COMET’S KEEPSAKES … The newest addition to the seven storefronts that make up Christmas in West Unity is open for the 2021 Holiday Season. The Holly Jolly Christmas shop is spreading all over Main St. and customers will enjoy the delightful variety of items from a $5000 camel to gourmet chocolates for less than a dollar. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Even as we prepare for our Thanksgiving family gatherings, it is good to have an eye out for all of the great opportunities in our area to prepare for Christmas.
It seems that each year, the Christmas decor and theme is going up around us earlier and earlier. I remember getting upset when the stores were stocking the Christmas aisles before Halloween and now it starts pretty much in July or August! Oh, well, it makes it easier to be ready when the big day comes.
Those of us who love the holidays between the 4th of July and Christmas just have to make sure we don’t lose them or let our families forget to celebrate them, especially being more aware of the need to be thankful during November.
But…the Christmas options for shopping and fun are out there, so lets enjoy them. These are not listed in any specific order and are not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start.
Holly Jolly Christmas Shops – Open from Mid October through Christmas Eve at 2 p.m.; Located in West Unity and Swanton, Ohio and Fremont, Indiana. Ever since Carrie and Jason King, who own and operate King’s Sleep Shop and Home Furnishings in West Unity, Ohio opened their Christmas store in downtown West Unity in 2009, they have continued to grow it each year.
A few years later they added a branch in Fremont, Indiana and one in Swanton. The next step was opening Santa’s Corner, as they began to spread around the downtown storefronts in West Unity, until in 2021 they now have seven storefronts that are all focused on Christmas.
Shoppers are treated to a huge variety of Christmas items, of course including trees and ornaments, but also chocolates, cheesecake, gourmet caramel apples, delicious coffees, edible gifts, specialty clothing and lovely Christmas music playing in each store.
Bryan Christkindl Market – Friday and Saturday, November 26 and 27; and then the next three weekends on Thursday through Saturday (December 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18). This brand new event, which the Bryan Area Foundation plans to make an Annual event in Bryan, Ohio is a European Style Market which will be set up on the west side of the square in downtown Bryan.
They will have twelve booths with each booth housing a vendor who will be selling unique crafts and merchandise. This market, that starts the day after Thanksgiving this year, will be open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the dates provided.
Many of the businesses on the Square will also be open those nights to make this Christmas Shopping experience a great family event. (November 26 – Christmas Parade and Lighting of the Square will begin at 5:30 with Santa coming to town.)
1920’s Holidays on Main Street will be held at Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio, on Saturday, November 27, December 4 and 11, form 6-9 p.m. Must Pre Register to attend, by signing up online or calling the village at 1-800-590-9755. Adults cost $12, Children and Members $8 and children under five are free. Sauder Village Christmas Tree Lighting is a part of this event.
Making Spirits Bright on Main Street also at Sauder Village: Friday, December 3 – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Adults only – 21 and over experience) Celebrate the holiday season at their new adult-only 1920s Christmas event – Making “Spirits” Bright on Main Street!
The Broken Barrel Speakeasy will be open with a variety of spirits and holiday cocktails available for purchase. We will have live entertainment in the 1920s theater and horse-drawn trolley rides along Main Street, decorated with holiday lights, 1920s window decor, and a beautiful Christmas tree.
Learn about holiday activities at the hardware store, bank, clothing store, jewelry store and other shops along Main Street. Join us in the merriment of the holidays! Space is limited. Register soon for this special adult-only holiday celebration at Sauder Village! Pre-registration Required! $15 per adult
Edon’s Christmas Small Town Shop Around – Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located in the Northwest Corner of Williams County, Ohio, the local merchants and visiting vendors will have Antiques, primitives, yard art, home and seasonal decor, gifts and handcrafted items. This is hosted by Edon’s Hometown Hardware, Mudsock Mercantile, which has been there for over 100 years.
Pioneer 2021 Christmas Crafter and Vendor Event – Sunday, Dec. 5 11-4 Pioneer Community Center, 100 N. Elm St.. There will be a 50/50 drawing at $1 per ticket or 6 for $5. One drawing for public and one drawing for vendors with a gift basket.
Chili and cornbread, water and coffee available for purchase and a Special Guest Appearance from The Grinch! (for more info contact Jennifer Bartlett at bartlett0612@gmail.com)
Olde Tyme Holiday Gathering Craft Fair – Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Montpelier Elementary School, 1015 E. Brown Rd., Montpelier, Ohio. This 15th Annual Craft Fair has no admission charge (free) and vendors will be in the gym, auditeria and hallways.
Concessions will be available throughout the day and hourly prize drawings will also be held with giveaways from the vendors. The Scholastic Book Fair will also be held in the school Library.
