Speaking of Holiday programming schedules | Alternative Gift Fair

An event that's part of the programming schedule in Takoma Park, Maryland is the Alternative Gift Fair.

It was last weekend, and I missed it, but there are still opportunities to participate, according to email from Main Street Takoma. That's an important element. They promoted the event in advance at the Takoma Farmers Market, they held the event last weekend, but they have a special table at the Farmers Market this weekend, and people can participate online too. That's three different ways.

From email:

8th Annual Takoma Park Farmer's Market Alternative Gift Fair is THIS SUNDAY! December 9, 10am - 2pm at the Takoma Park Farmer's Market (@Laurel and Carroll Av10am - 2pm

(also, online, mail-in this coming week!).
Shop online by December 14th.

* Or by mail (sent by Dec 12th) - download the shopping lists here: (5 page pdf).

Give gifts that touch people's hearts, honor them and make a real difference to those in need. For each gift purchased you will receive an insert describing the gift that you can give to your friends, family and co-workers.

Gifts you can buy this year include: (Takoma park list, NEA list, and kids list...)
- $10 Twenty pounds of clay for pottery workshops for incarcerated teens
- $20 for a week of fresh local veggies for a low-income family for a week
- $25 One month of school with lunch for a child in Northern Ghana
- $65 A Four-day College visit for a DC girl of color

Creating such an event for your commercial district or community is a way to focus some of people's gift giving towards helping others.  It's also a way to introduce people to various community organizations that they might not be familiar with, and provides networking opportunities for the organizations, may help draw volunteers, etc.