Quilters hold up their 2012 quilt, "Baskets of Joy," which will be raffled at the MVUC Holiday Shop Saturday, Nov 17.
Holiday Shop — a popular Mount Vernon tradition — will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, near Fort Hunt Rd., and Mason Hill Dr.
The event features a day-long bazaar of 50 artisans from the metro area as well as the popular Country Kitchen featuring savory chutneys and baked goods from the MVUC kitchen; Helene's Boutique, with upscale resale decorative household items; and the Jewelry Box shop with estate jewelry.
MVUC volunteers offer a tasty homemade lunch in the Hollin Hall mansion of cheese pie, soup, sandwiches, and dessert for a reasonable price.
Sponsored by MVUC's women's group, Every Thursday (E.T.), named for when they meet. Over the past half century, the event has grown into a huge bazaar that covers the Unitarian meeting house and the Hollin Hall mansion and includes outdoor craft booths. Unique holiday gifts are available from local artisans, who offer handcrafted pottery, basketry, fiber arts, paper, photography, and jewelry. Colorful orchids and other
plants are sold, as well as a variety of international crafts from India, Southeast Asia, and South and Central America. Gingerbread house kits are for sale.
A quilt made by the Church Quilters will be raffled off. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
Volunteers bake and can for a month to supply Country Kitchen with its famous array of chutneys, nut mixes, fudge, peanut brittle, Peruvian sauce, and homemade boursin (garlic) cheese as well as a variety of baked goods including cakes, cookies, quick breads, brownies, and pies. MVUC “ethical eating” cookbooks, as well as aprons and other kitchen items, round out the offerings.
The Holiday Shop usually enjoys fair weather though it may be chilly. At the end of the day, we salute the sunset from the Meeting House patio with wine and cheese overlooking the formal boxwood gardens.
Proceeds are used by the E.T. Group to fund church projects. Call 703-765-5950 or visit www.mvuc.org.