A week or so ago, I received my first curated box from Mercy House Global. After their Home For the Holidays premiere, they had a limited fair trade box for sale. In it was all kinds of goodies and Christmas decorations crafted by people given dignified jobs from Mercy House. I opened the webcast box during my first ever live video. To view, click: https://www.facebook.com/lalia.boyd/videos/10162587811070445/

This morning, I was over-the-top excited to open my second box. Instead of opening this one live, I took photos of the items inside. These are going to very, very special people as Christmas gifts.

My favorite thing about these gorgeous gifts are the makers’ faces and names attached. These wares change lives, create dignified work, and eliminate child slavery. Just look how mind-blowingly beautiful.

Handcrafted paper and journals with art by a rescued teen mother in Kenya

Intricate paper bead bracelet made by Kenyan women

A matching memory game crafted by previously homeless women in Kenya. These women were taught how to sew felt and are now able to provide for their families! These games are Christmas gifts for Lily and my adorable nephews, Theodore and Thaddeus (apologies, Laura, for the spoiler).

Checkers game handmade by Beatrice from Kenya, a rescued teen mother. The sewn “board” has an attached zipper bag for game piece storage. The game pieces are bottle caps. The game folds into a light, little square and is tied with an attached ribbon for easy storage and travel. On a recent girls’ weekend, Lily learned to play checkers. As soon as I saw this in Mercy House Global Shop, I knew I wanted to give it to Lily for Christmas!

Fair trade coffee! And an absolutely stunning pompom wreath handmade from women living in one of the world’s largest trash dumps. This is face-caressing soft, and texturally lovely. I plan to use it prominently in my Christmas decor.

Really, does it get any closer to worldwide sisterhood than this? These ladies (and their families) create these marvelous wares that I can grace my home with or give as one-of-a-kind gifts. In turn, my purchases provides a dignified income to help them escape poverty and provide for their families. We give each other grace. We are in communion. Christ’s daughters. Sisters. United by grace.

I wish you merry, conscious, intentional Christmas shopping this year! Always tea with a cup of grace to go.