I'm so glad to have even MORE super cool events happening in the CLE this weekend and beyond giving us lots of opportunities to support the local community and have fun.  


Each offer a unique experience, gives you an excuse to explore our diverse neighborhoods and get your Local Shopping on while you are at it!


1. Candy Cane Cruise
This first one is totally new to me and it sounds like a blast!  Basically people cruise the streets in convertibles and shops offer all kinds of treats. It takes place in the Collinwood /Waterloo Arts district this Friday from 5pm until whenever you decide to leave.  You can find them on Twitter:


2. Arts Collinwood Holiday Art Sale
The following weekend 12/9-12/11 you can head back to Collinwood for their early bird shopping special.  All you need to do is join for $10 and you get appetizers, wine and first dibs on all the cool artsy stuff for sale.  


And for all you Mommies and Daddies out there - they offer free child care on Saturday and Sunday from 12-4! Can't beat that!


3. Holiday at the Beach
On the west side, you'll find a seasonal market set up through the month of December.  You can find them at 19300 Detroit Rd in Rocky River.  BONUS: if you check in on Foursquare while you are there, they will donate $1.00 to Toys for Tots! There's a long list of local establishments for when you get hungry and thirsty including Beardens, Rocky River Brewing Co, Sweet Melissa's, Tartine, and the Rocky River Wine Bar.


4. Kickstarter
If you would rather not buy a present but invest in the community instead, you can help locate businesses get funding on this site.  You can search by community or by category.  A seasonally appropriate one I found is Tree Huggers.You can invest in making setting up your real tree less painful.




5. Buy NEO for the Holidays
This event starts tomorrow and combines many of my favorites all in one!  It's a pop-up.  They are repurposing an abandoned Borders.  You support local business. And you help the Solon City schools because a portion of the proceeds goes directly to them.  It's taking place at the Uptown Solon Shopping Center on Kruse Dr. If you stop by on Saturday between 11 and 1, 96.5 Kiss FM will be there giving away prizes too. Local eateries include Harvest Kitchen, Jimmy Daddonas Italian restaurant (the garlic bread balls are killer,) the Rusty Bucket for better than average bar food, Imperial Wok, Panini's, and for a sweet treat Mitchell's Ice Cream.  Take advantage of their amazing seasonal favorites like Great Lakes Christmas Ale Gingersnap, Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Stick.
6. Little Italy Art Walk Check out my post about this perennial favorite.


7. Cleveland Handmade Market Here you can directly support the artists.  There are two events scheduled - one this Saturday @ the Wooltex/Tower Press Building from 10-6 and a last minute event on 12/17 @ Lake Erie Building in Lakewood from 10-6. 


8. Chanel High School Craft Fair - It's the annual holiday craft fair held at Chanel High School on Northfield Rd. in Bedford.  It's this Saturday from 9-3.


9. Chef's Widow - My Favorite Things Giveaway
LOVE this super cool giveaway! The Chef's Widow is playing Santa for one lucky winner. Check out her post for more local shopping opportunities and to enter the contest.


Happy Shopping!

I've heard about this really cool company called  KickStarter  all over the place and it really sounded awesome.  Basically, if you ne...