About the AGM
36th Annual Alternative Gift Market
Saturday, November 22 (9am-3pm)
Sunday, November 23 (10am-1pm)
United Church of Chapel Hill
The Alternative Gift Market is an annual event open to the public where you can find “gifts that give twice.” Every purchase (for yourself or a loved one) supports a vital mission somewhere in the world. Vendors often include: jewelry made by a women’s cooperative in Guatemala, Gumcha4Health scarves from India, handmade paper products from Nicaragua, locally made jam, ceramics from area potters, wool goods from local sheep, pecans, fair trade coffee, Palestinian olive oil, original Christmas ornaments, beautiful hand knit and woven items, our “Joyas de Joy” jewelry resale, and much more! Proceeds from the market support: Church World Service (CWS), Habitat for Humanity, and Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC).
For Vendors
The 2025 vendor application is available here. Please contact Kati (kruark@unitedchurch.org) to be added to the vendor mailing list.
The Alternative Gift Market is a festive opportunity for the community to purchase high-quality gifts for the holidays, while supporting wonderful local and global causes. The vendors are typically non-profit organizations, but a limited number of individuals/groups or businesses who donate a portion of their proceeds to a charitable organization are allowed.
2025 table fees: $60 for one table; $110 for two tables
Requests after October 11: $85 for one table; $135 for two tables
God’s Bidding Online Auction
UCCH members offer time, talent, and treasure in this silent auction as another way to support Church World Service, the Inter-Faith Council, and Orange County Habitat for Humanity. Bidding opens on the first day of the AGM and ends in early December. Items may include vacation rentals, delicious baked goods, event tickets, holiday foods, trips to the airport, home improvement services, and more. Bidders have 14 days to bid, and winners coordinate directly with donors to receive their item.
The 2025 auction opens on Saturday, November 22 at 9 a.m., the first day of the Alternative Gift Market, and closes at 12 p.m. on December 5. Click here to explore this year’s auction items.
Please contact Henry Lister (halister@bellsouth.net or 919-215-9030) to donate items or for more information on the Market or Church World Service’s Welcome Home project or the IFC’s Family Support program.
Peacemaking Scholarship Concert
Date: November 15, 2025 | 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: United Church of Chapel Hill Sanctuary
A benefit concert for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Peacemaking Scholarship has historically coincided with the Alternative Gift Market. Our 2025 concert will be presented by SONAM (Singers of New and Ancient Music). SONAM will sing music of peace from the Middle East with music from Britten, Friedman, Dawson, Braun, Palestrina, and more. In lieu of tickets, a freewill offering will be taken to benefit the scholarship fund, which provides monetary awards to local high school seniors who aspire to a career in peacemaking.