By Maria King, Grandmother extraordinaire and founder of www.EventCrazy.com
Oh it’s already starting to happen. The constant barrage of the Christmas Shopping season is upon us. You know what I mean. Everything is perfect for Christmas shopping because everyone wants a few pieces of shiny silver from your pockets. That doesn’t mean that everyone should flock to the Post Office because they think they are the perfect place to shop for Christmas. I don’t even like waiting in those lines to mail things, imagine doing it to shop!
But this time of year many non profits, art guilds, women’s leagues and other organizations, hold shows offering shopping opportunities. They are the Christmas Bazaars and the Home and School Holiday Craft Show and the City of Anytown USA Holiday Village; the list goes on and on. But it is a wonderful list because it is emblematic of the spirit of the holidays. It is people working together to create things to sell for profit, for charities or just for children’s delight. I am not going to try to fool you by acting as an adult here. It is my “permitted” time of the year to act like a child. (Well I say it’s my permitted time, my family might say otherwise) This is the 2-3 months when we celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. What can you say bad about those 3 holidays?
I digress, back to the shows… Many of the shows listed in your area will have a variety of different items for sale. Clothing, homemade food, crafts, even works of fine art are just some of the things you will find. Many of the shows also feature the actual craftsman or artists on-site so you can get a real sense of what you are buying and knowledge of the creator, so to speak. In addition to items for sale, these types of shows are also fun places to be with the whole family. Usually they feature many terrific Christmas activities for kids as well as interesting things to see and do for all ages and lifestyles.
So you know the drill. Grab everyone in your house that has any Christmas shopping to do and head on over to one of these terrific shows. You just need to search for shows in your backyard and get going. You may find out that by visiting just one or two of these events, you can get all of your Christmas shopping completed. And if you are lucky, you may be able to still have cash leftover to pick up a bauble or two for yourself.
Country Fair Holiday Arts and Crafts Show
Nov 16, 2013 – Nov 17, 2013
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Rapid City, SD57701
Exhibitors with hand made crafts and South Dakota products. Join us as we continue the tradition of the Country Fair, where vendors come together to sell quality handcrafted works, artwork, and manufactured items.
12,000 Attendees
Christmas Made in the South
Nov 15, 2013 – Nov 17, 2013
James Brown Arena – Bell Auditorium Augusta, GA30901
Since 1987, this juried crafts show features more than 350 master artists and craftsmen demonstrating and selling their work. A holiday feast of the arts, full of holiday ideas, gifts and goodies. The creative way to shop for Christmas.
Central Oregon’s Holiday Food and Gift Festival
Nov 15, 2013 – Nov 17, 2013
Dechutes County Fairgrounds Redmond, OR97756
This event includes booths filled with exhibitors displaying juried arts and crafts and many handcrafted items along with various gourmet foods and holiday related entertainment. Plus operating model train displays, cooking demonstrations, holiday music and Santa Claus.
10,000 Attendees
Holiday Craft Show
Nov 16, 2013 – Nov 17, 2013
Fairfax High School Fairfax, VA22030
Since 1987. The City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department welcomes you to our Holiday Craft Show. What started out as a very small show has grown to become a premium arts and crafts festival. Artisans from all over the United States, including many local artists, are participating in this year’s show and we are delighted to be able to offer you so many wonderful holiday gift choices. There really is something for everyone on your shopping list. Please take your time and visit all the areas of the show – you won’t want to miss a single one. Take a rest during the show to enjoy a hot lunch.
5,000 Attendees
Christmas in the Country – Erie
Nov 16, 2013 – Nov 17, 2013
Bayfront Convention Center Erie, PA16507
This year Erie welcomes back a holiday shopping experience like no other, as the nation’s foremost artisan marketplace, Christmas in the Country, returns to theBayfrontConventionCenter. After the its successful 2010 debut, the event has grown dramatically, welcoming almost 150 artisans and artists from across the country. They will be displaying and selling their unique handcrafted creations including gourmet foods, spa quality bath and beauty products, trendsetting jewelry, handpoured aromatic candles, eco-friendly clothing, pottery, original wall art, woodwork, home décor and holiday gift items galore. Christmas in the Country enjoyed a warm first year welcome to the Erie market. “We were very pleased that the Erie community embraced this event” said Daniel Kaczynski, from Premier Promotions, organizers of the event. “Christmas in the Country is going to be significantly bigger and better this year. We have added over 50 artisans, cooking and artisan demonstrations throughout the weekend, visits from Santa himself and so much more” added Kaczynski. “Our goal is to make this a unique holiday tradition for years to come, and thanks to Erie, it is well on its way.”
