Here are some snaps from some recent holiday open houses and events along with and some snippets of holiday gift-giving and entertaining ideas.
Mega One-Stop Shopping Event at St. Anne's, Saturday November 10
Above: More than 65 vendors vendors filled St. Anne's for the 3rd annual Mega One Stop Shopping Event. Gloria (bottom left) of Rustic Rooster creates hand-crafted wood decorations with her husband. Cobie & Alisha (bottom right) shared information on Farmtown Canada. Join Farmtown for Christmas at the Farm, Saturday December 1st, 10am-2pm. (Visit Santa at the cabin; schedule a Christmas Farm photo shoot
Enjoy Hot Chocolate/Hot Cider Sandwiches and Treat; ride in their sleigh/buggy (weather will decide which one); meet the Haflinger Horses.)
Enjoy Hot Chocolate/Hot Cider Sandwiches and Treat; ride in their sleigh/buggy (weather will decide which one); meet the Haflinger Horses.)
Above, more One-Stop Mega Event vendors: Jamie Burge (top left) had info from Why Not Cookies a source for "homemade" baking for those who don't like to bake - they are taking orders for Christmas! Brad Lunn (bottom left) of Crossroad Farms offered samples of their very delicous gouda (it's available at Farmgate Markets in St. Thomas). Cindy Bircham (bottom middle) of Elgin Harvest displayed her preserves and baking made with care and fresh ingredients. Liisa McInnis (bottom right) makes pretty, "gifty" jars full of the dry ingredients to make all sorts of cookies from Just Jarred .

Canadale Nurseries Open House, November 17th & 18th
Your source for just about any Christmas decoration you can think of, Canadale Nurseries had their first Open House weekend on November 17th & 18th. A second happens November 24th & 25th when the demos, workshops and special events will continue.
Your source for just about any Christmas decoration you can think of, Canadale Nurseries had their first Open House weekend on November 17th & 18th. A second happens November 24th & 25th when the demos, workshops and special events will continue.
Above: Lia & daughter Kaitlyn, from Kitchener took part in Canadale's reindeer workshop.

Port Stanley Main Street Businesses Open Houses, November 10th & 11th
There are always lots of festive finds at the shops in Port Stanley including Harbourtown Soap Co inside Joshua & Company (top left), Harbourtown Fudge (top right, bottom left), My Favourite Things and Studio Style (both bottom right).
There are always lots of festive finds at the shops in Port Stanley including Harbourtown Soap Co inside Joshua & Company (top left), Harbourtown Fudge (top right, bottom left), My Favourite Things and Studio Style (both bottom right).

Rush Creek Wines Open House, November 10 & 11
Rush Creek Wine's Annual Christmas Open House featured some seasonal treats to try with some of their complementary fruit wines. Here are some of Wendy's (in photo left) suggestions for winning holiday entertaining combinations.
Ebony Dry Red &
Caramelized Onion Compote
Aged White Cheddar
Portly Fellow &
Cranberry Port Compote over Brie
Dark Chocolate
Aged White Cheddar
Rockin Raspberry (off dry) / Blueberry rush (off dry) &
Cranberry Port Compote over Brie
Goat Cheese Cranberry Roll
Spiced Apple ( warm or chilled) / Pearfection (dry pear) / Simple Apple (semi dry) &
Aged Orange Cheddar
Rush Creek Wine's Annual Christmas Open House featured some seasonal treats to try with some of their complementary fruit wines. Here are some of Wendy's (in photo left) suggestions for winning holiday entertaining combinations.
Ebony Dry Red &
Caramelized Onion Compote
Aged White Cheddar
Portly Fellow &
Cranberry Port Compote over Brie
Dark Chocolate
Aged White Cheddar
Rockin Raspberry (off dry) / Blueberry rush (off dry) &
Cranberry Port Compote over Brie
Goat Cheese Cranberry Roll
Spiced Apple ( warm or chilled) / Pearfection (dry pear) / Simple Apple (semi dry) &
Aged Orange Cheddar

Heritage Line Herbs Open House, November 17 & 18
Heritage Line Herbs invited some artisan friends to take part in their annual Christmas Open House, and also presented an assortment of herb-infused holiday entertaining ideas to try. Carol (left) helped with the sampling - she's holding the new "Good Things Grown in Ontario" recipe calendar. You can pick up that as well as a whole assortment of herbs and herb blends, condiments, sauces and gifts galore at the retail store on the farm. We loved the Christmas Dip made with Heritage Line's mix packets available only during the Christmas season.
Heritage Line Herbs invited some artisan friends to take part in their annual Christmas Open House, and also presented an assortment of herb-infused holiday entertaining ideas to try. Carol (left) helped with the sampling - she's holding the new "Good Things Grown in Ontario" recipe calendar. You can pick up that as well as a whole assortment of herbs and herb blends, condiments, sauces and gifts galore at the retail store on the farm. We loved the Christmas Dip made with Heritage Line's mix packets available only during the Christmas season.