She’s makin’ a list, checkin’ it twice . . .
I’m determined not to end up crazed in the weeks before Christmas, so I’ve updated the Christmas list and begun my buying. My grandson is done. I’ve purchased all the gift cards for the mailman and trash men. Les and I have decided on the household investment that will be our gift to each other. Now it’s time to decide on the rest.
Should we purchase helmets or honeybees, running shoes or rabbits, woodworking tools or water? We haven’t decided yet, but I know we will be doing some shopping at the Gifts That Give Hope gift fair in Lancaster, where all these items are available. The fair, which allows you to buy gifts to support 30 nonprofits all in one place, takes place on Saturday, November 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Farm and Home Center at 1383 Arcadia Rd in Lancaster. I can’t actually attend the fair, but I intend to do my shopping in their online gift shop.
But if you can attend the fair, you’ll get lots of benefits I won’t. “The first 500 shoppers or families will receive reusable bags that will contain Fair Trade chocolate and a Bead for Life necklace,” said Jenn Knepper, quoted in an article in the Pennysaver. “Local businesses have offered an incentive (so that) when you reuse the bag at a later date, you get a percentage off.” You can also shop for fair trade gifts or purchase international food from various vendors, and your kids have special activities prepared just for them.
If you want to bring something to help others, Alyssa’s Bedtime Stories (an organization I wrote about in the past) will be collecting books for kids living in homeless shelters. You can also help victims of Hurricane Sandy by bringing your donations of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap and toiletries to the fair.
Follow Gifts That Give Hope on Facebook to learn about the different nonprofits that will represented on Saturday. And find some unusual gifts that honor your loved ones and help someone else. Now that should ease the stress on everyone.
Use the comments section here or on Facebook to share with me and other readers what nonprofits you’re interested in supporting and with what gifts. I think it will be fun to see how our interests differ and yet coordinate to meet needs locally and around the world.