It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Saluda Factory gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in West Columbia, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Terra or visit Robert Mills House and Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in West Columbia, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Columbia, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in West Columbia, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
West Columbia wants to limit where vape and smoke shops can open and how they can advertise in a move similar to Midlands neighbors Forest Acres and Columbia.The city is considering an ordinance that would restrict where vape and smoke shops and hookah lounges can open – barring the businesses from opening within a certain distance of residential areas, other smoke shops, schools and churches. The rule received unanimous initial approval from City Council on Tuesday and must pass through a second reading before it goes into effe...
West Columbia wants to limit where vape and smoke shops can open and how they can advertise in a move similar to Midlands neighbors Forest Acres and Columbia.
The city is considering an ordinance that would restrict where vape and smoke shops and hookah lounges can open – barring the businesses from opening within a certain distance of residential areas, other smoke shops, schools and churches. The rule received unanimous initial approval from City Council on Tuesday and must pass through a second reading before it goes into effect.
The ordinance aims to prohibit the use of LED accent lights and also restrict how the businesses can advertise. It would ban the use of words or images of “illicit substances” on business signage.
It’s not the first time the issue has come up at City Hall. An astronaut mural on the side of Planet Vapor, a smoke shop along Sunset Boulevard, drew the ire of council members in the summer as they discussed setting up a program to fund the creation of more public art in the city.
The new West Columbia rules would require the businesses to be at least 1,000 feet away from residential areas, schools, libraries and playgrounds. And the shops couldn’t be within 500 feet of another vape or smoke shop.
“It’s a quality of life issue,” Councilman George Crowe said, adding that the effort is meant to preserve the city’s commercial space and encourage a variety of business types.
The city council is considering adding provisions to the ordinance to require ID card checks for entry in an effort to curb the use of vapes among kids. Nationally, around 6% of middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2024, an almost 2% dip from 2023.
“One of the biggest things I’ve seen with these businesses is a lot of underage individuals coming in with nobody checking [their] IDs,” Councilman Jimmy Brooks said.
The ID requirement isn’t on the proposed ordinance, but with the newly proposed rules moved to a second reading, the City Council could amend or add additional rules later down the line.
Other council members said passing an ordinance like this is important to them so the city doesn’t get overrun with vape shops. Some said they’d seen as many as eight shops pop up in a one-mile radius.
“It was a joke for a while where someone would say, ‘Oh, there’s a new business opening. Oh, wait, it’s another vape shop,’” Councilwoman Sarah Mattern said.
The rule is also meant to combat the practice of vape shop owners targeting West Columbia, since neighboring municipalities have tightened regulations, making it harder to open stores.
“I just want to make sure we’re in line with those other cities around us and not be the outlier,” Brooks said.
The move would make it more difficult to open a new vape or smoke shop in West Columbia, but as the rules stand, already existing businesses would be grandfathered in. The ordinance follows close behind the one in Forest Acres, which passed in November, and the one in Columbia in early 2023. This year, Columbia’s city council considered adding provisions to restrict how vape and smoke shops advertise, but has not come to a consensus on the issue.
The city likely won’t take up the measure for a second reading until the beginning of the new year, staff said during the meeting.
This story was originally published December 4, 2024, 8:56 AM.
WEST COLUMBIA — The City of West Columbia is looking to pass stricter regulations on vape and smoke shops, hoping not to be left behind as several other local cities and towns implement similar policies.West Columbia City Council gave initial approval to a new set of ordinances limit...
WEST COLUMBIA — The City of West Columbia is looking to pass stricter regulations on vape and smoke shops, hoping not to be left behind as several other local cities and towns implement similar policies.
West Columbia City Council gave initial approval to a new set of ordinances limiting where tobacco and vape shops can open in the city at a Dec. 3 meeting.
Vape shops, smoke shops and hookah lounges would be prohibited from operating within 1,000 feet of any residential property, school, library, church or other place of religious worship, park, playground or playing field. The businesses would also be restricted from opening within 500 feet of another vape or smoke shop.
Additionally, the ordinance would prohibit such businesses from using LED accent lights or from displaying advertisements depicting any “illicit substances,” as well as the consumption of alcohol on the premises.
The new restrictions would also keep any vape shops from opening in the city’s Gateway Overlay District, which includes the area around State and Meeting streets near the Congaree Riverfront.
West Columbia is the latest city in the Midlands to move to control the growth of vape shops and similar businesses. Similar measures have been approved or proposed in Columbia, Forest Acres and Orangeburg.
“I think this is a great starting point,” Councilman Jimmy Brooks said at the meeting. “I just want to make sure that we're in line with those other cities that are around us, and not be the outlier that's totally different from there.”
City Council approved amendments to the regulations proposed by Brooks that would add youth, day care and afterschool facilities to the list of businesses any vape shops must keep their distance from.
Brooks’ amendment would also place any vape shop caught selling products to underage customers on West Columbia's nuisance business list.
The city has been looking to implement stricter rules on vape and smoke shops for “14 to 15 months,” Mayor Tem Miles said at the meeting.
Some of the push to follow nearby cities’ leads came from the threat of vape shops coming to West Columbia to avoid stricter policies elsewhere, Councilman George Crowe said.
Crowe said he heard a hopeful vape shop owner announce plans to come to West Columbia to skirt around the City of Columbia’s regulations in a television news report.
