Kick off your holiday season on Saturday, December 9th at the the biggest and longest-running bazaar in Paris. For over 45 years, AAWE (Association of American Women in Europe) has organized this popular community event that is open to all.
In past editions, the AAWE Holiday Bazaar (also known as the Winter Festival) was a mind-blowing holiday fair with second-hand items spread across three floors of the American Church, which is located along the Seine River in the 7th arrondissement.
Due to the pandemic, AAWE had to evolve like many associations and the Holiday Bazaar was reinvented as the Mini Winter Festival at the American Center for Art and Culture, and although scaled down, was by all accounts a great success in bringing back a beloved community tradition.
This year, the Holiday Bazaar returns to the American Church on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 12pm to 6pm for a festive blend of time-honored traditions with some fresh takes. You can come and shop pre-loved boutique items and accessories, handmade creations from Handicrafters, as well as unique products from women-owned businesses, all while enjoying champagne and the famous treats of their Baked Goods Stand.
Women-Owned Businesses as Vendors
In addition to the rows of racks and tables filled with gently-used designer and boutique clothing and accessories, this year’s Holiday Bazaar welcomes women-owned businesses.
“It seems very much in the spirit of a bazaar organized by women to celebrate women entrepreneurs and welcome them as vendors to showcase their creativity, services and unique products to our community.” -Evelyn Isaia, AAWE member and chair of this year’s Holiday Bazaar.
Plum & Fleur: Curated gifts for everyone. Perfect products for holiday shopping. stocking stuffers, host/hostess gifts and more. Plum & Fleur is also launching a new line of accessories, including scarves, cosmetic bags, backpacks, travel bags, jewelry and a few surprises.
Madame de la Maison: Ajiri Aki created Madame de la Maison, an online boutique for stylish antiques and linens for tables that impress, create memorable moments, and bring a sense of joy. Madame de la Maison also offers partnerships, custom travel experiences, and sourcing. Ajiri is the author of Joie: A Parisian Guide to Celebrating The Good Life (2023) and was recently featured in a New York Times article “Putting Black Design in a Spotlight.”
Vaness M: Vanessa Muller created Vaness M, the Parisian Fashion Club offering a different way of shopping in a relaxed, warm and intimate space dedicated to new fashion trends, young designers unearthed from the four corners of the world, unique pieces, capsule collections and accessories.
Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore (INSPIRELLE Business Partner): The Red Wheelbarrow has two independent bookstores on the Left Bank of Paris, one dedicated to bilingual children’s books. The wide-ranging selection is curated by owner Penelope Fletcher, a Canadian-born bookseller, and her team.
Agence 38 Degres Nord: Anne-Laure Soudet created 38 Degrés Nord, an interior architecture and decoration agency for individuals and professionals.
Jane Mobille Professional Certified Coach (INSPIRELLE Business Partner): Jane Mobille, PCC, accompanies her coachees toward a life lived at the intersection of where their passion, vision, strength, and experience meet, and where fulfillment and impact are optimized.
It’s hard to resist the original handicrafts on display, especially when you learn who’s made them. There’s a dedicated group of women who meet almost every week throughout the year to lovingly hand-make Christmas cards, decorations, shoe bags, tea cozies, placemats, hand-painted stemware and more.
Throughout lunchtime, the Baked Goods Stand will serve a scrumptious selection of home-baked American treats—all lovingly made in AAWE volunteers’ kitchens. So, if you’re craving traditional carrot cake, brownies, pecan pies, peanut butter cookies, or even sandwiches, this is the place to be!
A Community Affair That Gives Back
This is a community gathering open to the public (RSVP required below). People come from every neighborhood in Paris. If you have never attended this community AAWE event organized by American women, you’re in for a festive and pleasant surprise. Not only can you pick up early holiday presents, you’ll also be contributing to the circular economy and supporting AAWE’s mission and programs. It’s impossible to walk out empty-handed!
Proceeds from the Holiday Bazaar support the mission and programs of AAWE, an association that also donates to charities with an emphasis on women’s and children’s causes at a local, national, and international level. Over the years, AAWE has raised more than 100 000 euros for French and global charities supporting women and children. And, when the Holiday Bazaar is over, all of the remaining unsold clothing and accessories will be donated to Les Mamans de Paris Pour l’Ukraine for redistribution to Ukrainian refugee women and children in Paris.
So, when you buy something at the bazaar you’re not only contributing to the circular economy and supporting women-owned businesses, but also to a greater good. Now isn’t that a wonderful way to start getting into the holiday spirit?
When: December 9, 2023, 12 pm to 6 pm
Where: American Church of Paris 65 quai d’Orsay, 75007 Paris
RSVP for the Holiday Bazaar at https://aawe.wildapricot.org/
'TIS THE GIVING SEASON AT THE AAWE HOLIDAY BAZAAR - DONATIONS STILL NEEDED!
Support the zero-waste economy!
Have some gently-used clothing and accessories that you’d like to freecycle?
AAWE is accepting donations of like-new condition stylish women’s clothes, fancy women’s dresses, blouses, shoes and boots, and accessories.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
