The weekend
You could go through the madness of 4 a.m. sales, land run-style shopping and zealot bargain hunters that has become the practice of Black Friday, or you could avoid the resulting migraine by turning holiday gift shopping into something enjoyable and with considerably less stress. Not only do a few events get ahead of the rush, they make shopping downright fun, which is the point of the season.
An Affair of the Heart returns to Expo Square’s River Spirit Expo, 4145 E. 21st St., Tulsa. Tickets are $7 per person for all three days – Friday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 24 – except for children 12 and under, admitted free. Antiques, candles, jewelry, quilts, toys and a variety of original items await under one roof (www.heartoftulsa.com).
Downtown Claremore opens its doors for the holidays with Dickens on the Boulevard, Friday, Nov. 22-Saturday, Nov. 23. Downtown merchants keep later hours for this two-day celebration complete with a Victorian street party, Old West fun and carolers in period costume (www.downtownclaremore.org).
Want more handmade treasure? The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges holds its annual arts and crafts sales event this weekend, too. Center Holiday Mart will be Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Center, 815 S. Utica Ave., Tulsa, featuring art work and special works by the center’s clients (www.tulsacenter.org).
Finally, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma holds something truly precious with its 5th Annual Holiday Pearl Sale featuring a large selection of Fox Lane Pearls genuine cultured pearl jewelry in a variety of styles and a broad range of prices starting as low as $10. Thirty percent of purchases is tax deductible and supports Girl Scouts programs. The sale is free to attend at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 1976 E. 21st St., in Utica Square (www.gseok.org).
