Here it is people, as promised! In the first article, I showed you cute pictures of our family picking our tree from a local farm (please review the picture below). It’s one of my favorite traditions; and I’ve always loved using it as an opportunity to support a family-owned farm. This year, I wanted to take it up a notch.
We all know, there’s always something going on in Asheville. But during the holiday season, the city is overrun with arts and craft fairs. I like to use these events to snag unique gifts, and also just to learn what’s out there.
A lot of times we don’t realize just how many talented creators are here among us. The best part of these festivals is the opportunity to uncover small (sometimes there’s only one person), mom-and-pop type businesses. These are the people that can’t necessarily afford the over-priced retail space that Asheville has to offer. Thankfully, the interwebs gives these artists and craftspeople the chance to get their hustle on anyway, and gives us the opportunity to support them!
So this year, I had a new goal in mind. Our family has the same boring, run-of-the-mill ornament set that you can get anywhere. Sure, the gold, red, and silver look pretty twinkling in the lights, but there’s nothing that makes our tree unique to us. My solution, attend craft fairs and hunt out a handful of handmade decorations to spice up our look.
I attended several events including The Big Crafty and Asheville Girl’s Pint Out: Women’s Holiday Bazaar. I perused hundreds (literally) of vendors and chose just a few new ornaments that charmed my holiday heart. Check them out:
This gold-detailed orb from Tandem Ceramics caught my eye immediately. Of course, my men dubbed it the Deathstar.
This little fella was the first piece I picked up. Believe it or not, I actually squealed over the “cute pink elephant.” Later while decorating the tree I hear my man ask our little, “Where do you want to put the weird pig-cookie thing, dude?” Only then did it occur to me, maybe it isn’t an elephant at all! Either way, I still love it.
Have you ever seen anything more quintessentially Asheville? There’s no way I was leaving without this Namastree ornament. For the next two weeks, the only place I intend to do yoga is by my tree!
Finally, I ran into a trusty favorite when I found the booth for Lady Luck Flower Farm. I was beyond happy to snag this wreath that was handmade with real dried flowers.
To top it all off, Jess and I were even able to find this piece by Water to Wine Designs that became the much sought-after prize of last week’s giveaway.
Long story short, my mission was successful. Not only did I find neat, one-of-a-kind pieces that make me happy and greatly improved our tree-game; but I’ve also found a new tradition! Every year, I want to add at least one or two new pieces that can’t be found on the shelves of your nearest department store.
And here it is, our creation. Yes, that is Yoda in a Santa hat on the top. And yes, we are aware it’s the best tree-topper ever.
I’d love to see what you came up with for decorating this year, and if you added any handmade treasures!