Your Story

Romy Read more
Noortje As an artist I am always on the hunt for beautiful paper that I can use in my paintings. The paper from Nepal really made me happy! I collect all kinds of paper from all over the world, for example China, South Africa but also from Holland. The paper from Nepal really complements the collection. I used it in several paintings, it is so pretty! The printed paper parts with beautiful colours really give ... Read more
Marenke Australia We live in Brisbane, Australia and we received the baby slippers as a gift from our Dutch grandma. The slippers travelled a long way before they got here in our daughters room. Her name is Butterfly and she is the first grandchild for the grandparents. The slippers now have an extra long story! Read more
Anja Read more
Nienke I bought two orange bracelets for my friend Yoshi from Melbourne and for myself. We wore the bracelets when we were in Malaysia. Nice colour! Read more
Floortje I use it as windowdecoration. I really like it! Read more
Anita To the people of Moradabad: thank you for all the beautiful products you've made. We bought two hooks to use in our hippy-campervan. We are planning to travel around the world in the campervan and the hooks are coming with us. On our way we will tell people where the hooks come from so the story goes on and on... greetings from Wieb and Anita Read more
Mariska We bought this cushion for our daughter's room. Our daughter was born on July 28 2011. when I am feeding my daughter I'm sitting in a wicker chair. I couldn't reach the ground with my feet so I use the cushion as a footstool. This way I can feed my daughter in a relaxed way. The fact that this cushion supports a good cause is very important to me! Read more
Michelle I bought this beautiful booklet for my sister for Valentine's day. My sister is a very creative girl, so I thought it would be a nice present for her. A creative booklet for a creative girl. She can write down all her ideas and creations in the booklet. She was really happy with it! In the picture: my sister and me. Read more
Ria I saw the can last year at HEMA. I loved the colour and shape, but when I decided to buy the can it was sold out!! It would really look lovely in my kitchen where "bread tin blue" is the main colour. But what kind of colour is that? It's the colour of a very old bread tin that belonged to my grandfather and the colour of the can from Thailand is practically the same. Luckily I could buy the can this year! Read more
Pip At school, I fell on the bicycle rack and I had a hole in my head. My key ring was covered with blood and I had 6 stitches above my eye.Luckily I got a new key ring for "Sinterklaas". Sinterklaas is a Dutch tradition; children receive gifts on the 5th of December.Pip, 7 years old Read more
Poet Wow, I use this beautiful case for my drawing equipment: pencils, erasers, paintbrushes, pens and sketchbooks which I use during travelling.Would you like to see my drawings? Check poetillustraties.nl Read more
An Read more
Elena We bought an old trailer from 1984...We had great fun pimping the trailer with the Return to Sender pillow cases! (and the HEMA wineglasses)We had a super-trailer-holiday.Later we discovered our curtains had the same stripes and colours! Read more
Bodine Hello!My name is Bodine Nouria.I like to play with my "easter chick"! Read more
Mirjam The Return to Sender products...where shall I start?They are beautiful, nice, original, funny, colourful, fair!It's beautiful to know where the products come from, who made them!Hanger: "For the christmastree"Bracelets: "For my friend"Booklet: "to use as a diary" Read more
Aernout This booklet was a present from my friend for my birthday."Here you are!"We know each other from yoga class.The booklet has nice and firm white pages.I use it as a sketchbook and make a drawing of my friend."Like this?" she asks. Read more
Simone Read more
Sara This is how Sara uses the case from India... Read more
Yvonne All of a sudden my mother showed up with it: 2 bars of chcolaat from Ghana.She told me before that the chocolat was for sale but I forgot about it. My Ghanese husband was so surprised!That evening we both tasted the chocolat to see if it had the real Ghanese chocolat taste, and yes; for a moment we felt like we were in Ghana!There is only one ... Read more
Emilie Wir haben diesen wunderschönen Anhänger für unsere Tochter Mia gekauft. Ich habe jedes Herz noch mit der Hand bestickt. Der Anhänger kommt an ihrem 1. Geburtstag als Glücksbringer in eine kleine Schatzkiste. Diese Kiste bekommt unsere Tochter dann mit vielen anderen schönen Dingen der Familie zu ihrem 18. Geburtstag. Sie wird sich dann sicher sehr darüber freuen und in der Zwischenzeit wird er ... Read more
Regina We bought three packages of stars from Return to Sender and brought them to the Philippines where we support a womensorganisation with 700 members and 22 departments.After a workshop it was time to putter with the 14 boardmembers. A star is sacred so there was a lot of attention for the stars. Now they hang in the homes of the women and they will keep the stars so they can use them next ... Read more
Daniëlla Read more
Leny There was a heart hanger attached to this label. The heart was a present from my youngest sister.My other "heart" (my husband) was really ill and hospitalized at the time. In Februay 2012 we will be married for 50 years. I put a picture of us inside the hanger.Like a miracle, my husband got better and came home. We hope the heart stays! Read more
Susanne I saw this necklace and the charms at HEMA. My kids Britt (15 years old) and Pleun (13 years old) immediately saw that this was the perfect necklace for me. That’s why they bought it for me. They gave it to me on Christmas evening and I was really surprised. I am going to wear it very often! Read more
Lonneke This hanger was a present from my sister, for Christmas.The idea was to hang it in the nursery with a nice picture inside of it. But my daughter Fee (2 years old) and me thought it was a better idea to hang it in the christmas tree! Read more
