I don't know why, but for some reason this year I'm anxious t decorate my house for Christmas a little earlier than usual.
Maybe it's because of the craft fairs, seeing all those pretty things and buying a few for myself and others.
And the bazaars are not over yet. We have the opportunity to see more crafts and decorations this weekend as the Christmas shopping season gets into full swing.
You can shop, have lunch and share the holiday spirit with your friends and neighbors at the following events.
* Join the Women's Club of Linthicum Heights from 9:30 a.m. to for its Holly Mart, Friday at the Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church.
The theme this year will be "A Village Christmas," with all of the traditional treats.
There will be fresh greens and arrangements for sale, jams and jellies, baked goods, candy, crafts, attic treasures, used books and the ever-popular tasting table.
The pre-kindergarten children from the YWCA and St. John's Lutheran Church will sing at 10:30 a.m., and the Linthicum Elementary School chorus will sing at 1 p.m. French horn players will perform Christmas selections during the day.
Luncheon will be served in three sittings: 11:15 a.m., noon, and 12:45 p.m. The menu will consist of petite lasagna roll, Italian salad, bread and a choice of pumpkin pie or spumoni for dessert. The cost is $5.
Reservations are a must and may be made by calling Jean Lins at 859-5612.
* The fifth annual Christmas Show and Sale is being presented bthe Community Crafters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Church of St. Christopher.
There will be something for everyone: stained glass, toys,
needlepoint, wood crafts, T-shirts and much more. A snack bar with refreshments will be available for the busy shopper along with a baked goods table.
The church is at 116 Marydell Road off Maple Road.
* Overlook Elementary School, 401 Hampton Road, is having Christmas Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Bring your children to pose with Santa for a photo. Browse and shop at the bake and candy tables as well as the many craft tables. Children can participate in a special craft project and shop in Santa's Christmas Shop. Gold-C coupon Entertainment Books will be available. Stop at the Cafe Christmas for light refreshment.
Some craft tables are available for rent. The cost is $15. Call Laura Vykol at 789-5818.
* There will be a Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. SaturdaSt. John's Lutheran Church, 300 W. Maple Road.
The bazaar, sponsored by the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, will feature many things suitable for gifts. Needlework, knitwear, aprons, tote bags, jams, jellies, candy and a variety of baked goods made by the women of the church will be sold.
Lunch, prepared by Lois King and Helen Childs, will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The menu includes homemade vegetable soup, barbecue, hot dogs and sauerkraut, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the children.
Patricia Dougherty is chairwoman for the bazaar.
* The Ann Arrundell County Historical Society will present itseventh annual Candlelight Christmas Open House at the historic Benson-Hammond House. The public is invited to share in the celebration of a 19th-century farmhouse Christmas from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Decorated period rooms, museum exhibits and costumed docents interpret Christmas traditions in Anne Arundel County. Holiday foods and beverages will be served in the dining room and music will be performed in the parlor. Special gifts will be available in the Browse and Buy Shoppe.
Admission is $1 for adults. Children 6 and under are free.
The Benson-Hammond House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is at Andover Road and Aviation Boulevard.
The house will remain open to the public for tours from Dec. 8 through Dec. 19 on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gift shop will be open the same hours and features antiques, collectibles and gifts.
For more information, call 768-9518 or 859-0298.
* Ferndale and Linthicum will look a little brighter on Sunday, aboth communities officially start the holiday season.
Festivities start at 6 p.m. in Ferndale, when the Christmas tree is lighted outside the little white building next to Law Brothers hardware store. Santa will arrive on board a firetruck and proceed to the house, where he will pose for pictures. Parents should take their cameras. Santa will have a little treat for the kids. Light refreshments will be served.
Clown Alley, Santa's helpers, will collect donated canned goods for the needy. Please bring something for the drop-off box.
Decorations for the house and the fresh green swags with red ribbons were made by the Ferndale Garden Club. Ken Pippen is donating the use of the little house, Shirley Hertz is donating the tree lights and George Law is donating the electricity for the lights during the season.
The Linthicum-Shipley Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. at the Community Garden, Maple and Camp Meade roads.
Program highlights include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas carols, lighting of the tree, music by Brass Reunion and refreshments. Guests are asked to bring their own chairs for the outdoor program. There is no rain date.
* David Hitchcock, County Extension Service director, will be thspeaker when the Friendly Thyme Herb Club has its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday.
Hitchcock's subject will be "Decorating for Christmas with Herbs." A business meeting and covered dish luncheon will follow.
For further information, call Sue Latini, 766-1463.
* The football club, Colt Corral 21, will have a Christmas party andance this Saturday at the Ferndale Fire Hall. The group will present donations to four charities and gifts to three families at 8 p.m. The dance will begin at 9 p.m.
* The Anne Arundel Alarmers' Christmas tree sale begins oThursday. Fresh live trees will be available at the Ferndale Fire House lot and at the Millersville Supply Co. parking lot on Veterans Highway (old Route 3) at Old Mill Road.
You have a choice of balsam pine, $15; Scotch pine, $20; and Fraizer pine, $35. Everyone purchasing a tree will have the chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Giant Food.
All proceeds benefit the work of the Alarmers.
* The Notables, entertainment group of the AARP 3850, iembarking on a busy December schedule.
Tomorrow at 1:30 p.m., the group will travel to the Deaton Center in Baltimore for a performance.
The troupe also will perform its Christmas program at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Lorien Nursing Center in Columbia.