Christmas is Coming, Crafts Shows Are Accelerating

Three to choose from Nov. 6

By Lynda Wheatley | Oct. 30, 2021

Buh-bye, Halloween. Hellooo, Christmas. With only weeks till the gift-giving bonanza begins and warnings of near-empty retail shelves getting louder, small towns around the North are springing into action with early November craft shows and makers’ markets. Take advantage and support your local creatives by checking out one of these sweet hometown sales, all happening Nov. 6:

• Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Traverse City is hosting its annual craft bonanza 9am–3pm. Find it at 1050 Peninsula Dr., on Old Mission Peninsula. 

• Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire will hosts artists, crafters, and all-day raffles at the village’s Holiday Gift Fair, 10am–3pm. www.bellairechamber.org. 

• Grow Benzie will host its Holiday Market Extravaganza from 10am to 4pm with a bonus nod to National Tie One On Day, which celebrates “the lowly apron as well as the generations of women who wore aprons while giving of themselves as they cared for their homes and families.” Attendees are encouraged to buy an apron, tuck a note of encouragement and a home-baked treat in its pocket, and gift it on Thanksgiving Eve. Find the fun at Grow Benzie’s Fiber Shed, 5885 Frankfort Hwy., in Benzonia.