No turkey, no family, no stuffing, no American football, but still, many thanks given. Even though I’m unable to partake in the traditional Thanksgiving festivities (I’m more of a soccer fan myself anyway, but that’s beside the point), I’m able to remind myself to be thankful. Historical Thanksgiving controversies aside, the holiday’s modern meaning is to give thanks while sitting alongside family and friends for a fall feast. The storied original barter was a three-day exchange of food for goods. Today’s exchange is one of thanks and three days that surround the harvest holiday.
The first day is for those who choose to work off their tryptophan trance running around like a chicken—er, I mean, turkey— with its head cut off on Black Friday. Fearing for their lives, others may be more inclined to recline and shop online the second day, gobbling up Cyber Monday’s digital deals. Why not round out the trifecta or opt-out of the other two days for good the day after Monday with Giving Tuesday or Fair Tuesday? Good health, supportive friends, and little luxuries—even though Thanksgiving isn’t necessarily a religious holiday, it does teach us to be grateful for life’s many blessings. Sanitary drinking water, basic primary education, and a safe shelter are necessary to live—yet many are not so blessed.
#FairTuesday aims to:
- Empower artisans & farmers
- Support communities
- Protect the environment
On November 27th, 2012, “Buy one fair trade item to improve lives of a whole community” from one of the 40 women-led artisan groups supported by @GlobalGoods. Want more ideas for fairly traded items? These fair-trade retail guides can help you find that perfect product. Perhaps you prefer to buy local products, in which case Small Business Saturday is more your market and Giving Tuesday is a social movement to make a charitable contribution. FINCA and Oxfam have unique gift catalogs that give high-impact to a community abroad, keeping your own community intact. Have your pumpkin pie and eat it, too: think locally, act globally.
Similar to how many of us are trying to introduce new, healthier food options into our eating habits this Turkey Day, let’s infuse new, fair fashion options into our purchasing habits every day; this compliments the idea of everyday big business for our small businesses. An early morning binge or virtual spree on marked-down goods could be replaced with a thoughtful purchase of a value-added good, like those offered at the 1st ever Give Good Market. “Shop for Change” and “Take Action” are two sections of Global Goods Partners’ website. Combine both into a mindful recipe of your own gifted gratitude and have a sustainable season.
