Fun in Chicago to start the Holiday Season
Don’t know what to buy certain people on your gift list this Holiday Season? You don’t want to go to the typical mall and are contemplating where to go. You don’t want to buy something that is mass produced. You would like to find unique items that when you give it to that special person, they will know you thought specifically of them.
Well, I have a few great places to suggest in Chicago for the Holiday Season.
One will be open December 3rd-December 6th. It’s called the One of a Kind Show and Sale and it’s at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Illinois. Please visit: www.oneofakindshowchicago.com
I went last year, 3 out of the 4 days, and brought different people with me each day. Every single one of them loved the show and also purchased items for others. I, of course, purchased Christmas gifts for family and friends, including myself! There are so many vendors there, that I seemed to find that I “missed” someone the day before.
What do they have at this One of a Kind Show and Sale? There is such a mixture of Artists from every venue! Paintings, Jewelry, Glass, Wood, Fabrics.. There are knick knacks, peppermills, clocks, clothing, chocolates, etc. There is also food and drinks available to keep up your energy as you walk around and shop. Obviously, too many to list in my blog and best to go to the website to see the large lists of artists that are going to be there!
Make sure to make a day of it. I would say that, depending on your interest and how fast you move through the spaces, it will take up at least 3-4 hours!
What to do with the rest of the time? One of my favorite places to go at Christmas time in Chicago is the Christkindlmarket. This is another place to find unique gifts for family and friends and is at the Daley Plaza from Thanksgiving day until Christmas Eve. Make sure to check out the website for dates, times, directions, special events and vendors.
What is Christkindlmarket? It’s a German market that provides a very unique shopping experience. There are glass blown ornaments, cuckoo clocks, lace doilies and other table runners, nutcrackers, etc. There is a great sweet shop that provides an assortment of German candies, cookies and other treats. And if you are again hungry after walking around, you can have a taste of Germany by having a brat (or other sausages) with sauerkraut, wiener schnitzel, potato pancakes, etc. Many of the vendors that sell their wares are actually from Germany or other countries, including Morocco, Ukraine, Peru, Poland, etc.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Please make sure to dress warm, this market is outside and it can get really cold. One year we set a date to go and it was about 5-10 degrees outside!! And yes, it was still worth going.
When you are finished at the Christkindlmarket and ready to warm up a little, make sure to stop at the Macy’s on State Street
which is right down the street. The windows are decorated for Christmas and there is a beautiful tree inside the store. To go inside and just see and hear the excitement for the Holiday Season makes the day complete.
Have fun and if you do decide to go, please come back to the blog and let me know what you thought!
Posted by:
Nancy Neylon
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