Gifts of the World celebrates 25 years of business

One of the best kept secrets in Schaumburg, a small, fair-trade gift store that supports artisans in developing countries, celebrated its 25th anniversary this fall.

Gifts of the World opened its doors in October 1994 at 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, on the property of Christ Community Mennonite Church.

Even before the historic milk barn was restored to be used as the church worship building and Big Barn Preschool, Christ Community Mennonite Church opened Gifts of the World, a nonprofit shop selling handmade crafts from developing countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Kenya, Haiti, Peru, India and Guatemala.

The items are ordered from two fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages and Serrv International. Retail margins are slim because the artisans are paid 50% of the cost up front when the order is placed, which typically is a year or so before delivery.

Most of the artisan groups don't have access to credit, so this gives them the ability to purchase raw materials and pay labor while the products are being made.

Ten Thousand Villages and Serrv International work with the artisans in their countries, helping them grow their business and co-op with other artisans. With very little overhead and many stores being completely run by volunteers, such as Gifts of the World, the artisans are able to be paid a living wage for their handiwork.

Gifts of the World (and Ten Thousand Villages) is more than a store. It's a global maker-to-market movement that breaks the cycle of generational poverty and ignites social change. Its goal is nothing less than to change the world by helping people help themselves.

Shopping at Gifts of the World is a refreshing respite in today's world of retail where authenticity, meaning and mission are in short supply. It truly puts people and planet first.

Besides jewelry, scarves, sculptures, wood puzzles, home decor and musical instruments, all made from recycled or natural materials, there is also a large collection of unique Nativities and ornaments in the gift shop.

Every Saturday in December, up to Christmas, there will be a special Holiday Open House with free samples of Divine chocolate, Equal Exchange coffee, and Amish peanut butter, apple butter and strawberry rhubarb butter.

Also, through Tuesday, Dec. 24, you will receive a handmade ornament with each purchase and a chance to enter for a gift basket drawing.

Store hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and will go back to Thursday-Saturday after Christmas.

For information, call (847) 895-3676.

• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.