Annandale church hosts ‘alternative gift market’ this weekend

That’s the idea behind the Alternative Gift Market this weekend at John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale. The market, in the church’s Fellowship Hall, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8, offers a variety of gift ideas that will make life a little easier for the disadvantaged and make the world a little better.

Instead of spending money on another useless thing, choose a gift with real meaning—like buying water for a village, food for a child, or education for a girl—all in the name of the gift recipient.

There are several categories of alternative gifts, including education, gender equality, child mortality reduction, maternal health, medical services, and environmental sustainability. You can also select alternative gifts to benefit Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) and the Kisima Academy, a school and orphanage supported by the church.

The gifts come in many price ranges; some are as little as $6. Each gift comes with a holiday card for the recipient that explains the gift.