The Ethical Christmas Fair

I seem to know a lot of people who are not ‘doing’ Christmas this year. My brother, for example, is doing charity work on the day itself and had told us all that if we so much as wish him a Merry Christmas, or smile at him in December (I’m hazy on the exact rules) he will be very angry and deliver a thirty minutes lecture of the evils of consumerism and lining fat cat’s pockets whilst they exert tiny poor children and how Santa’s red suit is nothing but a commercial exploit for the evil Coca-Cola.

He’s right, of course. He’s very right. And I’m very proud of him for standing up for his beliefs. But…it’s Christmas. It’s the winter solstice, Hannukah, Diwali, Saturnalia. Time to eat large quantities of sweet food and warm drinks, and share gifts and sparkly joy with our nearest and dearest. And weird Andy from IT.

Thank the tiny newborn baby Jesus, then, for Hand Up Media’s annual Ethical Christmas Fair. Head down to the Prince’s Street/Castle Street area of Edinburgh from 12-20 December between 10 and 7 for a range of ethically sourced Christmas goodies. 25 fairtrade organisations such Earth Squared, Zuri Designs, Yakanaka and Tearcraft will be selling a selection of organic and environmental fashion, jewellery, hand made crafts, scarves, handbags, glasses, candles, cards, hats and gloves not available anywhere on the high street. Three women are even coming all the way over from Kenya to sell their unique hand-made wares. Of course, there’ll also be the obligatory delicious, warm things to eat and drink, without being followed by the Starbuckian stomach ache of capitalist guilt.

With Green Santa making guest appearances and promises of further ‘special surprises’, it’s a wonderful way to keep the true Christmas spirit alive.