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3 Nov 2025 10:00

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Choose Fair Trade

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year… to Choose Fair Trade

As the autumn mists descend upon us, it seems the world of Christmas in retail starts to sneak up faster every year. Gone are the days of staying up until ten o’clock and not a cloud in sight, the sun still shining amidst a small breeze. Now we’re strapped in for those early evenings of settling down with a cuppa, warm blanket curled around your legs, while you await the latest John Lewis tear-jerker to come on in between shows.

I used to think it was crazy how early shops would start advertising their Christmas ranges, and maybe it’s because I’m getting older that I’m beginning to realise actually, time moves slowly towards the speed of light the older I seem to get. It wasn’t that long ago I was out clubbing in York no matter the weather, until the early hours. Now everything goes too fast, there aren’t enough hours in the day, and I’d rather be in bed with some form of true crime playing in the background.

I try to kid myself into staying awake past eight o’clock by making sure there’s TV on - nine times out of ten I’m asleep before the introduction is finished and end up asleep, neck-deep in the depths of the YouTube abyss by eleven.

This week, I’ve found it quite frustrating to be stuck in the house no matter how many ITV dramas I consume. The weather is bad, wind and rain are slamming upon every window, and I’m wearing my bloody hat and scarf indoors. I’d catch a death going out there. My one respite, however, has been keeping me occupied - I am a certified online window shopper. But the window comes out of the equation when that cold weather creeps in.

When it comes to birthdays and Christmas, you can count on me thinking of every little detail now. I really am getting older. New Christmas themed bowls and runners for the table? Sorted it already. Little stocking fillers that are usually left until the last minute? Yep, got those too. Stockings for them to go in? Got them in October! I’ve even bought my loved ones personalised worry dolls this year that match their biggest anxieties to go on top of their gifts instead of cards. Call me prepared, call me sad - in fact, call me whatever you want - but I’ll not be caught in the Christmas Eve present rush this year.

I do think being more prepared this year has been influenced by my working in retail, and the Christmas festivities starting way sooner than they would at home. Either that or I’m simply getting older (and wiser). I get a lot of joy now from gift-giving through Fair Trade, and I try to focus my attention there. My family have always been very sentimental and specifically on my Dad’s side, our gifts have always been given with meaning, knowing where each thing comes from. My Aunty Lynn used to help out in colleges doing expeditions to low-income countries and always came back with the most different presents - they were always the best ones, too.

One year, she’d been to Uganda for four weeks, helping to build a school there for children with the college she worked alongside, and gifted me this doll for Christmas that had been made by the people over there. I’d never seen a doll with brown skin before, and she quickly became my favourite. She was so colourful, the red and gold tones of her dress shone against the her skin and I thought she was so amazing. I still think about her. Aunty Lynn always brought me and my brother something unique and special home. The real excitement was it coming from another country and it being made by the people there - always crafted with care, you could see each stitch and know it was full of love. She was the one to introduce me to worry dolls - got them in Guatemala one year - and the first time I walked through the doors of Shared Earth York, the one thing that came out of my mouth was ‘God, my Aunty Lynn would love this place’. She’s since visited me there a few times during the god-forbidden Christmas market scramble, and I can confirm she does. And it’s not just because the shop is a haven away from the hustle and bustle of those log cabin stalls. She’s always the one to look for independent sellers and buy from them - that’s why she’s the best in the family at presents.

If my very wise aunt has nothing to go by, then take it from me - it feels amazing to give somebody a gift that is Fair Trade. I’m not even just saying that because I work for a Fair trade business - it genuinely is. My Mam is an eco-warrior in a primary school, and this year she got the kids in her class some eco-warrior worry dolls from Shared Earth. You can’t tell me that’s not adorable! Each one is handmade in Guatemala by small groups, using recycled materials and incredible craftsmanship. The kids at school love it, but it’s also a double-ended gift in the sense that each purchase goes towards creating a better world for all.

I’ve got her a vegetable jute bag this year - ideal present for a vegan eco-warrior, right? She’s going to love carrying her green cuisine home in it. It didn’t cost me very much, especially considering it will last for years because it’s so sturdy. I’ve had mine for years and the colours still haven’t faded - it was handmade in Kolkata by a small producer group. Each fibre spun to make sure my shopping is secure and stylish. I’m hoping my Mam loves hers as much as I do!

Buying your gifts from Fair Traders rather than big businesses means individuality. Uniqueness. It means love, dedication and care. Let’s take Grandma’s present last year, for example: I snapped up a wine rack from work made out of recycled bike chains in India, and I also bought her some coffee pods for her machine with a calendar. She loved everything, but this bike chain wine rack is always out. Not because she loves wine - she does (a lot), but that’s not my point - my point is because she loves the gift (and wine). Even when the doctor tried to tell my Grandad off for drinking, she just put a glass with flowers in the rack instead and made it into a sort of vase. Looks beautiful, and she loves it. Even when it’s not filled with rosé. She loves that it has meaning, and I do too. Plus, it’s her chance to remind me that while wine improves with age, she improves with wine.

It’s so easy to get lost in the fog of the Christmas scramble, especially when every big business or shop on the high street has started reminding you in October. It’s important to remember this idea of sentimentality and meaning that comes with gift-giving, and I genuinely always feel better giving a gift that’s Fair Trade – I know where it comes from, I know its journey, and it means more to be able to help those in need while also spoiling your loved ones to death.

Before I sign off this week, a piece of advice from my Grandma. She’s very wine - I mean wise! If you receive a gift this year that you’re not too keen on, regift it, and pop a donation to your local food bank or charity in its place. That way you’re recycling and helping out people who need that help the most. Be like Dorothy, and start thinking about the impact your gifts can have this Christmas.

Maggie

Created On 3 Nov 2025 10:00 - >>