Young Entrepreneurs at the 43rd Annual Sandwich Christmas in the Village next weekend!

For over 40 years, the first full weekend in Sandwich has been a celebration of craftsmanship. This year is no exception. Over 40 artisans, farmers, bakers, craftspeople, individuals, businesses, and organizations are each doing something in the spirit of community and the holidays. December 6, 7 and 8 will feature a tree-lighting, live entertainment, food, local hand-made gifts, gift wrapping, fund-raisers for youth, live animals, and so much more. Combined efforts will mean a weekend of fun and festivities for all who come to enjoy.

Hazel and Laura, photo by Wendy Shambaugh

New artisans this year are two enterprising teens who will be selling their handmade items at the Benz Center on Saturday, Dec 7 from 9 am to 4 pm. Laura Cove and Hazel Dassori-Kaye have been mentored for the past year by Wendy Shambaugh, a Sandwich Business Group member with two local businesses, Wayside Farm and The Dessert Table. Wendy has been teaching the girls how to sew and also how to sell their products.

Wendy says, “Laura’s & Hazel’s moms were looking for someone to teach them sewing a year or so ago, as they both had starter sewing machines at that time. I love working with young people, encouraging them to be creative and experiment with different mediums, so it was a good fit. I worked with them making pillows, ornaments, and clothes for themselves and for dolls, teaching them as we went about proper techniques to end up with a quality product.
 
They both are very creative and extremely fast learners. Laura loves to design clothes for herself. Hazel started making different styles of bags she developed, with ideas from Marcy Greene of Greene Studios. I suggested that they join the Christmas fair and they were very eager. We have worked on how to set up a budget for materials, setting pricing, advertising their work, displaying their work on a table, interacting with customers, and totaling and make change for orders.”

Make sure to check out Laura and Hazel’s table when you visit the Benz Center this Saturday.

Christmas in the Village is a great chance to BUY LOCAL. It’s a great chance to BE LOCAL! There have always been good reasons to buy from your friends and neighbors instead of big box stores selling goods made in China.

Supporting our local communities, supporting local sustainable economic systems, is a win-win. We all win. We keep our money in local circulation, we help to increase the vibrancy of the town we live in, and we help to make the world a better place with less waste and more caring.

Christmas in the Village maps and events listings will be available around town and information (and photos) can be found on Facebook at Christmas in the Village–Sandwich, NH and on this website.