Giving is like turning on a light~~it spreads everywhere. And apparently it’s catching! Every item purchased this month so far has been a gift for someone special from someone who wants to let them know they are cared about. Carrie from Michigan sent us a note to tell us about her gifts, “The gifts I bought from Red Lantern are absolutely beautiful and wrapped so nicely as well. I can’t wait to give these stunning gifts to my special friends. Thanks for your help and hopefully the news about your fantastic company will continue to spread.” And the gift giving goes on!...
Ratha is a gentle boy who loves to do somersaults in the dirt outside his grandmother’s thatched hut. He seems happy showing off his acrobatic skills – but 12-year-old Ratha hides a deep sorrow. Both his mother and father died in traumatic circumstances. His father was an alcoholic and drove his mother to suicidal depression. One day, Ratha’s grandmother found her lying in a pool of blood. In despair, she had taken her own life. Sometimes, his grandmother confides, she finds Ratha sobbing by his bed.
“I sometimes dream about my mom,” Ratha says, scuffing the dirt with his feet.
The World Relief Hope program has brought help and meaning into Ratha’s life, providing care, mentoring, guidance, and hope for the future. You are a part of giving Ratha a brighter future when you make a purchase. Learn More >>
Remember those birthdays when the most exciting present was the one in the beautiful wrapping? Choosing just the right gift for someone is half the fun but the other half is knowing they will love opening it. It’s all in the presentation, where special attention is given to every detail of the gift packaging. We really want your gift giving and receiving to be extraordinary, so we’ve designed our gift packaging with that in mind, slipping each item into its own red silk bag tied with our signature ribbon, including a personalized card, tissue paper, and crinkle paper filler. We’d love to hear what you think. Drop us a line at cynthia@redlanternstyle.com.
In a delightfully appropriate twist, our Currie Bag was worn to a benefit in Chicago. It was given as a gift by Penny to a good friend who shared with her that when she opened the package she was surprised to find “a most beautiful purse – handmade and lovely.” She went on to tell her that she would wear it that weekend to a special benefit and thought it would be a hit. We find it particularly appropriate to know that the handbag whose purchase is a benefit to people in need was taken to an event that was also designed to give back. Giving never looked so fashionable!
This is it, this what we’ve been working for, this very moment as we write the first check in support of our projects, slip it in an envelope, and put it in the mail. My mind goes to the kids in Cambodia who will receive hope…the person in the Congo who will be able to take out a loan…the person who has been trafficked into slavery who might be helped. Every purchase you’ve made this last month has helped us partner together to make it happen. This check says we’re serious about our commitment to give and support these projects that will make a difference in lives of people around the world. You are making a difference!
Some things just make your day! We received a really encouraging note from Kelly who wrote, “I wanted to let you know I received my items today and they are just lovely. I love the added touch of enclosing the items in a sheer red bag with ribbon. I purchased both as gifts for girlfriends, and I now realize I should have used the discount to buy presents for myself instead!!” She also mentioned that including the Red Lantern information card would let her friends know that their gifts had a giving back purpose. We think it’s great that Kelly pleased with her gifts and will be giving them to others! 20% of her purchase will go to help kids in Cambodia~Thanks Kelly!
I am often asked why we chose the name Red Lantern for our business. Believe me, choosing a name is not an easy process! We tossed many ideas around as a team in our living room over tea. Red Lantern seemed a perfect fit, a name that came to us from our experience of living in Asia where red lanterns are used to decorate streets, parks and homes for special events and holidays. They are joyful and bright, and full of celebration. As we discussed it further, we realized there was a deeper and more significant meaning to the word lantern. We believe we are to live our lives as lights in our world, loving and helping those around us. What better way to state our purpose than to use a name that encourages us to be joyful, bright lights in our world.
My family and I have traveled to many wonderful and interesting places, and lots of travel means lots of pictures. I found myself looking for an attractive but practical way to store and display them. When we lived in China, I frequently walked by a wonderful little shop that featured lovely silk covered photo albums in special boxes. I was hooked. A couple of albums became several, until my collection filled shelves, were stacked on tables, and served as home decor. My husband became alarmed. I had to share them, and I gave them as gifts to family and friends. And now I want to share them with you. I hope you love them as much as I do!
