A friend once told me that her immigrant father loves Valentine’s Day. He thinks the idea of a holiday that encourages us to love one another is beautiful. I usually dismiss Valentine’s as a commercial holiday designed to sell chocolates, but my friend’s story reminds me I can choose to find a deeper meaning.
With all the strife in the world right now, how beautiful to remember that we can show love through our choices and actions. Today we’re taking a quick break from our vegan series to share a few ideas for Valentine’s gifts that are made by refugees from around the world.
1. Chapati Box Candle from Prosperity Candle: Featuring a beautiful, hand-embossed box from India, this soy-blend candle is available with custom scents and fragrance strengths. Prosperity Candle is a certified B Corp working with refugee women in the United States and female artisans around the world to make hand-poured creations. $36.
2. Chari Necklace from MeltGoods: This delicate, minimalist necklace is crafted from raw brass with a gold-filled chain. MeltGoods employs women refugees resettled in the Dallas, Texas, area. $40.
3. Hammered Brass Bangle from FORAI: A beautiful cloisonne bead makes this bangle a stand-out accessory. Founded on fair trade principles, non-profit FORAI employs refugee and immigrant women in the St. Louis area to make high-quality jewelry through home-based business. $10.
4. Sisterhood Soap from Preemptive Love: Made by refugees in Iraq, Sisterhood Soap and Kinsman Soap are crafted from olive oil and other natural ingredients. Each bar of soap empowers men and women who have fled ISIS to support their families with the work of their own hands. $10.
5. Fatima Scarf by Liz Alig: These scarves are created in partnership with Sew for Hope, a Nashville organization providing low-cost sewing classes to refugees seeking marketable job skills. Each scarf is made from recycled t-shirts gathered from a local thrift store. $36.
Can’t decide on a gift? Consider Anchor of Hope, a monthly subscription service featuring curated collections of goods made by refugees, trafficking survivors, and others in vulnerable situations. $34 a month.
