Shop craft fairs for unique gifts
Want to avoid those big-box stores, shop locally for quaint and unique gifts and get in the holiday spirit? There are plenty of ways to do that right in the Elk-Chattaroy neighborhood.
You can start with the Chattaroy Craft Fair, which takes place at Chattaroy Elementary on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The school is just off of Highway 2 and Chattaroy Road at 25717 N. Yale. The craft fair offers a wide variety of handmade gifts and Christmas items. For information, call 292-2032.
Another stop to shop for locally made gifts is the Christmas Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale downstairs at the Elk VFW, also on Saturday. The bazaar, sponsored by the Elk VFW Ladies Auxiliary, is open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. There will be handmade craft items, local artisans’ works and Christmas accessories on sale. Besides shopping, you can enjoy some hot, homemade soups, munch on some baked goods or warm up with some hot coffee or tea. For information or to rent a booth ($10), call 292-8250.
On the same day, upstairs in the VFW dining room, will be the Kids’ Christmas Craft Party sponsored by Elk Community Park. There will be craft projects for the children, face-painting, cookies and warm cider from 1 until 3 p.m. The kids get to take some of the crafts home and some are used to decorate the community Christmas tree at Elk Community Park. For information, call Becky at 292-0706.
Speaking of Elk Community Park, that same evening of Elk Park will host the Community Tree Lighting and Bonfire. The bonfire will be going by 3 p.m., and at 4 you can help decorate the Community Christmas tree.
After it is decorated, the tree will be lit up to guide Santa into Elk. So, take the whole family to Elk Park, let the kids visit with Santa, warm up by the bonfire with some hot cocoa or coffee and visit with old friends or new neighbors. The park is on Camden Road, a quarter-mile north of Elk-Chattaroy and Elk-to-Highway roads in downtown Elk. For information, call Zeb at 939-5977 or visit www.elkcommunitypark.com.
Another wonderful local gift shop is located at the Camden Ranch at 1521 Willms Road off Camden Road in Elk. At the ranch’s tree farm, you can choose and cut your own Christmas tree. There are free hay rides daily and complimentary hot cider or coffee on weekends. The Christmas tree continues until this year’s trees are sold out. Camden Ranch is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and will definitely fill you with some Christmas spirit.
The Camden Ranch also has a beautiful events facility for weddings, reunions, parties, art events, etc. For information, call 292-2543 or visit www.camdenranch.com.
There is also a delightful place in Chattaroy to shop for local artisans’ works. Lady in the Woods is a beautiful artists’ co-op gallery located on the corner Highway 2 and Laurel Road. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tea is served between 2 and 3 p.m.
There are many very talented artists in the Elk-Chattaroy area. Some current artworks displayed are jewelry, candles, paintings, hats and scarves for winter and many unique gift items. For information, call Pam at 481-1698.
As you can tell, there are plenty of ways to shop locally for distinctive gifts and local activities to get you in the holiday spirit. If you would like to do something to help a neighbor have a better Christmas, the Teddy Bear Tree of Sharing will be facilitated by Riverside Family Foods this year.
There will be “Teddy Bear tags” on trees at the Elk Post Office, Riverside Middle School and Riverside Family Foods. The tags list items needed by some of your neighbors. Please pick out a tag and give a gift to someone who could use a little help this year.
If your group or organization is interested in “adopting” a family for Christmas, please call Riverside Family Foods at 292-2253. Happy Holidays!