'It’s back to the basics': Christmas craft markets peak this weekend in N.B.
A Christmas craft market at Sir James Dunn Academy in Saint Andrews, N.B. on Dec. 7, 2024.
Barb Madill has Christmas top of mind all year long.
“I kind of have to,” said Madill, one of several vendors at a Christmas craft market in Saint Andrews, N.B. on Saturday. “These take a long time.”
Madill is an artist who paints holiday and winter scenes through every season in order to prepare for the December market which has become a tradition.
“I’ve been doing this Christmas market for a few years now,” said Madill. “People love a craft market but especially at Christmas.”
With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday all ticked off this year’s shopping calendar, some craft markets across the region will cap off their season this weekend and crafty entrepreneurs are enjoying their time in the holiday spotlight.
“We do our Christmas market on the first Saturday of December, every year,” said Inez Thomas-Cuylle, the event’s organizer in support of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 8. “August is when I start calling (vendors) to see if they have enough products, and to see if they’re going to be able to fill a table. They all work hard to make sure that happens.”
Just up the street, another Christmas craft market — in support of students at Sir James Dunn Academy — took over the school’s gymnasium.
Genny Simard said her hand sewn quilts, coats, and accessories are popular this year.
“More and more people are looking for that special gift, and not the mass produced stuff anymore,” said Simard.
Many vendors work the summer and fall craft market shoulder-to-shoulder before the all-important December rush. Gord Willet, an artist who sells wood carvings, said it’s wonderful to be a part of the crafting community.
“We’ve become personal friends,” said Willett. “I’ve followed their crafts.”
Thomas-Cuylle said Christmas craft markets offer a different kind of energy that people cherish this time of year as an alternative to shopping at the mall or online.
“It’s a social event,” she said “It’s back to the basics, where you can greet somebody and wish them a Merry Christmas.”
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Singh calls on Canada to stop critical minerals exports to U.S. amid Trump tariff threat
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the only way to deal with 'bully' U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and his looming tariff threat is to make him feel the 'pain' of Canada's retaliatory measures.
Norovirus cases are rising in Canada. Here's advice from a doctor
Canadian health officials are reporting a rising number of cases of the highly contagious norovirus disease in Canada, warning that the elderly and young children are most at risk.
Four youths arrested after teenager stabbed during altercation inside Hillcrest High School
Two people were seriously injured during an altercation at an Ottawa high school on Monday morning. Ottawa police say four youths are in custody.
Alberta premier talks about 'tariff-free relationship' with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, but the leader's tariff threat has not been averted.
Francois-Philippe Champagne to announce Tuesday if he's running for leader
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne plans to reveal Tuesday whether he will run in the upcoming party leadership race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Canada and U.S. warships join forces in South China Sea through contested waters
The United States Navy's USS Higgins joined HMCS Ottawa in the South China Sea, near the contested Scarborough Shoal, on Thursday. The two warships travelled south together towards the Spratly Islands – a number of which China has militarized.
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
Canada Post stamps just got more expensive
Canada Post is raising the price of stamps, starting today. Stamps purchased in a booklet, coil or pane will cost 25 cents more at $1.24 per stamp. The price of a single domestic stamp is now $1.44, up from $1.15.
More firefighters rush to Los Angeles as stronger winds are forecast
A growing force of firefighters moved into the Los Angeles area Monday as more powerful winds were expected to trigger new wildfires that could set back the recent progress made in containing blazes that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
Toronto
-
SIU probing death of woman who fell from Toronto apartment building
The province’s police watchdog is investigating the death of a 44-year-old woman who investigators say fell while attempting to scale down a Toronto apartment building early Monday morning.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Toronto staff propose 6.9 per cent tax bump, including city building levy
City of Toronto staff are proposing a property tax increase of 5.4 per cent in the latest city budget.
-
QEW crash leaves 9-year-old boy dead, driver seriously injured
A nine-year-old boy is dead following a single-vehicle rollover on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Oakville on Monday, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Calgary
-
Alberta premier talks about 'tariff-free relationship' with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, but the leader's tariff threat has not been averted.
-
What Alberta is doing to prevent wildfires in Canmore, Bow Valley
As Alberta nears the start of another wildfire season, there are efforts underway to safeguard against wildfires in Canmore and the Bow Valley.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Overnight lows to be above freezing for part of this week
A warmer weather pattern is setting up across the west with a ridge of high pressure along the Pacific coastline continuing to support strong westerly flow onshore from California through to British Columbia.
Edmonton
-
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley joins labour-focused law firm
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley is returning to her legal roots, joining western Canadian law firm Southern Butler Price.
-
Thousands of school support workers off the job in Edmonton, nearby communities
Education support workers began gathering under pitch-black pre-dawn skies in Edmonton and some nearby communities as a strike got underway.
-
And then there were 3: Vote for Edmonton's city bird in final round
Birds of a feather flock together, proven by the thousands of Edmonton-area residents who cast their vote in the first round of competition to determine the official city bird.
Montreal
-
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
-
Quebec Liberal Party leadership race officially begins
The Quebec Liberal Party leadership race is officially getting underway.
-
Uncashed cheques from Quebec or Canada? Here's how to get your money
Taxpayers' money may be sitting in Revenu Quebec or Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) coffers and it’s simple to find. Both agencies have online tools to recoup unclaimed property or cheques.
Ottawa
-
Four youths arrested after teenager stabbed during altercation inside Hillcrest High School
Two people were seriously injured during an altercation at an Ottawa high school on Monday morning. Ottawa police say four youths are in custody.
