Happy Wednesday!
I’m sure you, like me, are in the midst of checking off your Christmas to do list. Of course a huge part of that list is buying gifts. Gift buying can be fun and exciting, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful as the days tick by, the list grows and the budget shrinks.
On Wednesdays this month, I want to pass along some shopping ideas and resources that I hope will be helpful.
I love giving gifts, but hate the idea of giving people something that may get tossed in a corner and never used. I try to think of practical and unique gifts whenever I can. I also try to support local businesses and friends as often as I can. Target and Amazon do get a lot of my budget, but I would much rather give to a small business owner, buying a unique and lasting piece to give, rather than a gift card that will be used and discarded without much thought.
First up is Noonday. This jewelry and accessories company is all about empowering the lives of women all around the world.
Noonday’s story:
Jessica Honegger launched Noonday Collection in 2010 after she connected with Jalia and Daniel, talented jewelry designers in Uganda who dreamed of using fashion to create dignified jobs in their community. Jessica hosted the first Noonday Trunk Show, selling Jalia and Daniel’s jewelry in her home to raise funds to adopt from Rwanda. Women fell in love with the style and story of Noonday Collection – and Jessica began to dream bigger than a fundraiser.
Jessica soon partnered with Travis Wilson, a friend passionate about social entrepreneurship and experienced in building businesses. Both Travis and Jessica had spent years working in Africa and Latin America. Together they dreamed of starting a business that would alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship. This dream became Noonday Collection, a business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world.
Need a necklace or bracelet? Buying it from Noonday supports a local business in an impoverished nation, rather than lining the pockets of an already wealthy American company. The pieces are beautiful and high quality!
My dear friend Dylan just become an Ambassador with Noonday! In our West Point community she was the in-demand babysitter and now she is a wife and mama herself to a sweet baby girl. Ambassadors like Dylan not only help support their own families by selling Noonday products, they help share the message of Noonday and support local artisans from around the world.
Follow Dylan on her FB page or check out your own Ambassador! Let’s support local businesses doing good things this Christmas season!