Some of us are January-to-December planners, and some of us are September-to-August planners. Whether September-to-December is the first third or the last third of your planning year, there’s plenty to plan before that January slump settles in.

While there’s lots to plan for at home — Thanksgiving dinners, Halloween costumes for the kids, spooky decor for the yard and then prepping for Christmas and winter holidays — there’s opportunity to go out and get busy. The Green Spot has already filled out their calendar with some fun for Westman families, starting with a Fall Makers Market on Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Autumn’s an in-between season for us — and you’ll have to excuse the plant analogy — but a lot of the plants we grow, we’re given the opportunity to slow down and then push forward with a whole lot more energy after we’re done with the busy season of May and planting,” said Katie Russett, social media and events co-ordinator at The Green Spot Home and Garden.

“It gives us a little bit of time to regroup as a team and really decide where we want to push forward on, and how we want to best support our community here in Westman.”

For those who like to buy local and support local talent, there will be about 30 vendors to choose from at the market.

“We have a range from woodworking to skin care to home decor, snacks, clothing, and a great assortment of local sellers, handmade products and just all-around amazing people to come and meet,” Russett said.

“One of my favourite things is getting the vendors in front of people that they wouldn’t normally see at their own market.”

Russett said a good handful of favourites will be out in force and some less familiar faces. Some returning vendors include Colour Me Fizzy and Barb’s Baking, Freezem (specializes in freeze-dried candy), Zoya’s Rake & Button. Green Spot’s own Foxtail Fudge will be there, Ez Meadows Fabworks and new-to-the-market Sunset Gourmet.

“We’ll have Babycow’s Crafts and Kre8tina, who both do crochet stuffies, always adorable. We have Designs by Sloan, who has all of her hand-drawn pictures — I highly suggest looking at her work, it’s amazing,” Russett said.

Lisa Erixon Writes, a local children’s author — she’s done two or three publications already — will be there as well.

Prior to and beyond the fall market, holiday planners can fill up their calendars with craft days, fashion shows and a wine party.

“We’re hosting our first ever French Dressing fit event on Sept. 18, where people can come into the fashion department to find the perfect pair of jeans. Because if you’ve ever gone jean shopping, you know how terrible it can be sometimes,” Russett said.

Two French Dressing reps will be on site to do professional fittings with double sales points on all clothing in the brand. Sylvia from Essentially Entwined will offer mini reflexology sessions the same day.

The catwalk will be in full swing on Oct. 3 with a fall and winter fashion show featuring brands Papas, Renuar, Tribal, French Dressing jeans and more. Tickets are on sale now.

Kids and their families are front and centre with a straw bale maze and Halloween fun starting Oct. 10.

“We’ll be running a Kids Crown Adventure workshop where they go and gather some amazing natural treasures and come back and make their own crown,” she said.

The Halloween Hop fundraiser will be jointly hosted with the Alternative Choice Garden Centre and Livingstone Outdoor starting Oct. 15.

“We’ll be donating to Habitat for Humanity again this year,” Russett said.

“We’re all supporting different Westman charities just like last year. So stop by, donate and get a punch card from any one of our locations. Fill it out, and you’ll be entered to win the grand prize draw from all three of us.”

Movie Night is in the works with BloomBox on Oct. 24 with a chance to vote for your cinematic favourite: will it be “Ghostbusters,” “The Goonies” or “The Addams Family?” To vote for your favourite, go to bloomboxonline.com/pages/movie-night by Oct. 1.

“We’re putting a projector in the greenhouse and the movie will start as soon as it’s dark,” Russett said.

Fashionistas get another shot with the Joseph Ribkoff Trunk Show on Oct. 29, with spring looks, winter sellers, best sellers across the world, evening and formal wear and resort wear.

November is full steam holiday planning, and Nov. 14 sees the return of the popular Wine Sale with De Nardi, who will have other comestibles such as gourmet chocolates and gourmet meal kits in tow.

“De Nardi brings their two sommeliers from Winnipeg. There’s a free tasting event for everyone,” she said.

Planning for some greenery? A small outdoor planter class and a large outdoor planter class will take place Nov. 26 and 28 respectively. Kids build a Grinch Tree on Dec. 5 and a small arrangement on Dec. 12. Adding to the fun starting Nov. 21 and ending Dec. 19, Santa will strike a pose with the kids with a visit and photos by Cynthia Korman Photography. Tune up your Christmas with Tubas on Dec. 5 and the Crocus Plains Choir on Dec. 12.

Finish your planning with those last minute gifts at the Winter Market on Dec. 19. Whew!

For more details, go to greenspotbrandon.ca for events and links to social media.

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