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Artisan Holiday Market in Randolph |
Here in Randolph, the first Saturday of December is traditionally the day when churches and other organizations in town have their Christmas bazaars - each with its own unique focus.
The Congregational Church has a Peace Fair and Christmas market which includes their famous "cookie walk": $10 gets you an empty bakery box that you fill with your own selection of home-made goodies.
The Episcopal Church sells wreaths and tickets for their "Chinese auction" - for $1, you get ten chances to win prizes ranging from gently-used household items to re-gifted toys and knick-knacks to hand-made hats and gloves.
The Catholic Church goes all out with booths rented out to local crafters and vendors (even Tupperware!); the Knights of Columbus sell tickets for their 50-50 raffle; and there are plenty of baked goods to take home and freeze in anticipation of holiday guests.
The Rotary Club is selling gift baskets of maple syrup and locally made soaps and candles. Even the Friends of the Library will host a Holiday Bazaar with the sale of crafts and used books, and a raffle of several book-themed gift baskets (the coordination of the library event is keeping me busy this week!).
Also worth a stop is the Artisan Holiday Market at the Chandler Center for the Arts in the center of town. The market continues throughout the month of December and is a lovely place to shop for some locally crafted gifts.
As in past years, this coming Saturday in our little town promises to be a great day to walk around on Main Street with a few dollars in your pocket to support the community and perhaps even catch a lunch of home-made soup and bread at one of the churches.
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Library raffle - just one of the offerings in town this Saturday |
It's a tradition repeated throughout the world this time of year, in small towns and in big cities.
There are any number of websites to visit and tour groups to choose from if you want to see how the season is celebrated in cities in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Poland, Germany, France, and many other countries. According to one source, here are the top 100: CLICK HERE for some snapshots and to perhaps start planning your travels for next December.
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| Photo credit: Rick Steve |
My favorite remains the "Szopka" (creche) display in Krakow, Poland. The annual competition takes place in the medieval city's "Rynek" main square, and the elaborate Szopki look more like castles than the traditionally rustic Christmas manger scenes. A full description of the event and a short film can be found that THIS LINK.
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| Krakow Szopka Competition |
One of these days, perhaps I'll get there to see it in person, but in the meantime, I was happy to find a display closer to home last month when SS Cyril & Methodius Church in Hartford had its annual Christmas bazaar:
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| Szopka Competition in Hartford |
The holiday season is ramping up, but will be over before we know it. I hope that it's a season of peace and joy for all of you. We'll see you in 2025!
