Almost as soon as Lake Oconee Community Church shut the doors of its successful, not-for-profit 2009 Holiday House and distributed the proceeds to various local charities to support needy families, the women of LOCC began making plans for how to make 2010 an even bigger success. The primary focus was on the unique handmade Santas, wreaths, table centerpieces, garlands and other ornaments that had proved so popular to Greene and Putnam County residents who bought the wide variety of Christmas decorations at last year’s store.

This year’s effort began in January, only a few weeks after last year’s store closed. Gathering in homes in and around Reynolds Plantation, the women of LOCC determined what had sold the best and what was in high demand even after last year’s shelves ran bare. Last year’s store included a smaller number of uniquely designed, handcrafted items than what was envisioned for this year’s Holiday House, but they were the hit of the party. Store patrons lined up to buy the limited number of custom-designed and handmade decorations. Efforts were made to make more but time was limited since the Holiday House is only open during November.

A core group of eight LOCC women worked diligently from January through August to design and fabricate this year’s inventory of handmade items. The work has been substantially completed and the decision now is how best to sell these exquisitely beautiful decorations to generate the maximum proceeds for donation to local charities. Word is that a charity auction may be in the works.

“The unique items created by our LOCC volunteers are truly gorgeous. I went to a Christmas market recently and didn’t see anything that compared with the one-of-a-kind designs and craft work of our handmade decorations,” said Linda Welde-Fossier, director of the 2010 LOCC Holiday House.

LOCC plans to make a final announcement of the details for the Handcrafted Santas — Live Auction within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.

LOCC’s Holiday House is a non-profit Christmas store selling made-from-scratch, refurbished, and new holiday decorations and gifts of all types — decorated trees, ornaments, wreaths, Santas, angels, table decorations, garlands … anything Christmas!

Operated by Lake Oconee Community Church, all proceeds from the 2010 Holiday House will go to support needy families through various local charities. LOCC’s 2009 Holiday House raised more than $6,500 for needy families in both Greene and Putnam counties.

Through the end of October, people may donate new or no longer used Christmas items at the Lake Oconee Welcome Center located at 5820 Lake Oconee Parkway next to Boats With Gusto on the east side of Lake Oconee Parkway (Highway 44). Items can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.