Holiday Boutiques

It's that time of year when signs appear around town or in the newspaper advertising Holiday Boutiques. I love to go to these because it is kind of like going to a garage sale in that you never know what you'll find.  Unlike a garage sale where most of the items are used, boutiques are all new, mostly hand made, one of a kind items.  I love them!  Here are a few items I found being sold this year at the boutiques I've attended.

Fun chalkboards

I was so excited when I laid my eyes on this table with tons of bolts of ribbons--and at incredible prices! You never know what a person's passion is.

Cute decorative stars to hang in a room and cheer your spirit.

Fun magnetic boards to post notes to your family, keep important date reminders etc.

Unique jewelry can be found at many boutiques.  Also in this somewhat blurry picture are cute messenger bags and childrens' bibs out of oilcloth.

These are little 2 oz. hand sanitizers. The owner has her children participate in filling the bottles so they feel a part of this project. The profits go to help children in Africa.

The designer of this fabric was participating in the boutique and so the fabric was less than 1/2 the cost that it sells for in the stores.  I know, I bought it last Christmas and made quilts from it.

Maybe you need a big clothespin clip for your desk.

Another advantage of boutiques is that they are generally in a home and so if you get exhausted, you can have a little break and sit on the furniture.  Unless, of course they have taken out all the furniture to make room for the merchandise, which is exactly the case at one boutique I attended last week!  Boutiques support the local economy and they are just plain fun!  I hope you have a chance to attend at least one this season--or two or three. (Let me know where they are so I can come too!)

Christmas in September

Almost as magical as Santa himself, a cold barren exhibit hall transforms into a warm, festive holiday haven. Each year, the magic of Festival of Trees unfolds, and with it the hope and future of children in need at Primary Children's Medical Center.

The Festival of Trees was inspired 39 years ago by a group of 15 women from along the Wasatch Front. These women were challenged to identify a way to raise funds for the hospital.

That project was inspired after a vacation in Hawaii and a Christmas boutique featuring small, decorated Christmas trees, centerpieces, and Christmas decorations. The Women expanded the concept to include full-sized decorated Christmas trees, a gift boutique, and a sweet shop.
That first year, there were approximately 60 trees for display and sale in the gymnasium of an old Armory. To everyone's surprise and delight, $47,000 was raised!
Over the years, this beautiful event has blossomed into a forest of more than 800 trees, a gift boutique featuring handmade articles, a sweet shop filled with freshly made candies and baked goods, a display of wreaths and door decorations, centerpieces, gingerbread houses, and backyard playhouses. There is also Santa, activities for children, hot scones and sweet rolls, and continuous live entertainment. In all, the Festival spans over 220,000 square feet of display space. Perhaps the greatest phenomenon of all is that everything is donated. The trees are decorated and purchased by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and church groups. In addition, others generously donate items to fill the shops. Businesses provide the paper and printing of posters and tickets. Corporations offer their covered trucks and drivers to help deliver the trees, and so much more! Thousands of people join efforts by contributing countless hours and means to give “A Gift of Love" to children in need. In 2008, the Festival raised $1,495,840.74 for children in need at Primary Children's Medical Center.

Over the years, Festival of Trees has been copied many times throughout the United States and Canada. However, the Salt Lake City Festival of Trees remains the "granddaddy" of them all.

Two weeks ago our service group helped contribute to this wonderful event by learning to make (10) these wreaths for the festival this year thanks to the generous help of Kathie, Val and Jay. We had a great time and learned a new skill too. Now we can't wait to actually go to this event to see the other wreaths, trees and other things that will be there for sale!