On Dec. 1 and 2, Northern Virginians can make their holiday gift buying more meaningful by shopping at Holy Comforter's Alternative Gift Fair at 543 Beulah Rd NE, Vienna. The holiday market is supported by Fair Trade Winds, an exclusively fair trade retail store in Fairfax City. Fair Trade Winds brings a unique look to the fair, with a huge inventory and hard-to-find artisans’ handcrafts from countries all over the world. The Alternative Gift Fair will take place on Saturday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
“We are pleased to offer a variety of unique, handcrafted gifts from artisans all over the world at the Alternative Gift Fair at Holy Comforter,” said Paul Culler, owner of Fair Trade Winds. “Your purchases will directly help to rebuild the lives of people in developing and war-torn countries, help reinvigorate their communities, and renew faith in their abilities.”
In addition, this event will offer opportunities to donate gifts like mosquito nets or micro-loans from aid organizations Episcopal Relief and Development and International Justice Mission. These groups will have information at the market to assist with purchases of these alternative gifts.
Once again, Holy Comforter’s St. Nicholas Festival will coincide with the Alternative Gift Fair, offering children the chance to shop for gifts in the “Secret Santa” Shop. Santa’s elves will be on hand to assist children with purchases, gift-wrapping and card making, while parents can browse the Alternative Gift Fair. There will be a special appearance by St. Nicholas along with crafts, face painting, caroling and fair trade hot cocoa to round out the festivities. The St. Nicholas Festival will take place from 1:30–4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.
The Holy Comforter Alternative Gift Fair is part of Holy Comforter’s effort to address the UN Millennium Development Goals, which aim by 2015 to halve the number of people worldwide who are living on less than a dollar a day.
For more information, contact Bobby Monacella at 703-598-3498 or bmonacella@verizon.net. Further information can also be found at www.holycomforter.com.