Gifts of the World store hosts Holiday Open House

As Christmas is meant to be a time of peace on Earth, the Gifts of the World Fair Trade shop in Schaumburg provides a little global perspective for the season.

There will be a special holiday open house from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22. The open house will feature free coffee and samples of chocolate, Amish peanut butter, apple butter and strawberry-rhubarb butter.

Gifts of the World sells unique gifts made of recycled materials such as newspapers, old bike chains, circuit boards and even recycled tires. There are many items carved out of wood and stone. Everything is handmade by artisans in developing countries, where they are paid a fair wage for their handicrafts.

Purchasing items in the shop helps support artisans in countries and communities that lack what Americans would recognize as the bare essentials - clean water, roads and access to public education. Just $1,200 in sales is a living wage for an artisan in his or her country.

The gift shop has an assortment of Nativities and ornaments that are made by artisans in Peru, Haiti, Kenya, Bangladesh, Vietnam and many more developing countries.

Gifts of the World also features handmade jewelry, scarves, home decor, pottery, sculptures, as well as fair trade coffee and chocolate. Products are purchased from fair trade organizations Ten Thousand Villages, Serrv, and Equal Exchange. The shop is run entirely by volunteers.

During December, shoppers receive a free, handmade ornament with purchase. With each purchase, they can also enter a drawing for a gift basket.

Gifts of the World is at 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, in the house in front of Christ Community Mennonite Church. Holiday hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, before reverting back to Thursday through Saturday in January.

For information, call (847) 895-3676.

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