Has the economy thrown you into a quandary about where to do your holiday shopping? You're in luck. Sensuous soaps, elegant pashminas and delicately hand-painted vases are some of the items in store for Denver-area bargain shoppers this season. Just call them big-city fairs for the metro chic.

* Shop for gifts, gourmet foods and holiday decor today and Sunday at the Colorado Convention Center, where Denver's annual Holiday Food and Gift Festival continues.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8.50 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, and children 12 and under are free. A free shuttle leaves Coors Field both days at 8:30 a.m.

* More than 30 vendors are booked at the 11th Annual Gifts for Yule Holiday Fair today and Sunday, featuring such unique gifts as botanical sugar scrubs, hand-painted wooden puzzles, letterpress stationary and French collectibles.

The event runs from noon to 6 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and is in a new location: the Phipps Tennis Pavilion, 3300 Belcaro Drive, 303-618-3669, giftsforyule.com

* More than 40 vendors are booked for the Phipps Tennis Pavilion during the L'Esprit de Noel Boutique. Pashminas, handbags, children's clothing, holiday silverware, gourmet foods and luxury bath products are some of the many items to be sold.

The annual boutique, held in conjunction with a home tour, benefits the Central City Opera and is in its 32nd year. The boutique starts Friday and continues through Nov. 23, 3300 Belcaro Drive, centralcityopera.org, 303-292-6700.

* Buy Colorado and support small businesses of young mothers at the Mod Moms Shopping Extravaganza from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight at St. Vincent's Church.

More than 30 vendors will showcase their wares, including soaps, toys, clothes, purses and pastries, with almost everything made or sold by local moms. Admission is $5 before noon today, $10 at the door, and includes food and wine. 2375 E. Arizona Ave., 303-669-2384.

* If you're looking for something truly one-of-a-kind, check the Aurora Potters' Guild sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Find unique vases, bowls, chalices, platters and more, all made by local potters. Quilts by the Aurora Center for Active Adults Quilters Bee are also on sale. 30 Del Mar Circle, 303-739-7950.

* You can also find handmade gifts at the TACtile Textile Arts Holiday Gift Show, which is going on now through Jan. 10. The Textile Arts Center hosts the show with various vendors from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. 7777 E. Hampden Ave., 720-524-8886, tactilearts.org.

* Boulder County Parents of Twins and More hosts its annual fall sale from 9 a.m. to noon today. Strollers, clothes, toys and outdoor gear are some of the items you'll find at the Boulder Valley Christian Church. Admission is $1. Proceeds support families with multiples. 303-884-1202, boulder-twins.org.

* Mary's Hope Workshops, a nonprofit organization that works with victims of childhood abuse and trauma, is hosting a "Hope in the Attic Sale" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Centennial. 8545 E. Dry Creek Road, 303-377-0293, maryshope.org.

* Furniture shoppers can check out a Berkeley Homes model-home furniture-and-accessory sale from 9 a.m. to noon today in Highlands Ranch. Sales benefit the Bridge Project and will help provide Thanksgiving dinners to some Denver-area families.

You'll find everything from sofas and coffee tables to decorative pillows and silk floral arrangements. The model homes are at 10835, 10825 and 10813 Heatherton St., 303-470-1166, liveberkeley.com.

Have a tip on a good sale? Send it to dmelani@msn.com.