Traditions make the holidays extra special. They give us magical moments to look forward to and cherished memories that stay with us long after the season has come to an end. At Gardner Village, we LOVE being a part of your various traditions throughout the year! We also cherish the stories of tradition you share with our local business owners when you visit. Wanting to return the favor and offer up some tradition inspiration of our own, we’ve asked a few of our local business owners what their favorite holiday activities are. Here’s what they had to say:
Growing up in a family of 11 children, Christmas always consisted of my mom spending long hours making our gifts by hand. Long after the children were nestled all snug in their beds, she could be found at the sewing machine, finishing up those gifts of love. My mom is now 83 years old, and you’ll still find her hands busy making gifts for those she loves. My sisters and I continue this tradition by hand-making gifts for our families and loved ones.
We have a family tradition of making Italian waffle cookies (pizzelles). My dad’s grandmother would make them when my dad was a child, and they’ve been a tradition ever since. My mother still makes them every year for Christmas. She makes about four or five dozen and gives them as neighbor gifts. My mom continues the baking tradition by also making cookies using recipes that once belonged to my great grandmother. It’s a tradition that runs through our entire extended family.
Courtney Smith, Wanderlust owner
My grandma has collected nativities for years, which is a tradition our family adores! I now sell nativities from around the world in my store and can’t help but think of Grandma every time a customer takes one home for their own family. Having a special holiday item of significance within your family is such a neat way to celebrate the season.
Our family has a Christmas Eve dinner, which includes clam chowder and many side dishes. The clam chowder tradition started with my parents and is a tradition we have kept going. We also play bingo and award many gifts to the winners. Our family is large. There are eight children and, all together, we have 30 family members, including spouses and grandchildren. A tradition that makes the gift giving a little easier in a family this size is something we do every year … draw names. Then, on Christmas Eve, we give the gift(s) to the family member who’s name we drew. My husband reads the Christmas story, and many years we have a big sleepover while we wait for Santa to come.
MAKE YOUR OWN TRADITIONS WITH US
What is your favorite holiday tradition? An answer we often hear this time of year is a trip to enjoy the free Elf Scavenger Hunt. (Get your copy here.)
Thanks for visiting year after year and supporting the small business owners in our community who help make The Village the special place it is. We wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons. Let’s do it again next year!
Wednesday Dec 13 2023
Traditions make the holidays extra special. They give us magical moments to look forward to and cherished memories that stay with us long after the season has come to an end. At Gardner Village, we LOVE being a part of your various traditions throughout the year! We also cherish the stories of tradition you share with our local business owners when you visit. Wanting to return the favor and offer up some tradition inspiration of our own, we’ve asked a few of our local business owners what their favorite holiday activities are. Here’s what they had to say:
Sandy Workman, Pine Needles owner
Growing up in a family of 11 children, Christmas always consisted of my mom spending long hours making our gifts by hand. Long after the children were nestled all snug in their beds, she could be found at the sewing machine, finishing up those gifts of love. My mom is now 83 years old, and you’ll still find her hands busy making gifts for those she loves. My sisters and I continue this tradition by hand-making gifts for our families and loved ones.
Emily Dern, Willow Hill Yarn Company owner
We have a family tradition of making Italian waffle cookies (pizzelles). My dad’s grandmother would make them when my dad was a child, and they’ve been a tradition ever since. My mother still makes them every year for Christmas. She makes about four or five dozen and gives them as neighbor gifts. My mom continues the baking tradition by also making cookies using recipes that once belonged to my great grandmother. It’s a tradition that runs through our entire extended family.
Courtney Smith, Wanderlust owner
My grandma has collected nativities for years, which is a tradition our family adores! I now sell nativities from around the world in my store and can’t help but think of Grandma every time a customer takes one home for their own family. Having a special holiday item of significance within your family is such a neat way to celebrate the season.
Paula Strasburg, Boda Boutique co-owner
Our family has a Christmas Eve dinner, which includes clam chowder and many side dishes. The clam chowder tradition started with my parents and is a tradition we have kept going. We also play bingo and award many gifts to the winners. Our family is large. There are eight children and, all together, we have 30 family members, including spouses and grandchildren. A tradition that makes the gift giving a little easier in a family this size is something we do every year … draw names. Then, on Christmas Eve, we give the gift(s) to the family member who’s name we drew. My husband reads the Christmas story, and many years we have a big sleepover while we wait for Santa to come.
MAKE YOUR OWN TRADITIONS WITH US
What is your favorite holiday tradition? An answer we often hear this time of year is a trip to enjoy the free Elf Scavenger Hunt. (Get your copy here.)
Thanks for visiting year after year and supporting the small business owners in our community who help make The Village the special place it is. We wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons. Let’s do it again next year!