Ten Thousand Villages

I love to read, so one of my favorite days of the month is when I get a package from Graf-Martin Communications with new books to review. However, I was not expecting the package from Ten Thousand Villages for being one of Graf-Martin's top 10 bloggers. Imagine my delight when I opened the box and found these wonderful fair trade gifts.

Honestly, I didn't know much about Ten Thousand Villages before getting the package in the mail. I'd heard about them, but hadn't taken a look at who they were or the products that they offered.

According to their website, Ten Thousand Villages is the oldest and largest Fair Trade organization in North America, selling artisan-crafted personal accessories, home decor and gift items from around the globe.

Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit program of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), the relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America. Ten Thousand Villages has its roots in the work begun by Edna Ruth Byler in 1946.

Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), a coalition of handicraft and agricultural producer organizations, and Fair Trade organizations from both the North and the South.

Green Holiday Zen Card 

I love the vibrant green and gold on the front of this blank card. The back says that the cards are made in India by artisans who are deaf, blind or physically disabled. While these cards are beautiful for the holiday season, the blank interior makes them accessible for year round use as well.


Camino Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Bar

I've been limiting the amount of chocolate I've been eating reciently, but I had to try this milk chocolate bar right away. Rich and creamy, it didn't last long at my house. I liked the combination of chocolate and hazelnut. The packaging says that the contents are ceritified organic as well as gluten-free.This bar was yummy!


Warm Paisley Stole

My favorite piece in the whole package was the stole. I'm not usually a scarf person, as I don't have a single one in my wardrobe, except those I use for outerwear. Still I wanted to give this stole a try. This would make a wonderful gift! I've received so many positive comments about the product. I've introduced others to Ten Thousand Villages by wearing it to church and around town. I love the colors and the warmth of this stole and I'm sure that others would love it too. I'm already looking at the other scarves and shawls they have on the site to add to my collection.

Thank you again, Graf-Martin and Ten Thousand Villages, for these beautiful gifts.