The Giving Tree is all decorated at the Bayview Corner shops at 5603 Bayview Road in Langley.
The decorations are special because they benefit all the nonprofit groups that made them. Simply pick your favorite ornament from the tree and bring it to the Open Door Gallery and pay for it.
Money collected by the gallery will be given to each group after Christmas.
Sandy Whiting, Open Door manager, says the tree offers a way to support local nonprofit groups.
“Many organizations have been hit pretty hard the last few months,” Whiting says. “Most of the ornaments are handmade with the name of the nonprofit on it, along with a small tag with information about the organization.”
South Whidbey Youth Connection had a special idea this season.
Their ornaments are useful holiday greeting cards.
A bit of Celtic fun is planned before Saturday night bingo on Camano Island.
The American Legion and Auxiliary Unit 207 offers games, in a nonsmoking room, at 6 p.m. at 207 S. West Camano Drive.
Organizer Pat Tenan says Larry LaVern will sing an hour before bingo. His specialty is Celtic, but one never knows what his selections will include.
And proceeds help support troops.
A decade ago, Christmas shopping on Camano Island was limited to plywood, antiques and boat motors.
Times sure have changed.
Camano Island Coffee Roaster’s Holiday Gift Shop offers work at Terry’s Corner from more than 40 artists.
Seven years ago, Camano Island Coffee Roasters owner Jeff Ericson was asked if he could help sell local wares. He started the first Holiday Gift Shop in 2001 in a small house across from Twin City Foods in Stanwood.
In year four, the gift shop moved to Camano Island.
“There isn’t a lot of exposure for local artisans during the holidays,” says Ericson. “Shoppers support the community of local artisans, while not having to fight crowds.
Cristy Santeford, coffee company and gift shop production manager, says products include aromatherapy candles, handmade chocolate truffles, glassworks, quilts, toys, alpaca items, pottery, jewelry, ceramics, home decor, metal yard art, pet gifts and jams and jellies.
Gifts of coffee also help needy kids in coffee-producing countries.
“With the media reported gloom and doom for this holiday season, it’s nice for us to see lots of holiday spirit here, and see it also in our customers,” says Santeford. “It has been a record year and it’s been a wonderful place for locals to hang out and visit, not just shop.
Visitors may view “The Lights of Christmas” at Warm Beach Christian Camps and Conference Center in Stanwood through Dec. 28.
For more information, log on to www.warmbeach.com, or call 360-652-7575.
Besides the million lights, there is more to the outing. This year, they’ve speeded up one part of the experience to wow the crowd.
They’ve added a second donut tent.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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