On St. Nicholas Day, Sunday, Dec. 6, the First Baptist Church in Ann Arbor will host the 26th annual Alternative Holiday Fair, featuring handmade goods created by artisans residing in third-world countries. For those in search of a tangible gift, pottery, jewelry, ornaments, leather crafts and toys will be available. If the person on your list seems to have everything, the gift of a farm animal, tree or fish in their name to a person in need could provide a conscience-friendly gift for both the giver and the receiver.

Also on Dec. 6, take some time to learn about the original St. Nick! This 3rd-century bishop from modern-day Turkey was renowned for his generosity and gentle ways. Saint Nicholas held many of the characteristics that the modern-day, cultural Santa Claus is typically known for.

Precise historical accounts aren’t available, but generally, it’s regarded that St. Nicholas was born in the village of Patara, an area that was Greek at the time. St. Nick was raised Christian, and when his parents died in an epidemic during his childhood, Nicholas remembered what his parents had taught him - that Jesus instructed his followers to “sell what you own and give money to the poor.” And so that’s just what St. Nicholas did.

According to popular stories, St. Nicholas saved children from murderers, calmed a storm when returning from the Holy Land and anonymously provided the dowry for young women who would have otherwise had a bleak future. His actions earned him the title of Patron Saint of Children, Sailors and Voyagers and many more.

On the evening of Dec. 5 in Europe, some children delight in leaving out their shoes, so that they might be filled by “St. Nick” with small gifts and candy on his way passing by. In Germany and Poland, boys dress up as bishops and beg for alms for the poor.

The Dec. 6 Alternative Holiday Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 512 E. Huron, in Ann Arbor (free parking is available at the Liberty Square Parking Garage, across the street). Live animals will be on site, as well as refreshments for donation. The fair is sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor and is co-sponsored by the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice.

Stephanie Fenton covers Faith for AnnArbor.com. Stephanie can be reached at Fenton.Stephanie@gmail.com.