Marloes I got this colourful and special hanger as a gift on Christmas evening.My sister-in-law saw it at HEMA and thought I would like it. She is absolutely right about that! The hanger is now shining in my christmas tree.Thank you very much! Read more
Linda Read more
Janneke Dear Rashid, Babita, Pratap and others,My friend gave me this colourful case for my 34th birthday.This weekend I stayed over at her place and brought the case as a toiletry.I wish you lots of love, hapiness and gold at the end of the rainbow! Read more
Yente Hello,Our daughter Yente is a model. Recently she was photographed for the cover of a magazine.Mirjam, a dear friend of mine, thought that Yente sparkled so brightly on the cover that she gave Yente a radiant star from Return to Sender. Ofcourse the star gets a beautiful spot in our home.Good luck with all the good work! Read more
Robert & Sandra After a long period of trying to get pregnant, our twins Isa and Roel were born on the 15th of September 2011. They were born two months early, but they are doing fine.There are two owls printed on their birth announcement. And even though they are wallets, the Return to Sender owls hang in our Christmas tree with a good luck wish for Isa and Roel inside.We will ... Read more
Lucie For years I worked at a primary school in Emmen with lots of pleasure, but yesterday was my last day there.The kids and parents really surprised me as you can see in the pictures: they made photographs of all the children, a heart made of painted hands of the children and finally a shiny colourful heart. I look at them every day and I enjoy it a lot. Read more
I bought this necklace at HEMA, for myself. Because it's pretty and it suits my wardrobe.I don't often wear gold or silver jewelry, except for my weddingring. I like to know where my necklace is made. From most of the things I own I don't know the origin.I hope the makers of this necklace can improve their lives a bit. Read more
Nienke This booklet was a present from my dear friend, meant to use when I would start my own practice to help children.I the meantime I have started the practice and I use the booklet. The booklet serves a good cause. And it is used for another good cause: to help children feel better. A win-win situation!Warm regards, Nienke Read more
Peter and Sabine My sister gave us these lovely christmas figures, made in Vietnam.This is special to us because after travelling in Vietnam for nine months our son was born. Therefore the figures from Vietnam have a nice place in our home.The Vietnamese Joseph and Maria with their little baby are symbolising the beautiful times we had in Vietnam en the little mirracle ... Read more
Lisz Dear all,My name is Lisz and I am 10 years old. This suitcase was a present for my birthday from a friend from school. The suitcase has a nice spot in my room and I love to play with it. I put small things in it and use it when I dress up. My little brother likes the suitcase a lot too (he's a bit jealous). I wanted to use the suitcase as a lunchbox but my mother ... Read more
Arien Last Saturday we celebrated "Sinterklaas" (a Dutch tradition) with eight guests from England and our own sons and their families. Everybody spent the night at our house.Sinterklaas brought presents for the children. The English children were not familiar with Sinterklaas but they were pleasantly surprised. After the kids got their presents it was my turn.Sinterklaas ... Read more
Ingill This beautiful white scarf was a present from my ex-colleagues for my jubilee.Years ago I travelled in Peru. I cherish my memories of this country and it's lovely citizens. I'm happy that besides me, the women from the suburbs of Lima also benefit from the sales of this scarf. Read more
Ilona This christmas decoration was a present from my best friend for my birthday. We shared many ups and downs.Two years ago I gave her a Return to Sender bag hanger for her birthday. She was really content with it because the colours made her happy.Now the beautiful colours of this Christmas decoration make me really happy. It reminds me of our heartwarming ... Read more
Coby I bought a necklace with beautiful beads. It was a present for myself. I think Return to Sender is a great initiative.The necklace is made in Kenya, Nairobi. And since I'm a big fan of Africa and visited Kenia two times, I was really attracted to the necklace.Keep on doing this great work, I think it's fantastic. Now I can support the people in Africa without going to ... Read more
Louise Read more
Marjolijn When I saw this chocolat bar at HEMA I was filled with happiness. I visited Ghana for 4 months and I love the country.So I had to buy a chocolat bar and I intend to buy a lot more and share them with as many people as possible.It reminds me of that time we bought our first chocolat bar in Ghana made from real Ghanaian cocoa. What a great feeling. Thank you for this ... Read more
Yvonne I bought this suitcase for my granddaughter. I've put all kinds of things in it: a comb, a mirror, a toothbrush, toothpaste...On the 12th of November the suitcase will be given to my granddaughter for "Sinterklaas" (a Dutch tradition). Read more
Kelsey I visited my mum and dad's friends in Holland. They bought me this lovely keyring with lots of colour. I love hearts and I am so pleased to show this to my friends. They have admired it so much and I hope they will also buy these wonderful items and maybe add colour to their lives and help others too. Thank you! Read more
Marion I was looking for a case for my laptop. Most of them are dull and black. Then I saw this colourful case at HEMA. It's beautiful and it's for a good cause.Now I can bring my laptop safely and it also look nice in my bookcase. Read more
