30th Annual Boston Christmas Festival

Highlights Include Gingerbread House Competition, to Benefit Housing Families, And Popular Farmers’ Market

(BOSTON, MA) September 28, 2016 – The 30^th annual Boston Christmas Festival, a popular holiday tradition with its signature Gingerbread House Competition, kicks off the season with great finds for savvy shoppers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 4 – 6, at Boston’s Seaport World Trade Center.  Offering a seemingly never-ending array of handcrafted items in every price range from over 300 of the country’s premier artisans and craftsmen, the Festival is the ideal solution to the Christmas shopping conundrum.  Back by popular demand this year is an expansive Farmers’ Market offering a wide variety of delicious and one-of-a-kind foods, complementing the abundance of unique, fun, and hard-to-find items on display.  Additionally, visitors are able to meet the artisans, discuss their work, and commission custom pieces that will be treasured for generations to come.

Festival hours are Friday, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Tickets are $15 for adults; free to children under 14.  Public transportation is available via the Silver Line from South Station to the World Trade Center Station, located adjacent to the Seaport Hotel and The Boston Christmas Festival; for driving directions, set GPS to: 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210.  For information, call (617) 385-5000, or visit http://www.BostonChristmasFestival.com to print a discount coupon or buy tickets online.  For the latest updates, follow Boston Christmas Festival on Facebook.

A feast for the eyes, the Festival’s Gingerbread House Competition sees top chefs from area restaurants and bakeries exhibit masterpieces judged by a panel of celebrities and their children.  The houses are on display throughout the show and sold with all proceeds to benefit Housing Families, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to ending family homelessness. 

Always offering the new and unexpected as well as crowd-pleasing favorites, The Boston Christmas Festival delights shoppers with gifts for everyone on their lists – from domestic divas and fashionistas, to weekend warriors, foodies and more.  Aisles chockablock with seasonal decor, distinctive home accessories, custom apparel, fashion and fine jewelry, gourmet foods, and handmade toys make it easy and stress-free to wrap up shopping early.  

Get in the holiday spirit with festive decorations. Spruce up for the season with whimsical, glass ornaments hand-blown by Bob Brown (Hull, MA), colorful fabric tree skirts from Lorraine Bruti (Burlington, MA), or an everlasting pine cone wreath by Ann Willis (Framingham, MA). Add flair to a party or delight a hostess with selfie-worthy headbands and hats trimmed with snowmen and elves by Tony Sawyer (Concord, MA).

Distinctive art and accent pieces will lend panache to any home.  Add a focal point to a room with a gorgeous oil painting by Antionette Campell-Hunter (Warwick, RI) whose stylistic works draws the viewer in with undertones of magic, dream-like watercolor by Carrie Wagner (Cranston, RI), or a stunning one-of-a-kind creation by Eric Pow, who employs traditional Chinese techniques of paper cutting, quilling, and carving to form intricate designs. Elevate décor with an art glass vase by Rebecca Zhukov (Providence, RI), Tiffany-style lamp shade by Bob and Shirley Charette (Florence, MA), or charming copper roof birdhouse by Donald LaFratta (North Attleboro, MA). 

Practical-minded gift-givers will appreciate the hand-carved wooden bowls and kitchen utensils crafted of cherry, black walnut or maple by John Arnold (Peterboro, NH), insulated wine bags made from designer fabric by Carmen Beaton (Wakefield, MA), and eco-friendly alpaca wool dryer balls by James Lewis (Hillsboro, MA).  

Wardrobe must-haves abound, and range from the affordable to the indulgent. Reflect personal style with an individually-knit fashion forward sweater by Kateryna Glibischuk (Boston, MA), chic felted pocketbook by Bonnie Ostroski (Kennebunk, ME), or statement making hand-painted scarf by Heather Cohen (Derry, NH). Add the finishing touch to an outfit with ethnically inspired stone jewelry from Laura MacNaughton (New York, NY), or a Swarovski crystal studded piece by Katherine Lewis (West Nyack, NY).  Contemporary pendants and bracelets enhanced with semi-precious stones by Debbie Noiseaux (Merrimack, NH) are also sure to catch the eye.

For men, consider a New England sports team themed graphic shirt or hoodie from Kevin Kruger (Boston, MA), scrimshaw keepsake box engraved by William Feeney (Fall River, MA), or airplane mobile made of recycled beer cans by Ron Lazano (South Windsor, CT).

The Farmers’ Market pays tasty tribute to small batch producers of gourmet goodies, perfect for entertaining, stocking stuffers, or hostess gifts. Dress up the dessert table with richly decorated gingerbread houses and cookies from Ginger Betty (Quincy, MA). Wake up a cheese plate or add zest to a stew with the Caribbean pepper jellies of Jamaican-born chef Patricia Kiernan (Weymouth, MA). Delight the health conscious with allergen-friendly seeds and assorted dried fruit from Sennen Conte (Johnson, RI) or a jar of home harvested honey from David Hebert (Oxford, MA). For a decadent treat, sample the chocolate truffles from Dean Bingham (Portland, ME).

The Festival is also brimming with gifts for children and pets.  Kids will adore the fairy tale dolls with accompanying storybook by Alyce Hagopian (South Attleboro, MA) and old-fashioned wooden toys by George Egan (Saugus, MA). Reflective dog coats by Gloria Hynds (Middleton, MA) and colorful collars by Sara Caufield (Braintree, MA) are sure to please four legged friends.

The Christmas Festival is presented by Artisan Promotions, Inc., organizers of top quality art shows since 1982.