Christmas Crafts Boutique on the Toronto Islands

For me,the Christmas season doesn't start until I attend the Algonquin Island Christmas Boutique, a supremely Dickensian community party organized by Toronto Island residents, who make and sell gift-type goods to one another to share each other's talents and raise a little cash. For me, it's every good thing about community spirit and a local focus. (That said, the event generally channels some money into a few international causes like the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Campaign too.)

It's a heart-warming event at which you might purchase a construction-paper-and-glitter Christmas card from a seven-year-old, or a painting from a well known artist. What else would you find? Glazed tiles; bike bags; jewellery; cards and prints of all kinds; t-shirts; hand-painted baby wear; unique crafts made from found natural objects; glassware; organic soaps, creams and lotions, and a plethora of creative items you'd never have thought of. My annual contribution is our Nip Trip catnip toys. (I dare your cat to resist 'em!)

Since this is after all a food blog, I should mention the edible treats you'll likely find there. These include home-made jams and jellies (not mine!), baking, olive oil and fair-trade chocolate. Last year someone turned up with a sensational medieval treat of nuts and dried fruit. I sometimes whip up fancy shortbread or pecan tassies; I have a few thoughts for this year. There is always chili (meat and veggie) by the bowl, and you can buy plates of mixed Christmas cookies to munch on the spot from entrepreneurial nine-year-olds. But the greatest lure in the comestibles department is the famous eggnog, which must be about half whipped cream and half alcohol.

This year, the Algonquin Island Christmas Boutique falls on Saturday, December 3. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Algonquin Island Association (AIA) Clubhouse. The night before (Friday, December 2), there's a preview from 7 to 10 p.m. where you can peruse the offerings but not buy them, so everyone gets a fair chance at the most popular and unique items. (There'll be eggnog then as well.) You can catch a ferry almost every half-hour; the full ferry schedule is posted on the event site. You can check it all out on Facebook too.