“That's when I knew,” Crowe said. “I said, ‘Oh no, this can't happen.’ I mean, we just can't be the throwaway ground from Columbia and everywhere else. So we've got to try to stay in line with everybody else's ordinances. I don't think we should be the vape shop capital over here.”
City councilmembers and staff were unsure what effect the new rules would have on existing businesses that violate them, but Crowe said it's possible they could be grandfathered in.
The ordinance will need to be voted on at least once more before going into effect. City staff were unsure on Dec. 3 if the regulations would need two or three readings in total.
The earliest the regulations could be voted on again would be at the next council meetings in January or February.
Pretend you’re the main character in a Hallmark moving by exploring these holiday markets throughout the Columbia metro. You’ll give the perfect presents to loved ones and the Columbia community by shopping locally this December.Dec. 5-8: SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) Holiday MarketOn Thursday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., DDSN is hosting their ...
Pretend you’re the main character in a Hallmark moving by exploring these holiday markets throughout the Columbia metro. You’ll give the perfect presents to loved ones and the Columbia community by shopping locally this December.
On Thursday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., DDSN is hosting their fifth annual Holiday Market. Stuff your stockings with local wares crafted by and sourced from creatives and entrepreneurs in the disabilities and special needs community. Grab a bite from an array of food trucks while you explore jewelry, clothing, home decor and more. You’ll find the market at 3440 Harden Street Extension, Columbia.
There’s lots to enjoy throughout December with Lexington’s annual Snowball Festival. In addition to their other festivities, visit the Christmas Craft Fair from Dec. 5–6 at the Icehouse Amphitheater. There you’ll find local vendors selling produce and unique gifts. Snag a tasty treat from food trucks like Salsarita’s and Cheese & Thank You to fuel your shopping spree.
Pottery, mugs and clay crafts in general make spectacular holiday presents for anyone from your boss to your girlfriend to your grandma. Experience the work of over 35 local artists selling creations like flower pots, sculptures, bowls and more in a variety of styles. While the sale goes from Dec. 5–7, stop by at 5 p.m. on Thursday to meet the artists at a special reception at Stormwater Studios.
Bring the family to Irmo’s Seven Oaks Park on Saturday, Dec. 7 for a free-admission craft show made for all ages. Explore vendors selling candles, jewelry, food and more. The craft show opens at 8 a.m., so grab a coffee and spend your Saturday morning perusing the stalls. Otherwise, you can stop by anytime that afternoon before 2 p.m.
Christmas in Cayce boasts a full weekend of free holiday events, with a tree lighting on Thursday and carols along the riverwalk on Friday. If it’s a holiday market you’re after, come out on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 6-9 p.m. for Christmas Traditions: Olde & New at the Cayce Historical Museum. Alongside live entertainment, a lantern tour and the museum fully adorned for the season, a Christmas market is included for the first time in the weekend of festivities.
You may know Flora & Fauna Marketplace as a staple vendor at Soda City or from their brick-and-mortar location on Sunset Boulevard in Lexington. A connoisseur of seasonal markets, they’ll host the third annual ‘Tis the Season Holiday Market on Sunday, Dec. 8. Stroll through the open-air collection of over 30 artisan vendors for handcrafted holiday treasures. Festive garb encouraged!
Looking for something to spice up your holiday shopping? Stop by Art Bar in the Vista on Dec. 8 from 1-5 p.m. for a festive edition of Columbia’s favorite “y’allternative” market. Explore over 30 local vendors and makers to find truly unique gifts for friends and family. The market boasts bones, oddities and insects, as well as jewelry, vintage wares, soaps and crochet. There really is something for everyone.
Make your way to the fairgrounds for one of the largest holiday markets in town and the Junior League of Columbia’s largest fundraiser of the year. Starting Dec. 5 and closing Dec. 8, the event offers access to over 160 merchants for just $10 general admission. With one ticket getting you access to all four days, it’s easy to take your time perusing the myriad of vendors.
Bring the kids on Saturday, Dec. 14 to a holiday market with Santa, inflatables, farm animals to feed and more. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hidden Creek Stables will host their third annual market in Lexington. Explore vendors and grab a bite to eat while exploring the picturesque farm. Purchase tickets at the gate. Cash and Venmo accepted.
Looking for a place to shop with your dog at your side? This holiday market on Dec. 14 is pet friendly! Enjoy 34 craft vendors, a DJ and food trucks, all with free admission. The market takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Lexington. Did we mention Santa will be there? It’s the perfect opportunity for a Christmas card with your furry friend.
Azalea Coffee Bar has quickly become a Columbia stable with their specialty drinks. Now you can combine your love for their coffee with a chance to explore local goods and gifts from women-owned businesses in the area. Stop by their location on Devine Street on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. With food trucks and a DJ, it’s expected to be their largest market yet!
Even those busy with travel throughout December should be able to catch the Meeting Street Artisan Holiday Markets, taking place the first three Saturdays of December. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., you’ll find booths with local makers set up along West Columbia’s Interactive Art Park. It’s a great option for those who might be a little late picking out gifts, since the market goes through Dec. 21.
Bierkeller’s holiday markets fully embody a German Christmas. The local brewery, restaurant and biergarten brings live music, specialty foods and mulled wine to the typical experience. Grab a commemorative mug or a stein of their special winter smoked bockbier and peruse vendors with a beautiful view of the river. Starting Nov. 30 and going through Dec. 22, Bierkeller’s Weihnachtsmarkt at CanalSide is open every Saturday and Sunday.
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