For some, the spirit of Christmas and all that goes with it lives year-round, which is something Ginger Kudchadker of Naperville strongly supports.
“I love the whole Christmas thing. I like it all year-round. It’s just fun,” Kudchadker said at a craft show at Abbey Farms in Aurora on Sunday that focused on holiday-oriented items. “For me, Christmas is all year long.”
More than 65 local crafters and artisans were on hand offering handmade goods and seasonal items. Both the farm store as well as the cafe and bar were open to provide snacks, meals and beverages during the event.
Phil Nork, associate director at Abbey Farms, said heavy rains forced the rescheduling of the Christmas in July Craft Show event last month to August. The change wound up affecting the number of vendors, with 91 planned for the original date for the show in July.
“Unfortunately, a number of those vendors weren’t able to reschedule this month so we’re having about 67 who are set to be here,” Nork said before Sunday’s opening at 11 a.m. “We’re pretty much offering the same kind of products which are all different ranging from fall things to Christmas items. About 95% of the vendors are local artists and craft artisans.”
Like Kudchadker, Nork agrees that Christmas shopping for many never seems to go out of season and even though the holiday is still four months away “people still are interested.”
“There are so many people that do think about Christmas 12 months out of the year,” he said.
Last year, despite temperatures in the 90s and high humidity levels, the event drew close to 400 people, organizers said.
Sue Nelson of Elmhurst was operating the Retired & Inspired booth at the event and said she and a partner have been making Christmas decorations the past two years.
“We make everything by hand – wreaths and canes and prints. As far as people shopping like this well before Christmas, sometimes it’s hit and miss,” Nelson said. “Some want the Christmas stuff, some don’t want it yet. We’ve done Halloween wreaths and things like that as well.”
Carrie Birdwell of Batavia was one of those out Christmas shopping in August at the event and explained that “you’ve got to get ahead of it.”
“If there is something local, we’ll come and do it,” Birdwell said. “We like to support small businesses and local artisans, things like that.
“I’m a holiday shopper,” she said at the event Sunday. “I think there’s a great selection. I’m glad we got a second chance to do this now on a cooler day. It’s so much better.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.