Good Gifts Naturally

Every February candy, flowers, jewelry and gifts are exchanged by loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.

Who was this Saint?

The popular legend says that he was a Roman priest. When the Emperor Claudius II decided that single men without wives and families made better soldiers, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the law, defied his emperor by continuing to perform marriages for lovers in secret.

When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered him put in prison and eventually sentenced to death, unknowingly creating a sympathetic, heroic and, most importantly, romantic figure. While in prison, Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. It is said that before his execution he sent her a letter which he signed: “From Your Valentine.” This is the source for the expression still in use today. By the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular Saints in Europe. In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day became celebrated across all social classes in the seventeenth century. And by the eighteenth century it was common for friends and lovers to exchange handwritten notes and special tokens. By the end of the same century, as the technology developed, printed cards began to replace written notes.

Now, this holiday is celebrated in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Mexico, France and the United States. According to the Greeting Card Association an estimated one billion cards are sent for this holiday each year.

So, historically this has always been a day to celebrate BIG LOVE…which gives us the excuse we sometimes need to express our passion and appreciation for each other!

While we’re at it… why not ALSO show love for the planet we live on?

Here is our list of 5 gift ideas that are low impact on your budget as well as being “Green” choices:

· If you want to send a card, why not send a card made from recycled or tree-free paper.

· Chocolate is the preferred choice for most lovers… so this year, send organic fair trade chocolates

· Pick flowers that don’t wither away in a day – give them a gorgeous, eco-chic and plantable gift that will remind them of this day and your love for years to come!

· If Bling is your thing, purchase Jewelry that is stunning AND ecologically responsible by choosing unique handmade pieces from artisan collectives that specialize in training & supporting women, and jewelers who are certified for using sustainably source stones!

· Everyone loves spa treatments! Find organic, romantic spa products to indulge in at home or give a gift certificate for holistic spa treatments, like a couples massage!

From all of us at GGN:

Enjoy the Holiday and honor the legend by expressing your love for people and the planet!

Orlando Baker

The “glitz” on the New Year and our new President, and a lot the initial enthusiasm and energy we had so much of, just a few weeks ago is now long gone. The initial commitment to making things better has been gradually draining away when faced with the dismal economy both here in the USA and internationally. So what are we going to do now? Here’s where inspiration get’s put to the test and the answer—the road to success–is achieved with good old fashioned hard work and perspiration.

We at Good Gifts Naturally, are still taking our cues from the President, who despite mistakes he’s admittedly made and no let-up from constant observation and multiple opinions on what he should be doing, hasn’t lost sight of his overall game plan. I haven’t actually seen him sweat, but….

• He’s identified specific strategic goals he wishes to achieve
• He’s identified metrics by which he will measure his success
• He adjusts his game plan as he encounters unseen obstacles
• He acknowledges his errors and learns from them
• He minimizes time celebrating the small successes
• He always keeps moving toward the overall target

Here’s how we think we are in step with President Obama, at least with respect to the first point or two.

We set a goal we identified way back in January with our pledge to better use our purchasing power as well as business practices to make a difference wherever we can. To that end, we chose to introduce and support the products from two new young woman entrepreneurs on our site. One of them two has gone on to develop her own web site (images-by-emily.com) to market more of her photo cards. We share reciprocal links between sites that benefits both businesses. The second has had a baby, but is still percolating new designs to continue marketing her handmade holiday cards on our site.

In February, we identified some small steps we could take to better support our environment focusing on renewing, reusing, recycling and rethinking our many impacts on the planet. We’ve become even more disciplined about recycling and had to get a second recycling bin just to handle the increment. We are also in the process of moving to a new solar powered internet hosting company (Canvas Dreams) before the end of this month. This represents very specific efforts to lesson our carbon footprint. It really isn’t easy or particularly convenient, trying to be green (or at least greener), but the end result is worth the effort, and every little bit does help.

