HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIRS : A pleasant alternative for shoppers who don’t want to get malled.
Mall shopping may have been pioneered in Southern California, but it can become tiresome and aggravating during the Christmas season, with the same kinds of stores populating each mall and a shark-like atmosphere pervading the crowded parking lots.
During the holidays though, local churches and nonprofit organizations offer a nice alternative to the shopping mall schlep. This weekend, why not look for unique, handmade items and support some good causes in the process? The South Bay offers a number of options to those starting their Christmas shopping.
At the Country Sampler Christmas Boutique, sponsored by Redondo Beach’s St. Lawrence Martyr Church, shoppers can munch on large homemade cinnamon buns for $1 while browsing the tables. The cinnamon buns are a specialty of this event, and organizers ran out last year, so go early.
About 75 vendors will be selling a variety of handmade merchandise, including Christmas decorations and personalized items. The sale lasts the entire weekend and proceeds benefit the St. Lawrence Martyr school.
“Despite the economy, we’re growing,” said boutique organizer Christine Hollis, adding that some of the vendors have rented double booths. “It’s a festive atmosphere.”
At the Christmas Boutique run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in San Pedro, $1 raffle tickets will be sold in addition to craft and ceramic items. The first prize is something hard to turn down during a recession--a cool $3,000 cash. The second prize is plane tickets for two on Continental, and smaller cash prizes also will be awarded.
The craft items were made by the sisters and other residents of the Jeanne Jugan residence. Food will also be sold at the event.
In Torrance, the Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a Senior Citizens Bazaar at the Herma Tillim Center on Saturday. The event features items made by senior citizens at the center, as well as a rummage sale and baked goods. Although many of the items have a Christmas motif, Thanksgiving decorations will also be sold. The sale includes T-shirts, sweat shirts, handcrafted jewelry and a quilt raffle.
Maggie Bakovic, the center’s staff coordinator, promises lots of free parking in back of the center. The proceeds will help offset the operating costs of the center, which serves about 120 senior citizens.
A sampling of craft fairs this weekend:
* Country Sampler Christmas Boutique, St. Lawrence Martyr School, 1900 Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
* Christmas Boutique, Little Sisters for the Poor, 2100 S. Western Avenue, San Pedro, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, information and raffle tickets: (310) 548-0625.
* Senior Citizens Bazaar, Herma Tillim Center, 3614 Artesia Blvd., Torrance, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.