Alternative Giving

"Maybe Christmas*," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more!"
- from How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Alternative giving, virtual giving or graceful giving is a form of gift giving that has a symbolic value to the recipient and benefits a meaningful cause at the same time. It is based on the concept of serial reciprocity, which was invented by Benjamin Franklin. Read a definition of alternative giving and why we're doing this.

* This applies not only to Christmas, of course. We encourage any non-Christians to contact us, as well, especially if you are aware of any upcoming event.

Upcoming alternative gift fairs (2007)

Name	Date / Time	Organizer	Location	State	Zip
2nd annual Alternative Christmas Fair	Sat., Nov. 3, 10-3	Christ the King Lutheran Church (360-568-5704)	1305 Pine Ave, Snohomish	WA	98290
One World Craft’s Fair	Sun., Nov. 4, 9- 3	St. Patrick’s Church (206-329-2960)	2702 Broadway East, Seattle	WA	98102
Kirkland Interfaith Network Holiday Fair	Sat., Nov. 10, 10 - 4	Kirkland Interfaith Network	St. John’s Episcopal Church, 105 State Street, Kirkland	WA	98033
Alternative Christmas Market	Sat., Nov. 10, 8 - 4	Grace Presbyterian Church	5002 E. Douglas, Wichita	KS	67208
Alternative Gift Market	Sun., Nov. 18, 11:30-2:30	St. John’s UCC and Plains Mennonite Church	St. Johns, 500 West Main Street, Lansdale	PA	19446
Alternative Gift Fair	Sun., Nov. 18, 1:30-4	Grace United Church of Christ	25 E. Second St., Frederick	MD	21701
Alternative Gift Fair	Sat., Dec. 1, 12-4	Conscious Consuming	River of Life Church, 406 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain	MA	02130
Alternative Christmas Fair	Sat., Dec. 1, 9 - 3:30	Northshore United Church of Christ	18900 168th Avenue NE, Woodinville	WA	98072
Holiday Sale of Himalayan Handicrafts	Sun., Dec. 2, 12 - 4	Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism	108 NW 83^rd Street, Seattle	WA	98117
Alternative Gift Fair	Sat., Dec. 8, 10 - 3	The United Churches of Olympia	The Olympia Center, 222 N. Columbia St, Olympia	WA	98507
Graceful Giving	Sun., Dec. 9, 9:30-1	Plymouth Congregational Church	1217 6th Avenue, Seattle	WA	98101

See also last year's events; some of these may take place again this year.

Organizations that host or list fairs

List of events from the Center for a New American Dream
Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington - the other Washington
Gift it Up! Alternative Gift Fair and related information by a Boston non-profit group.
Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sales - not necessarily "pure" alternative giving, but they list tons of events all over the country!
Lawrence Fair Trade Holiday Market (Lawrence, KS)
greenfestival

Alternative gift organizations

Name	Program	Area of concern
GlobalGiving	Gift cards and certificates	high-impact, grassroots projects around the world
Snow Leopard Trust	Snow Leopard adoption	protecting snow leopard habitat through partnerships with local residents
There are many more alternative giving organizations - click here for our list

Alternative Giving

Upcoming alternative gift fairs (2007)

Organizations that host or list fairs

Alternative gift organizations

Other relevant links