The Thread: The Best Buy At Christkindlmarkt, Franklin Winter Market, And More
The Butler beer stein for sale at the 2021 Carmel Christkindlmarkt.Photo courtesy Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Among the authentic German crafts at Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt (10 Carter Green, Carmel), everyone is pretty excited about the Butler Bulldogs beer stein, going for $100 to $200, depending on the size.
The Indiana Author Fair (Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St.) on Saturday afternoon, December 4, is a great chance to pick up an autographed copy of a new Hoosier-penned book for a gift. Al Unser, Jr. will be there promoting his new one, A Checkered Past, from noon until 2 p.m. While you’re at it, check out the Festival of Trees, featuring 75 elaborately and creatively decorated themed trees.
Walter Knabe’s 2021 holiday tea towelPhoto courtesy Walter Knabe
Hot off the screen printer: Walter Knabe’s 2021 holiday napkins. They’re $45 for a set of four and available at the renowned artist’s studio shop (1134 E. 54th St.).
Come on, snow and slush, we want to wear the Moonstar “Alweather” sneaker, a marriage between a canvas high-top and a rubber boot. James Dant (5624 E. Washington St., appointment only and online) has them for $230.
Cork tote bag by Indy maker Now Boarding.Photo courtesy Now Boarding
Saturday’s best holiday markets: The Beauty Boost (Bash event Center, 1235 Keystone Way South, Carmel), from noon to 3 p.m., will have cool locally made products among its 19 vendors, including the exceptional cork purses and bags from Now Boarding and “dad caps” with IND on a patch of material made from a decommissioned firehouse. You can also find out what body mapping is about with a sample reading from Color Street and get a free hand massage from Joiya. Hum along to the live Christmas music, too. Peppermint Nights (St. Joseph Brewery, 540 N. College Ave.) brings together local makers from noon to 6 p.m. The Franklin Winter Market (North Main Street) from 2 to 8 p.m. leads up to the courthouse lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. As one of the best-decorated small towns around, it will give you all the holiday feels. There are plenty of shops to browse, too.
You might have seen the news that Hustler Hollywood won a five-year legal fight against the city of Indianapolis to open a store in Castleton on Thursday, December 9. We Googled the NSFW selection so you don’t have to compromise your search history. It sells adult toys, Santa lingerie, everything you did and didn’t see in Fifty Shades of Gray, and erotic board games.
