Ho, ho, ho! Are you playing Santa this Christmas?
At this hectic time of year, it is easy to get caught up in the madness. As if finding the perfect gift isn't hard enough, there is now the additional pressure to make the gift green or socially responsible.
Thankfully, all of that is easily taken care of with a trip to the Coquitlam Farmers Market. Every vendor at the market makes, bakes or grows the products they offer. Your purchase supports local business, grows the local economy and provides either a living or additional income for the vendors - it doesn't get much greener or socially responsible than that.
It's especially easy this year as the market is hosting its first ever Christmas market tomorrow (Saturday) at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
So what will you find at the market this Christmas? Five bakers, four soap and spa product vendors, 17 crafters and four jewellers - all your favourites under one roof. Also: fancy Christmas baking like Gesundheit's marzipan stolen (I love to toast it and spread the marzipan over the toast - a decadent start to the day). Otimo will be there with its Brazilian cheese puffs, which are perfect for easy entertaining. Just pop them in the oven and serve them warm, perhaps with a bit of chutney from yours truly?
A perfect stocking stuffer or hostess gift would definitely have to come from one of our soap vendors. Mediterra Soaps are simply beautiful. Sisters Making Scents make a cuticle cream that even the most discerning nail buff will use. It's the only one my daughter will use and, believe me, she knows her nail products. Nasty Free naturals have lovely room sprays that will bring the essence of Christmas into any room in the house. And Tatsiana's herbal remedies are a thoughtful gift.
I can't list all the crafters and the unique gifts they have. Everything from high-end hand-carved walking sticks and leather goods from Tojo to spectacular and useful bread boards from Creative Oak Accents, to Faerie Books, baby blankets, pottery by Val, gorgeous aprons from TLC Cozy Bags and beautiful wreaths.
The jewellers have something for every budget. Coastal Dreamer Designs have semi-precious stone earrings for under $20 while Alma Valle Designs have handcrafted silver pieces that look high-end thanks to the exquisite workmanship but are priced in the $30 to $40 range.
Don't forget the regular Sunday winter market in Port Moody, either. You'll find different vendors there, particularly prepared food vendors. Jars of jams and sauces make thoughtful, useful gifts that most will enjoy. My favourite is Aji's line of condiments - I use them on everything.
So now that you know what you can buy at market for your Christmas gifting, how about a list of all you can do at the markets leading up to Christmas. Any of them would make a perfect friends and family outing, just right for creating Christmas memories.
At tomorrow's Christmas market, you can donate non-perishable food donations for Share, decorate a community Christmas tree (with gently used ornaments, donated to Share), and have a holiday family photo taken for a $10 donation to Share (photographers Michele Mateus and Alyssa Kellert will be setting up a holiday backdrop and taking a photo that will be emailed to the participants with a holiday design and greeting).
The Pleasantside concert choirs will be performing, Elsa and Anna from Frozen will be on hand all day and leading storytime at 10 and 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. As well, Port Moody Arts Centre representatives will be in the craft area, where children can create some beautiful, handcrafted decorations for the season. Burke Mountain Naturalists will be leading an outdoor activity and there is a colouring contest for kids; download the colouring sheet from makebakegrow.com and enter to win fun prizes for children.
On Sunday at the Port Moody market, carollers and free cookie decorating for the kids are featured.
Last but not least, as I leave you for the year, I wish you all a most blessed and joyful holiday season.
Karen Curtis is the Lemonade Lady (www.kicslemonade.ca and kicslemonade.blogspot.ca) at the Coquitlam Farmers Market. Her column runs once a month during market season.