The economy has had a measurable negative impact on our sales, but people continue to search for ways to maximize the value of the dollars they do spend. Our products still offer conscientious consumers an ideal opportunity to do some real “good” in our world—for both the people and the planet. Purchases specifically support economic opportunity for producers through Fair Trade practices. And, they also support the environment by being eco-sensitive through sustainable production or materials. This makes your gift purchases beautiful, thoughtful reflections, both for the giver as well as the recipient.

It is unquestionably, an uphill battle to find great products that people will want to buy, particularly in “hard” times. It requires extra effort that generates perspiration–both from the actual work as well as some nervous moments waiting for business to pick up. But really good things are always worth the extra effort. Inspiration without the hard work to make it happen (a.k.a. perspiration), is just a daydream.

We also commit to regularly reflecting and sharing our thoughts on our progress towards achieving our objectives here on our blog. We encourage customer feedback and dialogue here as comments or through the customer contact options link.

Orlando Baker

I like to think of myself as working at being greener, versus actually being green. Like being a good person, its about the consistent effort–the journey rather than the idealized destination.

I recognize the few evangelists, zealously calling for drastic action right here right and now! And I also acknowledge the more “reasonable” activists who are all about intentional actions by large groups to bring about change. The problem for me is that the first group is way too heavy handed for my tastes, dictating to the world that their vision is the one and only “right” way. And the second is fighting an uphill battle against self-serving inertia–where people can’t or don’t want to face up to dire consequences said to exist in some indeterminate, distant future. Why should they choose to limit themselves to excesses earned and enjoyed by prior generations, particularly for theoretical and unproven consequences?

For me it’s about making personal choices that incrementally move me ever closer to an ideal. Like most people, I like the idea of salvaging what we can for future generations. It’s a good thing that good people would naturally choose to do. It isn’t supposed to be easy and I’m prepared to give up some things, including some conveniences. I have been convinced that although we’ve done many very bad things to our environment (a continent-sized island of toxic trash in the Pacific Ocean to name just one), there is some hope that we can all make changes and, if not reverse, at least slow down our headlong rush to make our planet uninhabitable. It’s a combination of both (cumulative) individual changes and large group or cultural changes that will eventually make or break our fragile eco-system

I know I won’t ever attempt anything as radical and impressive as Dave Chameides 365 days of NOT throwing away anything (Activist or Evangelist?). Something he wrote in a recent blog, however, spoke volumes to me, “no one can do everything but everyone can do something.”

We do lots of somethings. We limit our automobile use and walk as much as possible. Our community recycles and we actively participate. We use recycled paper and ecologically sensitive products whenever possible both for our family as well as the business. Good Gifts Naturally chooses natural, organic and sustainably produced (Fair Traded) items to sell. Each of these “things” is good for the planet.

What can you do? How much “greener” can you be?

Orlando Baker

Another of our Fair Trade producers, supports a small group of workers in Cape Town, South Africa. Originals from Africa (OfA), a Fair Trade Federation member, does the wholesale marketing and international shipping of their products to specific retailers like Good Gifts Naturally, and ensures that their producers are always paid fair and equitable prices for their goods. In addition, OfA proudly donates a portion of its proceeds to the Mokolodi Nature Reserve to be used for animal breeding programs, and the education of school children about conservation and the environment.

The people in Capetown, primarily women, create “quirky” accessories from mixed metals, most of which is recycled scraps. A wide assortment of fanciful animal, fish and insect forms are created using casts which are filled with their molten metal. When the mold cools, the results are passed along the “production line” to the polishing team. There,  each piece is individually cleaned and checked for blemishes. Once the products have passed all these rigorous quality standards, they are assembled by hand by a select group of ladies, also acting as yet another quality check.

The end result are quirky/unique magnet clips and bookmarks with the richly detailed elephants, pigs, fish, butterflies and other creatures. Good Gifts Naturally markets this craft work, in sets that are found in our Organizers/Clips category.  As gifts, they are a great way to: De-clutter; be green about it; and support Fair Trade PLUS several other very deserving causes in South Africa.

Now that’s what I would call serious (and all “good”) multi-purposing!

What would you call it?

Orlando Baker

A “kick bag” is a simple thing. Although it often is round, it doesn’t  have to be, and it may also referred to as a Hackey Sack. It’s a very simple toy.