Chantal Belgium To keep my sons tent clean during the holidays, we use a reed matt in front of his tent. Unfortunately, after two weeks of sun and rain the matt is useless.This year, I bought a fabulous matt in HEMA. I loved the design and quality. After two weeks of intensive use the matt looks is if it's new! Now it's waiting for the next holiday. Who knows what country it's going next year? Read more
Ada I went shopping in HEMA and saw this nice hanger with hearts.Because I find it commendable that these women work on their independancy by making these hangers I bought one. Now it's attached to my bag.Everytime somebody says: "What a great hanger, what a beautiful colors" I tell them the story about the women in Brazil. People respond really well. So women from ... Read more
Jan Read more
Susette I gave this cushion to our Indonesian neighbour. Because she has lunch with our children every week on Tuesday and Thursday so I can stay at work. "Aunt" Damaris is the sweatest! Read more
Ellen What a great idea to tell the producers of this tableware how it is used.I bought the plates and bowls for a picnic on the beach where we own a tiny beachhut. At the end of a beautiful sunny day we go there to swim with the dog. We enjoy the sea, the sunset, the beautiful skies, the tranquility and the food from this tableware. I even wash it up so I can use it again! Read more
Carla Chocolat, delicious chocolat = honest chocolat.Enjoying chocolat gets even better when you think of beautiful Ghana and it's cocoa plantations, the hospitable people and the impressive nature ... what a great charity! Read more
Fenje My sister came over from Spain, I gave her 5 chocolat bars from Ghana.She was really enthusiastic about them. She said she wouldn't mind if I give her a bar everytime she comes over. Really tasty! Read more
Antoinette Such beautiful paper, you can only make cheerful things with it! Like this paper garland. Check it on http://antoinettevanschaik.blogspot.com and http://vtwonen.nl/blog/zelf-maken-blog/verslingerd.html Read more
Karin After two weeks of development work in South Africa, my husband and daughters picked me up at Schiphol airport. As a reward for the work I had done, they gave me a beautiful bracelet.This bracelet reminds me of the contribution a group of youngsters and me made in the slums of Koster. We repared houses, finished a home for disabled people and did youthwork. Also, we gave food, clothing ... Read more
Marian I bought this booklet to write down beautiful characters or made-up texts with drawings. Read more
Maartje One day after my 20 weeks scan (I’m pregnant!), where I heard that my baby is healthy and she’s a girl, I got this cute pink baby socks from Guatemala from a dear friend.I can’t wait to let my baby wear these socks! I have visited a women’s cooperation similar to yours (in Mexico) and they made beautiful products too. To see how the women can make a living because they get a fair price for the ... Read more
Lenneke Read more
Ineke Read more
Evelene Today is our mother's birthday, she's 56. Soon she will leave to benin with our father, for missionary work.After travelling around a lot our family found it's home in Holland and six children have their own families, husband and house.For her birthday our mother asked for a present thqat will remind her at home. What better than a present from HEMA, and in the same time ... Read more
Eva Hi Return to Sender,My name is Eva and this is my story. One day I was shopping in den Bosch. Then I saw a beautiful hanger at HEMA. I really wanted to have it but my mother first didn't agree. But I talked her into it by saying it was for a good cause. So I got it and I was so happy! But because I liked it so much, I didn't know where to hang it because I was afraid I would break. In the ... Read more
Marcha I got this great bracelet as a present for mothersday! Lots of cheerful colors , I love it! I'll wear it a lot! Read more
Iris Last year I bought this beautiful, colorful babyblanket.I actually don't have a baby, but this doesn't mean I don't use the blanket...on the contrary! And I am not the only one. Oscar Vanille enjoys the blanket every day! Read more
Trudy We travel a lot from Holland to Sri Lanka to work on a youth project near Kandy.This year we spent easter in Holland. So I checked the new Return to Sender collection to see what it had to offer. The handmade easter decoration was perfect for the easter tree.In the same time it gives me a good feeling that by buying Return to Sender products, I make myself happy and I ... Read more
Eva Read more
Meluska This is where we put our Return to Sender basket. This used to be a corner scattered with scarves, gloves, light bulbs, etc.We often had fights about who would clean up the mess. Untill last week when we entered our favorite store HEMA. There it was; still unpacked. This was the basket that would help us get rid off the junk and irritations.But most of all it goes ... Read more
Roosje Holland Dear maker,I got this Christmas hanger as a present in my shoe, from Sinterklaas. I'll hang it in the Christmas tree and after Christmas on my doorknob!Thank you very much, it's beautiful, and very cute! Read more
Saskia Holland Read more
Marianne Holland This necklace and bracelet were given to me for my 61st birthday by my best friend. We have always supported eachother, we know eachother for 50 years now!We often have lunch together, and that's what we did for my birthday as well. Together with other friends, in my son's new restaurant. A special moment, and this necklace and bracelet will remind me of it. Read more
Rose Holland My basket is on the table, standing next to a flower.They are really happy together :)Love, Rose Read more
Gerdi Holland Read more
Anneke Hi,I don't really have a story other than the fact that I support this concept. I like to be part of this craftsproject which helps poor people. I bought several products; scarves, a keychain, christmascards, oven cloths, etc. All great stuff, used for what they were intended. Read more
