Add more meaning than ever to your Christmas with gifts that give back through the World Vision Gift Catalog. World Vision’s celebrity-designed, artisan-made gifts are free with your donation to the World Vision Fund, which empowers kids and families around the world to lift themselves out of poverty.
This season’s catalog features new beautiful, handcrafted jewelry and home décor items, as well as some favorites that make a return from last year’s collection. Designed by Patricia Heaton, Melissa Joan Hart, Breegan Jane, Leanne Ford, Meagan Good, Danica McKellar, Kristoffer Polaha, and Wé McDonald, each unique gift is made in partnership with fair-trade artisans around the world.
Check out the stories of some of the artisans.
Vietnamese artisans preserve an ancient art
In a small Vietnamese village known for producing fine silk since the 13th century, a group of artisans continue to practice sericulture — the rearing of silkworms. It hasn’t been easy to compete with large companies. In recent years, many people have abandoned the trade to work in other industries for a better income. But those who remain are proud of their silk production and the traditions of their village, and they’re willing to work hard to preserve their culture and create beautiful silk.
See the beauty in this tradition for yourself with the “Wrapped in Hope” dip-dyed scarf, by Emmy®-winning actor, producer, bestselling author, and World Vision supporter Patricia Heaton, handmade by these artisans in Viet Nam. With a $100 donation to the World Vision Fund, you can get this lovely coral, white, and gray 100% silk scarf for yourself or someone you care about.
Get the “Wrapped in Hope” dip-dyed scarf.
Single mom creates a better childhood for her kids
As a single mom, Neetu Singh wanted to provide a good life for her two children. Neetu grew up in poverty in a small village in India, the child of day laborers who couldn’t afford to provide for her. At 14, she was sent to live with an aunt who often took Neetu along to her construction job where she was expected to earn her keep by doing physical labor. Neetu turned to art as an escape. Her creativity caught the attention of a social worker who helped Neetu find a job with a small jewelry-making business in Jaipur. Today, Neetu is an accomplished artisan who is grateful she can provide for her children’s needs.
With your donation of $100 to the World Vision Fund, you’ll get this rose gold–toned “These Three Remain” bracelet by actor, director, producer, and World Vision supporter Melissa Joan Hart. Three brass bangles bearing the words “Faith,” “Hope,” and “Love” are connected with a delicate heart. Each piece is handmade by women artisans in India like Neetu supporting their families through fair-trade earnings.
Get the “These Three Remain” rose-gold toned bracelet.
Fair trade opens doors for designer to follow her dreams
Sakshi Bhargav, a 22-year-old artisan from Jaipur, India, loved making jewelry but couldn’t earn enough to support herself. But then she found a fair-trade artisan group where she was paid a livable wage and was encouraged to pursue her dreams of designing jewelry. Now Sakshi works as an apprentice, focusing on silver and brass. She’s also learning more about quality control and finishing. The promising young artisan is grateful for the opportunities the fair-trade group has given her.
With your donation of $100 to the World Vision Fund, you’ll receive the “Love and Grace” silver-toned necklace by actor, bestselling author, mathematician, and World Vision supporter Danica McKellar. Crafted in a fair-trade group like Sakshi’s in India, it features a 20-inch silver-tone double chain with ruby-colored glass beads and front toggle closure, silver-toned tassel, and ruby-colored stone pendant.
Get the “Love and Grace” silver-toned necklace.
Woodworking provides the way for one family in need
In Sambhal, India, joining a fair-trade artisan group made all the difference for Meena Sharma, 53, when she needed it most. Five years ago, Meena’s husband, Raju, became ill with a tumor in his leg and couldn’t work. Meena had to find a job that would pay enough to enable them to care for their two daughters. Having been a woodworker for many years, Meena was able to join a local artisan group where she quickly excelled at finishing wood products. It wasn’t long before she was promoted to supervisor.
Thanks to the sustainable income and support of the group, Meena not only met her family’s needs, but she also ensured that her children stayed in school. Both of Meena’s daughters have now graduated and are working. Raju also benefited from the group by receiving the medical care he needed to heal. He can now stand on his feet again and will soon be able to help Meena support their family.