This event has 130 vendor spaces on site. Also being held the same day at the Montpelier Library is Olde Tyme Cookies and Crafts for ages birth through 12. Children can drop in with their grownups any time between 10:30 and 12:30 to get free craft and cookie kits, enjoy the Storywalk around the library and enter their names to win a sled.
Archbold Festival of Lights – Open from November 26 through January 3, this delightful, slow ride through a park filled with lit up Christmas themed displays has been a tradition for many years.
Some years they have even had a live nativity at the beginning of the drive and for years one of the homes at the end was all lit up as well. Children of today, who are used to high tech, are calmed and quieted as their families ooh and ahh over each of the displays on a slow ride through the park. (Parade is on November 26, beginning at 6 p.m.
Fulton County Festival of Trees – Thursday through Saturday, November 11-13, 2021 at Founder’s Hall in Sauder Village, St. Rt. 2 Archbold. All funds raised from the Festival of trees go toward supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in Fulton County.
This event is broken into specific fundraisers: “Community Fest” Nov. 11 5-7 p.m. Silent Auction; “Santa Shop” is open to the Public on November 11 from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. and on November 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; “Breakfast with Santa” – Saturday, November 13, 2021 9-11 a.m. at 22611 St. Rt. 2, Archbold Ohio.
Get pictures with Santa, enjoy some breakfast and create some fun holiday crafts. “Winterfest Ball” is held on oveberm 12, doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 6 p.m. There are both a Silent and a Live Auction.
Tickets must be pre-purchased at $60 or $400 for a table of 8. An “Art Sale” is also held with donations submitted by Friday, November 5th in order to be part of a competition. fcfot.com for entry form. 2021 Artist of the Year is Lauren Stotzer.
Christmas in Ridgeville – Saturday and Sunday, December 4 & 5, 2021 “A quaint, hometown Christmas event featuring fun-filled attractions for all ages.” In Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, the weekend’s events include a Holiday Home Tour, a Live Christmas tree Lot, Santa arriving at the Ridgeville Township Fire Station, Christmas Carolers by Archbold Community Theater at Giffey Hall, Specila musical entertainment by The Galbraith Clan and Horese and Carriage rides on Saturday.
The Christmas Village Craft Show is held at the Ridgeville American Legion on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (American Legion Post 454) Tickets for the Holiday Home Tour are limited and are pre-sale only.
This fundraising event is held on December 4th from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchase in person at the Ridgeville Telephone Company, the 1915 Salon, or through any Christmas in Ridgeville Committee member. To purchase online, email christmasinridgeville@gmail.com. Tickets cost $30 or $40 depending on what you are interested.
Wauseon Christmas Carols with the Mayor – Saturday, December 4, 2021 11-11:30 a.m. Adults are welcome to bring their children to the Church of Wauseon at 400 Enterprise Ave. Wauseon, Ohio to sing Christmas Carols with Mayor Kathy Huner.
Christmas in Wauseon – ICE SCULPTING event on Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 8 a..m to 5 p.m. The Ice Sculpting will be done at local businesses by Ice Creations.
This event is sponsored by the Wauseon Chamber of Commerce, City of Wauseon, and the Wauseon Beautification Team. (To register for them to make one, businesses must be registered by November 1, 2021 at director@wauseonchamber.com. The sculptures will be approximately 4 feet tall and cost $180.)
Live Nativity and Petting Zoo – Sundays, December 5,12 and 19, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Church of Wauseon, located at 400 Enterprise Ave.This event will include an Inside Coffee House, concessions and much more. Bring your families to this free event.
Wauseon Christmas Parade – On the eventing of the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, this year that is November 27, 2021, the Wauseon Community kicks off the annual Christmas holiday celebration. Festivities begin with lighting the Start at Historic South Park, followed immediately after by a Lighted Christmas Parade.
The Downtown Wauseon Association hosts the event and popularity of this parade has grown over the years. The parade has lighted bands, floats, horses and Civic Organization entries as well as the fire departments from the Northwest Ohio area.
Santa arrives each year on a float and at the end of the parade he greets the children at the historic Wauseon Depot.
A smattering of Village Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Parades – If your village is not listed here, call the town offices and ask what their plans are for Christmas.
Archbold – Parade is on November 26, beginning at 6 p.m. (Festival of Lights gets turned on that day as well.)
Bryan – Parade at 5:30 p.m. on November 26, with Santa and Lighting of the Square (Christkindle starts that day at 4:00 on the square as well.)
Delta – Christmas Parade Winterfest will be held on December 4, 2021
Edgerton – Santa Claus comes to Town Hall on Saturday, November 27 from 6-8 p.m.
Metamora – Christmas Parade will be on December 5, 2021 at 5:30. Council is looking into a tree lighting as well.
Pioneer – Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on November 20 at 5:30 at the Gazebo in the Chamber lot. Team Tiffanie will be serving coffee and hot cocoa and donations will be accepted for cancer research.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@ thevillagereporter.com