West Holmes Craft Show helps WHHS students while putting presents under the tree

Santa’s sleigh bells are still silent as the North Pole prepares for its biggest day of the year later in December. There is not yet any snow on the ground or Yule Tide songs in the air, but that doesn't mean families can’t start thinking about Christmas shopping.

With the Season of Joy right around the corner, West Holmes High School will provide the perfect setting to kick-start the holiday shopping season with the 32nd annual West Holmes Craft Show on Saturday, Nov. 11.

More than five-dozen vendors will pack the West Holmes gymnasium for what is sure to be a busy day of shopping from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The vendors will see plenty of activity because every year since this craft show began in 1985, people have been lining up at the front doors of the high school waiting for a chance to shop.

The event is free to the public and will feature loads of vendors peddling plenty of impressive arts and crafts, primitives, art décor, T-shirts, jewelry, antiques and many more indoor and outdoor decorations. Plus there will be other mainstay Christmas-gift companies like Tupperware, The Pampered Chef, Thirty-One Gifts and a number of other well-known companies that can help provide some great gifts for under the Christmas tree.

“This is a great chance for people to get a head start on their Christmas shopping," said Dawn Martin, who along with Lisa Macaulay heads up this year’s event. “The variety of Christmas-gift options is amazing, and this is not just arts and crafts. There is a huge variety that should allow shoppers to find all kinds of great gifts. Plus people can always find some really good buys here that helps them save money, and they can find it all under one roof. It is perfect for Christmas shopping.”

What’s more, if a national vendor has items that shoppers want but they don’t have it on hand at the show, they can custom order for patrons and have gift-item purchases here in plenty of time for Christmas.

All of the vendors will be set up in the gymnasium, making shopping under one roof simple. Handbags, jewelry, household crafts, candy and nuts, ornaments, picture frames and a huge host of possible unique and beautiful gift items await shoppers during this annual event.

All of the proceeds from the day will go to support West Holmes High School, helping students who need help covering the cost of supplies, instructional fees, expenses and any equipment or material they might need. All of this goes right back into the school, so not only are people going to find all kinds of deals for the holidays and purchase plenty of Christmas gifts, but also they are helping the West Holmes students.

The West Holmes band boosters will be operating a full concession stand in the lunch area, so shoppers won’t have to leave the building to get a bite to eat, and it will help generate funds for the music programs.

“We are making sure it helps cover our kids all the way around,” Martin said.

In addition there will be door prizes and raffles throughout the day, meaning patrons may be leaving with even more than they purchase.

With Ho-ho-ho and mistletoe not far away, the West Holmes annual Craft Show is a great way to get your Christmas season started.