Chelsea Freecycle and the Community Elves Project

The Community Elves Project is well underway again this year. This project began three years ago as a spin off of our local freecycling group, Chelsea Recycle, and has since taken on a life of it's own. This grassroots effort is organized by friends and neighbors in Washtenaw and Jackson Counties who want to help other families during the holidays.

Here is a message with more details from santa_freecycles@yahoo.com

-----------------------
Ho! Ho! Ho!

The Community Elves (formerly Santa Freecycles project) are seeking items to ensure that all children in Washtenaw county will have something to unwrap this coming Christmas morning. List below. *Anyone* in need may request assistance and elves will be delivering clean, wrapped gently used or better toys by Christmas eve. No income guidelines.

We have donation drop boxes located in Chelsea and Ann Arbor:

• CHELSEA: Scrapbook Memories store at 1101 S. Main has a donation boxinside their *new* location which is at the intersection of Main andOld US 12. Stop by anytime during business hours.
• ANN ARBOR: Drop box is inside the Residence Inn by Marriott (800Victors Way) in Ann Arbor which is across the street from Briarwood Mall. Open 24/7.
• We also have elves who have offered their homes as drop sites or are willing to do pickups in Chelsea, Dexter, and Saline. Just let us know you have items to donate and we can make arrangements for pick up or drop off.
  

SUGGESTED ITEMS

• TOYS - gently used or better for infants to teenagers
• ITEMS FOR TEENS- gently used CD's, DVD's, jewelry, electronics,makeup, and anything else a teen might be interested in.
• STUFFED ANIMALS (from non-smoking homes only please)
• BOOKS or COLORING BOOKS- infants to teens (not written in)
• BATTERIES - even partially used!
• COFFEE MUGS & TEA CUPS
• PACKETS OF TEA, HOT CHOCOLATE, OR COFFEE (maybe you bought a brand you didn't like?)
• CANDY CANES!!!
• MISC FOOD- Boxed or canned goods or more (cleaning the pantry?)
• WRAPPING PAPER, GIFT BAGS, TISSUE PAPER, TAPE, BOWS (scraps and end pieces ok)
  

Thank you from Santa and the elves!

-------------------
Editor's Note - this is no way should deter from the wonderful work done by our local charitable organizations such as Faith In Action. The Santa Freecycles group was started as a supplement to these programs with a focus on families who would not otherwise ask for or be eligible to receive assistance.

Chelsea Hometown Holidays ... and more!

Many people have already bought and wrapped their presents, hung their stockings with care, and are fully into the holiday spirit. Me, I tend to be the one who is desperately checking local stores to see how late they are open on Christmas Eve because I'm just not quite done.....

This is one of the many reasons why I love Chelsea's annual Hometown Holidays celebration, which is going on this weekend. It is a big celebratory announcement with lights and bells (literally) that gets me fully into the holiday spirit in the first week of December. A full 2 weeks before I'd do so otherwise.

Tonight is the official tree lighting at Pierce Park, a visit from Santa at the Chelsea Depot, free concert, cookie decorating and much more. Saturday and Sunday are full of so many activities and events that I can't list them all here. Check out the full itinerary on the Chelsea Festivals Hometown Holidays website. Here are a couple suggestions for those who love art and hand-made gifts:

• TWO Holiday Art Shows - (1) All the Trimmings Art Show is held at the Fairgrounds and (2) Darwin's Glass Studio Open House is at the Depot - both from 10 til 4 on Saturday. If you are looking for unique gifts, check out the work from some of our highly talented and creative people in our area.
  
• Make your own gifts - If you or the kids like to give handcrafted gifts to loved ones, visit the Chelsea Center for the Arts from 1-4 on Saturday. All the supplies and work space will be provided, and you can make and take creative gifts or decorations for $5 each.
  

This is a great time to either get started or finish up with the your holiday shopping, too. Just about all of our local merchants are in the holiday spirit, offering excellent sales and many are having events, music and activities, too. These are all outlined on the Hometown Holidays website. Off the top of my head, here are some suggestions:

• The Garden Mill - for your fresh holiday greenery, in addition to the fun and high quality gifts.
• Pierce's Pastries - order your baked goods for the next holiday party and it saves you from having to do "one more thing" in an already busy week. Or stop by and relax!
  
• The Chelsea Market - holiday gift baskets with your choice of items. I sent an all Michigan basket to the in-laws last year and it was a huge hit.

Check out more local stores by searching for in the Chelsea Directory - Retail / Shopping category. Also visit our Shop Local page for WHY shopping local is a better deal than shopping big box stores.

Shop Local AND Online
But if you're too cold or tired to leave the comfort of your own home this weekend, you can shop local AND online at:

• Vogels and Fosters - Great gifts both big and small, including everything from suede coats to mittens to funky umbrellas. They are having some great sales, and will also gift wrap and ship for you. If you forgot what customer service is *supposed* to be like, visit V&F.
  
• Cranesbill Books and Toys - Offering 25% off ALL inventory through the end of the year. Visit the store for some fun shopping, or shop online. One great thing about shopping local is that if you don't see something you want on line, just call the store and they can help you out that way.

More suggestions? Where are you favorite places to shop for the holidays?