Briarwood holding Christmas Shop fundraiser

Published 4:25 pm Monday, November 28, 2016

NORTH SHELBY – Mitzi Boyd and Angie Nunn visited the Briarwood Christmas Shop and enjoyed the tradition so much that they wanted to help make sure it continues.

The Christmas Shop, featuring more than 60 vendors, will be held Dec. 1-2 at the Briarwood Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.

Boyd and Nunn, the chairwoman, are part of a committee of five volunteers that are organizing the event.

“It’s been going on for over 20 years,” Boyd said about the Christmas Shop. “It started out at the Caroline House, a tiny little house on the Briarwood property, with four vendors. Now here we are with 83 tables and 66 vendors this year.”

Visitors will be able to shop for jewelry, artwork, ornaments, woodcraft, bags, rugs, jellies, Christian apparel, candles, spices and rubs, stationery and boutique dresses, among other items—“just about anything you can think of,” Nunn said.

There is no cost for admission.

The event was not held last year, but two years ago, more than 2,200 attendees came through on the first day of the Christmas Shop.

“We’re hoping to double that this year,” Boyd said.

The Christmas Shop is the sole annual fundraiser for Briarwood Christian School’s Parent-Teacher Fellowship.

Funds generated through the Christmas Shop have been used for various efforts, including helping teachers who have struggled with health issues and purchasing café tables for the school’s new Student Center.

Since admission is free, money for the Parent-Teacher Fellowship comes from vendor fees.

The Briarwood Christmas Shop will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2.

Briarwood Presbyterian Church is located at 2200 Briarwood Way in Birmingham.

Boyd said those who come to shop will be happy they did.

“The first time you go, you get hooked,” she said. “You can get a lot of shopping done, and it’s free admission.”