‘Tis the season for Christmas-themed events on campus. Christmas present shopping, live music and crafts are all coming up at the annual Ware Fair and the annual Holiday Extravaganza.

Campus Activities will be hosting the 44th annual Ware Fair, which will be taking place at the SURC from Dec. 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To volunteer to help vendors, students can sign up through the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement (CLCE).

The event coordinator is Avery Cortinas, a junior majoring in apparel, textiles and merchandising. 

Cortinas remembers watching the event in her freshman year. She said she was intrigued and that her favorite part was that all the items were handmade. 

“We go through a process to make sure things are not being resold. But, I think it’s really cool to see all the different items that people made,” Cortinas said.

Cortinas said the event has grown and become well-known. This year, a new feature to the event is a free gift-wrapping station if you buy products from the event.

“We have a lot of returning vendors and we also attract a lot of new vendors,” Cortinas said. “This is a good opportunity for students to sell their products or do some holiday shopping for themselves or for others.”

Cortinas mentioned that items that will  be sold at this year’s Ware Fair include jewelry, ceramics, stickers, drink mixes, body lotions, bath scrubs, animal products, leashes, macaroons and spices.

“There is a really wide variety of different things,” Cortinas said. “One item that is really popular is animal sweaters.”

With regard to music, Cortinas mentioned that she reached out to groups in the music department such as CWU Horn Club and the CWU Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble.

Cortinas, who is also the president of the Student Fashion Association (SFA), added that clubs and students can sell their products at a discounted rate. She mentioned that SFA will be selling scrunchies and tote bags at the event.

“Be sure to check it out, all of our vendors are super friendly and passionate about their products. Even if you’re not interested in buying something, it’s really fun to see what they made,” Cortinas said.

Another upcoming event is the 19th annual Holiday Extravaganza hosted by the CLCE. The event will take place on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the SURC Ballroom. The event will be partnered with D & M Coffee and Domino’s Pizza. 

The Holiday Extravaganza will be an event for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and their families. The event will consist of a variety of crafts from making snow globes to making origami. The event will also have a photo booth, face painting and hot chocolate will be provided for attendees.

The program leaders for the event are Ruby Nambo, a senior majoring in English education, and Areli Ruiz, a senior majoring in elementary education.

According to Ruiz, 30 craft stations will be available at the Holiday Extravaganza. She also mentioned that some of the crafts will include stockings, ornaments, bell bracelets and much more.

Ruiz also mentioned that some of the snacks for the kids will be gingerbread houses and gingerbread men with hot chocolate.

According to Ruiz, the event has grown from 25 craft stations to 30 and moved from the SURC Marketplace to the ballroom.

Nambo believes that the mission of the event is for younger children to celebrate the holiday season. 

“We’re trying to diversify our crafts, honor all the holidays and incorporate a multicultural piece,” Nambo said.

Although this event is not for students, Ruiz and Nambo said that students are encouraged to volunteer.

“[Volunteers] get a free shirt. We also provide breakfast like coffee and donuts. Lunch is usually pizza from Domino’s,” Nambo said.