‘Tis the season for all things crafty, baked and homemade.
As shops pull out the decorations and stock up their shelves, around the community there are many art-oriented events gearing up for the holidays.
This past weekend, Christina Lake’s Arts and Artisans Society hosted its Chocolate and Champagne fundraiser, full of deliciously crafted treats, while Greenwood’s library held its annual arts and craft fair at the McArthur Centre Community Hall, full of homemade goods.
This coming weekend is gallery 2’s annual wine tasting, as well as Grand Forks’ Royal Canadian Legion’s craft sale and a grad bake sale from the Grade 12 students at Grand Forks Secondary School.
As the years go on, I find myself drawn more to handmade gifts (whether by me or someone else), as opposed to buying something specifically for a person, unless otherwise asked. Craft sales are a particular favourite of mine because it’s a chance to see how creative people can get with a ball of yarn or piece of fabric.
There are also the yummy tidbits baked with care and tenderness from the kitchens of excellent cooks.
And call me crazy, but I’ve already begun the process of collecting gifts for my family and friends.
In fact, I’m almost done. Don’t get me wrong, no matter how far in advance I plan, there will always be someone that has slipped my mind.
It leads to one of those, “Oh, duh!” moments and shakes of the head that has you wondering how you could forget that person.
But in all honesty, though I occasionally enjoy walking down busy streets and crowded shops, the hustle and bustle that comes with shopping is a bit too much for my tastes.
I’ve never been a huge fan of walking through swarms of people, mostly because, at my height, it usually results in me receiving several unintentional smacks to the head. When I know there is an event or occasion right around the corner, whether it is a birthday to festive holiday, I like to prepare as far advanced as possible.
But maybe that’s just me.