With the mad rush to make sure every box is ticked on our Christmas gift list this year, it’s easy to forget how we might be able to shop more sustainably. Being more mindful about giving back in our communities means making the right choices when selecting what and who to buy from. Do not fret! You can revel in all your festive purchasing, knowing that your buying will also be your way of contributing to a good cause this Christmas.

These ethical makers have made it easier for us all to spread some real cheer this season to those that need it the most. Buy local, buy ethically and feel the joy that is giving.

Love & Hope

Love & Hope is a non-profit, non-government organization providing vocational training to underprivileged youth. Their boarding school and vocational center in Shunyi provides an oasis for those who need it, and facilitates the teaching and training of skills in a safe environment. Their philosophy is simple but has life-changing implications for the migrant children who are given the tools needed to secure employment in the future. Therein lies the love, and most importantly the hope: hope in others, hope in the future, and hope in life.

This Christmas Love & Hope will be selling beautifully crafted products made by the migrant children they teach in their i-sewing class. All proceeds and any donations go towards supporting the continuing development of their education and welfare.  For more information contact lovehope1004@sina.com or WeChat: 1850063292 or 18600063290

Star Fish Project

The Starfish Project has long been one of my favorite ethical makers. The non-profit organization supports vulnerable women, who with their help learn to craft wonderful pieces of jewelry made from precious stones, resilient metals, pearls and gems.

The organization’s mission is to restore hope to exploited women in Asia through their holistic care programs and their social enterprise. Women can go on to become managers, accountants, graphic designers and photographers.

Your purchase of the jewelry produced by these women goes towards the organization’s continued efforts to support women fleeing homelessness, domestic abuse and sex trafficking. Your purchase is more than a monetary contribution but an act of love for the person you are buying for and the person who needs to services the Starfish Project provides. For more information go to www.starfishproject.com

Sew Gorgeous

Everything about Sew Gorgeous is so gorgeous! From handcrafted wool and felt bags to locally designed embroidered homeware, there is literally something for everyone, from the volunteers that sew to support those in need. Blankets, cushions, place mats, Christmas decorations, bags, and all the above is what you can find when shopping for soft furnishings at the Roundabout store in Shunyi or at the many markets and bazaars Sew Gorgeous attend during seasonal and special occasions. Products can also be ordered directly through WeChat.

The charity, which was set up in 2014 by a British GP, supports disadvantaged children in China. All proceeds and donations go directly toward charities where children in need are the primary focus. This Christmas stock up on handcrafted gifts for the home for friends and family and support an awesome cause. To find out more information and make an order contact WeChat: daniellesaponara, or make a day of it and find out where they will be making an appearance as a vendor this Christmas.

Yoganda Project

The Yoganda Project is all about empowered women making the worlds best hand crafted bags in Iganga, Uganda.  In the summer of 2014 yogini and world explorer Theresa of Taozi Tree Yoga went to Uganda. She has a passion to help and support vulnerable women living in poverty. This manifested itself into a project that could provide these women with a fulfilling occupation, while simultaneously creating something beautiful for yogis of the world to enjoy!

With the ancient and spatial practice of yoga in mind, Theresa went about forming a team of women with skillful hands. Teams of seven women were given training on how to use an electric sewing machine. A new business model was created in the area, producing high quality bags.

We all have that yogi friend, or perhaps you’re a dab hand at the downward dog? Whatever the case this Christmas use your or somebody else’s love of yoga to support a project that is a self-sustaining way of lifting women and their families out of poverty. To find out more visit www.taozitreeyoga.com or contact WeChat: TheresaRae.

Photos: courtesy of vendors

Clockwise from top left: Brenda Hackbarth, Scott Hackbarth, Phillip Hackbarth (7)

Brenda Hackbarth is a teacher at Yew Chung International School (YCIS) Beijing. Together with husband Scott she has five sons, two daughters-in-law, a granddaughter, and a grandson on the way! The grown up children though have been left back home in Minnesota, and only seven-year-old Philip is with them in Beijing.

