A different kind of Christmas shopping

Andrew Wainer

To counter what they see as the increasingly materialistic direction

Christmas celebrations have taken in recent years, the First United

Methodist Church of Costa Mesa held an “alternative” market on Sunday.

With the participation of several charity groups, the market’s profits

will be dedicated to needy populations around the world.

The market, which was held on the church grounds, was a reaction to

“aggressive commercial advertising that has taken the meaning out of

Christmas,” said Jane Englar, market organizer and church member.

Although the market only drew the participation of about 60 shoppers, the

volunteer vendors said they felt good about participating in an event

intended to renew the more altruistic message of Christmas.

“It’s a great event and allows us to get our shopping done early,” church

Pastor Dick Ewing said.

One of the vendors on hand was Third World Hand Arts, which sells folk

art pieces from around the world to a U.S. audience, and returns 80% of

the profits to the artists.

“The market gives people a chance to see quality craft pieces from around

the world,” arts representative Mary Ellen Keating said.

Consumers could purchase handmade wooden jewelry boxes from El Salvador,

lace doilies from India and quilts from Panama, among a variety of global

gifts offered at the Hands arts presentation.

Other participating vendors included Georgia-based affordable housing

group Habitat for Humanity, farm animal donation organization Heifer

Project International and UNICEF.

Shoppers, who were few and far between for the two-hour sale,

nevertheless were pleased with the opportunity to buy holiday gifts and

help the needy.

“I think the market is wonderful,” said shopper Jean Anderson of Costa

Mesa. “These are organizations that deserve our help.”