A sign welcoming people to the market can be seen here during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska, on Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

A sign welcoming people to the market can be seen here during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska, on Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

A little bit of Christmas

Shoppers got to browse the wares of over a dozen local artists and craftspeople during the inaugural Merry Little Christmas Market

On Friday and Saturday at the Peninsula Center Mall, shoppers got to browse the wares of over a dozen local artists and craftspeople during the inaugural Merry Little Christmas Market hosted by Holly Design Co.

Tiffany Holly, owner of the design company, said she wanted to give the community a way to support local businesses when so many public events have been canceled due to the ongoing pandemic. Holly said that about 200 people shopped on Friday and about 50 more had already come to the mall by noon on Saturday.

“Everyone has just thanked us for bringing joy to the town,” Holly said on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

There was also a gift giveaway facilitated by Holly, where people could visit each of the booths and have each business owner sign a card that was given out at the mall’s entrance. Once the cards were filled out by each business owner, shoppers dropped them off with Holly and were entered to win a series of gift cards and prizes from the participating businesses.

Remmy Rutledge, center, and her mom Breanna Rutledge, right, of Sterling, check out Remmy’s new ornament purchased from Kenai Kombucha owner Devon Gonzales, left, during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska, on Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Remmy Rutledge, center, and her mom Breanna Rutledge, right, of Sterling, check out Remmy’s new ornament purchased from Kenai Kombucha owner Devon Gonzales, left, during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska, on Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Laura Black, owner of Fireweed Bakery, sells some of her wares during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska on Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Remmy Rutledge, center, and her mom Breanna Rutledge, right, of Sterling, check out Remmy’s new ornament purchased from Kenai Kombucha owner Devon Gonzales, left, during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska, on Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Mike Morgan, left, serenades Joshua and Violet Veldstra, right, with a rendition of “Baby Beluga” during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska, on Nov. 7, 2020 (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Mike Morgan, left, serenades Joshua and Violet Veldstra, right, with a rendition of “Baby Beluga” during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska, on Nov. 7, 2020 (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Dharmic Spruce owner Branden Elde, left, of Homer, shows off her wares to Amy Frapp, right, of Soldotna, during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska on Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Mike Morgan, left, serenades Joshua and Violet Veldstra, right, with a rendition of “Baby Beluga” during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska, on Nov. 7, 2020 (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Former KPBSD Finance Director Liz Hayes speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School district finance department earns national awards

The two awards are based on comprehensive reviews of the district’s budget and financial reporting.

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Updated: Refuge ends search efforts for missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

The Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team conducts a training mission in Seward, Alaska in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team
Anchor Point fundraiser to benefit Alaska rescue and recovery group

Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization established in 2016.

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic staff (left to right) Angie Holland, RN; Jane Rohr, Sonja Martin Young, CNM; Robin Holmes, MD; and Cherie Bole, CMA provide an array of reproductive and sexual health services. (Photo provided by KBFPC)
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic releases report on STI trends on the Kenai Peninsula

The report pulls from data gathered from 2024 to early 2025.

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Most Read