Many will start their holiday shopping at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. They will fight huge crowds and long lines on little or no sleep while seeking out the best deals possible.

But some will start their shopping one week from today at the Sugarplum Festival at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, where they can enjoy wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, live music and the refined atmosphere of the museum.

"Number one: You don't have to get up at 3 a.m. Number two: It's a totally unique shopping environment," says Chelsea Howlett-Weideman, Albrecht-Kemper gift shop manager and Sugarplum Festival coordinator.

The three-day event kicks off at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 with a two-hour preview open house. This will be the first opportunity for shoppers to view the booths and purchase items from many of the vendors. The evening includes appetizers by 2 Carols Catering, a live performance from local strings and harp players and the opportunity to sign up for the museum's first Wine Walk in April 2010.

The festival itself will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 14.

The Sugarplum Festival is a fundraiser for the museum that will bring in approximately 35 local and regional vendors to provide a unique shopping experience. But unlike past years, Mrs. Howlett-Weideman says that about half of the vendors are from outside of St. Joseph. Some come from Stewartsville and Kansas City. Others will come from as far away as Salina, Kan., and Omaha, Neb.

"You'd have to drive all over the Midwest to see what all of these vendors have to offer, but we'll have them all here for three days," Mrs. Howlett-Weideman says.

Possible gifts will run the gamut from kitchen accessories, custom bed linens and draperies to homemade soaps, candles and children's clothing.

One vendor who will make a first-time appearance is Just Claudia, a vintage home decor and jewelry boutique operated by Claudia Gronniger. Mrs. Gronniger's merchandise is sold regularly at The Rusty Chandelier, but she is preparing a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" themed display for the Sugarplum Festival. Items will be black, silver and Tiffany blue and include chandeliers, crystals, painted furniture and other unique vintage gifts and collectibles.

"It will all have that dazzling, clean look of Audrey Hepburn," Mrs. Gronniger says. "(The festival) sounds like fun - like a one-of-a-kind thing."

Another aspect of the Sugarplum Festival that makes it so unique is the delicious treats of Robyn Enright, the museum's director of catering and special events. From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each day of the festival, her holiday foods will be available at the Sugarplum Cafe luncheon.

Other special events include Ladies Night from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 13. This includes Hy-Vee wine tasting and live music for $15 per person. And Christmas trees have been fully decorated by supporters of the museum for the Festival of Trees. Also, autographed copies of Mary Carol Garrity's "O Christmas Tree" will be available for purchase.

"We've added some new events and new vendors. And you can get great products, for great prices. It's just going to be a great event," says festival chair Michelle Meierhoffer.

Admission to the preview open house is $30 per person and reservations are required. Admission to the festival is $5 and is payable at the door. Patrons may return as many times as they want during the two-day period.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Albrecht-Kemper Museum at 233-7003.

Lifestyles reporter Shea Conner can be reached at sheaconner@npgco.com.