Bazaar fever

It’s the season for giving, and there is nothing quite like the sensory gifts of a holiday bazaar to get you in the mood for the season. Walk in the door of any bazaar and your senses are immediately flooded with festive lights, fresh baked goods, and an all around sense of good cheer.

While the market bazaar was an everyday fixture of our ancestors’ lives, the tradition today has evolved into a viable means for many non-profit groups to raise funds for their organization’s projects.

This time of year especially there are a bounty of holiday bazaars to choose from. It’s not only an opportunity to get in the holiday spirit, but a way to lend support to local community groups in their fundraising efforts.

The Halls Lake Mothers of Twins Club is hosting their first holiday fundraising bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 16. Since 1956, the club has been helping parents of multiples (twins, triplets, and quads) by providing educational resources and programs, as well as ongoing emotional support to local women who are expecting — or who already have — multiples.

“Although our club has hosted a handful of sales in the past, [this] sale definitely involves the greatest number of sellers and items,” said Liane Thomas, club vice president and Mountlake Terrace resident. The club actually has so many sellers that they have rented Terrace Park Gymnasium in Mountlake Terrace to accomodate them all. “Twice the kids means twice the clothes, toys, books, strollers, cribs, you name it,” said Thomas. Books, videos, and DVDs (for all ages); furniture, appliances — some new items — will be offered as part of the drive to raise funds for their 2002-2003 programs.

“Our club chose this time of year for selfish reasons: we’re all hoping to find great deals on barely-used items that our kids will love this December, and we figured other folks in the community would enjoy it, too,” Thomas said. “The craft and bake sale were a natural addition for a November event.”

MOTC members are getting motivated for the event, too, Thomas said.

Yes, even moms of twins need to kick back and “get crafty” once in awhile — if only to impress those people who tell us, ‘You sure have YOUR hands full..”