Shop 'around the world' for holiday gifts in Schaumburg

Once again, Gifts of the World in Schaumburg is standing out this holiday season with the uniqueness of its Christmas Nativity scenes from around the globe.

Gifts of the World is a fair trade gift shop located at 888 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, in the house in front of Christ Community Mennonite Church.

The shop carries more than 80 Nativity scenes made by artisans from developing countries such as Peru, Vietnam, Kenya, Bangladesh and India, to name just a few.

Each is unique and often made with recycled or natural materials. For instance, Nativity scenes from the Philippines and Vietnam are made from recycled paper, while some from South Africa are constructed from shredded soft drink cans.

In addition to being works of art, sales of these Nativities and other pieces help support artists who are living in countries and communities that often lack bare essentials like clean water and access to public education. Just $1,200 in sales supports one of these artisans full-time for an entire year.

"It takes so little of our wealth to help an artist in a developing country," said store manager Janice Kennel Ropp.

The shop also sells handmade jewelry, home decor, and fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate. Special holiday open houses with samples of coffee and chocolate, as well as Amish peanut butter and other spreads, will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13.

Store hours this month are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, before reverting back to Thursday through Saturday in January.

For more information about the store or this month's sales, call (847) 895-3676.