Not every gift around the holidays plugs in, winds up or has batteries.

The Bow Mills United Methodist Church is hosting a holiday event to give members of the community a chance to purchase gifts for a cause.

During the Gracious Gifts alternative gift fair, taking place Sunday, Nov. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m., customers may purchase donations to charities that will be given in the name of loved ones to groups in need.

“We live in a very material world and we tend to lose the true meaning of the holidays and lost respect for what we really have,” said Joanna Celenza, one of the fair’s organizers. “It’s so important to help us focus on those who are less fortunate than us, and help them in a time of need.”

Ten charities – Habitat for Humanity, Heifer International, Nothing But Nets, United Methodist Committee on Relief, CHaD (Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth), Friends of Forgotten Children, David’s House, Make-A-Wish of New Hampshire, Newborns in Need Inc. and The Caleb Group – will be represented.

“We’re trying to tell the public to come in and learn about the organizations if they don’t know anything about them,” said Penny Maurer, who helped plan the event. “I tend to find it more meaningful to give a gift that will benefit someone else and not be opened and forgotten in a few weeks. This way the money can impact someone’s life, especially a child and their family.”

Those donating to charity will receive a handmade card created by children from Sunday school classes.

“Christmas is all about making people around the world have a better holiday and helping them survive. It’s important for everyone to have a good Christmas and get what they need,” said Carolyn Keyes, 13, a member of the class.

Over the past several weeks, Keyes and her classmates, ranging in age from 4 to 14, have been learning about the charities.

The children will be on hand to teach visitors about each of the organizations so they can choose which charity to support.

“It’s important that people realize Christmas isn’t all about material things and getting gifts, it’s about helping others,” said Keyes. “I think it will be really cool to see people deciding to donate money to organizations instead of giving video games and things like that.”

Though this is the first year of the event, Celenza said the group hopes to make it an annual one.

“We want people to try and stop focusing on buying ‘things,’ she said. “You always hear people saying, ‘I don’t need more stuff,’ and this is an opportunity for people to do something to better the world around us.”