Thoughtful and thought-provoking gifts. Christmas cookies. Singing "Silent Night."

All good stuff, but the Christmas season just isn't complete without a good holiday bazaar.

The Bird-in-Hand United Methodist Church's United Women of Faith's Holiday Crafter's Bazaar is a good holiday bazaar.

"I'd say the vibe of the bazaar is one of excitement and anticipation, as a continual steady stream of shoppers fill our rooms the entire day," said Audrey Miller, who, along with Jo Miller, is the coordinator of the Holiday Crafter's Bazaar. "We are so well known for our themed gift baskets that folks are lined up at the door waiting for it to open."

This year's edition of the United Women of Faith's Holiday Crafter's Bazaar will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, inside Bird-in-Hand United Methodist Church's chapel and on the first floor of its education wing at 2620 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand. The event is free to attend and is open to the public.

Holiday spirit will be provided.

"My favorite part of the bazaar is just greeting all the neighbors and visitors who attend," said Miller, "and see(ing) their excitement at purchasing some unique items for gift giving - as well as getting some huge bargains in our Grandma's Attic room."

In addition to the popular themed baskets, the Holiday Crafter's Bazaar will feature homemade and handmade items from 17 participating vendors. Among the items that will be available are knitted hats and animals, wallets and handbags created from cork, creative greeting cards and note cards, decorative pillows, stained glass ornaments, crafted leather wallets and tote bags, hand-painted wooden eggs, colorful gourds and refurbished antiques, artificial florals and seasonal decorations, fabric dolls, packaged candies, painted rocks and recycled feed bags.

There will also be holiday centerpieces, stocking stuffers and assorted Christmas decorations for sale. Food items will include homemade baked goods like chocolate bars, breads, candies and cookies, as well as hot dogs, turkey sandwiches and beverages.

"Most Bird-in-Hand locals know about our bazaar," said Miller, "as it's always been a place to find unique and very affordable items, which become very popular this time of year."

Several hundred locals and tourists are expected to attend the Holiday Crafter's Bazaar. A vast majority of the proceeds will go toward historic Bird-In-Hand United Methodist Church's building maintenance and upkeep - things like repairs, fuel, taxes and bills.

"We have a very small, senior church family to shoulder all this upkeep," said Miller.

The origin of the Holiday Crafter's Bazaar dates back to the early 1950s. In 2019, the Bird-in-Hand church invited crafters to display their works alongside some of the church's handcrafted items.

"It's evolved from being solely a self-supplied bazaar to one of broadening the shopping experience by offering very unique, professionally created handcrafts from local craftspeople," said Miller.

In addition to supporting Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services, homeless shelters in the city of Lancaster and local churches serving a free community meal, the church assists with a number of charitable organizations abroad.

For additional information, search for Bird-In-Hand United Methodist Church on Facebook.