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What I’m Thankful For – Heart of Haiti

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Thanksgiving is upon us once again. Soon we’ll be rocking our stretch pants and lounging in food comas while we digest copious amounts of turkey and pie, the drone of parades and football games (or really, really bad movies) in the background.  We’ll be crazy thankful for leggings and comfy sweaters and naps.

Some of us, maybe even most of us, will be thankful for the family and friends surrounding us on Thursday.

The past year has been one of upheaval for us, of making choices which we believe are for the good of our family, this little unit of four. We’ve weathered my anxiety. We’ve sold a house and moved. We’re working to build a new, forever home. The fact that we’re together through it all, that all of us are sacrificing, makes this easier than it would be if this choice hadn’t been one we were free to make.

That’s why programs like Macy’s Heart of Haiti are so dear to my heart.

When the 2010 earthquake shattered Haiti, entire communities were left with even less than they had before, which wasn’t much. The decision to start over wasn’t one Haitians chose to make, but that’s where they found themselves once the aftershocks stopped and they began to clear the rubble.

From that rubble, they began creating works of art and things of beauty, like these sustainable tobacco leaf trays made with papier mache techniques.

Tobacco Leaf Tray - Heart of Haiti

Through creations like this, usable yet decorative pieces, Haitian artisans have been able to support themselves and their families. Slowly, they’ve been rebuilding an entire country through the artistry native to their villages and heritage, and Macy’s has helped sell those creations on a global scale, raising awareness of issues in Haiti beyond the devastation left by the earthquakes and sending money back into the places where it is needed most.

Through relying on one another, their friends, family, and fellow Haitian artisans, these men and women are making a difference in their communities. They are able to provide food, shelter, education, and healthcare to their children, all of which are taken for granted daily here.

Heart of Haiti is changing lives, and you can be a part of that.

When you’re shopping for those on your list this year, that family member who has it all, consider giving the unique, handmade items from Macy’s Heart of Haiti collection. Your gift recipients will receive one-of-a-kind pieces of art and you’ll be giving back to the artists who created them in the process. Each piece is created using raw materials found in and around their communities through sustainable techniques handed down from generation to generation.

We spend a lot of time thinking about the tangible stuff we have, and what we don’t. We’re constantly seeking more, more, more to fill our lives and we make flippant purchases without thinking about where that stuff comes from, who made it, or how. Now we can change that, and that’s something to be thankful for.

I am a  member of the Everywhere Society and they provided me with this product for review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Tobacco Leaf Tray Heart of Haiti

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Anne (@notasupermom)

Wednesday 26th of November 2014

Love that tray! I never though tobacco could be decorative. I have the candlesticks from Heart of Haiti and they'll be right in the middle of my Thanksgiving table.

Jill @BabyRabies

Monday 24th of November 2014

That tray is awesome! I love giving gifts like this.

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