A crafty Christmas at the Barrie Molson Centre

For those wishing an early start on their holiday shopping, Barrie Molson Centre is the place, as the annual Christmas Craft Show takes over the facility on Bayview, Nov. 3-5. 

Barbara Rose, of Area Productions, who runs shows like this, remarks that there’s more to this year’s event than just Christmas items. 

“We do not consider ourselves a ‘retail’ shopping experience. We are part of a circuit of ‘handcrafted’ shows that goes across Ontario each year starting the end of October till mid-December.” 

Another stark reminder of the onset of winter – and hence, the Christmas holidays – is that the show is being held when the sky will probably be shedding some telltale flakes of white. 

“What does help is that more often than not, we see a few sprinkles of snow on the show weekend. This gets people thinking about Christmas shopping and we can actually track the increase in bank machine withdrawals when the white stuff starts to fly.”

The show displays wares from as many as 140 exhibitors, many of whom Rose says consider coming to Barrie the highlight of their year. 

“It differs each year, but as (many) as 70 per cent may be from out of town. I’m pretty sure Barrie is impressive to these visitors. We boast a 72 per cent rebooking rate for exhibitors who want to come back again, so they must like it.”

And Rose says merchants will be showing just about everything your heart desires.  

“Christmas décor, jewellery, clothing, leather work, metalwork, artwork, specialty dips/sauces/jams/chocolates/fudge, pies and tarts, floral design, pottery, ceramics, woodwork, honey products, snowman kits, portraits, pet products, candles, knit items, pewter, soaps, alpaca products, and so on."

Rose also speculates that the exhibits with new and unique Christmas decorations usually prove the most popular, “like woodwork or metalwork embellished with solar lights and greenery.   

“And of course, (there’s) jewellery, always something new and unique there. (What’s more), the sauces and dips also do a booming business at the show."

Rose says the show, now in its 23rd year, requires love and work to mount, and most of all, time.

“It takes all year to produce a top quality event for shoppers and exhibitors alike. It is very rewarding to see the results that hard work produces each and every year. There are many people behind the scenes that contribute to the continued success of this event.” 

For more information about this year’s event, click here.