Happy Solstice

My brother’s birthday is on the winter Solstice. When we were kids my siblings and I would tease him that his birthday was the shortest day of the year. Ha!
But truth be told, the winter Solstice is one of my favorite days of the year. The coming of the light. What could be better?
Today I walked home from work in the waning light of our shortest day and was amazed by the exquisite beauty everywhere.
Conditions for my walk were perfect: a fresh dusting of snow to make everything picture pretty, 20 something temps for a crisp, brisk feeling, no wind and the uniquely mesmerizing light of early evening on Solstice Day. I started out tired after working the retail holiday crush all day but as I looked around and felt the invigorating air, my spirits picked right up, as did my energy level.
My two miles took me through a quiet, hushed tree-filled park dusted in white, over a snow covered wooden bridge crossing the creek, by a hill full of noisy, boisterous kids sledding and near a neighbor gleefully playing fetch with her dog. It felt as if I was walking through a series of winter-y postcard scenes.
And tomorrow we wake up to a longer, lighter day- and to official winter. Happy Solstice to you.

Gift Ideas: For Under $30

It’s time to pick up those last minute small gifts to finish off your holiday shopping. Birch has some great choices to help you make it to the holiday shopping finish line this year.
Check out our handmade lightweight etched bangles made from PVC pipe. These make great gifts for women or guys (who wear jewelry) and help support education in Namibia besides. ($16-$18).
Or, pick up a few soy candles from Way Out Wax scented with natural pure essential oils to celebrate the Solstice and the coming of the light ($5-$7.50).
Or, put your friends and family in the know on the best places to eat and shop around the Twin Cities with a copy of the Eat.Shop Twin Cities guide. ($14.95)
Stop by our store or shop on line to see these and many other gifts under $30 that are unique, interesting and of course fairly traded and sustainable.

Gift Ideas: World Finds

We are pleased to offer World Finds fair trade products this holiday season. World Finds works directly with artisan groups in the developing world to create employment opportunities and imports beautiful, handcrafted products that are perfect for holiday gift giving.
The artisans that this fair trade company works with create jewelry, bags and gloves that are festive and richly detailed at affordable prices. The colorful buckle wallets made from saris are a customer favorite this season.

GIFT IDEAS: SOCKS

Everyone loves a new pair of socks - especially when they are made from natural, great feeling fabrics like merino wool or organic cotton. And, when they sport vibrant design and a great fit, you’ve got a hit gift.
Birch is stocked up on warm merino wool socks from Icebreaker, colorful organic cotton socks from Amelia’s and fun and funky regenerated eco-cotton socks from Rock N Socks.
Give the gift of happy feet this Holiday and SAVE with our great sale price. Added bonus: All are made in the USA.

Gift Ideas: Ten Thousand Villages

We wanted to bring in some new and special merchandise to give customers expanded choices for holiday gift giving selections this year. We decided to offer some Ten Thousand Villages products because of the organization’s unique and inviting selections.
Ten Thousand Villages has worked with artisan groups from around the developing world for over 60 years creating fair trade partnerships that provide needed income streams to some of the world’s poorest people. The artisan groups that Ten Thousand Villages works with produce unique, high quality, beautiful objects for your gift recipients to enjoy.
And, as a business concerned with social responsibility, we are pleased to note that The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine recognized Ten Thousand Villages as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for 2009. High honors, indeed.
Shop for Ten Thousand Villages Products at our Minneapolis store, the Ten Thousand Villages store in St. Paul or on the web.

Visit Birch at Kowalski's Markets

If you live in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area you now have two new venues to find Birch merchandise. Birch has set up kiosk areas with our merchandise in Kowalski’s Markets in Woodbury and in Oak Park Heights/Stillwater. You will find a selection of our best selling clothing, gifts and accessories.
We are happy to be a part of Kowalski’s offerings to our local communities on the east side of the Metro area. Kowalski’s shares our passion for promoting local, fair trade and organic and carries products from some of our favorite local companies such as Peace Coffee, Mrs. Meyers and Schultz Organic Farm.
Please stop by and visit us at Kowalski’s in Woodbury and Oak Park Heights.

Reusable Bags

Reusable bags are all the rage these days in the world of green living and eco-consciousness. But I can’t tell you how many customers at Birch say as they check out: -I left my bag in the car. And hey, I have the same problem. I have several bags in the car that rarely make it into a store with me.
But then I bought a Chico bag and stuck it in my purse in its handy stuff sack and now I always have a bag with me to put my purchases in. Chico bags are lightweight and small when stuffed in their attached pouch but open up big to hold a lot of merchandise. They come in an assortment of fun colors, one of which you are sure to love, and cost only $5 for the small size and $7 for the large size.
Voila- problem solved!