This holiday season, why not buy locally to benefit globally? Let 2019 be the year you give holiday gifts that make a difference in bettering the world.
You can….and all in one place! This year’s 43rd Christmas Under the Oaks holiday market features an exciting line-up of new exhibitors – including an impressive array of local charities – food vendors and entertainment. The GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club looks forward to hosting over 150 exhibitors and welcoming thousands of guests at St. Petersburg College’s spacious outdoor Clearwater campus November 10, 2019, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Holiday shoppers will be delighted by this year’s marketplace of distinctive handcrafted wreaths and ornaments, beautiful jewelry, tasty artisan foods, wearable art, eye-catching pottery and glassware, home accents, and whimsical garden décor and many more unique treasures.
Shopper Alert! If you’re looking for truly one-of-a-kind, can’t-find-it-anywhere-else gifts, you will be dazzled by the offerings from our non-profit friends, including:
- Stunning handmade jewelry from the rain forests
- Shawls and ponchos made in the Andean mountains
- Vibrant hand-stitched bags called the “Vera Bradley Bag of Africa”
- Handmade African jewelry and ornaments
- Cool inspirational bracelets made from recycled t-shirts
And, here’s the BEST part: All of our featured non-profits are founded by local Tampa Bay women. Imagine how good you will feel knowing your purchases directly support orphans in Guatemala, Kenyans living positively with HIV, Syrian refugees and recovering addicts right here in Tampa Bay. And shopping for a cause is feel-good shopping.
Here are just a few of our outstanding non-profit exhibitors:
Bless the Children Tapestry of Love’s exotic collection made by Andean Mountain artisans includes unusual jewelry made from the seeds of tagua and acai palm trees, handloomed alpaca blend shawls, ponchos and purses, and hand-forged silver jewelry. Bless the Children is a non-profit charitable organization that has been helping orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children for nearly 30 years. Founded by Clearwater resident Karen Hubbard, Bless the Children works with artistic indigenous families in South America to give them the means to help their children gain improved health and nutrition and the opportunity to go to school. 100% of your purchases will support vulnerable children. http://www.blessthechildreninc.org
Bagamoyo: Buy a bag and give hope. When you buy a one-of-a-kind Bagamoyo bag, know that 100% of your purchase goes to supporting families and children suffering from HIV/AIDS and orphaned, abandoned and abused children in Kenya. The bags, made from traditional African materials, are called the “Vera Bradley” of Africa! Bagamoyo will also be selling handmade ornaments and jewelry from Africa. Molly Mitchell Waits, from Dunedin, moved to Kenya to open this non-profit. Bagamoyo is a sewing project born out of Springs of Hope Kenya (SOHK), where Molly has cultivated love and hope for vulnerable children since 2009. www.bagamoyobags.org
Recover-T: Recycling T-Shirts, Recovering Lives. Be sure to shop early, as this collection will sell out fast. Recover T’s hip jewelry is fashioned out of unwanted t-shirts and old clothing, adorned with inspiring messages, including Love Never Fails, Let Your Faith Be Stronger Than Your Fear and All is Well With My Soul. Evelyn Wesel, founder said, “Everything is handmade locally in Tampa Bay by women who are in early recovery from addiction. It’s all come full circle to where it started and I am SO thankful for the opportunity to share with others what Recover T did for me in my early sobriety!” https://www.recovert.com
The event offers a wide array of local and non-local artisans. Exhibitor Chair Joanne Tyrrell spends much of her time travelling and recruiting. This year features many new exhibitors, but she says, “Many have been with us since the beginning.”
The multitude of vendors will appeal to everyone: there are gifts for men, women, children and pets, such as paper, metal and wood crafts, wreaths, ornaments, jewelry, stitchery, candles, hand-painted silk, frames, towels, bedding, quilts, clothing, handbags, recycled crafts, personalized items, dolls, children’s books, collars, leashes and organic dog chews, to name just a few.
Food vendors offer delicious goodies such as gourmet cakes, baked goods, dips, oils, sauces, nuts, jams, jerky, honey, kettle corn. Various food trucks will also be in attendance.
This extraordinary shopping experience takes place on Sunday November 10, 2019, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at St. Petersburg College Clearwater campus at 2465 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765. Plenty of free parking will be available.
Please note: The college does not allow pets or emotional support animals on campus. Only ADA certified animals are permitted.
We hope to see you there!
Laura Connelly, President
GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club
For even more photos and exhibitor info, visit the Christmas Under the Oaks Facebook page here!
Photos from the Christmas Under the Oaks Facebook page with permission from GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club.
