A bazaar is a marketplace or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The word derives from bāzār (Persian) but its use has now been accepted into the vernacular in countries around the world. In North America, bazaar is often used as a synonym for a 'rummage sale' or to describe charity fundraising events held by churches or other community organizations, in which donated used items are sold for low prices; alternatively, the goods may be new and handcrafted or home-baked, as at a church's Christmas bazaar.
When I was a kid, my mother would get us to work on whatever homemade novelty she was in charge of producing for the church bazaar. I'm not sure that my brother ever participated in festively decorating Cameo soaps for sale, but my sisters and I were mad keen on doing these sorts of things. November and early December are the months when most of the holiday bazaars take place in Ontario. They are great fun to attend, (there is often a tea involved), and there are lots of bargains to be found. Homemade jams, jellies, pickles and baked goods sell quickly. While hand-crocheted toilet paper covers seem to be a thing of the past, there are still lots of items that elicit fond memories at these jolly, volunteer-driven fundraisers.
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