Alternative *
Christmas Fair

* Another way of giving

The Alternate Fair is a wonderful opportunity to get friends introduced to mission work and the possibilities for volunteer work. BUT the most important part is the opportunity to make this a trip for friends to have a "girls day"and eat some wonderful food (homemade soups, rolls and desserts). When have you been able to try 6 different soups in one meal? I come back to try new ones each year! I keep saying they really should have a sampler tray with small cups of each soup.

There are always original arts and crafts that make wonderful gifts for the person that has everything!

If this isn't your thing there is always Global Gifts with their jewelry and Christmas decorations so there is something for everyone.

This is a great opportunity to get more in-depth information about the organizations you have heard about. It got me started collecting for Second Starts at our church and in my neighborhood.

Would you like to talk to someone involved in a mission?
or
Do you like unique and creative gifts?
or
Do you like homemade soups and baked goods?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions - the Northview Church of the Brethren Alternative Christmas Fair is for YOU!!

Various missions have tables with literature and people accessible to answer your questions. These are the people on the front lines of mission work. They see a need and are filling it to the best of their abilities. If they do not have the answer- they will take your info and get an answer for you.

Most of the missions offer items for sale. I bought a Christmas decoration made from an orange peel. Talk about creative! I am continually amazed at what materials people use to make jewelry, decorations, etc.

The lunch is a homemade soup bonanza. Some of the offerings have been: Chicken Velvet, Tomato Basil, Peanut, etc. Be sure and try the homemade yeast rolls! Check out the bake sale - the nut rolls and other items are yummy (personal experience here). Lunch is a free-will offering which is used for a particular mission.

You can come as a single person or with a group of friends. All are welcome here. This is the one Christmas fair I will not miss. Come and see what brings me and my friends back every year.

"If for no other reason, come for the atmosphere. The music, the smells of food, the absence of commercialism... Now THAT's Christmas!"

Paul Schrock, Alternative Christmas Fair attendee since 1989

I like to shop at the Northview Christmas fair because in addition to giving a gift that is appreciated, my purchase gives primary help to a worthy artisan, or provides help to some of the world's unfortunate citizens. In fact, I have given two gifts, one to one person I love as a family member, the other to one I love as a Christian.

I believe that when I purchase a product it is an endorsement, not only of the product, but also of all the businesses in the supply chain that profit from the purchase. When I know that a business is "values led" such as Ben & Jerry's Ice-cream I am pleased to purchase their product. I prefer to purchase from and endorse a family owned business rather than a corporate giant. When it comes to Christmas I like to shop at the Alternative Christmas Fair. I can buy gifts that do not endorse the commercialism of Christmas. For all the people on my gift list who do not need more "things" I can make a donation in their name. I get a good value while I endorse good values.

Dave Thornburg

The Alternative Christmas fair is such a wonderful place to shop. We often have such an abundance, it is difficult to decide just what gifts your friend or loved one actually needs or would enjoy. The Alternative Christmas Fair is an opportunity to make your money work twice; once for the joy of someone on your gift list and the second time as it benefits someone in need.

Bev Wilkins

I can remember the first time I ventured into the territory of "alternative gift" giving as a young man. Naturally, I feared that my family would reject the entire notion. But in the end, my courage to act on my convictions was received with gratitude.

One Christmas, I chose to gift my then elderly and comfortably affluent maternal grandparents with a contribution to Heifer Project International in their name. On Christmas morning, I placed a greeting card printed by the organization under the tree. It explained how my grandparents' "gift" would be used to send a flock of chicks to a needy family in a distant land. Upon opening the card and digesting its contents, my grandmother exclaimed, "Oh look, Burl! He's given our gift to someone who really needs it!" She handed him the card, and then, through tears of joy, she turned to me and said, "Oh honey! You knew that we didn't need anything more than we already have. This is better than anything you could have ever bought for us!"

Shop with Principle
Shop with Purpose
Shop with Pleasure

"Make a difference one purchase at a time."

For More Information Call ~ (317) 547-7293