Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28, so it’s time to shop small, shop local.

Nick’s Lakehouse Restaurant in Lake Harmony is hosting its eighth annual Christmas shopping event from noon to 4 p.m. in the large dining hall on Small Business Saturday.

“It kind of kicks off the season,” said restaurant co-owner Cyndi Pantages.

In addition to giving small cottage businesses a place to showcase their goods, the event also raises money for a local nonprofit organization. This year, the event is raising money for St. Peter the Fisherman Food Bank.

Each of the 14 vendors and the restaurant will have a gift basket or item available for the tricky tray fundraiser.

As far as wares, each vendor is selling something different from the other, Pantages said.

“I try not to have doubles,” she said.

The vendors include recognizable names such as Tastefully Simple and Mary Kay Cosmetics and lesser-known names such as Honey Bead Designs and Above the Bar Soapiary and Gifts.

Pantages said Melodies Munchies does homemade dog treats. Anne Martino makes glass flowers for grave sites. There is also Robins Nest that makes Christmas crafts and wreaths, Pink Zebra that sells scented wax for warmers, and Crandalls Creations makes rustic décor and paintings.

“She’s a fantastic painter,” Pantages said about Crandall.

Patrons must wear masks, and the hall has to stay at 50% capacity, but Pantages said she will be keeping track.

There is no admission cost, and most vendors take cash or credit.

The restaurant is located at 20 S. Lake Drive.

Not too far away in Jim Thorpe, Jordan Cummins, the manager of Jingle Bells Christmas Shoppe, said the store is offering 10% off on Small Business Saturday.

Her store sells German handblown glass ornaments, German smokers and authentic German cuckoo clocks, as well as a variety of other handmade wares by local artisans.

“We try to stick with items you wouldn’t find in your big box stores,” she said.

The store has several items for sale online, but even more in the shop.

“Our inventory is changing so often,” she said. New items arrive daily.

Jingle Bells Christmas Shoppe is at 12 Race St., Jim Thorpe, and online at www.jinglebellschristmasshoppe.com.

Up the street to Lehighton, Jennifer Solt-Cerato, owner of Jenny’s Sweets and More, said she has more than 800 types of candy in her store. She said there really isn’t a top seller or fan favorite.

“There’s not one particular type of candy, when you have such a huge variety,” she said.

Instead, there really is something for anyone, from those who love gummies to those who crave chocolate.

She has homemade chocolates and fudge, novelty candies, clear-toy candies, penny candies, as well as unique gift baskets and Catawissa Bottling Co. sodas made in Catawissa.

This time of the year, she is most busy with gift basket orders. Orders can be placed online and are ready for pickup in 24 to 48 hours, she said.

She has a few design options but mainly does special orders, which makes each one unique.

Jenny’s Sweets and More is at 114 S. First St., Lehighton and online at www.jennys­sweetsandmore.com.

In Tamaqua, Tap-S-Trees (Get it? Tap-es-tries.) opened on Nov. 12 at 103 E. Broad St., just in time for Christmas shopping.

Tracy Perry, the owner, said her store offers locally crafted wares including reversible totes and hats, and mittens that she sews herself, plus plaques and woodwork, pottery, jewelry, soaps and glass art all nestled among antique and vintage displays and artwork.

“Stop in for locally made, beautiful, one-of-a-kind gifts that help support our community,” she said.

Perry plans to donate a percentage of her sales from Nov. 27 to 29 to Hope and Coffee in Tamaqua. Light refreshments will be available while people shop.

Tap-S-Trees’ website is in the works, but she will have online orders. For now, the store can be reached at tapstreestamaqua@gmail.com.

Aimee Dotson from Tamaqua’s Chamber said Tink’s Antiques has opened a pop-up shop with Studio 895 that they call 5 Points Mill, and Charles X Block’s is running some holiday specials.

The stores’ websites are: www.tinksantiques.com, www.studio895.net, and www.charlesxblocks.com.

“Also, restaurant gift certificates make great gifts,” Dotson said. “Tamaqua has some great downtown dining.”

Many of the stores also have Facebook pages where they can be reached.