Try helping someone who doesn't -- in your loved one's name.

National surveys show that 70% of Americans would like to see less emphasis on shopping and consumer spending during the holidays. Recognizing that, a number of Episcopal churches have been sponsoring "alternative Christmas" events this holiday season for parishioners and others who are finally ready to swear off the "traditional" credit card-fueled binge at the local mall.

Whether it's called a Living Gifts Fair (as it is at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), an Alternative Gift Fair (as at St. Columba's in Washington, D.C.) or something else, these events are characterized by hearkening back to the true spirit of Christmas gift-giving.

"Kansas has a couple of smaller parish programs, but Episcopal Community Services in Kansas City sponsors the 'Sharper Outreach' catalog, which allows people to donate by mail to a variety of agencies," emailed Melodie Woerman, director of communications for the Diocese of Kansas. "Parishes on both the Kansas and Missouri sides of the state line participate. It raises a substantial amount of money each Christmas."

Bethlehem's Living Gifts Fair, held last month, featured gift-giving ideas such as buying a teacher school supplies for The Welcome Place, a community center that features programs such as an After School Homework Club. One teacher said it was "the best gift she'd received in 20+ years of teaching." Other opportunities included buying Dad that traditional necktie for a man trying to return to the workforce through New Bethany Ministries. Merchandise from 10,000 Villages allowed visitors to "shop the world" for unique gifts at reasonable prices while directly benefiting the artists, according to Canon Bill Lewellis, communication minister for the Diocese of Bethlehem.

Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Woodland Hills, California, has a comprehensive catalog of offerings at the Alternative Christmas Faire on its website (http://www.popwh.org/1VM/AltChristmas/AltChristmasFaire.htm).

The "alternative Christmas" trend has actually been around at least since the early 1970s, when a Washington, D.C. man named Bob Kochtitzky created Alternatives for Simple Living (http://www.simpleliving.org) out of what he described as "anger toward corporations and individuals who were prostituting society's soul by exploiting all our celebrations for profit and privilege." With funds from friends back home in Jackson, Mississippi, Kochtitzky says, he published The Alternative Christmas Catalogue, and the movement was off and running. In 1980, churches began responding to a Christmas Campaign for Congregations packet entitled "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" The campaign counted nine denominational participants by 1988 and is now a familiar feature in many congregations.

In 1980, Harriet Prichard, then director of children's ministries at a Pasadena, California Presbyterian church, organized a market in which children and many adults sold relief and self-development goods and animals for persons in need in the Third World as alternative gifts. By 2000 there were 312 such markets, held in 43 U.S. states and England, Holland, Japan and Korea. Prichard's organization is now called Alternative Gifts International (AGI). All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena and All Saints in Beverly Hills, California, were among the first to host "official" Alternative Gift Markets in conjunction with AGI.

Organizations like Center for a New American Dream (http://www.newdream.org) and Alternative Gifts International (http://www.altgifts.org/bin/site/templates/splash.asp) offer organizing guides, templates, and downloadable materials for congregations and organizations that want to offer an alternative Christmas—or other celebration—of their own.

Of course, by this point in the holiday season, some congregations have already held their alternative Christmas events. But that shouldn't deter the determined last-minute shopper.

"We offer several ways to partner with Episcopal Relief and Development and help people in need through our Gifts for Life catalog," said Sandra Swan, ERD president. "With more than 70 gifts available, starting at just $15, you can find meaningful gifts for loved ones, friends, teachers or business associates. Choose from items such as a goat for a family, care for an AIDS orphan, and training for a community health care worker."

The catalog is available online at www.er-d.org. To order a copy of the catalog, call 1.800.334.7626, ext. 5129.

ERD also has two gift collections available featuring Bishops Blend Coffee. "The Bishops Blend Fair Trade Coffee Gift Box and Gift Collection are perfect to share with family and friends," said Swan. "By purchasing one of our specially designed gift sets, you can also help children and families living in poverty worldwide. " To place an order, call 877.469.1431 or visit www.er-d.org.