Doesn't Christmas seem to come a little bit earlier each year?
I am almost certain that when I was a child the Christmas lights and large seasonal murals in neighborhood yards were not unveiled until a week before Christmas.
And it was almost unheard of for anyone to put up the Christmas tree more than a few days before the holiday.
Well, I can honestly say that as an adult, I enjoy making the most of the season.
Typically, this means our tree will be trimmed and lighted the weekend after Thanksgiving and Christmas carols will dominate the musical menu in our home.
Almost everyone loves the Christmas holiday and, for me, one day is just not enough.
I enjoy savoring each December day in anticipation of Christmas.
If you like to savor the season, here's a great way to get into the spirit.
Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. John's Catholic Church will have its 41st annual Christmas bazaar.
Everything you could equate with the holiday season will be on display and for sale in the gymnasium of St. John's School.
Greens, live and artificial; ceramics; ornaments; cross-stitch; and stuffed animals highlight the list of handmade decorative items.
Also, a table will be set aside for shoppers interested in books, audio tapes and videos.
In the market place, there will be an assortment of usable household items.
And certainly to make it a holiday event, there will be those holiday delights. Homemade fudge, candies, cookies and breads will be available to buy and take home.
As a source of entertainment for the children, a face painter and the big fellow in the red suit will be on hand.
Photos with Santa will also be available for those who are interested.
Bring an appetite to the bazaar because there will be so many things to eat -- chicken and roast beef platters, hot dogs, homemade soups and sandwiches.
All proceeds from the event benefit St. John's Catholic Church.
Information: 848-4744.
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The scent of pine is such a wonderful sign of Christmas, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Carroll Lutheran Village will be a virtual pine haven for evergreen lovers.
The seventh annual Greens 'N' Cookies Sale will give shoppers an opportunity to get the best greens and handmade items for the holiday season.
The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Village, an auxiliary to the Carroll Lutheran Village retirement community.
Live greens -- including wreaths, swags, centerpieces and roping -- will be on display.
Artificial wreaths and decorations will also be available for purchase, and shoppers will be able to have their wreaths specially designed by an on-the-spot decorating team.
In addition to the Christmas finery, an assortment of handmade crafts, vintage jewelry and a trash and treasure table will be featured.
Don't leave without taking home a batch of old-fashioned holiday cookies -- always a favorite Christmas treat.
Lunch foods will be available throughout the day.
All proceeds from the event go to benefit Carroll Lutheran Village.
Information: 848-5750.
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Just a couple of reminders of events taking place in central Carroll County this weekend.
Don't forget the Carroll County Christmas Farmers' Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and every Saturday through Dec. 17.
The market is set up at the Agriculture Center on Smith Avenue in Westminster and offers shoppers crafts, seasonal gifts, produce, baked goods and greens from which to choose.
Refreshments are available on the grounds.
Information: 848-7748.
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This is the last weekend for the Old-Fashioned Holiday at the Carroll County Farm Museum.
The seasonably decorated farmhouse and grounds will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Homemade holiday foods such as baked ham, soups, fruit pies, cookies, gingerbread and hot cider will be on sale.
Holiday gifts, poinsettias and Santa Claus will make your visit well worth the time.
Sounds of the season will also be performed by Carroll County talent both days.
Admission is $1 per person.
Information: 876-2667 or 848-7775.
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At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6, the Carroll County Choral Society will present a concert of seasonal music.
The concert is open to the public and will include secular and sacred music.
Retired Westminster High School music teacher Herb Sell will direct and will be accompanied by Beverly Wells, choral music teacher at Westminster High.
The concert is free, but donations will be accepted at the door.
Information: 549-6827.