Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  Black Friday came and went. Black Friday Weekend arrived and ended. Cyber Monday flashed briefly and then disappeared into a cloud.

Now, on December 1, 2016, there are 24 more days until Christmas. That's not to include sending gifts or ordering on line. This weekend will be filled with holiday programs and local crafts sales in both Nederland and Central City, sales that artists and craftspeople have been preparing for since last year.

The Tommyknockers tree lighting and pot luck, a Central City tradition, takes place on Friday night and the Nederland Town Christmas tree will be lit on Friday night, accompanied by the singing of carols and mugs of hot chocolate or cider.

Lights everywhere. Twinkling bits of brightness decorating businesses, homes, bridges and streets, chasing away the shadows of the darkest month of the year.

Last weekend, residents who didn't buy into the shopping hoopla of the city enjoyed a couple of sunny days walking the downtown area of Nederland. The Nedestrians crossed the highway in clusters of families, grandparents holding their grandchildren's hands as they crossed.

Many of the families came from out of town, or out of state, visiting relatives in the flatlands who wanted them to experience the peaceful mountain atmosphere, the Hallmark setting of a small town. Relatives of Ned residents arrived eager for a weekend of shopping that didn't involve anxiety or lines. The weather cooperated until Sunday afternoon when gusty winds blew in dark clouds and horizontal snow.

In the next few weeks we will visit these shops, see what intriguing items are available and enjoy the privilege of being warmly greeted by employees.

Oh, what fun it is to shop in a mountain town.

John and Sasha Thompson, of the Mountain Man store, said they were amused by the numerous people who came in the store in groups and watched each other pick up items, admiring them. Later, one of them would come back to purchase the item, secretly, to add to the gift list.

Like the LUCI Inflatable Solar Light, for about $20. It compacts into a small package and then inflates into a small lantern that can charge in seven hours and light for 12 hours, driven by the sun.

"We strive for providing the basic necessities while exploring the unusual," says John, as he pulls on a black Loki sweatshirt that has a hood that includes a face mask and sleeves that include gloves. He chuckles as he says, "This is what we get when we legalize marijuana."

Sasha says the Zip and Flip bears are rolling off the shelves. The soft, cuddly animal transforms into a comfortable head rest, great for traveling.

For the knife collector in the family, John says Derik Stevens' hand fashioned knives created from railroad spikes are absolutely one of a kind items for the hard to please gift recipient. Stevens was featured on the National Geographic Live Free or Die Mountain Man series last year.

Also in the shopping center, Dam Liquors has been serving up holiday beers, wines and liquor for decades and owner Scott Havnes orders gift boxes and specialty bottles for the holiday season.

He says, "Our expensive liquors are more popular this time of year. When someone gets invited to a dinner or a holiday party, bringing a nice bottle of wine or a liquor is the respectful thing to do."

Dam Liquor also has a large variety of local craft beers, always a welcome addition to a football game.

Brightwood Music has found a home in the shopping center and they are working hard to make sure that all Nederland and Gilpin County students have the affordable instruments they need to begin their musical careers.

Owner Doug Armitage says that people are interested in the bass this season and he has ordered special bass uprights and bass guitars along with high quality beginning guitars, under $100. The store also features handmade custom instruments by local luthiers George Dunham and Alan Dunwell.

NES student Jacob O'Grady, 10, has been taking violin lessons for a year and the gift of music will last many more years than a spur of the moment toy. He particularly likes the horse head violins that Brightwood features.

Jacquelyn O'Brien, of Gilpin County, and her mom Karen Maes, of Big Sandy, Montana, wanted to share a mother/daughter day of shopping for fun clothes, of choosing a whole new outfit, tops, pants, boots, the whole works. They chose The Shop for their excursion. Trying on different styles, setting up poses in front of the full-length mirror, they laughed and teased each as other as they sought "the look" they were after.

They came to Nederland to have some fun and were drawn in by the 20 percent sale sign. "We found the best deals for a whole new outfit," they agreed.

Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center was the focus of Renee Chalfant's shopping for grandchildren. From Black Hawk, Renee said she came to Nederland to honor the Small Business Saturday theme and because she wanted to purchase more nature oriented gifts.

"I have a seven-year old grandchild who absolutely loves and is enchanted by hummingbirds," she said, as she added a hummingbird book to her pile of gifts.

In the same bird category, she grabbed Bird-O-Poly, a board game she has scheduled for Christmas Eve entertainment. She also found fuzzy, furry feathery stuff to add to her pile of nature items for her new grand baby to touch.

As Renee was leaving Wild Bear, a large group of people wandered in, obviously a few generations combined.

The Skidmore and Drivers families, one from Council Bluff, Iowa and one from Erie, decided to spend the day in Nederland and oohed and aahed over the cool things they found at Wild Bear. "Oh, look at this," said the mom of the baby, "We can make our own gummies. This is so much fun." Her dad, grandfather to four girls, said he wanted to retire in Nederland. "I love this town."

On the edge of town, in the Kathmandu Plaza, a little-known treasure trove, the Nepal Gift Shop, isn't always open, but visitors can gain access in a flash by stopping at the Kathmandu Restaurant, which can serve two purposes: you can get a hot chai and lunch before shopping and you have a private viewing of exquisite gifts all made in Nepal. Not only are the silk scarves, jackets, hats, tunics and pants spectacular in color, design and individuality, the sales benefit the people who made them in Nepal, where owner Resham Gurung is from.

During the holiday season, all items are 25 percent off, which is a great deal as the prices are already incredibly reasonable.

The Nepal jackets are created for warmth and style and will have people stopping you in the street and asking where you found such an excellent choice. Add a colorful bag to the outfit and it's all you need for an outstanding cozy and gorgeous walk down the street.

Resham opened the restaurant and gift shop seven years ago, and said every sale benefits the people who made the gifts.

Also in the Kathmandu Plaza, Resham's husband Loc Malla and Karen Fletcher are partners in the Peak Wine and Spirits, where employees are preparing for the holiday liquor sales. It is a time for celebration and sharing good times with families and friends and you can find the dinner accessories and party drinks of your choice.

A shelf of "Nedhead Favorites," has been created for locals and all points for those sales are donated to Nederland Elementary School. Monkey Bay, Grateful Dead and Steal Your Face are a few of the selections of wines.

If wide-eyed Beanie Babies, too adorable to pass by, are on your list, the Business Connection is the place to find them. Along with all the shipping needs, wrapping paper, glues, tapes and stickers, the shop has a selection of cards and supplies to make your own cards, always a grandparent special.

There are two Eyenormous Plush Muffin dogs that beg for a hug and also, you have the opportunity to make your own personal photograph calendars, which will always be the right year.

Ace Hardware has it all. Actually, they may not have baked goods, but they do have free popcorn. They also have Christmas trees and every kind of tree need; decorations for the house and just about every kind of light available, including beams that bomb a house with dancing lights, called the Kaleidoscopic Laser Landscape.

Ace has a large supply of Santa hats and stockings, including red stockings large enough to hold a child, but probably not strong enough to dangle them from a mantel.

Toys of all kinds, including a super drone; an indoor turkey fryer; tools and everything you need to get the house ready for guests.

The holiday shops in the area are joyous and just taking a walk down the streets dressed in holiday clothes is enough to get into the spirit of the season.