While searching for interesting inexpensive gifts, I came across the site Ten Thousand Villages.  It is a site which sells unique items handmade by disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries.  Ten Thousand Villiages is a founding member of the International Fair Trade Association, and sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for the artisans and their families.

Below are a few of the more interesting finds I came across on the site.

Peace Dove Cinnamon Box

I have owned a box similar to this one for about a decade now (and I picked it up second hand, so who knows how old it really is).  Even after all the years I’ve had it, when I open it up, the scent of cinnamon is still strong.  It makes for a nice pick me up, and my toddler just loves to sniff it.  At $10 it seems like a great pick for a holiday gift, especially since it has the peace dove on it.http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/peace-dove-cinnamon-box

Matchbox Retablo Ornament

This tiny Peruvian retablo nativity is made with plaster figures in a painted matchbox & includes a special gift card telling how it was made.  Although it is small it packs a lot of novelty at the small price of  $6. http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/matchbox-retablo-ornament

 Embroidered Aceh Purse

This stunning and unique handbag is produced by artisans in a refugee camp in Aceh province in Sumatra, using traditional embroidery techniques.  These people were displaced by the tsunami of December 2004.  The bag sells for $44. http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/embroidered-aceh-purse

Shipping costs for items are very typical for size and weight.  There are also 4 soon to be 5 brick and mortar stores, as well as, local festivals that sell these goods to benefit their organizations.  Locations can be found on the website.