10,000 Attendees
Every Husband’s Nightmare Bazaar
Nov 18, 2013 – Nov 23, 2013
Washington County Fair Complex Hillsboro, OR97124
Featuring a boutique style show of all handcrafts, antiques, collectibles, and Oregon gourmet foods, with over 200 vendors showing their fine wares. The artists come from all over the Northwest, many with crafts that are unique to this show. You will find lots of decor for the home and garden, gifts for the man in your life, hand-painted furniture, shabby chic decor and more.
3,000+ Attendees
Nov 16, 2013
Allen County Fairgrounds Lima, OH45804
Don’t miss this Christmas Craft Show where craft vendors come from all over Ohio and the surrounding states to show and sell their unique items for that special someone this holiday season! Holiday items for sale and display.
The Winter Art Festival
Nov 16, 2013 – Nov 17, 2013
Monona Terrace Convention Center Madison, WI53713
Since 1989. Features 140 Wisconsin exhibitors with a wonderful selection of pottery, watercolors, fiber, wood, glass, photography, jewelry, graphics, sculpture and more.
Christmas Craft Show
Nov 16, 2013
Chisholm Trail Expo Center at Garfield Community Fairgrounds Enid, OK73701
Come to the Santa’s Showcase Christmas Craft Show in Enid for a variety of arts and craft vendors and get your Christmas shopping done early this year. Held annually during November, the Santa’s Showcase Christmas Craft Show will feature crafters from a four-state region. Visitors to this Enid craft show will enjoy browsing through craft booths in a climate-controlled building on the Garfield County Fairgrounds. A concession stand serving sandwiches and other light fare will be available.
Christmas Jubilee
Nov 14, 2013 – Nov 16, 2013
Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds Mobile, AL36608
Since 1985, Enjoy a host of activities and great shopping at the Great Gulf State Fairgrounds along with a Girl’s Night Out, Santa Breakfast, Jubilee Art Walk, Hall of Wreaths, Author’s Corner and more.
Arts and Crafts Christmas Spectacular
Nov 15, 2013 – Nov 17, 2013
Mylan Park Morgantown, WV26501
Since 2010, Featuring artists and craftsmen from throughout the region, you can browse and shop over 175 exhibits of high-quality arts and crafts including jewelry, dried and silk floral arrangements, decorative painting, soft sculpture, photography, clothing, fabric decor for your home, personalized ornaments, scented candles, lotions and soaps, pet collars and treats, holiday decorations, and much, much more!!! Sample delicious pre-packaged foods such as dip and drink mixes, candies, fudge, kettle korn, roasted almonds and nuts, dessert mixes and more!!! You can do all of your holiday shopping and home decorating at the MylanParkExpoCenter!!! Bring your camera and take your child’s photograph with Santa!!! Have your face painted and create balloon animals with clowns Glitter Dot and Dapper!!! Located in the MylanParkExpoCenter.
Nov 15, 2013 – Nov 17, 2013
Tennessee State Fairgrounds and Expo Center Nashville, TN37203
More than 260 merchants from all over the U.S. participate in this premier consumer show. A variety of unique seasonal and gift items are offered, including: toys for all ages, clothing for children and adults, jewelry, food items, pottery, collectibles and unusual pieces for the “person who has everything”.
25,000 Attendees
Juried Holiday Show and Sale
Nov 15, 2013 – Dec 23, 2013
Lakewood Cultural Center Lakewood, CO 80226
The Juried Holiday Show and Sale, in conjunction with the Artisan Showcase, will feature more than 75 Colorado artists. The annual show captures the spirit of gift giving with a large variety of work and price ranges. Choose from holiday ornaments, paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry and more — all one-of-a-kind works of art. Find something for everyone on your gift-giving list! Plenty of free parking is available. The LakewoodCulturalCenter is located near the intersection of Wadsworth Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue. Programs of the LakewoodCulturalCenter are supported by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), with appreciation to the citizens of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, and Colorado Creative Industries, to promote, support and expand the creative industries that drive Colorado’s economy. Closed November 28-30.
Happy Holidays Gift Store
Nov 02, 2013 – Dec 29, 2013
Arlington Museum of Art Arlington, TX76010
Happy Holidays Gift Store, a part of the Arlington Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees, offers an extraordinary shopping experience. Handcrafted, many one of a kind, creations by local artisans and vintage finds from local collectors await the shopper looking for unique finds. A wide range of goodies, including mixed media framed wall art, slip cast and wheel thrown ceramics, framed and unframed photographic art, jewelry, fused and stained glass, vintage finds and more will delight the people on your gift list or become a treasure for you.
Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com or @eventcrazy on Twitter
or visit her website at www.eventcrazy.com
Copyright © 1998-2013 Events Media Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Photos are copyright of their respective owners.