Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Dorothy Crosby, manager of the gift shop at the Carson City Senior Citizen Center, said Saturday's Santa's Village fundraiser offers many handcrafted items from local seniors.
'Tis the season to be shopping, falalalalalalalala.
Whether there is one favorite or a shopper hits them all, this weekend starts the season of holiday bazaars and Christmas fairs enticing early shoppers who are looking for handmade holiday gifts.
"Sometimes they're looking for something specific, sometimes they're not," said Dorothy Crosby, manager of the Carson City Senior Citizens Center's Gift Shop.
The Gift Shop's 16th annual Santa's Village is Saturday and Sunday.
Crosby noted that recently, what the shoppers are buying the most of are aprons. The ones on consignment in the Gift Shop are made by Ramona Long.
"I've been doing this for 10 years," Long said. "I like doing it. I enjoy it very much."
Santa's Village has Christmas ornaments, holiday decorations, kitchen towels, scarves, hats made of "fun fur," and lots of See's Candy.
"We are downsizing a little this year," Crosby said. "We're not having the baked goods. It's too much of a hassle with the health department and I don't have the volunteers to help out."
A portion of the proceeds from Santa's Village go to senior programs and Meals on Wheels at the senior center.
According to Janice McIntosh, director of the senior center, about $100,000 needs to be raised this year to help pay for the Meals on Wheels program.
"We are extremely frugal with our finances," McIntosh said. "Our employees work at lower wages and with no benefits. And they are wonderful for doing so."
A drawing for a large Thanksgiving food basket will also be held. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
"I think back to when we started - white garbage bags filled with shredded paper for snowmen - we've come a long way," Crosby said.
"It's still fun and I still enjoy it and the money goes to senior programs. It's terrific."
In addition, four holiday fairs will be held the weekend of Nov. 16-17. They will be hosted by Carson High School, Carson City Emblem Club No. 507, First United Methodist Church and St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
The Emblem Club uses its proceeds to support other charitable organizations in Carson City. Carson High's Holiday Craft Fair includes a visit by Santa, drawings for gifts made by participating crafters, Carson Lodge No. 1 is doing child identifications Saturday and there will be food booths by CHS student groups.
• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
WHAT: Santa's Village
WHEN: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Carson City Senior Citizens Center, 911 Beverly Drive; free entry
CALL: 883-7887
WHAT: Carson City Emblem Club No. 507 Fantasy Faire
WHEN: 5-7 p.m. Nov. 16; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 17
WHERE: Carson City Elks Lodge, 515 N. Nevada St.; free entry
CALL: 882-2177
WHAT: Frosty Friends annual Holiday Faire
WHEN: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 17
WHERE: First United Methodist Church, corner of Division and Musser streets; free entry
CALL: 883-4068
WHAT: St. Peter's Episcopal Church Holiday Faire
WHEN: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 17
WHERE: St. Peter's Church, 305 N. Minnesota St.; free entry
CALL: 882-1534
WHAT: Carson High School 12th annual Craft Fair
WHEN: 5-8:30 p.m. Nov. 16; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 17
WHERE: Carson High, 1111 N. Saliman Road.
COST: $2 Friday (keep ticket for free entry Saturday) $1.50 for adults or $1 with canned food item Saturday, children free
CALL: 882-8109
WHAT: Storey County Senior Center Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 24-25
WHERE: Storey County Senior Center, corner of E and Mill streets; free entry
CALL: 847-0957