My Facebook wall is about 25% comments complaints on the fact that November 1st ushers in the Christmas Season.  I know I know.  I could have said Holidays….but it IS Christmas that has become the lucrative winter holiday and most of that holyday has been eradicated making it part Secular holiday, part Christian Holiday….thus stores go overboard in far disproportion with Christmas decor (although they call those Christmas trees Holiday trees….why??).  So, I’m here to offer up perhaps another view on the November 1st Deck the Halls….

I’m tired of being a sour puss about it all.  Christmas decorations make me happy and I’m determined to take back my holy-day while accepting that Christmas has become a holi-day as well.  That being said, I’m taking advantage of all these pre-Thanksgiving sales and not holding out for the hope-I-see-it-further-reduced-sales that may come later.  I want my December back. I want some merriness back in our lead up to Christmas.  My gift to myself, which I HOPE I can accomplish:  buy all my gifts before Thanksgiving, or at least by December 1st and be able to give back in volunteer hours in December (because that, more than anything else, puts the Fa La La La La in my step.)

One great way to to accomplish this mighty goal is a trip to ‘Tis the Season this Thursday through Saturday at The Factory at Franklin.  Put on by the Junior League, this marketplace, in its third year, does a great job in providing top notch vendors to make shopping easy, while raising money for Junior League projects in Nashville.  Tickets are $8: ‘Tis the Season is an exclusive shopping experience featuring approximately 80 unique merchants from across the country. It is a juried marketplace to ensure a wide variety of quality merchandise including home décor, food, clothing, toys, jewelry and much more. ‘Tis the Season also includes several special events such as the Sustainer’s Preview Breakfast, Candy Cane Cocktails, Breakfast with Santa, and Santa Snaps.

To see the list of special events, click here.  You’ll need to read through and then click through as the listing is a Word Document.

Otherwise, try to take some of the pain out of December and stop by the ‘Tis the Season marketplace November 19th – 21st.  Just don’t wear your Christmas sweater…..it is too early for that….and it may always be…..someone’s got to tell this poor fella:

Show Hours

Thursday  11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday       10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday  10 a.m. – 5 p.m

Holiday Marketplace Merchants

Accessories & Apparel

• Annie Turban
• Beijo Bags
• Enchanted Threads
• Hootenany / Aussie Gear
• KD Buckles
• Make a Statement! Studio
• Miche Bags
• ShowTime Collections
• Silver Plum
• Tracy Negoshian, Inc.
• Val’s Boutique

Antiques

• Sue Robinette

Arts & Home Décor

• Bents and Dents
• Berry Chic
• Caldwell Collections
• Designs by Charlee
• Faith Wallace
• Just*a*tad
• Glass Rhapsody
  Kijsa Housman
• Mary Miller Veazie
• Michaelian Home
• Sparrow’s Nest
• Tulip Grove Farm
• Vintage Crafts
• Wood Turnings

Bath & Body

• Rinse Bath & Body
• Girl Next Door Soaps
• Thistle Ridge

Children’s Wear & Gifts

• Cavichi
• Discovery Toys
• Mediak
• Miss Patty Cake / Little Monkey Toes
• Rouse House Kids
• Tiara Tots
• Usborne Books + More
• Wiggle Worm Kids

Food & Cooking

• All of Us
• Billie’s Pecans and More
• Brittle.
• Copper Kettle Fudge
• Hot Squeeze
• J & M Foods
• Junior League of Nashville Cookbook
• Southern City Flavors
• Sugah Cakes
• T Partys
• Wonderffuls by Merveilleux Confections

Gifts

• Berry Chic
  bella vita
• Blank to Embroidered Linens
• The Christmas Closet
• Designs by Charlee
• Doodles
• The Final Touch
• Flutterbugs,
• The Forge
• Grace Notes
• It’s a Wrap
• Jacksons Jewelry and Gifts
• Mary Miller Veazie
• Minky Dink Designs
• Prim and Paper
• Scentsy
• Simply Elegant
• Swoozie’s
  Tatermash Oilcloth

Jewelry

• Bali Sterling
• Blonde Jewelry
• Caroline Pate Jewelry
• Freshie & Zero
• K & C Designs
• Kazuri
  MCS Designs
• My Charmed Life
• Nastro Bello
• Route Thirteen
• Silpada Designs
• Silver Pansy Designs
• Stella & Dot
• White Tulip Studio

Miscellaneous

• Gaylord Opryland Resort
• Segroves Photography

Pet Gifts

• Miss Kitty’s