CAPE MAY — ’Tis the season for holiday events at the Nature Center of Cape May. Visitors and residents alike can join in the fun at two festive events to get in the spirit.
The Nature Center, at 1600 Delaware Ave., has holiday wreath-making workshops Dec. 4-7. The workshops require tickets, which can be purchased on the Nature Center’s website via Eventbrite.
“We have multiple wreath-making sessions, which are hands-on and two hours long,” Nature Center Director Emily Reed said. “There are lots of wreath-making workshops that happen around town, but I like to think ours are a little more affordable.”
The Nature Center provides all of the materials needed to put wreaths together, including fresh-cut greens, embellishments, ribbons, glittery pinecones and sometimes dried orange slices. All tools are provided as well.
“We try to practice sustainable methods in our workshops, so if people have any type of evergreen tree on their property — cedar, holly, pine — they want pruned for free, we use those cuttings in our workshops,” Reed said. “It’s a nice community partnership.”
The wreaths are long-lasting, too. Reed added that the ones she has made in previous workshops have lasted through February.
“Every single [wreath] is unique,” Reed said. “You don’t need a crafty bone in your body — the materials speak for themselves and really create a beautiful product to take home to hang on your door or gift to someone else.”
Reed added that the workshops are always fun and include Christmas music and holiday cookies. She said some folks attend along while others bring friends and family along.
Artists Holiday Marketplace
The same weekend, the center hosts the Artists Holiday Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The market has something for everyone, featuring 19 local artists and authors.
“That weekend is the West Cape May Christmas Parade, so there are usually a lot of people in town,” Reed said. “[The marketplace] is a really lovely way to get some holiday shopping done while supporting local artists and authors.”
The Nature Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Monday, as well as during the marketplace event and through the holidays. The event is rain or shine and, weather permitting, there will be s’mores around the campfire.
“Most of the artists have some tie to our mission or sustainable practices in the way they make their art, like upcycled materials,” Reed said, noting that items include “nature-based art, photography, sea glass jewelry, fiber arts, sculptures made with driftwood, pottery, children’s books … .”
The artists and authors who participate in the marketplace event donate items to the Nature Center to auction off during its big fundraiser over the summer.
Reed said it is a nice way for the vendors to give back to the non-profit.
“Folks are always welcome to visit the Nature Center, the gift shop, the animals, and see our educational displays,” Reed said.
It is not too early to start thinking about the Nature Center summer camps, as registration opens Dec. 5 and enrollment makes for a nice gift.
“Our popular camps do sell out,” she said. “It seems a long way away, but it’s important to register early.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
