One of the biggest questions on the top of people's minds during the Christmas season usually has to do with a gift for that special person. Rather than searching through crowded malls, opt for something creative and local by attending one of this season's many craft fairs. On Friday (Nov. 28), Mamquam Elementary School will be holding their annual Christmas Craft Fair of baked goods and games from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Kids can have their photo taken with Santa and parents can join in on bingo. On Saturday (Nov. 29), The Squamish Nation Craft Fair will include aboriginal inspired crafts, such as moccasins, sculpture, weaving, and jewelry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Totem Hall.On Saturday (Nov. 29) and Sunday (Nov. 30), Gelato Carina on Cleveland Avenue will hold a Christmas Craft Bazaar from noon to 4 p.m. "We'll be selling toques and sweaters, crafts and leatherware and there will be seasonal foods and gelato, such as eggnog, rum raisin and cassata [an Italian candy fruit ice cream]," said Greg Fischer.On Sunday (Nov. 30), the Howe Sound Brew Pub will hold their annual Handcrafted Christmas Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a range of Sea to Sky vendors, such as Squamish wood turner Martin Thorne, Lions Bay glassblower Lawrence Ruskin and Pemberton's Maple Leaf Ornaments."The Cedar Valley Waldorf School Choir will be singing at the front door at noon to welcome guests in," said organizer Deborah Laishley. "We are asking people to donate a canned food or a cash donation that we can give to the Food Bank. Vendors are each donating one item to a raffle and proceeds from the raffle go to the Food Bank as well." The fun continues the following weekend starting early on Thursday (Dec. 4) at 6 p.m. Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School holds their craft fair of crafts and baked goods in the school gymnasium. Games will take place in the classrooms and Santa will make an appearance, while parents have tea in the multi-purpose room. On Friday Dec. 5 starting at 4 p.m., Quest University will have their first student-organized craft fair. Visitors can buy student-made journals, scarves, art and jewelry, or make their own gift with help from a student at the craft table. There will also be an Academic Showcase highlighting student achievement that guests can view from 7 to 9 p.m.The Brennan Park Christmas Craft Fair will be held Saturday Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Recreation Centre. If you like to procrastinate and wait until the last minute to buy your Christmas gifts, there are still some Christmas fairs held later in the month.On Saturday Dec. 13 The Christmas Fair at the Brackendale Art Gallery will commence from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Event organizer Tracy Tweed said there will be old-fashioned maple syrup taffy turning in front of the BAG, while vendors offer hand-crafted gifts, such as glassware by Hummingbird Hot Glass, toiletries by Creature Comfort Soap Works, weaving by Knobby Knuckles, Selma's Pickles, food from Golden Crust Specialties and chocolate from Xocolatl. "It's a get-to-know-you community round table type of theme," said Tweed.Onatah Coffee will hold a Christmas sale Sunday Dec. 14 from 1 to 7 p.m., featuring unique work by CJ Metal Designs, Planet Pili, Oyster, Clothes Minded and Vanessa Stark. Last, but certainly not least, Cedar Valley Waldorf's School present their seventh annual Children's Christmas Fair Sunday Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. where, according to volunteer Heidi Schimpl, there are a number of enchanting things to do."There's going to be a cookie house where children can walk through and it will be really dark with lights and there will be cookies hung everywhere, you'll be surrounded by cookies," said Schimpl, adding children will be allowed to pick a cookie to eat.Shimpl said there will also be other activities, including an enchanted gnome village where children can crawl through tunnels and spy on gnomes at play.And some lucky visitor can take home a handmade wooden dollhouse, which will be available for a fundraising draw.
