Make trade fair this holiday

The holidays are here and the retailers are ready. Consumers spent over $8 billion on the Friday after Thanksgiving alone this year. Nearly all of those purchases pay into a commercial system that pays the workers who make the products almost nothing.

Fortunately, there is an alternative.

When buying this year, think Fair Trade.

Fair trade products are certified that the person who produced the item is paid a just wage. Common fair trade items include coffee, sugar, chocolate, clothing, and handicrafts. Fair trade items are like gift central. Tulane has opened a fair trade store called InExchange on their campus and its way cool. Its easy to buy fair trade goods online too. One great store is called A Greater Gift. When your friends and family open their fair trade gifts, you'll see the smile of the person who made the gift.