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The most joyful season can often become stressful as schedules fill up. One key means of avoiding this stress is to plan ahead, so be sure to put these Christmas events on your calendar.
As the Christmas season begins to set in, holiday bazaars are a great chance to grab that final decorative piece or snag that perfect stocking stuffer.
Hillsdale High School will host the Holiday Craft Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the cafeteria and the gymnasium.
Admissions to the bazaar is $3, and proceeds will be split between the Hillsdale High School volleyball team and the Hillsdale High School Business Professionals of America.
Event coordinator and Hillsdale High School teacher Mindy Eggleston said the students play a large part in making the bazaar possible, which makes the reapings of the fundraiser all that much more rewarding.
The Third Annual HUB Christmas Bazaar will be at held at the Hillsdale United Brethren Church on Saturday, December 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At both bazaars, customers can look forward to a wide selection of local vendors, ranging from handmade furniture and decorations to food and clothing.
In order to start December with the true meaning of Christmas in mind, The Hillsdale College Choir, Chamber Choir, and Symphony Orchestra will team up to present George F. Handel’s “Messiah” at College Baptist on the nights of Dec. 2 and 3, followed by a matinee show on Dec. 4.
This show is only presented every four years, so this will be the only opportunity for current students to take in the wonder. For the first time, the work will be performed in its entirety and only students will be participating. Professor of Music James Holleman said the show is a special opportunity for both those performing and those that may attend, especially in the middle of such a busy time.
“We are so busy in our lives with our here to there. The fact that we are so busy is the best reason to come,” he said. “You get to turn off the electronics and unplug from the world for over two hours. You get to bathe in the beauty of the sound and just reflect.”
The performance is free of charge, but tickets must be reserved, either by calling 517-607-2848 or emailing the Sage box office. Holleman warned that the show will fill up, so tickets should be reserved before Thanksgiving.
On Saturday, Dec. 3, downtown Hillsdale will be buzzing with Christmas cheer, thanks to the Hillsdale Business Association.
First, the ninth Annual Scavenger Hunt for the golden sleigh will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This year, 30 different stores will be hiding a sleigh among their merchandise. Once hunters spot the sleigh, they can point it out to the shop owner to receive a stamp on their map. At the end of the day, stamps will be used towards a raffle for goods from all of the stores that participated.
The scavenger hunt is a great way for the family to have fun, while becoming familiar with some of the local businesses, co-chairperson Mary Bertakis said.
From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Santa Claus will be taking pictures at the Hero’s Nest at 14 N. Howell St.
At 6 p.m., the fifth Annual Light Up Parade will make its way through the business district. This year, organizers anticipate over 40 entries, including everything from firetrucks to tractors.
“We are always talking about being a light in the world and this is a very real way to do that,” Bertakis said.
This year’s parade marshal will be Gary Leininger, who will soon retire after 30 years as Hillsdale County Treasurer.
If anybody wishes to be in the parade they should contact LightUpParade@gmail.com.
For those that wish to catch a glimpse of Christmas past, the Hillsdale Poorhouse offers a chance to see how the paupers celebrated Christmas. The Poorhouse will be decorated using only decorations that would have been available to the poor, but event coordinator Sally Fallon said this doesn’t stop the Poorhouse from looking beautiful for the event.
“The open house is a great way for people to get a little bit of history while they celebrate Christmas,” Fallon said. “It makes us realize how very fortunate we are to live under our current circumstances.”
The open house will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. The old-time general store will also be open during the event, and Santa will be at the store from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
On the night of Saturday, Dec. 10, the Barber House Children’s Garden will be illuminated by thousands of lights. Arboretum Program Coordinator Laurie Rosenberg said the lights turn the garden into a type of wonderland, especially when the ground is covered in snow.
The Barber House will also be open so attendees can pop inside for some hot chocolate and to make a take-home ornament.
Of course, this is a very busy time of year, and one can often be overwhelmed by all of the things that must get done. Remember, however, to stop for a moment and take advantage of the opportunities available.
