Friday, November 19, 2004
by Anna Beaty Kerr

The Daily Sentinel

Thanksgiving hasn't happened and yet we're getting bombarded with Christmas paraphernalia. Some local stores had holiday displays put up a month ago and the true Christmas crazies started putting things out in June.

As the holiday nears, expect to see crowds at the malls searching for that perfect gift, a difficult task when shopping for people who already own all the material goods they need.

So what do you get the person who has everything? Try exchanging peace of mind, available at the 12th annual Alternative Christmas Fair this Sunday, Nov. 21, at the St. Joseph's Parish Hall.

The fair, sponsored by Grand Valley Peace and Justice, sells unusual gifts easy on the pocketbook and good for the soul. The benefactor of the gift buys a donation in the recipient's name to sponsor local and international causes for humanity. Cards are written out in the person's name to be given as a present.

“Sometimes it feels mandatory to buy gifts for people, but this is something that you can do for people,” said Karen Sjoberg, director of Grand Valley Peace and Justice. “Last year we raised over $33,693, all of the money goes directly to the organizations. This year we'll be representing 11 local nonprofits and over 30 national and international organizations.” In addition, the craft booths saw an increase in sales netting a total of $6869.

When fair shoppers walk in, they will be handed two shopping lists of organizations they can help.

Local gift dedications include buying a full meal or a case of canned goods for the Community Food Bank, sending new parents or a family to counseling, purchasing things needed by the homeless shelter and more.

Globally, shoppers can help buy a bicycle for someone in India so he or she can get to work every day, rescue an orphan from China or help free an imprisoned woman in the Ukraine.

“It's more of the idea of teaching people how to fish rather than just giving them a fish,” Sjoberg said.

Wrapable gifts will also be on hand, including crafts and decorations from regions such as El Salvador, Asia, Africa and Mexico. Items will include jewelry, Christmas decorations, unique nativity sets, baskets, bowls, kitchen utensils, drums and other musical instruments.

All proceeds from the goods sold benefit the country or group of people who produced the product.

Anna Beaty Kerr can be reached via e-mail at akerr@gjds.com .

For more information check out the Jan- Feb 2007 newsletter.