By Rick Winterson

     Em.po.ri.um (n.) – A marketplace, often with both indoor and outdoor sales areas, that offers a wide variety of merchandise.

     What did you like about last year’s Christmas Emporium, which was held in (and around) St. Brigid’s School?

     Was it the famous Sprague Nursery (Bangor, Maine) greenery that included trees from three to eight feet tall?  Or the Sprague wreaths?  Or perhaps it was the decorated wreaths, specially crafted by the talented mothers of St. Brigid’s students.  Well, they’ll all be back this year.  In fact, they sold so well last year that you might want to get to the Emporium a bit on the early side.  Be sure to walk around both inside and outside the school building, so you’ll get a complete look at all that’s being offered.

     Did you use the delivery service for the trees and greenery you purchased?  It will be available again this year.  Your order will be placed at your front door (South Boston only) on the same day you buy it.  No frayed rope, bungee cords, scratches, or sap stains on your car.

     Perhaps the many eye-catching crafts tables attracted you in 2004.  They’re back also.  Twenty-one tables have already been reserved.  That’s nearly a full house, so if you want a space for your exhibit, call Kelly Conroy (268-2745) or Stacey Tirabassi (268-7643) as soon as you can.  By the way, South Boston’s many creative fine artists are welcome to exhibit at the Emporium as well.

     Among the crafts are jewelry, doll clothes, knitted and crocheted items, stuffed animals, pet items, decorated sneakers, Irish products, and many others.  Steve Coffey will host a table devoted to his Thousand Hills Coffee Company, the premium brew from Rwanda.  If you plan to serve coffee over the holidays, pick up a bag of Thousand Hills and give your guests a Christmas treat.

     Amenities that are hard to find (or quite expensive) at the malls will be readily at hand during the St. Brigid’s Emporium, just as they were last year:  nearby rest rooms, reasonably close parking (the resident rules aren’t applicable on Saturday and Sunday), and refreshments (pizza, soda, sweets, coffee).  There’ll be a DJ playing music, so you won’t have to listen to the same carols played over and over again.

The Emporium has added several new features this year.  Emporium hours have been expanded – from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11.  A Christmas CD, “The Peace of Christmas”, will be on sale.  A home-made crèche with figurines is available.  A wreath covered with lottery scratch tickets will be raffled off, along with even better “themed baskets” than last year.  These baskets are created especially for the Emporium by each class at St. Brigid’s.

     As you may have expected, there’s plenty planned for the kids.  On Sunday, you can treat the youngsters to “Pizza with Santa”.  Seatings are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  This is a popular event, so you might want to buy your tickets in advance by calling Ellen Noone (464-0425).

     A table for gingerbread decorating will also be open to the children.  Or maybe you’d like a personalized cartoon picture of the kids.  Come to think of it, that could be a humorous but thoughtful gift for your husband or wife – a caricature of you at your comedic best for the office or family room.

Stop in at St. Brigid’s School for the 2005 Christmas Emporium either on Saturday or Sunday (or both).  It’ll be a great way to make a dent in your Christmas purchases, in festive, friendly, and easy-going surroundings.  Even more important, it’ll be fun.