Julia Holland Basket from BangladeshThis has to be it! My new reading basket. The colour and shape are tempting, but above all I'm impressed by your convincing personal message; supporting poor countries to create a stabel and healthy community.I defenately want to share this with you, so I'm taking you with me! And now you're in my home, looking pretty, and we have lots of stories to ... Read more
The story of Katja Schuurman Founder Return to Sender I know the stories behind the Return to Sender products from up close. I have often visited the places where they are made, I’ve met the people who make them. But even after they are in my house, the stories continue… Read more
The story of Linda de Mol Producer, TV-host, actress, magazine editor My daughter Noa got to pick a present from the Return to Sender website and almost immediately she chose the bag hanger. She liked it a lot and thought it would be very handy for the anti-lice bag at school, which would otherwise look just the same as everyone else’s. The fact that it was made by women who lead difficult lives in the favelas in Brazil, and who can make their own money by producing these hangers, makes it ... Read more
The story of Chantal Janzen Actress, musical star, TV-host The clutch bag from India. Such amazing colours! It quickly became my make-up bag – because well, I’m a girl, after all. However... my one-and-a-half-year-old son didn’t think that was a good idea at all. All of my mascara, lip-gloss, eye pencils and all the rest of it (all Miss Helen, of course) had to make way for crayons, stickers, raisins, 2-Euro coins and biscuit crumbs. Your clutch bag has become my son James’ ... Read more
The story of Beau van Erven Dorens TV-host My nephew Robbie is about to turn one. I will give him brightly-coloured slippers, like the pair that my grandmother once knitted for me, except these are made of felt, made all the way in Nepal. In this way I will also give Robbie the excellent Return to Sender story: the makers earn a fair income, and the profits benefit them, as well. Read more
The story of Thomas Acda Comedian, actor, singer A laptop sleeve, made by someone who (I’m afraid) has no idea what a laptop is. Or who has never seen one. But if a lot of people buy these sleeves, then maybe one day she can own one. And make contact. And then I'll thank her. For this beautiful laptop sleeve!My bag is a tough bag. It was made with joy, because they knew someone would buy it. This bag gave someone a reason to get up in the ... Read more
The story of Michiel Huisman en Tara Elders Actor 'You’re going on a trip, what do you bring? My family, a tooth brush, and a halyard. We're celebrating. And Hazel always recognises our house, even if only for a second. Thank you, Return to Sender. Like celebrations, you are one of the good things in life. Cheers from New Orleans!' Read more
The story of Rob Kamphues TV-host, comedian Read more
The story of Bert Koenders Former Dutch Minister of Development Cooperat Guatemala is the country of beautiful colors: nature, people, clothing. The cushion cover is an expression of these colors. It illustrates the rich culture of the Kacqchicel and other Indian groups living in this beautiful, unique country. The cultural heritage and their economics are literally at stake. And the production of these covers with new looms is not only stimulating the local economy, ... Read more
The story of Aaf Brandt Corstius Columnist We had dinner at restaurant Taraporn, in Thailand, a weird name for a restaurant, but it was very nice. We were there almost every night, because there were not so many restaurants on the island where we were sleeping. And Taraporn was build on a landing-stage in the sea. And you could eat fried Snicker there. I found the sea-part very attractive and my boyfriend liked the idea of fried Snickers. ... Read more
The story of Jan Mulder Author, columnist Children’s stool from Sri Lanka I choose the children’s stool from Sri Lanka because it is more than just a children’s stool. Let me take you back in time to my very first children’s stool. It was a tripod in the photographer’s studio. That’s right, boys and girls: our family could not afford a photo camera in those days, and so I only have a single picture of myself from my early years - on that ... Read more
The story of Paulien Cornelisse Comedian, author This is me. I usually wear a scarf, one that I bought at Club Med, but that particular scarf simply fell apart (due to enthusiastic use). Time for a new scarf. And it just so happened I got this one from Return to Sender – large, yes, take a look! But you quickly learn to deal with that. Read more
The astory of Frédérique Spigt Singer It stayed in my bag during the entire holiday. Along with all of the clothes I didn’t wear because, as usual, I wore the same thing for pretty much the entire vacation. Back home, I found it while unpacking, still completely new and unused. I was over the moon when I saw it again, after I had simply forgot its existence. I wanted to store it away, but I didn’t know where. Now it’s on my garden ... Read more
Birgit Schuurman Singer, actress Fair Trade can be pretty boring. Yes, you know that buying something is doing a good deed, but they’re not always appealing items. This does not apply, at all, to the RtS products. Everything is equally cool and gorgeous. Take my bag hanger: so vibrant, happy, full of love - I ordered a large number of them from the HEMA website, and keep them on many different bags. There's one on the small bag ... Read more
Art Rooijakkers TV-host In 2008, I got to visit a number of Return to Sender factories and workshops for a Net5 TV show. To film just how those products were made and what the stories behind them were like. VancouverParamaribo JohannesburgI went to Guatemala, Vietnam and Madagascar. And in all of those countries, I spoke to people who made items for Return to Sender: shawls, bags, shirts. I was ... Read more