Basically, its a soft container/covering for a handful of relatively soft filler material, (like sand, beans or even shredded cloth) that kids or other young people stand together and kick to one another as a game. There are two basic objectives in the game. First, the bag cannot land or touch the ground, and players can only use there legs or feet to keep it in the air and off the ground as they pass it to one anther. Its particularly good for practicing ball and body control skills used in soccer.

Its a very simple thing that anyone can make for themselves or friends. If they want, it can be as easy as just rolling up an old sock or two! And they are generally pretty inexpensive to buy. But for entrepreneurial women in very rural villages in Guatemala and other impoverished places these are minor miracles. They hand-crochet coverings for ball shapes that are then filled with material to make these to sell. They take an old, traditional skill (crocheting) and apply it to make something that they can market. Church and other humanitarian groups help them organize themselves into production groups or cooperatives that allow them to pool resources and produce these items in quantity to sell (at Fair Trade* costs) to a retailer–enter Good Gifts Naturally. The retailer, in turn, offers their products over the internet or in brick and mortar stores, to a more global marketplace, and ultimately help create a consistent revenue stream for these rural and mostly inaccessible communities.

It’s not Detroit, making hundreds of thousands of cars, SONY making televisions or stereos, or even “light” manufacturing, as we think of it here in the USA. The women use natural dyes made from locally available, sustainable materials, recycled or natural fillers and they are all primarily hand crafted. It’s much more like artisan work than mass production. And it allows the women, and as demand increases, eventually their husbands and future generations, to work with dignity.

A simple thing, that provides the economic stimulus to allow them to build schools to educate their children, and to recognize other opportunities that break their historic cycle of poverty. And they get to do it themselves.

I think that there’s a lesson here. Keeping things local and simple seems to work best for creating focused, productive communities.

I think that some simple things can mean a lot.

What do you think?

Orlando Baker

A young Connecticut Yankee (actually she’s a loyal Red Sox fan who might take offense, but I digress …) lady we know, has recently left on her second “tour” of Antarctica.  She initially volunteered to go there as a dishwasher a couple of years ago and liked it so much, she decided to go back. The adventure begins with several very long plane rides, just to get there before the end of their summer. This marks the end of their window of opportunity, as just a few weeks from now, SERIOUS snowstorms will begin and planes simply can’t land there. Once there, she initially has to cope with only 4 hours of darkness for her “nights” or sleep time. Of course, these dark periods will lengthen with the change of seasons through the winter. And then start the “shortening” cycle again in the spring, when she’s scheduled to leave.  Sounds like fun by the ton, right? Don’t even get me started on what the low temperatures will be over the course of her six month stay through the winter!

But, when all is said and done, how many people do you know who can say they’ve actually lived on the continent of Antarctica, TWICE! How cool is that? And the travel options that open up to you on the way there and back are unbelievable. (Think air miles!)

This is just one aspect of her adventurous spirit, as she’s also just started her own business, which coincidentally serves as an outlet for her interest in photography.  She sells photo note cards and (made to order) enlargements using pictures she’s taken on her global travels–which include Europe, South America, and the USA in addition to Antarctica. She brings a unique perspective to the world which clearly comes across in her photographs. She maintains a blog where she posts frequent diary notes on her Antarctic adventure along with her most current pictures. Good Gifts Naturally, has taken an active role in mentoring and directly supporting this local woman entrepreneur’s effort, by offering her beautiful photo note card sets on our website. We will also provide periodic updates on our blog posts and through tweets on Twitter.

We encourage you to visit her blog site, where you can follow her adventure and even engage directly with her through her comment area. She’ll no doubt, enjoy the company and e-dialog over the very long and isolated winter season down under, at the bottom of the planet. The internet will literally be her window to the world and will allow the rest of us to share her distinctive perspective.

Orlando Baker

In these difficult times when the global economic situation is increasingly bleak, people become much more thoughtful about where and how they choose to spend their money. With numerous retailers clamoring for their business, why even consider Good Gifts Naturally?

