Laura Ingalls and all of the folks from Little House on the Prairie really knew how to do Christmas right.  They didn’t fight for a parking space for their horse and buggy, and elbow their way around the crowds in the general store.  (Harriet Olson would never have allowed that kind of behavior, anyway.)  Their gift exchanges were meaningful, well thought out, and hand-made.  And your family’s can be, too.  This year’s Annual Winter Wonderland Craft Fair by the Westfield High School Key Club will take place from 10:00 – 1:00 on Saturday, December 14th at Cafeteria B in Westfield High School at 550 Dorian Road.  Admission for children is $10, and includes an exciting morning of holiday crafts, food, and carnival games.  Kids can make the perfect crafts for a homemade gift this holiday season! Imagine how good that would feel to the kids, as well as to those they are creating the gifts for.

Don’t want to make them yourself, but still looking for that unique feel to your gifts?  The Cranford United Methodist Church will sponsor its 3rd annual Christmas Holiday Shoppe on that very same day, from 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM, at the CUMC at 201 Lincoln Ave., on the corner of Walnut and Lincoln Aves. Vendors are offering a large variety of beautiful, creative merchandise for all ages, so that you can find something for everyone on your shopping list.   Lunch will also be available for purchase . . . . without the frustrating mall food court fiasco.

And also unlike the mall, there is plenty of parking at both venues, no annoying crowds, and a wide variety of unique, hand-made items to give to those you care about.  The venues are local, the gifts will be meaningful, and you will be mall-free!  Now THAT makes for happy holiday gift-giving!