The Festival of Trees Market Offer Holiday Shoppers Unique Shopping Experience

The Huron Valley Council for the Arts in Highland knows that every year, there always seems to be at least one hard-to-shop for, already-has-it-all person on the holiday shopping list.

But with the opening of the  last week, which features art for sale from local artists, traditional holiday shopping may have gotten just a little easier.

“I think a lot of people are coming back to the community," Executive Director of HVCA, Leah Ohmer said. "And this allows them to get a gift that they know for a fact that no one else is going to have under the tree.”

With artwork displayed or hung from decorated Christmas trees, Ohmer says that the novelty of the shopping experience at the Festival of Trees not only puts shoppers in the holiday spirit but makes it fun as well.

“We’ve done a holiday market in the past, but this is the third year of doing the Festival of Trees,” Ohmer said. “We’re trying to stick with a format and it’s been very, very popular. It really sets the tone for people to come in and shop off the trees. Its kind of fun."

Many of the nineteen artists who currently have their work for sale at the Festival of Trees also had displays at the  in White Lake in November, according to Ohmer, who says this is the public's second chance to come and buy their favorite piece of artwork that they may have missed before.

"Those things that people really loved at the Arts & Greens, but didn't get a chance to get, this is the place to get it," she said.

There are approximately 1000 gifts currently for sale in the market for under $50, according to Ohmer, with the most popular being jewelry, fiber work and tree ornaments.

The market will be open through Dec. 23 with shopping hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call Huron Valley Council for the Arts at 248-889-8660.