The weekend after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. This year, forgo Black Friday and Cyber Monday and make it Local Saturday at area farmers tailgate markets.
Farmers and local crafters create innovative gifts and decorations to make your holidays magical. Decorate your favorite spaces with beautiful, festive, and local items from the market. Wreaths, trees, ornaments, and more can turn an everyday space into a winter wonderland. Some local vendors only have their wares for sale at holiday markets and you can discover treasures not found the rest of the year. Stay tuned this upcoming month to hear about edible and craft gift ideas.
Holiday markets aren’t only for gifts- there’s still plenty of fresh produce, food staples, and delectable, edible treats. Though your fridge may still be full from your feast, here’s some post-Thanksgiving food ideas:
Make new dishes with leftovers, such as turkey sandwiches with bread from Farm & Sparrow or Simple Bread. Pick-up easy-to-prepare items in light of likely cooking fatigue, including sausages that just need to be pan-fried, or salad greens that you can throw in a bowl with some dressing and call it a day!
Buncombe County Holiday markets:
Asheville City Market, 9am–noon, at Asheville Public Works Building, 161 South Charlotte Street
(regular location), every Saturday through December 19.
East Asheville Tailgate Market, 4pm-7pm, inside Groce Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road, Friday, December 4.
West Asheville Tailgate Market: Indoor Holiday Market, 2:30pm-6pm, at Mothlight at Mr Fred’s, 701 Haywood Road, Tuesdays through December 22.
North Asheville Tailgate Market, noon-3pm, at University Heights Blvd, UNC Asheville Campus (regular location), every Saturday through December 19.
For a complete list of Appalachian Grown™ certified tailgate markets browse our online Local Food Guide or the online farmers market calendar.