Gift of giving: Find something unique from local small businesses

With the holiday shopping season now in full swing, most of the attention is being given to this year’s “it” gifts: cutting edge video games, drones and smart watches.

People will spend hours searching for the trendy new handbag, or a piece of jewelry indistinguishable from hundreds of other pieces sold in stores.

But while everyone else slogs to the mall or searches online for the most popular gifts, savvy shoppers have the opportunity to pick up something one-of-a-kind from a local small business.

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The annual Winter Market, part of today’s holiday lighting celebration in Franklin, will bring together 24 artists and artisans to show off their goods. From luscious handmade marshmallows to whimsical home decor to twisty, intricate silver jewelry, the event helps offer a showcase for local producers, bakers and artists right before the Christmas season.

“It’s a way to get my product out there, to see if it’s something that people really like and if I can do more of this,” said Rachel Hightshue, owner of Be the Light Candles of Greenwood.

The market was created in 2011 as an extension of the popular summer farmers market in Franklin. All of the items featured at the event have to be grown or made.

The Daily Journal caught up with three of the artisans featured in this year’s market, to help them explain where their creativity comes from, what they have to offer and how to pick up unique gifts for all of the people on your list this year.

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Franklin Holiday Lighting

When: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. today

Where: Downtown Franklin

Schedule

• 8 a.m.: Jingle Jog 5K Run/Walk, Franklin Cultural Arts and Recreation Center
• 8:30 a.m. to noon: Breakfast with Santa, Compass Park, 690 State St.
• 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Gingerbread baking contest displayed, Compass Park
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Dec-A-Tree at the Johnson County Museum of History, 135 N. Main St.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Live Nativity at byTavi, 436 E. Jefferson St.
• 1 to 4:30 p.m.: Visits with Santa, Johnson County Museum
• 2 and 7:30 p.m.: “A Christmas Story,” Artcraft Theatre, 57 N. Main St.
• 2 to 8 p.m.: Winter Market, Elk’s Lodge, 56 E. Jefferson St.
• 3 to 4:30PM: Cookie contest entries accepted
• 4 p.m.: Organ concert, First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Madison St.
• 4:30 p.m.: Melchior Marionettes, Tabernacle Christian Church, 198 N. Water St.
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Horse carriage rides
• 5:30 p.m.: Lighted Holiday Parade
• 6 to 8 p.m.: Live entertainment on the downtown stage
• 6 to 7 p.m.: Kids activities, Mutual Savings Bank, 80 E. Jefferson St.
• 6 p.m.: Lighting of ground displays, Compass Park
• 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Santa Shack opens
• 7 p.m.: Lighting of the courthouse holiday display

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