-
Ottawa driver's Jaguar SUV held for months during dispute between tow truck company, insurance provider
An Ottawa driver is speaking out after her vehicle was towed from a crash scene in early November and held for months during a dispute between a local tow truck company and insurance provider.
-
No injuries reported after OC Transpo bus collides with street light Sunday
An OC Transpo bus slipped off the road and collided with a street light near a home in Ottawa's east end on Sunday morning.
London
-
Armed robbery leads to charges for London man
Around 1:50 p.m. on Sunday, police say a man went into a grocery store in the 1500-block of Adelaide Street North and placed a number of items inside a bag and left the store without paying.
-
Flurries and cold temperatures in store for this week
The wind chill continues to be a factor, making it feel like minus 13 by Monday afternoon.
-
Municipality makes last ditch appeal to overturn Sauble Beach decision
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula is making one final push to try and win back the shoreline of Sauble Beach.
Barrie
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
Inmate assault charge stayed against man accused in Elnaz Hajtamiri murder case
Mohamad Lilo, the Montreal-area man scheduled for trial in the alleged kidnapping and murder of his former girlfriend, had his jail assault charge stayed by the Crown during a virtual court appearance Monday.
-
Firefighters use defensive attack in intense house fire
Barrie firefighters are on the scene of an intense structure fire on Jones Drive.
Northern Ontario
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
Female pedestrian, 26, killed in Naughton area crash in Greater Sudbury
Greater Sudbury police are investigating after a 26-year-old female pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in the Naughton area Monday morning.
-
Lone sailor trapped in ice sparks concern in Southern Georgian Bay
A lone sailor living on a sailboat trapped in the Georgian Bay ice has sparked concern among Penetanguishene residents.
Kitchener
-
OHL's Brantford Bulldogs sold to Zach Hyman and family
Effective Jan. 16, Hyman will officially assume control of the organization’s operations, ushering in a new chapter for the beloved hockey team.
-
Suspicious mattress fire causes 'significant smoke damage' in Guelph
Just before 7 p.m., police were asked to assist the fire department at an apartment near Waterloo Avenue and Beechwood Avenue.
-
Grand River Transit celebrates 25 years of connecting Waterloo Region
Established on January 1, 2000, following the merger of Cambridge Transit and Kitchener Transit, GRT has become a cornerstone of the community, connecting people in the region.
Windsor
-
Windsor approves $20M Festival Plaza redesign, construction timeline uncertain
Windsor city council has approved a $20-million master plan to redevelop Festival Plaza — but construction isn’t starting just yet.
-
Fatal crash being investigated in Windsor
Just after midnight on Monday, officers were called to the scene at the intersection of Wyandotte Street East and Raymo Road for a single-vehicle collisions.
-
Murder suspect rearrested in Windsor
The Windsor and LaSalle police rearrested a 24-year-old woman who was previously charged with first-degree murder.
Winnipeg
-
'He was a genius': Family remembers man who died waiting for care in Winnipeg ER
The sister of a man who died waiting for care in the emergency department of Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC) is remembering her late brother as an intelligent person with a bold personality
-
High-risk offender back behind bars
A high-risk offender, who was recently released from jail, is back behind bars.
-
The rare comet that may become visible in Manitoba this week
A rare comet is expected to light up the sky this week, though it’s still unknown if it will be visible here on earth.
Regina
-
Two charged after alleged smuggling of illegal guns into Canada south of Val Marie, Sask.
RCMP say two 19-year-old men are facing multiple weapons charges after they were discovered crossing into and out of the United States illegally south of Val Marie, Sask., allegedly smuggling guns.
-
Regina woman charged in death of infant makes first court appearance
The woman charged in the death of a three-month-old boy made her first appearance at Regina provincial court Monday.
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
-
Driver killed in single-vehicle crash in Stonebridge on Sunday, police say
Saskatoon police say a driver was killed in an early-morning crash in Stonebridge on Sunday.
-
Two charged after alleged smuggling of illegal guns into Canada south of Val Marie, Sask.
RCMP say two 19-year-old men are facing multiple weapons charges after they were discovered crossing into and out of the United States illegally south of Val Marie, Sask., allegedly smuggling guns.
Vancouver
-
Langley RCMP issue 120 speeding tickets during 3-week blitz
Mounties in Langley, B.C., are urging drivers to slow down after officers handed out 120 speeding tickets during a recent three-week enforcement blitz.
-
Crews rescue unconscious skier after fall on Vancouver Island mountain
Search and rescue crews successfully extracted a seriously injured skier off a B.C. mountain over the weekend.
-
Extreme weather fallout: Experts warn Canadian home insurance premiums to rise this year
As California deals with devastating wildfires, experts are warning homeowners about the impact of severe weather in Canada this year.
Vancouver Island
-
Crews rescue unconscious skier after fall on Vancouver Island mountain
Search and rescue crews successfully extracted a seriously injured skier off a B.C. mountain over the weekend.
-
Langley RCMP issue 120 speeding tickets during 3-week blitz
Mounties in Langley, B.C., are urging drivers to slow down after officers handed out 120 speeding tickets during a recent three-week enforcement blitz.
-
Extreme weather fallout: Experts warn Canadian home insurance premiums to rise this year
As California deals with devastating wildfires, experts are warning homeowners about the impact of severe weather in Canada this year.
Kelowna
-
West Kelowna fire chief says L.A. devastation a haunting reminder of B.C. blaze
The fire chief of a British Columbia community devastated by a fast-moving wildfire in 2023 says it's "haunting" to see similar circumstances playing out in Southern California.
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
