Christmas open house Nov. 13
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
Christmas open house Nov. 13
By CAITLIN RYAN
The Highland County Press
Preparations are under way for the Anderson family’s Christmas Open House, hosted annually at the 4-H Building at the Highland County Fairgrounds.
Organized by sisters-in-law Karin and Melanie Anderson and their mother-in-law, Loretta Anderson, and assisted by Christopher and Justin Anderson, the popular Christmas Open House is entering its 10th anniversary year.
Karin Anderson said that she and her sister-in-law had always loved crafts and attending craft shows, so they were inspired to begin their own show.
“We just decided we could put our show together, between all of us in the family, since everyone did something different,” Anderson said.
The three Anderson women work all year, storing tubs of crafts to sell for the December craft show.
According to Anderson, she and her extended family members contribute a variety of items to their open house.
Melanie and her husband both sell homemade crafts. Melanie makes candles and crochets dog sweaters, and her husband began selling his woodworking projects last year. Anderson said that the scent of her sister-in-law’s candles greets customers when they walk in the building.
Karin knits, quilts, and crochets. Her line of merchandise includes doll clothes, scarves, hats, mittens, bath items, baby items, quilts, placemats, potholders, potato bags, coasters, and Christmas ornaments.
In addition to providing many delicious baked goods and other crafts, Loretta is the “greeter,” according to Karin; she serves free hot chocolate, tea, and cookies and makes sure customers are fed, entertained, and happy.
“It’s just a complete, total family organization,” Anderson said. “Everyone has some kind of a talent in this family, and we put it all together.”
All three women bake a variety of treats, including bread, candy, chocolate-covered pretzels, puppy chow, and cookies. Anderson said that her
German cheesecake and her mother-in-law’s pumpkin rolls are among the most popular baked goods for sale, and they sell out quickly.
In fact, over the past 10 years, Anderson said that loyal customers have learned that the old saying “the early bird catches the worm” is certainly true for her family’s open house.
“We have gotten to the point where people come earlier than 9 a.m., parked outside waiting to come in,” Anderson said. “Mornings are the most
intense time. We have a lot of customers come in then, and people are literally fighting over stuff.”
Anderson said that there will be a number of new features this year, including a raffle for customers to enter to win a Christmas quilt.
Christy Williams, founder of Got Forgiveness?, will be providing face painting for a freewill donation, with proceeds going to the local charity organization.
This year’s Christmas Open House will be held Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the 4-H Building at the Highland County Fairgrounds.
Preparations are under way for the Anderson family’s Christmas Open House, hosted annually at the 4-H Building at the Highland County Fairgrounds.
Organized by sisters-in-law Karin and Melanie Anderson and their mother-in-law, Loretta Anderson, and assisted by Christopher and Justin Anderson, the popular Christmas Open House is entering its 10th anniversary year.
Karin Anderson said that she and her sister-in-law had always loved crafts and attending craft shows, so they were inspired to begin their own show.
“We just decided we could put our show together, between all of us in the family, since everyone did something different,” Anderson said.
The three Anderson women work all year, storing tubs of crafts to sell for the December craft show.
According to Anderson, she and her extended family members contribute a variety of items to their open house.
Melanie and her husband both sell homemade crafts. Melanie makes candles and crochets dog sweaters, and her husband began selling his woodworking projects last year. Anderson said that the scent of her sister-in-law’s candles greets customers when they walk in the building.
Karin knits, quilts, and crochets. Her line of merchandise includes doll clothes, scarves, hats, mittens, bath items, baby items, quilts, placemats, potholders, potato bags, coasters, and Christmas ornaments.
In addition to providing many delicious baked goods and other crafts, Loretta is the “greeter,” according to Karin; she serves free hot chocolate, tea, and cookies and makes sure customers are fed, entertained, and happy.
“It’s just a complete, total family organization,” Anderson said. “Everyone has some kind of a talent in this family, and we put it all together.”
All three women bake a variety of treats, including bread, candy, chocolate-covered pretzels, puppy chow, and cookies. Anderson said that her German cheesecake and her mother-in-law’s pumpkin rolls are among the most popular baked goods for sale, and they sell out quickly.
In fact, over the past 10 years, Anderson said that loyal customers have learned that the old saying “the early bird catches the worm” is certainly true for her family’s open house.
“We have gotten to the point where people come earlier than 9 a.m., parked outside waiting to come in,” Anderson said. “Mornings are the most intense time. We have a lot of customers come in then, and people are literally fighting over stuff.”
Anderson said that there will be a number of new features this year, including a raffle for customers to enter to win a Christmas quilt.
Christy Williams, founder of Got Forgiveness?, will be providing face painting for a freewill donation, with proceeds going to the local charity organization.
This year’s Christmas Open House will be held Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the 4-H Building at the Highland County Fairgrounds.
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