Start your holiday shopping early by heading to the Olde Salem Bazaar. The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the rear building of the Historic Salem United Church of Christ, 324 Walnut St., Columbia.

"We'll have lots of crafts and handmade items for sale," said Hilary Smith, who noted that the church has held the bazaar for at least 25 years. "Some of us in the church make the crafts, including wreaths for all occasions and Christmas wreaths." Church members will also be selling "dustpan crafts," which are floral displays created on a small dustpan.

"We also have outside vendors," Smith noted, adding that fall and Christmas items will be featured. "We have someone who does poured paint projects, and we have a vendor who sells wood items, including some live edge wood." Additional vendors include a Mary Kay representative and sellers of handsewn and quilted crafts.

Baked goods will be for sale by the church members, along with cake pops and a variety of homemade soups.

"We'll have at least three kinds of soup, including chicken corn and sausage minestrone, and we'll also have chili," Smith remarked. "We'll have hot dogs and sauerkraut and pretzel sandwiches as well." While past bazaars have featured indoor dining, this year, all food will be available to go only.

Giveaway baskets will also be featured at the bazaar, with items including gift certificates to local attractions and restaurants, including Smith's Hotel, Black Olive Family Diner, Rocky's BBQ and Hinkle's Restaurant. New this year, people will be able to purchase tickets for the giveaway online, so if they are unable to attend the bazaar, they can still enter for a chance to win. "You can go online and see all of the baskets and decide which ones you want to try for," Smith explained. "Then, if you win, we'll arrange a time for pickup." Several local organizations and businesses donated items or provided financial support for the bazaar, including the Turkey Hill Experience, Foresters of America and Musser Supply.

Proceeds from the bazaar are used to benefit church projects and missions, Smith explained, noting that the church marks its 218th anniversary this year. "For this bazaar, the bulk of the money we raise will go toward upkeep of our educational building," she noted. Several community groups use the building throughout the year, including Fresh Express, which distributes free food from the site during the winter months.

"Our bazaar always has a lot of unique items to see, and you can pick up some really great homemade baked goods and soup," Smith said. "It's a fun way to spend a Saturday."

To view the baskets, visit http://www.historicsalemucc.org and click on the tab for the bazaar. To purchase tickets by midnight on Friday, Nov. 5, click on the "give today" button and select the dollar amount you wish to donate. Then, email the church at salemucc.columbia@gmail.com with your item numbers, your name and your phone number. For more information, call the church at 717-684-6498.