The story of Dennis van Leeuwen Guitar player Kane We’re currently right in the middle of a Kane theatre tour: 19 sold-out theatres throughout the Netherlands in the span of a month. So you bring as many things as you can for your hotel and dressing room, things that make you feel at home. I always carry my MacBook, in its nice Return to Sender protective sleeve! Which was made in Indonesia! That completes the circle: because my father was born there. Read more
The story of Ellen ten Damme Read more
Eva van der Gucht Actress DIARY OF A POTTERY SET March 2010 Hanoi, Vietnam I’m Mary, a pottery set… It’s hot in Hanoi today, but the Giaoanh family is applying my enamel. I was made using a special technique, which is many centuries old, and soon I’ll be a lovely turquoise, and go to someone’s home. I have no idea where in the world I’ll end up, but I do know that the Giaoanh family and their 29 employees are associated ... Read more
Lauren Verster Producer, TV-host The ‘Return to Sender stool’ and me. I’m an impulse-buyer. If I pass a shop window with great shoes, I tend to emerge ten minutes later with one, if not two or more, pairs of new shoes. The same happens with black dresses, skirts, jeans and bags. On the way home, I often ask myself whether this new purchase really was such a good move (‘didn’t I already have something just like it?’), but once I ... Read more
Fotofloor Photography/directors Piece of cake, making pictures of our Return to Sender laptop sleeve: we nearly always carry our cameras anyway when our ‘upper-crust sleeve’ is out and about with us. ...... and so we took a ton of snapshots of our RtS gadget over the past half year, so we could comply with your story request. And now, on this rainy Sunday afternoon (a good day to count your blessings), we figured we could just ... Read more
Ruth Oldenziel Professor and America expert I still associate Vietnam with a dreadful war. But these wonderful deep blue-green dishes prove the resilience of the craftspeople. Every time we have soup or sushi, we enjoy that enchanting colour, that lovely sheen. Read more
Bibi van der Velden Jewellery artist Read more
Susanne Dijksterhuis Presenter Return to SenderI few months ago, I started cooking. Yes, that’s right, it’s a very recent development. Before, cooking was something that, first and foremost, had to be done quickly, something that was hardly important, especially if I was by myself. Pre-cut, pre-washed: my creed was 'do as little as possible' – at least I did get things fresh, not from the microwave. Read more
Suzanne de Jong Presenter My boyfriend and myself are very fond of organising frequent dinners for friends. We go all out in the kitchen nearly every weekend, so that afterwards we can sit and chat at the table, have dinner and, of course, drinks… Yes, such evenings do involve quite a lot of drinks. Before, such dinners would inevitably involve the entire kitchen floor being littered with empty wine bottles, until we ... Read more
Philip Young DJ/Producer/Organizer From food bag to record bag. Not many people would think to link a reused bag from Cambodia to a DJ, but they'd be wrong. Because both these things are about ENERGY: energy in creating something, but more so than that, receiving positive energy because of it. As a DJ, I work both in the Netherlands and abroad, and of course I need to bring my own music. And so it is much more fun to use this ... Read more
Jolien Groningen My profession is stylist for children rooms. I'm always searching for nice accessories for children rooms as a real eyecatcher. You can find me often in the 'Return to Sender'-section in HEMA. Like today! Now I was surprised by the colourful and chearful christmas hangers! These are so nice to complete a room for a child!....In 2,5 weeks I'll be having my baby and today I finished our own baby ... Read more
Djouke Read more
Gerdie As I’ve just recently become a grandmother again, of my second grandson Yves, I bought him this beautiful wrapper. It’s so nice and soft and cheerful with all of those different animals. And then to realise that this wrapper was made by five women in the sewing atelier in Nichapa, Bangkok. Allowing their children to go to school and build a future. I want our children and grandchildren to have a ... Read more
Andrea My mother saw the butterfly T-shirt in the HEMA brochure and went into town specifically for it, even though she suffers from rheumatism. The butterfly reminds us of my brother, who died suddenly in 1995, when he was 17. There were a lot of butterflies on the flowers at his funeral. When my daughter, who is nearly a year and a half old, got the T-shirt, she watched and ... Read more
Imke Mare, aged nearly one, got this T-shirt from her grandma… The blue matches her eyes very well. Unfortunately (well, in a sense), she’s got a very round tummy, so she won’t be wearing it for long… but – that way I (her Mum) can pass the T-shirt to my friends, and make it a great pass-along shirt! Thank you so much for the lovely embroidery and print as well as the lively ... Read more
Stephanie Leuven I’ve attended college in Leuven for a year now. I like it a lot… but it does mean I can’t hang out with my best friend, who still lives elsewhere, during the week, to have tea, gossip and exchange stories. She gave me this bag for my birthday, so we can still be together when I'm in Leuven! And guess what: my friend has the same bag! So we can both help the world and ... Read more
Truus Hello people. I don’t have a pretty story, but the necklace is all the prettier. And if I can help people while I’m at it, then I will have done so gladly! Read more
Koosje I bought the amazing basket! Such a beautiful, colourful and large, practical basket. Nothing special, nothing new, but just commonly extraordinary. Ordinary and so commonly extraordinary. Everyday groceries in a not-so-everyday basket. Read more
Régine This cheery bead necklace caught my eye straight away. So many cheerful colours all together! It seemed the sun was shining in the shop. It makes me very cheerful. I hope from the bottom of my heart that Return to Sender can also cheer up the lives of women on the other side of the world. I completely support you. Good luck :-)!! Read more
