Popular Christmas in Petite returns for 2022
As holiday festivities begin on the South Shore, Christmas in Petite returns for its eighth year.
Started in 2014, Christmas is Petite is a two-day event for artists and artisans to showcase and sell their wares. It’s grown from 500 attendees and 26 vendors in 2014 to 1,500 attendees in 2021 and 71 vendors scheduled for 2022.
Part of this growth and longevity is due to the community aspect says Dave Hughes, Christmas in Petite’s secretary.
“I think it gives us some identity and puts us on the map. Certainly, the businesses that are involved have benefited significantly from it,” says Hughes.
“And for the artists and artisans, I think it's a benefit for them as well, that they don't have to sell their wares to Halifax, at Christmas is a forum, for example. They can do it right here on their home turf.”
As for event attendees, it's a way they can support local and find different kinds of gifts without having to travel.
“What the buyers get out of it is they very much enjoy talking to people who have made the products they're buying, and the products are somewhat unique,” says Hughes. “They're not what you'd buy at a big box store; you'd never find these items in that kind of environment, so it's good for the buyer.”
Another aspect of Christmas in Petite that makes it a worthwhile event says Hughes, are the food venues. This year, Osprey Nest, the Surf Side food truck and Ploughman's Lunch will be taking part.
“Because people are doing shopping at nine sites that's hard to do in a short period of time,” he says, “and so we tried to incorporate in the event some eating places.”
As well this year, Christmas in Petite will continue to support the Wesley United Church's Christmas Hamper program.
“The hamper program is something the church had going initially before Christmas in Petite came along, but the organizers of the event the event has really got behind it,” says Hughes. “They see it as a very positive thing, that we're there to support the local communities, those that are in need and the businesses are behind it, the artisans are behind it.”
Previously, attendees had to get stamps from different locations, Hughes says due to feedback they are limiting that to one location, the fire hall. If attendees go to that location, they purchase a ticket
for $20, proceeds to which go to the hampers, and will be entered to win one of nine gift baskets featuring items from the vendors.
This year's vendors will feature a variety of products, ranging from jewelry and knitting to beeswax products and pet portraits. The nine venues are the Petite Riviere Fire Hall, Mariner Craft, Maritime Saltbox, Petite Winery, Wesley United Church, Petite Elementary School, Pine to Product, West
Dublin Market and the Petite Pet Hospital. The number of vendors varies by location.
Christmas in Petite will take place on Nov. 19 and 20. For more information, search Christmas in Petite on Facebook for the event listing.