Bryce Miller minds the store at Creative Union, which sells a range of items created by developmentally disabled adults, in Union Square.

Holiday gift ideas from Somerville non-profits

By Elizabeth Sheeran

If it is better to give than to receive, it must be even better to give a gift that gives twice: once to the lucky recipient and once to a good cause. This holiday season, Somerville is full of ways to put a little working capital into the hands of local non-profits, while putting a smile on the face of someone you know.

Give someone the gift of the Somerville holiday spirit they can hold onto all year long, with a copy of Somerville City of Lights, a book tribute by The Somerville Arts Council to the dazzling displays that light up city neighborhoods throughout the holidays.

“These homes are showcases of Somerville pride. People want to share that special local experience with friends and family,” said Heather Balchunas of the Somerville Arts Council, which uses the sale proceeds to fund arts programs for kids of all ages.

You can pick up a copy of the $5 full-color book and photo greeting cards at select local retailers, listed on the Arts Council website at somervilleartscouncil.org. While you are there you can buy your tickets or maps for this year’s Illumination Tours of the highlights of the holiday displays, scheduled for December 17.

For those a little less ambitious with their seasonal home décor, the Community Growing Center will sell hand-decorated holiday wreaths at the Union Square Winter Craft Market on Saturday, December 3, with a discount for orders made by Thursday, December 1. Proceeds will benefit the programs of this volunteer-run community garden, including outdoor classroom activities for Somerville schoolchildren.

Speaking of things grown locally, you can share the sweet taste of Somerville, quite literally, with a bottle of maple syrup, tapped from trees on Tufts Campus and boiled down at the Growing Center by Groundwork Somerville. Proceeds benefit Groundwork’s green education programs, and bottles are on sale for $6 at Sherman Market in Union Square, or at the Union Square Farmers Market.

While you are in Union Square, stop by Creative Union, a unique gallery filled to capacity with gift options, all produced by developmentally disabled adults, who get a majority of the proceeds from the sale of anything they create, including jewelry, crocheted accessories, on-site screen printing, and a full range of art.

Program coordinator Anyahlee Suderman said each and every sale can make a huge impact in the life of an individual. “It’s not just about the money, it’s about being respected,” said Suderman.

Creative Union offers the added bonus of real world experience for the program participants who work there.

“Working here at Creative Union is a great way to get yourself into training on the cash register and things like that, and just seeing all the art on the walls. What’s good is all the art is by people with disabilities,” said Bryce Miller, a 29-year-old Somerville resident with Down syndrome, who often manages the store on his own.

Tap further into Somerville’s artistic community to inspire someone on your gift list to create their own works of art. Go to mudflat.org for pottery lessons at Mudflat Studio, or look for classes at brickbottomartists.org. Artisan’s Asylum, a community craft studio on-line at artisansasylum.com, offers workshop memberships and an eclectic mix of classes, including welding, coffee making, woodworking, candle casting and fire breathing.

Class tuition supports the local artists and artisans who teach the classes, as well as the non-profit groups who manage them and provide space, said Debra McLaughlin at the Center for the Arts at the Armory, which provides arts and cultural programming. The Center sells gift cards that can be used for any of its classes or events, or in the Armory Café, an eatery and performance space in the converted armory building on Highland Avenue.

Tickets to any of Somerville’s non-profit performing arts venues make great gifts. Theatre@First at Davis Square offers $50 subscriptions for its entire season. (Next up: Pride and Prejudice). President Rebecca Hunter said the all-volunteer group strives to present professional-quality theater at affordable prices, on a shoestring budget that has to pay for everything from royalties to rent. “Ticket sales don’t even cover the costs,” said Hunter.

The bottom line: Money is tight all over, especially for Somerville’s non-profits. So why not add a little good karma to your holiday shopping list?

Guide to Somerville Non-Profit Organizations in this article:

Artisan’s Asylum, 10 Tyler Street, 617-863-7634, http://www.artisansasylum.com/

Brickbottom Artists Association, 1 Fitchburg Street, 617-776-3410, http://www.brickbottomartists.org/

Center for the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., 617-718-2191, http://www.artsatthearmory.org/

Creative Union, 29A Union Square, 617-629-3555, http://www.creativeunioncoop.org/

Groundwork Somerville, 21 Properzi Way, 617-628-9988, http://www.groundworksomerville.org/

Mudflat Studio, 81 Broadway, 617-529-0589, http://www.mudflatstudio.org/

Somerville Arts Council, 50 Evergreen Ave., 617-625-6600, ext. 2985, http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/

The Somerville Community Growing Center, 12 Vinal Ave., 617-666-2969, http://www.thegrowingcenter.org/

Theatre @ First, 13 Park Ave., 888-874-7554, http://www.theatreatfirst.org/.