Christmas is fast approaching and will be upon us before we know it.

So now the time has come to get inspiration ideas for those gifts which are perhaps different, quirky, well made or just beautiful. I would like to share a list of my favourite 5 fair trade gift ideas. The range is so diverse these days with so many ideas for individual and original gifts.

5. Moneyboxes. There is an interesting selection of fair trade moneyboxes currently available. The ones I have seen are based on an animal theme. Some are hand carved and painted depicting animals such as zebras, cats and giraffes.  I have also seen a mouse made from a hollowed out coconut shell with wooden ears and a string tail. They really are quite original and would make a perfect gift for either a child or an animal lover.

4. Tealight holders. Again there is a good selection of beautifully made fair trade tealight holders around made from different kinds of materials. For example, there are plain holders made from glass, mussel shell or soapstone. Also more funky ones made from tin the various animal shapes like hedgehogs, cockerels, geckos, frogs and cats. I would recommend these as a fun gift for a student or someone who loves anything original. The hedgehog is large enough to work as a centrepiece on a table and makes a great conversation piece.

3. Jewellery. Although this can be quite a personal choice, there are wonderful fair trade jewellery ranges made from solid silver inlaid with gorgeous gemstones.  So if you know the birthstone of the recipient it would be easy to find an elegant bracelet inlaid with lapis lazuli or moonstone for example. Even a pair of stud earrings made from blue chalcedony, tigers eye or malachite for example.

2. Bags. With the demise of plastic carrier bags, the jute bag is becoming increasingly popular as a durable and environmentally friendly alternative. The range of fair trade bags not only includes natural or dyed jute but also stunning sequinned or embroidered evening or hand bags. The workmanship and skill in the embroidery and embellishment are second to none and so would make a very special gift for females of all ages.

1. Gift baskets. Besides bananas, there are many kinds of fair trade consumables available. For example, the most popular of all would be fair trade chocolates or truffles. I know they are slightly more expensive than non-fair trade products though are high quality and beautifully boxed. I have also seen a large range of hampers containing fair trade or organic items. Some are themed for spice lovers containing organic nachos and salsa. Others focus on the nation’s favourite theme of sugar offering fair trade hot chocolate and bars of Divine just for good measure!

There are also jute carriers containing one bottle each of red and white fair trade wine. There are many other examples available and really would suit the discerning wine enthusiast or someone who loves chocolate.

So as these examples show, the fair trade product range covers a multitude of gift ideas though my 5 examples re just the tip of an iceberg. There are hundreds more items for example childrens toys such as bookends, wooden arks and jigsaws to magnets, pencils and instruments.

It really is worth having a look at the fair trade products ranges for two reasons. Firstly I feel you would be pleasantly surprised at the diversity and modest pricing for finding a perfect Christmas gift. Secondly, when we buy fair trade we are helping third world communities to help themselves for now and the future.