Since 2009, Ms. Cheap's Penny Drive has raised more than $390,000 to help feed hungry children, families and seniors in our community. Here are five ways you can get involved. Wochit
The holiday season means it's time for decorating, tablescape making and present purchasing, which means 'tis the season for shopping!
Sure, big box retail stores offer shelves and shelves of product options for eager elves to check off their shopping lists. But if you seek something more unique, then consider patronizing local shops and popup marketplaces that offer handcrafted and vintage options for all your decorating and gift giving needs.
Jennifer Barton, owner of Tag: Treasures, Antiques & Good Stuff, 1250 Old Hillsboro Road in Franklin, showcases the wares of over 20 local vendors in her shop. Tag offers an eclectic array of unique merchandise including vintage toys, glassware, copper, jewelry, clothing, furniture, artwork, décor and more.
She said a booth in her store, called A Well Collected Life, a business owned by Franklin moms Dawn Helm and Kristen Kovach, epitomizes the benefits of shopping local.
“Dawn Helm is a hockey mom to three young boys in Grassland schools, runs a successful design business, does original paintings, operates booths in four antique shops, maintains an online etsy shop, and more,” Barton said. “There are always treasures to be found in their booths.”
Helm believes that vintage and handmade gifts and décor items like those sold at Tag offer a “one-of-a-kind” aspect that cannot be duplicated in the mass market.
“Tag is such a sweet community of vendors. I love having a booth there. It’s close to my home and it’s where my friends shop,” Helm said. “More and more people are seeking individualized pieces to use in their decorating and they’re buying handmade and vintage items to give as gifts.”
Helm said the experience of shopping for handmade and vintage gifts becomes a part of the gift itself because the thoughtfulness that is put into the selection process is reflected in the present.
“Plus, you’re supporting local artisans and merchants when you shop,” she said. “We represent several local artisans and craftspeople in our booths such as our iron crosses made from railroad ties and our ‘Sweet Tea’ candles that are hand poured in Nolensville.”
In addition to Tag, A Well Collected Life maintains booths at The Tanner House in Nolensville, Canterbury Cottage in Belle Meade and Gas Lamp Too in Nashville. For more information, visit wellcollectedlife.com.
Tag: Treasures, Antiques & Good Stuff is having an open house on Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. All holiday items will be 20 percent off during the sale. Many vendors will be on hand to greet shoppers and share decorating ideas. For more information visit facebook.com/TagTreasures.
So as you make your lists and check them twice, remember that shopping locally is especially nice!
Additional opportunities abound to shop local this holiday season. Other artisan marketplaces include:
FHS Mistletoe Market
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Nov. 11
Franklin High School
810 Hillsboro Road, Franklin
In its fifth year, Mistletoe Market will host 95 vendors offering items including holiday gifts, apparel, home decor, jewelry, accessories, gourmet foods and sweets. All proceeds benefit the graduating class of 2018’s “Project Graduation”, an all night, parent-chaperoned event held at Franklin High on graduation night. Project Graduation was created as an effort to keep graduates safe on one of the deadliest nights for teenage car accidents.
Admission is free. For more information visit www.facebook.com/FHSMistletoeMarket or email franklinhighmarket2017@gmail.com.
Williamson County Holiday Craft Show & Kris Kringle Kar Klassic
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Nov. 11
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Nov.12
Williamson County AgExpo Center
4215 Long Lane, Franklin
Williamson County Parks & Recreations presents their 27th annual holiday craft show featuring over 100 booths. The Kringle Kar Klassic will showase over 80 vintage cars, and new to this years collection, motorcycles.
Admission is $2. Children 12 and younger are free. For more information, contact Carrie Cartwright at 615-790-5719, ext. 2028, or visit wcparksandrec.com.
Fieldstone Farms Holiday Open House and Marketplace/Bazaar
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Nov. 17
1530 Lexington Parkway, Franklin
More than 30 local vendors will offer decor, gifts, handmade crafts, jewelry, bags, clothing and more. There will be wine, flavored coffees, holiday punch and baked goods.
Admission is free. For more information contact: Julia Nolan, 615-393-1621 or Laura Chapin, 941-387-6996.
MADE SOUTH Holiday Market
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Nov. 17
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nov. 18
Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road
Made South Holiday Market hosts over 130 of the finest makers and artisans in the South. Participants can also sample tastings from local and regional chefs and restaurants as well as distiller tastings for guests over 21.
The first 2,000 guests on Saturday will receive a complimentary MADE SOUTH reusable tote bag. Admission is $10-$39, children 12 years of age or younger admitted free with paying adult. For more information or to purchase tickets visit MadeSouth.com/Holiday.
Art Walk & Holiday Market
12-4 p.m. Nov. 18
6200 Wildings Boulevard, College Grove
Local housing and club community, The Grove, is hosting its second annual event Saturday. Festivities will include art work available from some of the most talented local artists and artisans, live musical performances, craft beer, food and holiday shopping.
Featured artists include Valentina Harper, Susan Frizsell, Nick Leaver and more. The event is free and open to the public.
Centennial Holiday Show
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nov. 18
Noon – 4 p.m. Nov. 19
Centennial High School, 5050 Mallory Lane, Franklin
The Centennial Holiday Show is the major fundraiser for Centennial High School. It is sponsored by the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) The show averages 4,000 - 6,000 shoppers and features more than 195 vendors from 12 states showcasing handcrafted items.
Admission is $5 for a one-day pass or $6 for a two-day pass; free for children 10 and under
For more information visit centennialholidayshow.com or contact Centennial High School's PTSO by calling 615.472.4271, extension 2335 or emailing centennialholidayshow@gmail.com.
Homestead Manor Holiday Village
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Nov. 25
4683 Columbia Pike, Thompson’s Station
Organizers are expecting 5,000 guests attend the Homestead Manor Holiday Village where local vendors sell handcrafted and homegrown items like custom jewelry and wood masterpieces, hand-poured candles, paintings and leather goods, natural soaps, baked goods, jams and more.
There will also be kids’ crafts and activities, Christmas train rides and photos with Santa. Photos with Santa are from 1–3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Admission is free. For more information visit homesteadmanor.com or @homesteadmanor on social media.