Hermien This bag hanger with little hearts accompanies the entire family everywhere. It is taken along to the doctor, the hairdresser and on vacation. And so you don’t encounter Return to Sender just at the HEMA department store, but everywhere you go! A double symbol of love, you might say. And with just a little bit of love, the world becomes that much more beautiful! Read more
Breg Seeing this hanger in the brochure, I was sold right away. When I actually saw it for real, there was unfortunately only one left, or I would have brought ten to give to all of my friends. Read more
Marielle en Tess Bussum I have a beautiful dark daughter (Tess) of nearly two years old, with a lovely brown complexion, and this white caftan looks amazing on her. She will be two years old on 4 June, and this caftan will be her party dress. When I tell her how beautiful she is, she gets shy and starts shuffling on her feet, and then I could just eat her - she's so adorable! Read more
Paula Hello, isn’t this nice! I’d heard of Return to Sender before, but I only now realise why it's called that. I bought myself a bracelet for the football championships. That’s the extent of my contribution, I don’t otherwise care much for football. May the best team win, and I wish everyone a lot of fun in South Africa. Read more
Nella This lucky hanger was bought for a birthday girl by the name of Léonie. She will be celebrating her 21st birthday on 30 May. And she hopes to finish her studies this year, 2010. We are keeping our fingers crossed for her, and will be giving her this lucky figurine. Read more
Iris My boyfriend and I are to be married in two days. The weather forecasts are atrocious! When I saw this colourful bracelet, I immediately felt quite summery. Ah well, maybe the sun will come out after all in two days... Read more
Jannet I bought my ‘bag hanger’ in Joure, the Netherlands.They were all sold out in the city I live in. I use it as a keychain, for my car keys and my house key. Read more
Joyce Hello, I bought two baby wraps from the sewing atelier in Nichapa. Why two? Because I’m expecting twins! I fell in love with those wraps the moment I saw them – just the way I fell in love with the father of my children. And because our ancestors are also from Asia, it was no coincidence that I found these wraps! They’re gorgeous, and our children will enjoy them very ... Read more
Wilma I care deeply for the fate of the Tibetan people. The vibrant bracelet I bought keeps reminding me of their courage and their optimistic character - it serves as an example to me in dealing with my own disease (brain tumour). Thank you! Read more
Sandra Got this amazing gift for Mother’s Day… With added value for and by the ladies who made this beautiful item. Respect! Read more
Saskia I feel like a princess on this pouf.Love Miu (the chihuahua) Read more
Nathalie After participating in the national 4-day evening walking event, I felt I had ‘earned’ this bracelet, so I bought it for myself by way of a symbolic medal. I’ll wear it a lot, not just during the football championships! Read more
Germa I've been back in college since February! I picked this hanger to brighten up my ‘school bag’. You’re never too old to learn (I’m 44), no matter where you are in the world! Germa Read more
Olga Woerden The Netherlands is slowly turning orange - its national colour - for the football championships. From the sidelines, I watch all of these people slowly change colour, themselves. I'm subtly joining in, hence the lucky hanger!! Read more
Inge Heerhugowaard I’m 37 weeks pregnant to the day, and I’ve bought the last little things this past week. Everything is set, so let’s have that baby! I’ve got a simple, grey bag for nappies, so I bought this bag hanger to cheer it up a bit. Mission accomplished, I’d say! Good luck on the 'Return to sender' project! Read more
Yvon Koudekerk aan den Rijn Look, our cat was quick on the uptake: that’s just what the basket was bought for, and with a feline filling it looks even better in the living room! Read more
Willemijn Schijndel On my birthday, of all days, my colleagues at the library offered me a farewell lunch, because I’ll be working at a different location soon. When I walked into the restaurant, there were already a number of colleagues at the table. They got up and wished me a happy birthday. A little awkwardly, I sat down at the plate where they'd put a gift. "It's for your birthday," someone whispered. Once everyone had sat down, my ... Read more
Annemarie Zwolle I am an ISM, or Intentionally Single Mother. I’m the proud Mummy of Sanne (over 4 months old now). My own mother gave me a Return to Sender as a gift for Sanne. She thought it was a good and fun project, and she also thought it was very special that this T-shirt had been made by other single mothers. While, of course, I’m much better off than the women in Madagascar, this T-shirt does make me feel connected to them a ... Read more
Manon Tiel To nurse my baby, I first wrap her in this lovely warm wrap. I also sometimes use it as an extra blanket in the pram, because it just looks so nice! Love, Manon and Iza (10-05-2010) Read more
Mevrouw Woldringh I gave myself this basket as a gift. I use it as my ‘collection-switch’ basket. That means this: I use the basket to collect all kinds of things that have to go upstairs, leave it there when I've emptied it out, and take a different, filled basket downstairs again with me. And so the baskets switch places and I don't have to run up and down as much. Read more
Angèle I gave the bag hanger to my daughter to support her in her basic transverse flute exam. It was made with love and given with love, for the same reason. To build a good development of life and of music. Read more
