By Thea Jarvis

"That's the beauty of Alternatives," said Sister Mary Anne Warner, H. M., of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. "They stimulate you to branch out into something else."

For Sister Mary Anne and the Smyrna parish, Alternatives, the Forest Park resource center which focuses attention on the questionable way we celebrate our holy days and holidays, provided a springboard to action.

Alternative offers a wide range of Advent/Christmas services and suggestions for observing the season. "The Celebration Revolution of Alexander Scrooge," for example, is an entertaining filmstrip that was effectively used at St. Thomas the Apostle's Advent festival.

One of the most practical dimensions of the Alternatives ministry concerns its hints for holiday gift-giving. All ideas center on the gift of self and involve a minimum of expenditure and a maximum of care. The Alternatives watchwords are: remember whose birthday it is, and, give yourself. Some of their gift suggestions are listed here in the hope that they might be useful to the Bulletin readers.

Volunteer time, money or skills to programs which serve the poor, elderly, homeless, jobless, sick or imprisoned.

Cook traditional holiday foods or personal specialties to share with friends and family.

Sew a simple pattern, personalizing it for the recipient. Make place mats, soft toys, beanbags or puppets.

Renew an old possession, making clothes for a well-loved doll, rebinding a tattered book, refinishing an old piece of furniture.

Build simple shelves, a spice rack, window box, bird house, sand box, doll house, set of blocks, game, etc.

Plant spring bulbs on pebbles to bloom in the winter, a terrarium in an aquarium or large jar, or a windowsill herb garden.

Teach a skill that you know -- a language, musical instrument, tennis lessons, special craft.

Photograph family members and friends, using them to frame or make a collage as a gift.

Write a family history or a history of your friendship with a particular person. Write a story about a past event in your family's history.

When Buying Gifts consider whether the gift reflects the values you with to share (e.g. toys of violence, board games that encourage competition over cooperation, gifts that reinforce racist or sexist attitudes.)

Consider Who Profits from the purchase of your gifts. Many handmade gifts from craft groups support the preservation of traditional crafts and skills, as well as the efforts of low-income persons who are striving to become self-reliant.

Last year, Americans spent almost $20 billion in Christmas excesses. According to Milo Shannon-Thornberry, director of Alternatives, "At a time when so many have so little, spending that much in the name of celebrating the birth of Christ seems to reflect (poor) priorities. None of us is immune to the pressures for personal and family self-indulgence. We need each other's support."