Arts and crafts
December 5
Cookie Walk: The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva is hosting its annual Cookie Walk from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Now in its 26th year, this Geneva holiday tradition raises money to support the work of the church and the social justice programs it sponsors, including a youth trip to a Habitat for Humanity homebuilding site and donations to local nonprofit organization such as Lazarus House and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The Cookie Walk lets customers enjoy homemade cookies without the time, hassle and expense of baking. As customers enter the church at the corner of Second and James streets in downtown Geneva, they are given a box to fill. They then walk along long tables filled with 400 to 500 dozen cookies of all kinds. Customers fill their boxes any way they choose - all one kind or mix and match. Each box holds one to two dozen cookies and costs $13. Reservations for Cookie Walk are not required but lines do form early and favorite varieties sell out fast.
December 6
AID Holiday show: The Association for Individual Development is holding its ninth annual Holiday Bazaar and Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at AID's Keeler Center, 309 W. New Indian Trail Court in Aurora. Proceeds from the crafters' fees are used for activities and outings for individuals who participate in AID's Developmental Training program. For more information, call MaryAnn at (630) 966-4252. AID is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities by promoting individual achievement and community inclusion. AID serves more than 3,800 individuals in Kane, Kendall, and DeKalb counties, Hanover Township in Cook County and throughout the city of Aurora.
Holiday Express: The Hoover Wood Elementary School PTO is hosting the second annual Holiday Vendor Mart, "Holiday Express," from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the school gymnasium, 1640 Wagner Road in Batavia. All proceeds for this event go directly to programs for students to supplement their learning experience. If you are a small business or vendor and would be interested in promoting your products or services, call Jennifer Jansson at (630) 879-0172. The PTO will also have gift cards available for many national retail chains. To tie it all up, gift wrapping will be available for a small donation.
Marklund Holiday Craft Fair: Marklund's 2008 Holiday Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Drive in Geneva. There will be many vendors selling their handmade holiday ornaments as well as items created as gifts. In addition, there will be a Marklund booth featuring items handcrafted by Marklund's developmental training clients. The Holiday Craft Fair also will include cosmetics and food vendors such as Avon, Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, and Pampered Chef. All vendors have donated one item valued at $10 or more to Marklund for a raffle to be held during the Holiday Craft Fair.
Mall in the Halls: Creekside Elementary School hosts its third annual "Mall in the Halls" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the school, 655 N. Airlite St., Elgin. The show features variety of exhibitors displaying crafts, products and services as well as raffles and bake sale. Admission is $1. Crafters are still needed. For details, e-mail creeksidepto.info@gmail.com.
Winter Wonderland Craft Show: The second annual Willard Winter Wonderland Craft Show is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Willard Elementary 370 W. Spring St., South Elgin. Crafters are needed. The display areas will be 6 by 10 feet. Crafters and vendors will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. Only one consultant from each home based business will be accepted. The craft fair is being held in conjunction with a book fair, refreshment sales and pictures with Santa. For more information or questions, e-mail Angie Deleon at tsangie2002@yahoo.com or call (847) 608-9091.
December 13
Annual Cookie Walk: For more than 15 years the United Methodist Women have celebrated the holidays by preparing Christmas cookies for the annual Cookie Walk from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at Batavia United Methodist Church.
Cookies are $6 per pound. All proceeds support local and global mission projects. Doors will not open before 10 a.m. Containers are provided.
The church is at 8 N. Batavia Ave. (Route 31), just north of Wilson Street; easiest access to the Cookie Walk is from the east entrance, on Water Street. Parking is available at the Water Street entrance, on Water Street, and the community lot on the east side of Water Street. Some of the local missions supported by United Methodist Women include: Mutual Ground, Wayside Cross, Interfaith Food Pantry, and the special global mission project this year is the Cambodia Volunteers in Mission Team.
Breakfast with Santa craft show: A handmade craft show will be an added attraction to the traditional Breakfast with Santa, which has been held at West Aurora High School for more than 20 years. The arts and crafts show will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, the same time as the breakfast. It will feature original artists and crafters displaying their handmade products. The school is at 1201 W. New York St. in Aurora. For crafters wishing to receive information on the show, e-mail Kadie O'Connor at kd3627@hotmail.com to request an application.
Peace & Justice Holiday Bazaar: Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W Highland Ave. in Elgin, will host the Peace & Justice Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. In addition to fair trade craft and gift items, you can find T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, calendars, cards, etc. that celebrate peace, brotherhood, justice and the environment. It will benefit the Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice and the Church of the Brethren Global Holiday Bazaar Fund. For more information, call Betsy Ducote at (630) 915-3541.