Hester Tomorrow, I’ll be going to a party with my relatives in Brabant, which I see only very rarely (I live in Friesland, a different Dutch province, quite far away). I noticed the necklace and I thought it was such a festive thing! I shortened it just a little and made a bracelet of the leftover beads. Only then did it strike me how gorgeous those beads are, they’re all different! Read more
Jaime Concerns the pouf from Ha Tay, Northern Vietnam. My mother-in-law bought a number of poufs. I liked them so much, that I got one from her. I use it to do work near ground level; the first time was to construct a pergola. We keep the pouf in our living room. Good luck and lots of regards,Jaime Read more
Mariëtte After many, many years, the (sock) knitting itch got me again. And all of the wool you can get these days has so many beautiful colours – very tempting! Where better to put it than in one of those wonderfully woven, colourful baskets, with a colourful sock hanging over the edge… Read more
Marieke We are very happy with your bag hangers, they kept getting sold out! My daughter will be travelling to Ghana for three months, and I very much want to give her one of those key chains. They look so incredibly cheerful and all of those little hearts express so much love, that I want to give her one of those hangers so it will constantly remind her of how much we love her. ... Read more
Jessica I have two African dogs (Rhodesian Ridgebacks). I keep all of their toys and bones in one of your lovely baskets, near the basket they sleep in. Read more
Mevrouw de Boer Dear mother, who embroidered my grandson's shirt. Thank you so much for that, and I wish the children in Madagascar all the hope and love in the world. Read more
Mevrouw Ritsema Because the table tends to fill up, I now throw the newspapers and magazine into this basket and place it next to an easy chair. Looks good, too. Read more
Marlene I’m so incredibly happy with my multicoloured bracelet! Now that my tooth has been extracted and I am no longer in pain, I can enjoy my statue exhibition, 'Natural images'. I wear my bracelet every day and show it to a lot of people! Read more
Alda I had been wanting to buy a Return to Sender item for a very long time, but I just didn’t get around to doing it, until yesterday - I went to the HEMA department store and bought the bag hanger. I’d seen it in the brochure and liked it so much that I thought: ‘let’s help a good cause and get something nice for my bag all in one go.’ Read more
Mevrouw Beumer I keep the cheerful yellow basket at the front of my walking frame. It has transformed my boring frame into a feast for the eyes. Read more
Abke Seven weeks ago I gave birth to a daughter, Puck. I am a teacher, and the children in my class visited me at home. One of the girls brought a lovely little Return to Sender jersey. I had already seen it at the HEMA department store and I loved it right from the start. So as you can imagine, I am very pleased with this beautiful gift! Read more
Annelies Rotterdam Dear maker of my new beautiful basket (Ghana), I’m still looking for the best place to put it. It will serve to organise my home a bit better, and also as a 'piece of art' in the house. Regards, Annelies Read more
Mirjam Thank you, mothers in Madagascar! We are overjoyed with our daughter’s new shirt. She has a small, benign, red tumour right in the middle of her face, which quickly draws people's attention - but when she wears nice clothes, it attracts less attention. Fortunately, a lot of people have very positive responses to this little shirt you made. Super! Regards, mummy Mirjam ... Read more
Ton This is my third basket. I bought my first one at the Noordermarkt, Amsterdam, the second at Nijhof, Baarn, and this third one at the HEMA department store, also in Baarn. I always use a basket to do my groceries, which means I’m more or less considered the village idiot. But when I don’t have it with me, people ask me what’s wrong. Then I have to tell them that these baskets all have the same ... Read more
Hilde Seeing the Ghanaian basket, I travelled back in time in my mind to nearly 30 years ago. To the market in Yadokunya, Nigeria, where I bought a similar basket, made of woven plastic. We put a small mattress and sheets in it for my daughter's doll. I'll be using the Ghanaian basket for my groceries and, who knows, perhaps for my grandchild’s dolls? Read more
Rose en Tineke Mother and daughter! Read more
Helma en Sanne Our daughter will greatly enjoy wearing the T-shirt. Keep it up with your foundation. Katja, you've got an amazing foundation, a very good cause. Good luck,Helma and Sanne Read more
Rosalie Hey Girls,Thank you for making this beautiful garment.Lots of love from Hollandxxx Rosalie Read more
Annechien Basket for socks Read more
Kelly I saw it in the brochure and I just fell in love right there. Those lovely, cheerful colours! I like that, and it just cheers you up completely. I just happened to be in the HEMA department store with my mother, when she said "That one is nice, isn't it?" “Sure is,” I said. And then she bought it for me. The great thing is, it goes with everything. When I got home, I ... Read more
Cees I received this as a gift from my employer for my 58th birthday. Very useful, because I like to write. This is an example: 't uitkomen van 'n droom20 februari 2010Ze is voor mij heel speciaal.Ze is mijn absolute ideaal.We doen alles op z'n boerenfluitjes.We zijn doodgewone burgerluitjes. We lachen onze tenen kromen vraag me niet waarom. Ze kent heel veel liedjesen ik ... Read more
Ester Wonderful, it’s spring! My grey bag completely brightens up. A gift to myself and the person who made it! Thnx Ester Read more
Petra In January 2010 I discovered a lump in my breast, and by the end of February it turned out to be breast cancer. My breast was removed mid-April, and I was declared 'clear'. Just to make sure, I will start chemotherapy in early May. It will make me lose my hair. I’m working on making nice caps, and I noticed this lovely shawl. I’ll be wearing it around my bald head! So lovely and vibrant – I ... Read more
