Post Thanksgiving, holiday shopping is really starting to pick up around town. Traffic around Prospect is jammed, everyone is in a hurry, and the shelves of the stores are crammed with holiday items. Muzak is piping in 24/7 holiday covers from your favorite one hit wonders, and the lines are increasingly long. I had to stop by one of the local big box stores last week and it was terrifying. I am not sure about you, but hitting one spot to fill out my holiday shopping list is sounding better and better.
So, if you still have a few items on your list, or you need some delicious central Illinois grown produce, check out the Holiday Market at Lincoln Square Mall this Saturday. This market is a little different from the outdoor farmer’s market, but still has a lot to offer, especially this weekend when Santa Claus will be arriving in Urbana for a pre-holiday meet and greet complete with photo-op!
This week the market will feature holiday specials from some of the vendors. I am really hoping that one of the knitted fiber vendors will be offering a special since I’ve somehow managed to lose a glove this week. I saw some really pretty mittens last week, so I hope there will be some great options again this week. Perhaps a pair of purple and teal swirled mittens, or a lovely pair of off-white minky smartphone gloves? So many choices!
If you have a musician on your holiday gift list check out Ascendant Instruments. They have the perfect gifts for someone who has everything, or just really wants to be an acoustic rock star. There are lots of crafty toy options as well. I am partial to the sock monkeys and felted animals, but there were a lot of kid-friendly gift options to choose from. For the fashionistas on your list, don’t miss the beautiful scarves and jewelry. And if you buy presents for your loved ones this weekend, the American Cancer Society will be on hand to wrap them for you at the Urbana Business booth from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This fundraiser benefits cancer research, so be lazy for a good cause this weekend! For more information see here.
If you haven’t already found the perfect hoilday card to send out to your loved ones, Living Letterpress will be offering letter press cards and prints this weekend. There’s nothing better than a one-of-a-kind holiday card to spread holiday cheer near and 
far. For more information about Living Letter Press, including infomation about classes for making your own holiday cards, visit their Facebook page.
There will also be produce this weekend. While the seasons have definitely changed and winter has arrived, there will be lots of fresh produce available including carrots, sweet potatoes, beans, and kale. There is also always a really great selection of baked goods, sweets, cookies, candy and other holiday treats. Pandamonium Doughnuts will be making their Holiday Market debut this week and I am really looking forward to some gluten free chocolate donuts! There may also be cinnamon rolls, fresh bread and so much more—don’t miss out on all the tasty treats of the season!
Hope to C-U at the Market!
Information:
Payment: Most vendors accept cash. A few may take personal check or credit cards, but that is less likely. There is an ATM in Lincoln Square mall in case you run short of cash.
Parking: Parking is available for free in all the lots surrounding Lincoln Square Mall.
Hours: The Holiday Market is located in Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana. It’s open Saturdays through December 21st, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information about the Holiday Market, check out the Urbana Business Association website.