site.btaSocial Enterprises Contribute to Easter Holidays with Handmade Decorations

Woven eggs, bunnies, baskets, wreaths, homemade cookies, and bunny-shaped chocolates – these are the kinds of decorations and treats we can gift to a loved one for Easter while also supporting a social cause championed by social enterprises and non-governmental organizations. Such handmade items were showcased at an Easter bazaar held this week at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. There, representatives of communities involved in supporting disadvantaged people or children encouraged everyone to bring joy into their homes with a souvenir made by and for such people.

“I wish people would buy something for their home that brings harmony,” said Anelia Kirilova from the association Made with Love in an interview with BTA. “Everything we make is beautiful, with a lot of effort and time invested—but most importantly, it’s made with love,” she emphasized. Some decorations can take hours to create by an elderly woman with trembling hands, and while some items might not be perfect, they carry the spirit of the cause, Kirilova added. The association supports artists with disabilities and mothers of children with special needs. Their products are available on the Made with Love website, their Facebook page, and at a shop in Pernik (SW Bulgaria).

For the upcoming holiday, Easter wreaths are also an interesting gift idea. “They're not as popular in Bulgaria as Christmas wreaths, but they symbolize protection of the home,” said Kirilova. Felted wool eggs and decorated styrofoam eggs are other themed souvenirs, and they also make colorful egg decorations on sticks, she added. She explained that these homespun decorations can be enjoyed year-round, including woven bouquets and egg-shaped flower pots. Fragrant candles in a variety of shapes are also popular gifts.

“When you buy a knitted toy, you can bring joy to two children—the one receiving the gift, and another whom you're helping to fight for their treatment,” said Tatyana Yaneva from the With Faith in Good, Give Hope initiative, speaking to BTA. “We are a group of women from across the country who knit for charity in support of children in need of medical treatment, and everything is made from suitable yarn,” she said. They also make hairbands, scrunchies, scarves, and hats, with great interest in knitted toys of cartoon characters. As Yaneva showed off a hand-knitted Paddington Bear, Yoda, and Bluey, she explained that creating them can take an entire day of knitting.

“We're grateful to anyone who opens their doors to us,” she added. “When people shop with a cause, they feel happy—they’re getting something for themselves while helping someone else.” According to Yaneva, holidays are a time when more people seek meaningful, handmade gifts. After Easter, June 1st (Children’s Day) is another occasion when hand-crafted presents are in high demand.

“We feel support for our cause year-round,” said Sonya Stoilova from the Our Premature Children foundation in an interview with BTA. “For nearly 13 years, we’ve supported premature babies and their families, and we've helped improve hospital facilities.” At their center Little Children, they assist parents and children experiencing developmental difficulties. This year, they launched a permanent volunteer initiative called the Volunteer Club, open to anyone who wants to contribute with their skills. Homemade baked goods, special decorations, and small crocheted octopuses are among the ways volunteers support their cause, she said.

Social enterprises and organizations across the country offer even more creative gifts, including crocheted bookmarks, brooches, greeting cards, coasters, kitchen potholders and gloves, jars filled with Easter candy, and many other thoughtful presents for any occasion.