Friday, November 14th, 2008, the stars aligned for the annual Broad Ripple Holiday Preview Party. This year participating stores were marked with luminaries and large tin stars. Party patrons followed the stars and received a punch card to track their shopping stops. Punch card collectors have until December 5th to stop and shop at all 12 of the participating stores. A card drawing for a $500 gift basket will then take place at the Broad Ripple Lights Up! event on December 6th.

The "stars" of this show are Artifacts, Broad Ripple Knits, Ceramic Dreams, Chelsea's, Frankey's, gingko, Honeysuckle Home, Marigold Clothing, Monon Coffee Co., Periwinkle, The Bungalow, and Union Jack Pub.

This year my shopping list includes:

• Gourdaments (painted gourd ornaments), Artifacts.
• Coal stockings, Chelsea's.
• Nest-egg ornaments, the Bungalow.
• Be Good Elf Soap, Honeysuckle Home.
• Specialty Sock Monkeys, Marigold Clothing.
• Woven willow wares by local artist Greg Adams, gingko.
• Underwear ornaments, Frankey's.
• Recycled newspaper wallets, Marigold Clothing.
• Smudge Ink vintage tags and cards, Artifacts.
• Magic Reindeer Food for $1, a fund-raiser for the Indiana School for the Blind's Keever Garden Project, available at several shops.

Artist Greg Adams was a Holiday highlight at gingko with willow weaving demonstrations and creations. Black Bird Pies dished out just desserts at The Bungalow, offering Chocolate Oat, Chai Apple, and Peppery Sweet Potato samples. The Holiday happenings continue at the Broad Ripple Lights Up! event on December 6th, 2008.