Thanksgiving is barely in the rearview mirror, and the first week of December is already jam-packed with winter fairs to help everyone check off their holiday gift lists. A bevy of festive markets will pop up around the area on or before Wednesday, Dec. 14, giving everyone a chance to shop small and support local charitable and community organizations in the process.
Holiday Artists’ Shop
From Thursday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 7, Create (900 W. Fourth St., in Newport, Wash.) will host its annual Holiday Artists’ Shop every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free gathering includes refreshments to enjoy while combing through hundreds of unique gifts, from metalwork to woodcarving. Area musicians Joanne Heinz, Just Andy and Ben Kardos will supply the live music. Visit createarts.org for more information.
Community craft fair
The Sandpoint Lions Club and the local troop of the Girl Scouts from eastern Washington and North Idaho are teaming up for a three-day craft fair from Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 7. The fair will also raise funds for the group’s activities, including the Lion’s Toys for Tots drive, to which applications remain open until Friday, Dec. 12. The free event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the Sandpoint Community Hall (204 S. First Ave.).
Eliyah Allen (left) and Cara Warren (right), clients of Panhandle Special Needs, Inc., along with Santa, invite the public to visit their Christmas Market in the Greenhouse, 1424 N. Boyer Ave., from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Dec. 14.
Courtesy photo
Sagle Christmas Craft Fair
The many artists and residents across the sprawling Sagle community will have their own Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Storybook Early Learning Center (31 Ivy Drive). Santa will make a guest appearance to take pictures with kids, who will all receive a free activity kit. While they play, parents can look over the local vendors’ handcrafted items.
St. Joseph’s Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair
The annual Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair is an experience in and of itself, with a wide variety of gifts, decor and baked goods, culminating in a delicious meal. The festivities will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Sandpoint VFW Hall (1324 Pine St., in Sandpoint). Arrive between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a lunch of homemade soup and rolls, or just come to take your pick of handmade gifts, fresh wreaths and more holiday-themed goodies.
Holiday Market
The Cottage Market and Sandpoint Teen Center are keeping their partnership going with another Holiday Market — a fundraiser and learning opportunity rolled into one. Teens and local merchants alike run booths full of baked goods, art and more, giving Teen Center members business experience and a chance to raise funds for their own financial goals and for the center’s winter programs. The free event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the First Lutheran Church (526 S. Olive Ave. in Sandpoint).
PSNI Christmas Market
With over 50 vendors offering creative and clever holiday goods, the Panhandle Special Needs, Inc. Christmas Market is a one-stop shop for all of your gift giving needs.
Vendors offer a bit of everything, including local artwork, hand-painted glassware, PSNI client-designed mugs, calendars, totes, food products, wreaths, Christmas trees and more.
“No two vendors’ items are alike, everything is unique,” said PSNI Work Services Manager Kim Derr.
PSNI serves our community’s developmentally disabled population, and its clients are involved in the Christmas Market in many ways, including helping Derr to set up and manage booths, restocking merchandise and cleaning up at the end of each day. Several clients are on hand to help patrons carry out their purchases.
The goal is to help each client reach their potential, become more independent, find employment and become an asset to the community. The Market is a small source of income which helps continue these vital programs.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at PSNI’s Greenhouse (1424 N. Boyer Ave.), seven days a week until Dec. 14.
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