Holiday Boutiques for the Mall-Weary : Shopping: Area churches, temples and clubs offer handcrafted wares and homemade foods.

Although St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge will be the site of the 11th annual Ecumenical Christmas Boutique, the event is really a collaborative effort. Four local churches--The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Northridge, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church of Granada Hills, The Congregational Church of Northridge and St. Nicholas--all join forces for the three-day event that will run Friday through Sunday.

“We’ve learned so much about each other over the years,” said Charlotte McCarty, boutique chairwoman and a member of St. Nicholas church. “We’re all neighbors. And by working together, it’s grown from a one-day affair to three.”

Each church operates its own booths, with proceeds to benefit the individual churches or their related charity functions. “Most of the ladies have been working year-round on their handcrafted items,” said McCarty, adding that St. Nicholas’ proceeds go toward local battered women and children’s organizations.

Unlike the other churches, however, St. Nicholas doesn’t make any handcrafted gifts. Instead its members spend hours in the kitchen, whipping up the food for the extravaganza--which includes lavish Greek pastries, main courses, desserts and refreshments. “We begin weeks in advance,” McCarty said. “It’s more than enough to concentrate on.” Some of the best-selling pastries being made include baklava, karidopita, tsourike and melomakarona, she said. Other dishes to be offered will be gyros sandwiches, Greek chicken, moussaka and tiropeta.

The Ecumenical Christmas Boutique, held in the Northridge church’s Community Center, 17037 Plummer St., will be open 2 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call (818) 886-4040.

This is just one of a many holiday boutiques planned by individuals and organizations in the area. Others include:

* The Christmas Boutique, an annual event sponsored by Holy Cross Medical Center Guild, will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Guild Gift Shop, 15031 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills. In addition to handmade items, baked goods, desserts and deli foods, the gift shop also will sell toys, jewelry and manufactured gift items. Raffle prizes will include a set of crystal, a king-sized quilt, dinnerware and more. Raffle donations range from $1 to $10. Admission to the boutique is free. Call (818) 363-1415.

* Peace on Earth, the annual holiday boutique sponsored by the parish council of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 10828 Moorpark St., North Hollywood, will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Featured will be holiday ornaments and gift items, with a cocktail party on Friday and a buffet breakfast Sunday. Admission is free. Call (818) 766-3838.

* The annual Home for the Holidays boutique will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Woodland Hills United Methodist Church, 5650 Shoup Ave. More than 30 artisans will participate in the sale of home accessories, Christmas ornaments, jewelry and baked goods. Proceeds will benefit the church and its local mission projects. Admission is free. Call 9818) 346-6528.

* The California Native Plant Society will present its ninth annual California Native Plant Gift Sale and Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Calamigos Ranch, 327 S. Latigo Canyon Road, Agoura. More than 4,000 native plants will be sold, with plants labeled and photographed for easy identification. The society also will offer hands-on activities for children, education displays, arts and crafts, basket and rop making instructions, books, posters, food and a picnic facility. Admission is free. Call (818) 345-6749.

* St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church and Day School will sponsor its annual Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Parish Hall, 7136 Winnetka Ave., Canoga Park. Christmas gifts, handmade items and baked goods will be featured, with proceeds to benefit church and school projects. Admission is free. Call (818) 348-1419.

* Hanukkah Galleria will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Adat Ari El, 12020 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. The annual event will offer 40 booths, with men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, jewelry, toys and gifts. There is no admission charge. Dan Crow will perform a children’s concert at 10:45 a.m. Sunday; admission is $6. Call (818) 766-9426.

* Sumac Elementary School at Calmfield Avenue and Eagleton Street in Agoura Hills presents its fifth annual Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. A variety of holiday vendors will be available, with gift and ornament items, a pancake breakfast and raffle. Proceeds will benefit school activities and educational projects. Admission is free. Call (818) 707-6113.

* St. Jude Catholic Church, 32032 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, will present its Holiday Boutique from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. About 40 vendors will offer smaller arts and crafts gifts, clothing, jewelry and holiday items. All proceeds will benefit underprivileged families. Santa Claus will make an appearance from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. Admission is free. Call (805) 496-6694.

* St. Bernardine Catholic Church, 24410 Calvert St., Woodland Hills, will hold its annual Christmas Boutique from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Twenty vendors will feature gift items, including decorations, ornaments, baskets, toys, jewelry, crafts, a bake sale and raffle. Admission is free. Call (818) 888-8200.

* St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 3646 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Studio City, will present its Game Day Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. It will feature holiday items, collectibles, books and refreshments. Admission is free. Proceeds will benefit the Valley Interfaith Food Pantry. Call (818) 763-9193.