Donate $50 to the World Vision Fund and get these “Around the Table” color-block salad servers by interior designer, author, HGTV star, and World Vision supporter Leanne Ford. Made of mango wood with white resin accents, these unique pieces are handcrafted by expert woodworkers like Meena in India.
Get the “Around the Table” color-block salad servers.
Weaving empowers women to support their families
Weaving has opened doors to sustainable income for a group of 600 women artisans in the Ngara district of Tanzania, just across the border from Burundi. These artisans, including refugees from Burundi, earn fair-trade wages for their weaving, empowering them to support their families.
With your $75 donation to the World Vision Fund, you’ll get the “Circle of Strength” upcycled coasters by interior designer, HGTV star, lifestyle expert, and World Vision supporter Breegan Jane. The set of four is woven of local papyrus grass and threads from recycled flour and sugar sacks created by these women artisans in Tanzania.
Get the “Circle of Strength” upcycled coasters.
Father passes jewelry-making tradition on to his son
Khalil Khan was born into a family of artisans in Delhi, India. His father was skilled working with ivory and quite successful until its use was internationally banned. With the loss of his livelihood, Khalil’s father struggled to make ends meet and Khalil was forced to leave school after the eighth grade to help earn an income. Thankfully, both Khalil and his father found jobs as artisans with a local company. Khalil gained enough skills to venture out and started his own business. Today, he specializes in creating customized jewelry made from a wide variety of materials and employs men and women from his community, offering them safe working conditions and paying them fair wages.
You can get “The Tie that Binds” wrap bracelet by actor, director, and World Vision supporter Meagan Good with your donation of $50 to the World Vision Fund. This gold-tone and taupe double-wrap bracelet is created from iron chain and durable cotton cord by Khalil’s group in India using special knotting skills handed down for generations.
Get “The Tie that Binds” wrap bracelet.
Women with disabilities sew wearable works of art
Thu*, an artisan in Viet Nam who is hearing impaired, was never taught how to use sign language. Communicating was difficult making it nearly impossible for her to find a job. Then Thu was hired by a fair-trade co-op, founded by members with disabilities. The co-op provided her with job skills, fair wages, and the chance to benefit from community programs funded by their earning. Soon she learned how to embroider, sew, quilt, and do patchwork. Today, Thu is not only gainfully employed — she’s also beginning to learn sign language.
With a donation of $75 to the World Vision Fund, you can get the eye-catching “Bonded Together” tote that Wé McDonald, singer, author, and World Vision supporter, is featuring in the Gift Catalog. This patchwork beauty made of bonded faux suede and cotton is made by Vietnamese artisans like Thu.
Get the “Bonded Together” tote.
Handcrafting bracelets brings new opportunities
When Nazneen’s family hit hard times, the 37-year-old mother from Delhi, India was determined to help. It was difficult to watch her husband, Gulfam, a master jewelry craftsman, labor such long hours to provide for them and their 5-year-old son, Abdullah. That’s when she asked Gulfam to teach her the art of jewelry making. Nazneen grasped the skill quickly and soon the couple began working together. When they were invited to join a fair-trade group that ensured equitable and steady wages, as well as safe working conditions for all of the artisans in the group, life began to change for the better. As part of the group, Nazneen’s family has benefitted from receiving a water filter, ceiling fan, and tuition for their son’s education.
With a $30 donation to the World Vision Fund, you can get the “Further Together” waxed string bracelets by actor, author, and World Vision supporter Kristoffer Polaha. Made of waxed cotton thread with metal caps, these three adjustable bracelets in light gray, orange, and yellow are hand-braided in India by skilled women artisans in Nazneen’s fair-trade group.
Get the “Further Together” waxed string bracelets.
*Name changed to protect identity.
For our celebrity-designed, artisan-made gifts, World Vision partners with Gifts with a Cause, a fair-trade organization that provides a sustainable income to artisans in developing countries. Each artisan receives a living wage, a safe place to work, business development training, and opportunities to build long-term business relationships in their communities.
