Find unique Christmas gifts at the Old Fashioned Craft Show

One hundred booths of unique crafts, home decor and more will soon fill the halls of Coleman Junior High, located at 1000 N. U.S. Highway 77.

The Old Fashioned Craft Show will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, giving people plenty of time to find unique Christmas or birthday gifts while supporting the Waxahachie ISD Student in Need Fund. There is a $3 admission fee at the door.

Anita Barnes, retired school counselor and member of the WISD Student in Need Fund Committee, said most of the booths have a Christmas theme in their crafts, but there are also booths that have home decorations or items that can be personalized for birthday gifts.

“Some spots are also filled by students with crafts they have created,” Barnes said.

One year, she bought snowflake earrings created by a WISD special needs student.

Beyond just crafts, sometimes there are booths that are selling food and drink and canned goods. Barnes said she personally looks forward to a booth that sells pear preserves.

Along with the booths, attendees will have a chance to win various door prizes throughout the day.

Barnes encourages everyone to walk down each hallway and look at every booth to see what unique items they can find for their loved ones or even themselves.

“We’re grateful to the community for coming out and taking a chance on shopping with us, but they won’t regret it,” Barnes said. “Because there’s always a plethora of choices that are there for Christmas shopping and even Thanksgiving.”

The craft show, which has been hosted for many years, raises funds for the WISD Student in Need Fund, which helps students who have an extra need, sometimes due to traumatic circumstances. The admission proceeds and each booth rental payment goes toward the fund.

WISD teachers, principals, counselors and staff members inform the committee of students they noticed have an extra need, and the committee will discuss what they can do to fill that need. Barnes said they often “assist with the overlap” of other organizations that help in traumatic situations.

Students who have a parent who lost a job, whose house caught on fire or whose family is experiencing a health crisis are examples of those who can be helped with the fund. Barnes explained how the fund specifically helps students who are chronically hungry and need food but also provides additional help if a need arises.

“Food is our basic need in life, and the fund was established with that in mind,” Barnes said. “So that food can be one less thing for that child and their family to worry about because of the additional help we are able to provide.”

Each situation is confidential, Barnes said.

For those interested in donating to the fund, email Kim Kriegel at kimkrie@aol.com.

Originally published November 10, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/open/find-unique-christmas-gifts-at-the-old-fashioned-craft-show/article_78f8453a-6132-11ed-9dda-3b585c597ab7.html