For those looking for Christmas gifts with more of a personal touch, then your wait is over.

A Handmade Christmas Indie Craft Market makes its return to the Hormel Historic Home to kick-off December. The two-day event will take place Dec. 2 and 3.

Austin business owners Kristy Rooney and Anna Otto first brought the event to Austin in 2013 and in 2014 more than 1,000 people attended the event, which features crafts and handmade items from vendors. This year over 30 vendors, which are selected by a jury, were confirmed by early September and come from as far away as Fargo, North Dakota and Chicago.

“You don’t need to be in St. Paul to get shoppers,” said Otto, who still co-organizes the event. “There’s demand here.”

The response locally has been huge, Otto said, especially right out of the gate in its first year.

“We really didn’t know what to expect that first year,” Otto said. “We were blown away. We had over 800 shoppers. We were thrilled.”

Otto said that part of the thrill of this kind of show is to see not only the shoppers coming to find a more unique gift, but to see how well the vendors have done.

“It’s been so fun to see local vendors, specifically to see their business grow because of it,” Otto said. “We have a following where people are looking forward to seeing what’s new from year to year.”

The move to the Hormel Historic Home has also added to the success of the show.

“I think that being at the Hormel Historic Home has really been great,” Otto said. “Go get dinner first, maybe go to Dusty’s or the B&J for a drink after. It’s more of a destination. You don’t have to go out of town.”

Variety is a target for the organizers of A Handmade Christmas and that search for variety has brought in plenty of people interested in showing at the event.

“We try to have a lot of variety,” Otto said. “We’re a juried show. Last year we had to turn away more people than we let in. We’re really choosing on: Could somebody get a gift for mom, brother and their child?”

The time for this year’s event is giving organizers even more to be hopeful about with plenty of time before Christmas for people to get their shopping down through the show.

“This is the weekend we’ve always wanted,” Otto said. “And it’s the first time we’ve gotten this to work.”

The market will open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 2 for Friday Night Soirée. The $10 admission includes a self-guided tour of the decorated Hormel Historic Home with hot hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets purchased before Dec. 1 will receive a ticket for a complimentary glass of  house wine.

The event continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 with a $5 admission (Friday admission also gets you in for Saturday), which includes desserts and coffee served throughout the day. 3B catering will also be offering breakfast and lunch items.