A holiday event I enjoy is the worship arts open house at Pastor Scott Frederick’s home.

This year, as usual, there were tons of yummy desserts and hors d’oeurves. The problem I have is, I was raised in a home where the word “hors d’oeuvre” was never spoken. I didn’t know what all that stuff was on their buffet. I did recognize miniature hot dogs in a roll. I loaded up on those and went looking for a seat.

Wouldn’t you know the only seat available was right next to Pastor Mike Wells. I timidly asked if the seat was taken, and he kindly said “No.”

I plopped down.

Daintily as I knew how, I picked up my fork and tried to jab it into the mini hot dog. The hot dog went airborne, striking the pastor.

Not knowing what hit him, he questioned, “What was that?”

I just wanted to leave, but I had to find the wayward wiener. After a frantic search, we found it on his chair. I then moved to another room before I caused any more harm and he might need stitches.

’Tis the season for parties and buying presents. For we professional shoppers, this is the week to hit the stores.

Should the person you are shopping for be a gardener, I would like to offer some hints on what he or she might want for Christmas.

A lot of stores put their gardening accessories away for Christmas, but there are a few places you can still go.

Weingartner Greenhouses have a supply of benches, garden statues, gloves, bird baths and houses. Employee Sharon Jenkins says there is also a St. Francis of Assisi still available. What’s a garden without St. Francis in it? Sharon also will help you pronounce “Assisi” should you say it wrong, as I did.

If you want to travel to Hermitage, Kraynak’s Lawn and Garden Center is still open and has a bountiful supply of gardening needs. I must add, this location is a few hundred yards in back of the toy and gift shop, where the Santa Claus Lane is located.

Not all gardening supplies are expensive. If you are looking for a thrifty present, might I suggest a fine pair of gardening gloves. This is on my list that I gave Santa. This year, when I pruned my trees, I got a blister on the finger a lot of people use when they are mad at you. I only needed to cover that one finger, but my wife says they don’t make a glove for just one finger.

How about adding some class to someone’s garden by giving a sundial? The recipient may never be able to tell time by it, but it looks nice and you don’t have to water it.

Wind chimes, thermometers, poles with hooks and trellises are all things a gardener can use this spring.

There is also the easy way out by purchasing a gift card at your local garden center. They will really appreciate it this spring when I write about all the new stuff they must have in their garden.

I hope I have given you some clues that will speed up your shopping this week.

What I really need for Christmas is a book with photos telling me what all those hors d’oeuvres are. I especially need a chapter on the ones that can cause bodily harm when airborne.

I haven’t read the Baptist manual on what’s a sin and what isn’t yet. I hope spearing the pastor with a mini hot dog is not one of the biggies.

Make your space a green space.

(Gary Church writes a weekly column for The News.)