Shoppers browse through the products at last year’s Holiday on the Hill. This year’s event takes place on Nov. 21 and 22 with proceeds set to benefit Centaur Stride, a therapeutic riding facility in Westfield. Submitted photo

With Halloween two weeks ago and Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, it’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas shopping — and the task of picking out those perfect gifts for family members and friends. Before Black Friday and the ensuing month, which almost guarantees long lines at the registers and crowded stores, a group of local women are putting together an event that will not only feature dozens of gift ideas but will also benefit a local organization. For the fifth year, the Holiday on the Hill event is welcoming eager shoppers to stop by and browse a variety of elegant items made by local artisans and merchants. This year, 36 unique vendors are scheduled to be at the event, providing an enormous selection of homemade arts and crafts. There are a number of aspects to Holiday on the Hill that make it different than other local art exhibitions or craft show.