Lefroy United Church held its annual Christmas Bazaar and White Elephant Sale on Saturday, at the church and neighbouring Grange Hall.
It wasn’t quite the same festive event that has been held in the past.
While the Penny and White Elephant tables were still filled with treasures donated by church members, and volunteers in festive sweaters sold raffle tickets for Christmas gift baskets, there was no lunch room, at a time when COVID protocols are ramping back up – and over in the Grange Hall, the number of vendors was limited, to ensure sufficient room for physical distancing.
Everyone who came through the doors had their vaccination status checked and contact tracing information taken down. Masks were required for shoppers and vendors alike.
But even with the limitations, there was more than enough Christmas spirit to go around.
In the basement of the church, the walls were hung with hand-made quilts. None were for sale: all were donations, made by the church’s quilting group that consists of eight women and one man, for the Christmas 4 Kids charity.
“We’ve got 400 cuddle quilts already made for Christmas for Kids,” said Hazel Cibirka – gifts to bring added warmth and comfort to the holiday season, for families facing financial hardship.
And at the Grange Hall, shoppers could purchase giftwares, hand-crafted and crocheted items, original artwork, ‘Rustic Birdhouses by Morley,’ the ‘Style by Wendy’ floral arrangements and wreaths created by Wendy Smith – even pre-packaged home-baked goods and treats, sold by three generations of elves.
To add to the holiday spirit, Mother Nature provided a light dusting of snow, with the promise of a white Christmas to come.