Marjo I am incredibly happy with my little bird, and every time I see it I can’t help but smile from ear to ear, also because it's a Return to Sender item.I thought it was such a great idea of Return to Sender to send a message back that I immediately filled it in and sent it to you. Please give my warmest regards to the people who made my bird! Read more
Anouk Bag hanger. I’m as proud as a peacock of the bag hanger Mum gave me. I put it on my school bag, and all of my friends complimented me! We contribute to all kinds of projects at school by collecting money every Monday morning. I think it’s awesome that buying this bag hanger helps people in different countries get better lives. That makes this hanger even more special! THANK YOU! Read more
Jacqueline Hello kind Maya people! My children gave me this splendid shawl for my birthday. I wear it nonchalantly draped around my shoulders, or folded up as a scarf. Or I tie it around my head, which looks really nice, too. The colours make me really cheery, so I'm sure to wear it quite often.Love Jacqueline Read more
Judith en Fay Dear Saoud, My name is Fay and I’m 20 months old. Yesterday, my Mummy bought the T-shirt that you made, together with the other mothers. Mummy visited Madagascar three years ago, and saw with her own eyes what kind of conditions you live in. It left a huge impression on her, and she still talks about it a lot. Of course she really enjoyed the amazing flora and fauna of ... Read more
Nalou de Vries Tilburg My name is Nalou. I am 2.5 years old and love to pick my own clothes.My mother bought me and my sister a very nice t-shirt. When I first wore my t-shirt, I wanted to wear the t-shirt of my sister as well. The t-shirt didn't fit. It got stuck to my head and looked very funny. Look at my on the picture.Thank you for the nice products that you have. Read more
Anneroos Amsterdam Just imagine: a tiny HEMA in Volendam. A small village in the Netherlands where you wouldn’t expect several shelves of Return to Sender items. The items were, in fact, still in the stockroom when I asked the shop assistant about the latest (and first?) RtS products. The Volendam HEMA ladies at first had to get used to the newly supplied items, but a couple of days later I noticed all of them ... Read more
Esther Writer Hello RETURN TO SENDER. All my life, or at least as long as I can remember, my key chain has had a central place in my life. When I feel happy, my bunch of keys jingle and tinkles, and radiates cheerfulness. On the other hand, when I’m not so happy, when things just aren't going very well, things keep spontaneously (honestly!!) falling off of my ... Read more
Janni Noordwijkerhout A friend gave me this basket. I had been looking for a strong container for transporting my painting materials for so long, and one day my friend showed up with this delightful basket! It wasn't even my birthday, and I'd done nothing to deserve it… Now the basket is filled with brushes, paint, a piece of cloth and a palette. And I can take my things wherever I want to do some painting - and I ... Read more
Naomi en Odile Amsterdam Odile’s first day of spring. We have already stored the thick winter suit away, but we can’t go outside without her favourite cap and scarf. They were a gift she received before she was born. It will be impossible for the time being to imagine Odile’s wardrobe without the colourful cap and scarf from Guatemala. The other day, she insisted that the cap stay on, even though we had already been home for an hour, at the ... Read more
Liza Nijmegen My mother gave me this lovely scarf, mittens and cap set for my son. Unfortunately, we had only the scarf left after the very first week… we probably left his mittens and cap somewhere, but I still haven’t figured out where we could have lost them. In any case, Stan is very happy with his Return to Sender scarf! Read more
Christa Creative I am so happy with my Return to Sender laptop cover! I’m even proud of it. Whenever I travel, whether it’s on the train to my job in Rotterdam, on a plane to Switzerland to visit my best friend, staying with my parents in France, off to a conference in London – I always smile whenever I fish it out of my bag. And then I secretly glance around to see if everyone has noticed my very special cover, ... Read more
Edith Amsterdam Ever since I got it, I've used the sarong as a shawl. Lovely and warm, but not too warm. The sarong always reminds me of the great times I’ve had at Return to Sender, and of how well-off we really are in the Netherlands. And of how we could do even better by buying even more products like the Return to Sender products. Everyone compliments my 'shawl', and it's proven contagious to many of my ... Read more
Femmetje Den Bosch A few weeks ago, I bought a lovely RtS basket from Bangladesh at the HEMA department store. It’s bright pink, and that just so happens to be my daughter's favourite colour. I originally intended to put the basket in a closed closet. But my daughter would not accept that! She thinks it's much too beautiful to hide away, so the basket has to be smack dead in the centre of the living room! I can't blame her, it really is a ... Read more
Tessa Amsterdam Is it a storage container for toys..? A walking aid..? Or simply a lovely accessory for your home? It's ALL OF THIS! This amazing, multifunctional basket from Bangladesh! Read more
Mim Military I am a soldier, have been for eight years. The boss gave us all a Christmas gift certificate last year, with a booklet for us to pick our Christmas present from, ourselves. Nowadays, I am frequently away on drills and I’ve also been dispatched a few times. And I always bring my laptop, but it wasn't protected. So I ordered your laptop bag, the one (from India, I think) made of recycled billboard ads. Practical to have, ... Read more
Sabina Belgium This lovely basket occupies a very prominent place in my living room, on top of a closet, so all of my visitors can enjoy it too! Read more