Holiday bazaars are a great place to find a unique gift for someone — or yourself.

Shop local!

That’s the rallying cry this time of year, especially in rural towns where small businesses are often the heart and soul of the community.

Let’s include local crafters and home-based businesses in that group as well. Unfortunately, they don’t usually have brick-and-mortar stores with doors open to shoppers any time, any day, any month.

They might have Facebook or Etsy pages, and occasionally a website, but you still have to know who they are and how to find them and their products.

Welcome to the world of bazaars.

That’s where you’ll find these talented folks with their clever creations and homecrafted goods, sometimes one-of-a-kind items you won’t find anywhere else — perfect for that last person on your gift list, or even for you.

It’s like shopping in dozens of stores all under one big roof. Luscious sourdough bread and boxes of cookies at one table, glittering jewelry in all colors and designs at the next, followed by honey and beeswax products, and oh, across the aisle — handsewn baby layette sets and custom wooden signs and …

You get the idea.

I love strolling through holiday bazaars this time of year. Even if my gift list is mostly checked off, I’m always on the lookout for future gift purchases, or even a treat for myself (for some made-up occasion). Sometimes vendors have business cards with their website, Facebook or Etsy information. I like to get a phone number or email address so I can track them down again between bazaars.

Last spring, I bought jars of tallow for my daughters and daughter-in-law. Not long after, one of them said she loved it and wanted more. I had bounced around that day making purchases at several vendors and had a heck of a time later trying to remember who that vendor was — lesson learned.

In addition to being a shopping bonanza, bazaars give an emotional and social boost to the community. They are an excellent way to see everyone, and under one roof, too. You can meet new folks from outside the area and even run into your next-door neighbor you might not have seen in months.

So, let the holiday bazaar season begin! No matter where you live, there’s very likely one near you.

You might see me — on the hunt for more tallow.

Planning a bazaar?

If you’re planning a bazaar or something similar, please let us know so we can get the word out through Go! Eastern Oregon.

Send the details — place, time, description, contact, photos etc. — to editor@goeasternoregon.com.

And the sooner, the better — we need information at least a week prior to each issue.