During this Christmas season we all want to be generous to the poor.

Fair trade is a wonderful way to do this while checking off your gift list for friends and family. Fair Trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system. Fair trade includes sustainable, environmentally sound agricultural practices, and focuses specifically on fair labor practices and prices.

We checked in with members and friends of the Fair Trade Town Task Force here in Bluffton, and asked them to share the top of their Christmas present wish list. We hope Santa gets the message.

I like Ten Thousand Villages containers (baskets), instruments, and dark chocolate. -Jonathan Andreas

I'd have to say that Fair Trade Dark Chocolate bars are my all-time favorite gift. I buy them at the Food Store, where there are a lot of different flavors (with or without nuts and fruit, etc) and sizes. -Gail Clingerman

I have to echo Gail on this one. -Jonah Agner

Chocolate always works - but there is amazing jewelry! Actually quite a few things from Ten Thousand Villages would be wonderful! - Lori Nester

My favorite Fair Trade items are the musical instruments from Ten Thousand Villages. From the wind chimes to funky frog percussion instrument, you can't go wrong with music for that young at heart person on your list! - Judy Lester

Get some fair trade, organic coffee for the coffee drinkers on your list. It gives them a more direct connection to those who produce the coffee, provides the producers with a fair price for their product, and (here I'm partial to Green Mountain's Sumatran Reserve), the quality and variety of sources and roasts means there's something out there for every coffee drinker's taste. -Jon Sommer

I would like some decaf mint tea or decaf mint green tea. Bags please. -Peg Murphy

I choose the olive wood Christmas tree ornaments at Ten Thousand Villages. Buying this product helps the farmers and craftspeople in Palestine where there is high unemployment. -Elaine Brubaker
Fair trade chocolate! HMMMMM! - Lisa Robeson

CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE- Sophie Marcum

Yep, I'm with Sophie on the chocolate... or coffee - Elizabeth Kelly

Pick up one of our Fair Trade Coffee Gift Baskets at Common Grounds. - Phil Zimmerly

Dagoba chai hot chocolate from the Food Store - Linda Houshower

Brightly colored airplane toy with people in it from different countries- Ellie Bergstrand, who saw it at Ten Thousand Villages

Teapot and cups- Sarah Bergstrand

I would like some Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap in my stocking. -Wendy Chappell-Dick

Top of my wish list for this year, is the Holy Family from Congo - new this year - from Ten Thousand Villages. African Harmony Nativity-Mary and Joseph gaze lovingly on the Christ Child in this harmonious nativity. Polished African figures are hand-carved of dark Congolese ebony. Sculpture stand 11" tall. -Judy Decker

Outlets for Fair Trade Products include:

• Ten Thousand Villages
• The Food Store
• Common Grounds Coffeehouse

all on Main Street, Bluffton. Happy Shopping!