The crowds. The parking. Jaded, picked over merchandise. Off shore labels. Exorbitant prices. Face it. THE MALL is not always the Promised Land when it comes to holiday shopping.

Take advantage of the festive four day Thanksgiving weekend to whittle down your holiday gift list at Christmas on the Fox Art and Craft Show.  It’s 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25 at Kane County Fairgrounds Prairie Events Center in St. Charles. Admission is $3. Parking is ample and free. A catered lunch—a yummy alternative to those abundant holiday leftovers—is available.

The juried market is produced by Art of the Heartland, Inc. (www.artoftheheartlandinc.com) and features more than 70 attractive booths amply stocked with items never available elsewhere. Everything is made in America, then presented by its talented artisan creators (some of America’s finest).

"We believe successful art and craft shows need to offer a wide variety of top quality merchandise and, just as importantly, be fun to attend—to make visitors walk out talking about their plans to attend next year,’’ says Robin Reed, owner/founder of Art of the Heartland, Inc., which produces a number of prestigious Fox Valley area shows including West Dundee’s Heritage Fest Arts and Crafts and Antique shows, Country Folk Art Festival, Autumn on the Fox and Christmas on the Fox.

Under Reed’s guidance, the annual show can be counted on to offer something for everyone. Need fresh ideas for decking your halls? Lovingly hand-stitched ornaments (Sherry Theilgaard) may be just the thing.  Or you might want to take in a tutorial on creating holiday table décor (interior designer Karen Riordan). And don’t forget to check out the fragrant wreaths, garlands and other fresh seasonal greenery Heinz Brothers Greenhouse and Garden Center adds to the event.

That Martha Stewart wannabe  on your list will covet a chunky chartreuse or bright orange olive oil cruet or pasta bowl (Donna Chung). Collectors of sleeker, more contemporary ceramics may swoon over sophisticated slumped fused glass pieces (Terry Shevelenko).

Wouldn’t the bookworm on your gift list enjoy devouring one or both of the hardcover books in Aurora author Andrea Jones Hook & Jill Saga, a romantic adult interpretation of  J.M. Barrie’s ``Peter Pan?’’ Anyone interested in either ceramics or photography will appreciate  stonework that combines the two stonework with black and white photography (Robert Sjostrom); fashionistas – young or mature – adore necklaces – brightly colored crocheted varieties (Carol Juntunen) or others that recycle typewriter keys, cufflinks or buttons (Marla Gunderson).  Find papier mache figurines  (Joanna Bolton),  brightly colored pickles and other edgy gourmet veggies (Lou Fidelis) along with candy wreaths and swags (Carla Weeks).

When it comes to Christmas, children rule. Surprise a favorite moppet with a sturdy, hand carved wooden toy (Ross Joy). Doll clothes (Marsha McCrory) and furniture (Ginny Randolph) are perennial favorites.  A cloud soft baby quilt or first fabric book (Kay Ryan) will work for an infant’s first holiday gift. Try a head hugging, custom knit cloche or a puffy, fluffy scarf (Allyson Campbell) for a trend loving teen.

When you’ve shopped until ready to drop, treat yourself to one of the market’s complementary DIY holiday clinics.  They are free with $3 show admission. Because of limited seating, reservations are suggested. Phone: 815-772-3279 or e-mail rareed57@yahoo.com.  Choose from:

• "It’s A Wrap" - Interior Designer Cledith Ruden offers insider tips on creating memorable packages. Twenty-minute workshops are at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday only.
• I "It’s a Set Up’’ -  Interior Designer Karen Riordan, Allied ASID, demonstrates  strategies for creating holiday tables at Noon Saturday.  Interior Designer  Linda Navara, Allied ASID, and her personal assistant, Maureen Willenborg, demonstrate their approach to holiday table décor at Noon Sunday.
  • Aurora author Andrea Jones reads from and signs hardcover copies of two  books in her Hook & Jill Saga, romantic adult interpretations of  J.M. Barrie’s classic`` Peter and Wendy’’  at 2 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

SHOW DETAILS

Christmas on the Fox Art and Craft Show

• 10 am to 4 pm November 24 and 25
• Prairie Events Center, Kane County Fairgrounds
• 525 Randall Road
• Between Routes 64 (North Avenue) and 38 (Roosevelt Road)
• St. Charles, IL.
• Free Parking. All exhibits inside. Handicapped accessible. Catered lunch.
• Admission $3. Children younger than 15 enter free. Group rates available.
• Join us on Facebook

Contacts:

Show information – Robin Reed, Art of the Heartland, Inc. (815) 772-3279, rareed57@yahoo.com, www.artoftheheartlandinc.com 

Media information – Patricia Gerlach, Gerlach Group, 847-882-9377, pagerlach@comcast.net