special and unique treats bought from the array of food trucks lined up outside of the fair to a sick friend, or a neighbor, or family member. Let them know someone is thinking of them. Or gift your family by bringing home lunch that introduces them to delicious foods and drinks outside of the fast food conglomerates.
5. Give the Gift of Community and Connection
The epidemic known as loneliness can be countered by joining clubs, going to social events, and seeking companionship, but those efforts can be scary and intimidating. Why not bring your loved one(s) to the gift fair and let them hear about volunteer opportunities, book clubs, and community investment clubs, and, in that safe space, have time to connect and maybe find an antidote to their loneliness?