Do you celebrate Christmas?
My husband and I have each celebrated Christmas with our respective families our entire lives, and we have also celebrated with our own children and grandchild their entire lives.
What do you tell your children about Santa Claus?  
We don’t really make a big deal about Santa Claus, because the culture and television do a good job of promoting him!  When our children have asked about Santa Claus, we have always told them that he is an example of what we should all be, not just during Christmas time, but all year long…selfless.  We try to stress the GIVING of gifts at Christmas and not the GETTING.
When do you start preparing for Christmas?
I’ve always liked to have the house decorated for Christmas after the beginning of December. I enjoy Thanksgiving, so I like keeping those decorations around for a while. I have become a minimalist through the years; we used to spend many days, hours, or weeks on preparation, but then realized that the day comes and goes and the children focus on the little things and not the big things. Having them give input into what they enjoyed for traditions really helped us to make the holiday season meaningful for them. One of the traditions I took from my family was making special breads for Christmas morning. My mother always did it, and so did I, until one year I assumed it was not that important to our children and chose not to incorporate it into our year. The children voiced their unhappiness about this and I’ve continued the tradition since then.
Do you stay in Beijing, or visit family?
This is our first experience of being expats, and we’ve never in our lives spent a Christmas season without our children. It will be a different experience, but we hope that it will encourage them to start their own traditions with their families. Because of the cost and time, we felt that we would wait until summer to go back to the US to visit.  We will, indeed, be spending Christmas in Beijing or somewhere in Asia.
What sort of presents do your children get?
Presents are very minimal. The children draw names and get one or two gifts for each other, and we give them a few. We usually try to focus on things that have some comical meaning or something they really want. We have tried to do silly things, too, like have clues hidden around the house to help them find their gifts. Or follow the string to their gift. We hope that the children enjoy the fun of being together more than the THINGS themselves.

Left to right: Steve yin, Anna Yin (4), Jenny Tu

Beijingers Jenny Tu and Steve Yin are busy people. Yin works for a Chinese corporation, in charge of overseas energy investment, while Tu is employed by a British transnational company, and in her spare time organizes all kinds of child-friendly events for families. Their daughter Anna is four years old.

Do you celebrate Christmas?
We regard Christmas more for kids. It’s a good occasion to introduce western culture. Last year, my daughter couldn’t relate Christmas to the birth of Jesus Christ. Her favorite part was Santa Claus and all the gifts. Most of her Christmas ideas come from the cartoons she watches, like Peppa Pig. Last year, I organized a Christmas family party for her playmates. Santa came, and all the kids got a present. The children gave presents to each other and they were all very happy.
What do you tell her about Santa Claus?
For my daughter, Santa Claus is a lovely old man. All the good kids will get a present from him.
But she also has doubts: how can Santa know I was being naughty or good? Does he have a telescope? Santa is also magical; he can fly on a sleigh with his reindeer. A few days ago, my daughter said that she wanted to see Santa right away. She said she can make this come true by waving her magic wand.
When do you start preparing for Christmas?
Last year, I started preparing for Christmas two weeks before Christmas, since we were having a party. This year, she is old enough to know that Santa comes at night, and she wants to stay up all night waiting for Santa and her present. So we will hang up a stocking by her bed, and she will have a surprise on Christmas morning.
Do you stay in Beijing, or visit family?
Most Chinese parents have to work on Christmas Day, so we usually celebrate Christmas in Beijing. When our daughter grows older, we might want to take her abroad to celebrate Christmas.
What sort of presents does your child get?
Last year, my kid was 3 and her present was a Christmas-themed toy box. This year, I will ask her what she wants. If she has no clear idea, we will give her toys or picture books as gifts.
What family traditions do you have?
My husband and I are both Chinese, so we celebrate Chinese Spring Festival, and other Chinese traditional festivals like QingMing Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Day, Children’s Day, and National Holiday. At Chinese Spring Festival, we make dumplings and stay up late waiting for the first day of the Lunar New Year. Since we live in Beijing, and we are far away from our parents and relatives, we don’t do much visiting during the holiday.
We go out to eat at restaurants on holidays. If the weather is good, we will play outside but we enjoy indoor activities when the weather is bad.

This article originally appeared on page 39 of the November/ December issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRENDA HACKBARTH, JENNY TU

Even though the official season of giving has passed, there are still people who need, and one of the most valuable things you can donate is your blood. Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) is having its first blood drive of 2013 next Tuesday, January 15. The drive needs donors of all blood types, but as is the case with blood donation, those who are Rh negative are especially encouraged to donate, as Rh negative is a rare blood type in the Han Chinese population.

Eligible donors must be healthy people between the ages of 18 and 60, and donors must present their photo ID before donating. Women should weigh at least 45kg and men should weigh at least 55kg, and everyone must wait 6 months between donations. The donation process takes 30 to 40 minutes; it will start with questions, a short physical examination and blood screenings.