Over the weekend I had two very different kinds of shopping experiences. Yesterday I took a deep breath and went to the mall, lured by sales. The day before I visited a local crafts fair and my favorite used bookstore —- both located at Reston’s Lake Anne.

There, I met and chatted with the artisans who made the bowls and plates, who wove the textiles, who published the children’s books. There I chatted, laughed and snapped pictures as holiday-makers awaited Santa’s arrival by paddle boat. (I missed Santa but caught the Grinch, who was causing a ruckus in the crowd above.)

I’m not a big shopper, but I have many presents to buy. This year, I’m trying to make the process as much fun as possible. Shopping local helps.