The excitement of the holidays is in the air. Exchanging gifts with loved ones, friends and neighbors has become one of the happy experiences associated with the season.
A very nice aspect is when you help others while buying gifts or holiday decorations. Columbia United Christian Church is selling SERRV handmade crafts from 9:15 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Sundays at Oakland Mills Meeting House.
SERRV, Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocations, began in post-World War II Germany as a way to help refugees earn a living. Today it helps Third World artisans in Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Costa Rica and the Philippines, who can be paid directly for their handiwork, eliminating a "middle-man".
Hand-woven baskets, jewelry, hand-decorated treasure boxes, Nativity sets and scarves are just a few of the items available.
The organization's store in New Windsor has a 2,300-item inventory representing 180 groups in 40 countries. Your purchase in Columbia can help an artisan a continent away.
Information: 301-776-0208.
*
The young men and women of St. John United Methodist/Presbyterian and St. John Evangelist Roman Catholic churches who spend part of each summer working with the Appalachia Service Project are selling fresh and be-ribboned holiday wreaths each Sunday before Christmas at Oakland Mills Meeting House and Wilde Lake Interfaith Center.
Customers, who may buy wreaths before and after services, have a choice of red or plaid ribbons on the $18 wreaths.
To reserve a wreath, call 997-3079.
The group's reputation for making quality wreaths grows with each year's sales. Its dedication to helping people in Appalachia grows each year, too.
Members have helped to build extra rooms on simple mountain homes and to repair roofs for families. And, they listen and share the traditions of the people they help.
Money from the wreath sales will pay for transportation, lodging and building materials.
Even if you attend services outside Columbia, make it a point to see the SERRV gift items and the Appalachia Service Project holiday decorations.
While in Oakland Mills Village, be sure to visit the shopping center where artwork of Stevens Forest Elementary School students is on display.
Tree representation artists are David Burton, Bryan Daughtry, Gabrille Turner, Romana Baig, David Slater, Niya Dixon, Meggie Tortolero, Rebecca Mooney, Michelle Lewis, Titi Golden, Craig Wishnick, Brandon Hawkes, Kevin Daughaday, Greg Brahkus, Lindsay Smith, Rozita Sahand, Normeni Tokpa and Caitlin Warren.
"Community Workers" are interpreted by Tim Ball, Evan Hartranft, Marc Schulman, Mirza Baig, Robbie Black, Alex Price, Jamie Buonato, Valerie Freund and Merry Avant-Pybas.
*
When you visit Howard County's George Howard Building in the county government's complex in Ellicott City this week, please take the time to admire the artworks of Steven Forest Elementary students Devin Kitchelt, Amelia Liebhold, Yvonne Waldo, Hughes Paul, Jason Forest, Shannon Bacon, Amy Brackett and Tony Leighty.
*
If you wonder about the possibilities for artistic talent after primary school, be sure to visit the Columbia Art Center, Long Reach Village Shopping Center.
"Turn Columbia Turn" will be on exhibit from Thursday through Jan. 3 with a public reception on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The talents of "wood-turners" Frank Amigo, Hillard Booth, Joe Dickey, Susan Ellison and Margaret Lospinuso are expressed in their creative designs in the Main Gallery.
The art center's annual Student Exhibition in Gallery I includes ceramics, stained glass, jewelry, rug-hooking and paintings. Most of the art objects are for sale, as well as other items in the gift shop.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and noon until 5 p.m. Sunday. Information: (410) 730-0075.
*
Your children and grandchildren can have "Breakfast with Santa" this Saturday at Oakland Mills Village's Other Barn.
Families are invited to make reservations for either the 9 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. seatings. Registration: 730-4610.
*
Santa is going to be very busy this Saturday.
He's also planning a lunch at Amherst House, Kings Contrivance Village at noon. Children will have their pictures taken with the grand old gentleman courtesy of Columbia Management and The Darkroom.