It was Christmas season 2010 and I was looking for some gifts for the family. I wanted to get something unique, useful and, if possible, ethically sound. Enter Oxfam's shop in that centre of consumerism, the CBD's Myer Centre.
Amid fashion boutiques trading in wares potentially fabricated with the aid of third-world teenage sweatshop workers, and bubblegum pink, glitzy, ditzy accessory stores pumping cheap tat to a techno crap soundtrack, is this heartwarming charity store which provides much needed income to developing communities through the sale of their hard-wrought primary produce and ingeniously crafted fashions and home wares.
They have this really cool range of bowls, bags and other knick knacks made out of reused lolly and soft drink labels. They look uber-cool in addition to be environmentally friendly, so I got one of the bowls made from folded candy wrappers for my sister.
Then there's a big range of organic and Freetrade coffee and chocolate from countries throughout Africa and South America. A bag of coffee beans made a gift for my java-loving Dad.
While I didn't find gifts for the whole family, I did make some real progress there. Since then I've kept in mind for gift-giving occasions. I suggest you do the same. read more