Holiday Boutiques and Fairs in FresYes

There’s always someone on my holiday gift list who makes it hard to find the perfect present (cough, my sister, cough). She lives in Portland, which is a mecca for hipsters and handcrafted goods, so her presents are always unique and cool. This year I have big plans to put a little Fresno fabulousness in her stocking. Thankfully I don’t have to wait in a five hour line, freezing in the dark, to accomplish this (I’m looking at you, Black Friday). For unique, hand crafted, and interesting gifts in FresYes, just stop by one of the many holiday boutiques this season.

It’s A Wonderful Craftapalooza

This Saturday, November 19, you can knock out some shopping before you candy some yams. Yoshi NOW! is hosting a completely handmade and local festival of crafts from 10 to 3 p.m. This is the place to be if you want locally crafted candles by Angel Gypsy or some rad pop culture ornaments from Casual Glitz. Is there a person in your life that needs an ornament that pays homage to the Storyland Inn? This is your place!

In addition to unique handmade jewelry from vendors like My Sweet Skull and the E/G Collection, there will be food at Craftapalooza. With FresYes favorites like WTF Where’s the Food, Meltdown Bistro, and Miss Piggy’s BBQ, as well as drinks from I Do Cocktails, this event is a truly wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.

For those with a good cause in mind, the special guest at this event is Fresno Board Rescue. This is a cool program that joins local artists with used quality skateboards. Then, these artists refurbish the boards and hand them out to kids at local skateparks for free. I want to go to this event just to eat, see the artwork from locals like Z Ghost, and to check out the amazing local artisans who make crazy things like jewelry that resembles alphabet soup.

648 Broadway St, Fresno, California 93721

The Boutique In A Barn

If you’ve never shopped in a barn, you’re in for real treat. The Wolf family is hosting their 2nd Annual Barnyard Boutique. On December 2 and 3rd, you can head over to Sanger and check a few items off your shopping list.

The event is held inside of a 100 year old barn that has been in the Wolf family since 1945. The vendors sell only handmade items, so you’re guaranteed to find something unique. For example, there will be jams and breads as well as home decor items. To add to the festivities, there will be a kid’s train ride, hayrides, and Santa will stop by. Of course, food makes everything fun, and Chef Jordan Wolf of Wolf Lakes Park will make yummy items like broccoli cheese soup and homemade chili beans. If you’re like me and have the habit of getting a bit “hangry” when you’re looking for presents, this is your place!

Just some of the handmade items available at The Boutique In A Barn

Admission is $5 dollars a person for Friday’s Early Bird Access. From 6 to 9 p.m. you can get first pick at items and listen to some great live music. If you want free admission, Saturday is your day with shopping hours from 11 to 4 p.m.

do your holiday shopping the fun way..in a barn! — Do your holiday shopping the fun way..in a barn!

11646 E Ashlan Ave, Sanger, California 93657

The Lydia & Pearl Market

Want your shopping to make a difference this season? Check out the Lydia & Pearl Market on Saturday December 10 from 10 to 2 p.m. Admission is 5 dollars, or 10 dollars for Early Bird tickets. Happily, all of the admission price goes directly to City Without Orphans. A local non profit, City Without Orphans is working to help meet the needs of the foster and adoptive community in our area. As an additional bonus, this market is at Lanna Cafe, so you can drink coffee with a cause while you shop with a purpose!

This market is not only filled with handmade goods, but small businesses will be there as well. Do you know what this means? It means there will be LuLaRoe. Yes, those same buttery soft leggings that your friend is wearing in a whimsical donut pattern. Or butterfly pattern. Or really any pattern. They’re fun and fabulous. However, there are over 30 vendors at this event, so you’re bound to find something special even if you don’t like stretchy pants. From Jen Bell Art & Calligraphy to Crumb & Get Em Cupcakes, I think there’s something for even the most hipster of relatives on your shopping list (cough, my sister, cough)!

617 Broadway St, Fresno, California 93721

There you have it folks, a list of fun, delicious, and local places to shop for your loved ones. Is this an exhaustive list? Nope. There’s so much great stuff happening in FresYes it’s impossible to list it all. So, if you have an event you’d like to highlight, drop it in the comments!