* The Sierra Hills Swim & Racquet Club will present its annual Holiday Boutique from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sierra Hills Clubhouse, 28616 Kenroy Ave., Canyon Country. The event will feature handcrafted items such as tree ornaments, costumed bears, ceramics, tole art, porcelain dolls, T-shirts, wreaths, string art, baskets and a bake sale. Admission is free. Call (805) 252-3080.

* The nursery school at Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge, will sponsor its 10th annual Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Items will include toys, clothing, leather goods, baskets and other gifts. Admission is free. Call (818) 366-1733.

* The Alternative Christmas Market will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Granada Hills Presbyterian Church, 10400 Zelzah Ave., Northridge. The church will present about 12 booths, with visual information and printed materials on various relief organizations from around the world. Individuals shoppers then select from the gift catalogues and make contributions to causes such as sending a water buffalo to Thailand, preserving an acre of rain forest or purchasing sewing machines for people in Central America. The church’s day school sponsors an “adopt a child” program. Gift cards will then be made at each booth by a calligrapher that can be given as presents. The event is sponsored by Alternative Gift Markets Inc., and all funds go directly to the project designated by the contributor; administrative costs are covered by separate ministry donations. Admission is free. Call (818) 343-8119.

* Temple Emet’s Sisterhood will hold a Holiday Boutique from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the temple, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. A variety of Thanksgiving and holiday gifts will be offered. Admission is free. Call (818) 348-0670.

* Young Israel of Northridge Sisterhood will present its annual Chanukah Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at 17511 Devonshire St., Northridge. The event will offer holiday items, crafts, food and a bake sale. Admission is free. Call (818) 368-3877.

* Temple B’nai Hayim will hold its annual Holiday Fairre Shopping Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at the temple, 4302 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Along with handcrafted items for children and adults, jewelry and clothing booths, the sale also will feature gift-wrapped, homemade candy and a Hanukkah speciality section. Admission is free. Call (818) 788-4664.

* Women’s American ORT, Southern California Valley Region, will hold its annual U.S.A. Luncheon and Boutique beginning at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 25 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Universal Terrace, Universal City. The boutique, which will offer a variety of holiday items, will also include a fashion show by Holly Mitchell. Donations are $45, with proceeds to benefit “School Operations U.S.A.” For reservations, call (818) 349-2449.

* The Fortunehunters of the Pacific Lodge Boys Home will hold its annual Holiday Boutique, Brunch and Fashion Show beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 28. Boutique items will be available, with a luncheon and fashion show at 10:30 a.m. at the Pacific Boys Lodge, 4000 Serrania Ave., Woodland Hills. Proceeds from the $10 donation will go toward Christmas gifts for the boys. Reservations are required. Call Maryanne Righitti at (818) 348-2057 or Jane Gross at (818) 986-1143.

* The Career Network chapter of B’nai Brith Women will hold their annual Holiday Boutique and Fashion Show from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 29 at Mercury Savings & Loan, Community Room, 14801 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. The event includes a fashion show by Nordstrom, 18 holiday vendors, door prizes and refreshments. Admission is free. Call (818) 886-4157 days or (818) 708-8774 evenings.

* The annual Gala Holiday Bazaar will be presented by the Valley Senior Service & Resource Center, 18255 Victory Blvd., Reseda, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The sale will offer new merchandise as well as a bake sale, book sale, games, prizes and refreshments. All proceeds will benefit the senior center that serves more than 25,000 people in the San Fernando Valley. Admission is free. Call (818) 705-2345.

* The Palmdale Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor its annual Christmas Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2 at the Palmdale Cultural Center, 704 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale. More than 60 booths will offer wooden items, jewelry, flower arrangements, dolls, watercolor paintings, ceramics and clothing. Admission is free. Call (805) 273-0513.

* The Wedgewood, a retirement hotel at 11700 Burbank Blvd., Tarzana, will hold a Holiday Gift Boutique from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5. Available items will include baked goods, dry flower arrangements, jewelry, dolls, handmade quilts, appliqued shirts, tole paintings and holiday ornaments. Admission is free. Call (818) 342-0003.

* Hanukkah Celebration will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the North Valley Jewish Community Center, 16601 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills. The annual event will include about 20 booths for children and adults. Admission is free. Call (818) 360-2211.

* The American Cancer Society will sell several holiday gifts, with proceeds to benefit cancer education and research. Packs of 25 Christmas cards range from $16 to $30, with personalized cards available upon request. “Stars Come Out for Christmas,” holiday music by two dozen pop and country performers, is available on cassette for $8.95 and CD for $12.95. “Entertainment ‘91” is a coupon booklet with discounts from restaurants to amusement parks; six Southern California areas are available for $35. Items can be ordered through Dec. 10 at the society office, 14602 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys or by calling (818) 989-5555.