The answer is:

· Online shopping with us is easy, accessible at any hour, and enables you to comparison shop—all without leaving your home.

· Our products allow clients to emphasize their positive purchasing power:

1. in offering products that stress ecological sensitivity through re-cycling or sustainability in their production;

2. in offering items that are natural and/or organic whenever possible;

3. with gift products that support fair trade and development opportunities for communities globally as well as here in the USA;

Our site offers a chance to say “I care” about the things I purchase. Customers actually choose to buy things that are good–for people as well as the planet. Their purchase of our thoughtful and unique gift items reflects well on both giver and recipient. This conscientious consumerism says “no” to mass production and chain stores and says “yes” to handmade items and other goods from people who invest themselves into what they do. This investment is passed on to the recipient, as it was in older, simpler times when gifts were always thoughtfully made by hand at home rather than purchased.

We believe that all gifts should reflect that you care, and that our gift items reflect your care for our whole planet.

Here’s just one example.

To-Go Ware is our environmentally friendly, organic, re-usable utensil set.  The fork, knife, spoon and chopsticks in the set covers all the bases in terms of food. Each utensil is made from bamboo, widely acclaimed as a highly durable material that can also be grown and harvested sustainably. The utensils are all encased in a carrying case made entirely from re-cycled plastic bags. Using this set, in conjunction with bringing your own prepared lunch to work every day helps the eco-conscious reduce their ecological footprint.

Taking small steps to reduce my footprint has led me in search of brands of recycled paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues.  This may be a deal breaker with my husband unless the quality of softness and absorbency are equal or better to what we now use.  I will admit that I do like our paper towels because they are perforated in half sheets, which definitely reduces waste. However, there are compelling arguments out there to convince most folks to change their choice of non-recycled paper products.

For additional information on paper and what actions you can take to help, visit www.nrdc.org.

In my other role as an elementary school teacher my class recently went on a field trip to the Trash Museum, in Hartford http://www.crra.org. My students learned how and what we can recycle in our state (in Connecticut we only recycle # 1 and #2 plastics). Reusing materials was encouraged in an art project to make a refrigerator magnet reminding them to reuse, reduce, recycle, and rethink.

The fourth term rethink has been newly added. We need to rethink what we throw out, how we can share or pass on items we no longer use.  My town has a building at the “dump” where residents can leave no longer needed items for others to take for free. On one trip to leave a set of non-stick pans I no longer wanted to cook with, there was a man leaving a fan he had repaired in exchange for several other broken ones. It seems he is retired and loves to fix things! By fixing small appliances he found there, he kept busy and happy, and most definitely gave a gift of self to others.

I think the times are right for us to rethink.  Don’t you?

Leave a comment and share what you think.

Resolution to Use our Purchasing Power and Business Practices to Make a Positive Difference

As retail entrepreneurs, we are excited to enter 2009 with renewed, albeit cautious optimism. Our family has pledged to better use our purchasing power as well as business practices, to make a difference wherever we can. To us this means being sure the international goods we buy for personal and business use are certified fair trade. Items fairly traded ensure that the artisans or farmers who produced the goods were paid a fair living wage for their work. We also focus on selecting products from non-profits whose goal is to help women successfully enter the workforce. Statistics show that helping women earn a good living translates into helping their families and children to have a better life. Our business also looks locally for small women-owned businesses to support and promote.

As members of Co-op America, we also strive to use and offer for sale natural, recycled, recyclable, and organic products. This year a goal for our business will be to take small steps to become more “green”, one thing at a time. For example, we will recycle or reuse shipping supplies whenever possible.

We believe this one tiny practice sets a positive example for others, and over time helps to reduce waste in our landfills. We do not throw out papers printed on one side until they have been reused on the other side for notes or messages, book marks, etc. This means not only do we buy recycled business supplies we reuse the supplies we have. Small steps everyone can take in their own lives, but from what we observe most folks don’t yet do!

We are interested in starting a discourse with others to share ways to lower our carbon footprint and raise the positive impact on our worldwide community. What small steps have you recently taken to make a positive impact on our world?

Nancy Baker