The area’s oldest and largest holiday bazaar & cookie/bake sale – Christmas Tree Lane – takes place on Saturday, Dec. 4th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the First Presbyterian Church campus, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard, Vero Beach.
This marks the 67th season for this popular one-day event, a fundraiser of the Presbyterian Women to benefit various charities. You can expect incredible bargains, imaginative gift ideas & stocking stuffers, plus a mouth-watering array of homemade cookies & other yummy temptations to sample right away or freeze for the holidays.
Admission is free and parking ample; cash or checks preferred. Facemasks required, if unvaccinated.
In the Unique Boutique in the Christian Life Center’s vast McAfee Hall will be literally hundreds of gently used or brand-new items – including Christmas decorations, small furniture, costume jewelry, handbags, home décor, and kitchen items, along with a large display of toys, games, and plush animals. Available artwork spans from original & limited edition to wall décor. A Bargain Corner will offer items needing just a bit of TLC to shine.
The talented ladies of the church’s Quilting, Sewing & Crafts Circle will display their latest handmade creations, from wine gift bags & shoe bags to handmade ornaments, pot holders, placemats, purses, and more.
At the raffle tables, you can take chances on a gift-card tree, a quilted Christmas tree wall-hanging, a throw-size quilt, and a gift basket of goodies.
Outdoor boutiques will lie along a “Christmas lane,” aka, the church campus’s covered walkways. At the Artisans’ Gallery, local artists will show off their original handcrafts. Returning are Alice McKenna (exquisite custom jewelry), Shelby Ratelle (soy-scented candles), Lisa Hanlin (original pet art), and Pat deRoberts (silk scarves, painted tiles & stationery). Newcomers to the event are JHF Woodworking (small plant stands, designer cutting boards & trays) and Ruth’s Designs and Creations (hand-tooled signs).
At Cookies-by-the-Pound, scrumptious homemade cookies will be pre-packaged in groups of 6 or 12 for ease of creating your own assortment, while Mrs. Claus’s Pantry’s tasty temptations will range from home-baked cakes, pies, and fruit breads to homemade pickles and jams.
Proceeds from last year’s event went to a host of missions – among them, Gifford Youth Achievement Center, Naomi House, Literacy Services of IRC, Shining Light Garden and, under the Sheriff’s Dept, Shop With A Cop and Bicycle Giveaway.
First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach sits at the intersection of Royal Palm and Indian River Boulevards.