Christmas shoppers were invited to get an early start and stock up on unique gifts during the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce’s holiday open house.
During the open house, visitors had the chance to mingle with Chamber members, peruse locally made arts and crafts items and share their Christmas wish list with Santa Claus.
“We showcase the local handcrafted gifts year-round, but this is a special day to create a little more awareness of what we have here,” Chamber of Commerce Director Tonya Stevens said. “We invited members and the public to come in and have a look around to see if they could find that special gift for Christmas.”
A variety of gift options were on display in the Chamber’s Arts Depot, including soy candles and bath products, handcrafted wooden items, cedar Christmas ornaments, crocheted hats and scarves and more.
“We have some interesting and unique items that you definitely can’t get anywhere else,” Stevens said.
Rita Fancher attended the open house after reading about the event on Facebook.
“I love it,” Fancher said. “I like all of the handcrafted gifts. I did spot a couple of things that might make good Christmas presents.”
Lindsay Poteat and Rebecca Myers with Jones Chiropractic Clinic, a Chamber of Commerce member, were impressed with the locally made items on display.
“The Christmas ornaments were wonderful, and the prices were amazing,” Myers said.
“There are some great crafts here,” Poteat said. “Everyone has been really welcoming, too.”
The Arts Depot at the Chamber is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.