It's barely October, and believe it or not, holiday shopping has begun. Holiday boutiques and other shopping opportunities provide a bit of holiday cheer, opportunities for seasonal family fun, and a way for busy parents to scratch some names off their gift-giving lists. Here are a few best bets for holiday shopping events.

Chili Cook-Off and Craft Bonanza
Oct. 29, 2011
Typically, holiday boutiques and craft fairs are patterned after a simple model: lots of craft booths and a fundraiser bake sale. In Lebanon, Ill., however, event planners have something a bit spicier in mind. They've combined a chili cook-off with a craft bonanza. The hybrid event is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, in Horner Park, 11119 Widicus Road, Lebanon, Ill., 62254. Proceeds from the bake sale support the city's Winter Wonderland of Lights. For more information, visit the event website.

Francis Howell North Annual Holiday Craft Fair
Nov. 12, 2011
For the serious shoppers, the Francis Howell All-Knighter Parent Organization has a craft fair for you. With more than 135 booths in the school's two gyms, shoppers will find handmade crafts, photography, jewelry, a huge bake sale and other vendor products. Last year more than 2,000 people attended the event, which is now in its third year and continues to grow. The holiday craft fair is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Francis Howell North High School, 2549 Hackman Road, St. Charles, Mo., 63376. For more information, email organizer Yvette Pilkington at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Holiday Expo: Craft and Gift Show
Nov. 18-20, 2011
A three-day event from Nov. 18-20, the Holiday Expo at St. Charles Convention Center features handmade, unique items and gifts you can't find in stores. Vendors will sell fall and Christmas crafts, gift items, baby items, holiday decor, jewelry and more. As an added perk, the expo has live entertainment and giveaways. The Holiday Expo is open Friday, Nov. 18, from 2-7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. St. Charles Convention Center is located at 1 Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, Mo., 63303. For more information, email organizer Jane Chema at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Rotary Club Fall Arts and Crafts Fair
Nov. 19-20, 2011
Shop for a cause during the Rotary Club Fall Arts and Crafts Fair Nov. 19-20 at Lindbergh High School. The huge fair boasts more than 450 local and national artisan booths where shoppers will find ceramics, furniture, porcelain, glass pieces, paintings, jewelry, paper items, gift baskets, crochet and knitted items, bath and soap products, wooden items, sculptures, dried flower arrangements, and fabric creations. Admission is free, and the event benefits community projects organized by Crestwood-Sunset Hills Rotary Club and global efforts sponsored by Rotary International. The fair is open Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lindbergh High School is located at 4900 S. Lindbergh, St. Louis, Mo., 63126. For more information, visit www.rotaryfair.com/.

Holiday Spirit Craft Show
Nov. 19-20, 2011
In its 26th year, the Parkway South Band Boosters Holiday Spirit Craft Show is a West St. Louis County tradition. The event is Nov. 19-20 and features more than 200 booths with hand-crafted items and food concessions. The show is open Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The craft show is held at Parkway South High School, 801 Hanna Road, Manchester, Mo., 63021. For more information, visit the website.

29th Candlelight Christmas Walk
Dec. 2, 2011, and Dec. 9, 2011
Augusta's Candlelight Christmas Walk is as much about charm as it is about shopping. The historic town promises all the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Christmas. Augusta's shops and galleries will be selling holiday gifts, including hand-blown glass, paintings and jewelry, and visitors can also enjoy a bonfire, horse-drawn carriage rides, trolley rides and freshly-roasted chestnuts. The Christmas Walk is 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, and Friday, Dec. 9. Augusta is located just off Highway 94 in St. Charles County. For more information, visit www.augusta-missouri.com.

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