Holiday gift giving makes me anxious. I dread giving a bad gift, so when I hit the jackpot purchase, I’m over the moon!
Out of the blue last Saturday, my niece (a mother of two little ones) texted me a picture of a book titled, In My Heart: A Book of Feelings, by Jo Witek. The text read, “Hey Aunt Beth! You bought this book for Amelia a while back. I wanted to show you how worn it is because we read it ALL the time! Amelia loves it. We always think of you when we read it. Miss you!”
The tattered book was ripped, the binding broken and the cover a little bent. This text made me feel closer to my niece and her kids whom I don’t see often because they live in Alabama. It was the perfect gift, making the giver and recipient equally happy!
I thought the gift was spot-on when I had a visceral reaction reading it at the bookstore. I teared up from its intoxicating but direct lyrical prose. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions and our physical reactions to them. Here’s a snippet from the book: “Sometimes my heart feels like a big yellow star, shiny and bright. I smile from ear to ear…Other times, my heart feels strong. I stand up tall, as if I can touch the clouds…When I get really angry, my heart feels as if it’s going to explode! Don’t come near me!”
I hope gift-giving season conjures ear-to-ear smiles for gift givers and receivers this holiday season!
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THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR
WONDERFUL ADVERTISERS!
We couldn't do it without you!
Community Arts Center & The Potters Guild,
Dilworth's Custom Design, Kimberton Whole Foods, Suburban Square, People's Light, Party Host Helpers, Brigg's Auction, First Resource Bank, Peddler's Village, Academy of Notre Dame, French International School, Resident Theatre Company and Aneu Kitchen
and Juicery
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| HOLIDAY CARING
T&E Care Holiday Drive
Now through Wednesday, December 11th
Drop Offs: Sunday, December 8th &
Monday, December 9th
Wrapping and Sorting: Tuesday, December 10th & Wednesday, December 11th
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
217 Berkley Rd., Devon
Over 110 local families are on the list of neighbors struggling to afford gifts and food this holiday season. Tredyffrin & Easttown Care is a local non-profit that helps local families through the year. Donations of gifts, food baskets, cleaning supplies and other items are needed.
Details
CHOP Holiday Boutique
Thursday, December 5th
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Merion Cricket Club
325 Montgomery Ave., Haverford
Hosted by the Women’s Committee of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Browse luxury clothing, artisan jewelry and accessories, inspired home items, and so much more from exclusive vendors from around the world. Peruse holiday treasures created by our Women’s Committee members and available for purchase such as handmade wreaths, gingerbread houses and rum cakes. Lunch will be available in the Dining Room from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
Details
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| HOLIDAYS COOKIES
AND TREATS
Gingerbread House Decorating
Sunday, December 8th
11:00 AM
Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne
A wonderful way to start a family tradition that will carry on for generations. Each parent-child team will receive their own cookie cottage, pre-assembled and ready to decorate. Royal icing and jolly candies are provided.
Details
Holiday Treats for Troops Care Package Packing Event
Monday, December 9th
Kelly’s Taproom
1107 East Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
Volunteers gather to pack Christmas holiday care packages for deployed troops. No charge. All ages welcome. Complimentary dinner Fallen Marine Corporal John H. Todd III will be honored.
Details
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| HOLIDAYS TRADITIONS
INSIDE AND OUT
The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 7th
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Phoenixville Middle School Theater
1330 Main St., Phoenixville
Since 1971, the Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company has performed a very high quality, yet affordable Nutcracker ballet for the surrounding region. Led by the creative choreography of Artistic Director, Brittany Ryan (Kimberton Dance Academy), this performance features over 50 dancers and professional guest artists.
Details
Home for the Holidays
December 14 & 15th, 21st & 22nd
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden
1829 East County Line Rd., Villanova
During this exclusive holiday “open house,” explore the spectacular Tudor Revival-style mansion that was the Haas family home for three generations. Natural Lands’ staff and volunteers will be on hand to share the vibrant history of this grand, former estate. The halls will be decked with nature-inspired decorations… a festive setting for hot cocoa and cookies.
Details
A Christmas Carol
Now Through Monday, December 29th
See website for times
Delaware Theatre Company
200 Water St., Wilmington
Gather your loved ones around the holidays and see Ebineezer Scrooge at it again in this bold take on a holiday classic. Using nothing but props and imagination, five actors bring this Dickens classic to life.
Details
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| HOLIDAY PARADES
QVC West Chester Christmas Parade
Friday, December 6th
5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce
137 N. High St., West Chester
Holiday spirits fly with Santa’s sleigh! Come cheer as local schools, businesses, fire companies and other service organizations join the many marching bands, floats, and antique vehicles that stroll down the streets lead by Master of Ceremonies Adam Joseph from 6abc and various QVC speakers, entertainers and other volunteers. Many local businesses will hold open houses before the parade with seasonal refreshments and entertainment. The Christmas Toy Drive presented by WSFS Bank will be collecting toys.
Details
Santa Parade in Wayne
Saturday, December 7th
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Downtown Wayne and Wayne Hotel
Featuring the Radnor High School Marching Band and Cheerleaders and the Valley Forge Military Academy Field Music Group. Santa will make his way down Lancaster Avenue on a fire truck to the Wayne Hotel. Children and families will gather on the Hotel’s veranda to visit with Santa. Free Parking on Saturday.
Details
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| Phoenixville Annual Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting & Winter Shopping Market
Friday, December 6th
5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Downtown Phoenixville
Winter shopping market begins at 5:00 PM, followed by the holiday parade at 7:00 PM. The evening concludes with the annual tree lighting.
Details
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| HOLIDAY FESTIVALS
Narberth Dickens Festival
Sunday, December 8th
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Downtown Narberth
Scrooge, Tiny Time and the gang from A Christmas Carol will roam the streets. Carriage rides, carolers, crafts and a Dickens-themed scavenger hunt. 19th century street food, musical performances, puppet and ballet shows, ice sculptures, artisan venders and more.
Details
Christmas on King
Saturday, December 7th
12:00 PM until Evening
King St., Malvern
Street performances, Mistletoe Market, kiddie activities, goodies, extended holiday hours.
Details
Christmas in Wayne
Friday, December 6th
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Downtown Wayne
Merchants deck their windows for a Windows of Wayne competition. Sidewalk shopping, strolling and caroling, horse drawn carriage rides, face painting and ornament making at the fire house. Valley Forge Military Academy chorale and Radnor High cheerleaders at the train station. Tree lighting by the train station at 7:30 PM. Santa arrives on a firetruck during the lighting.
Details
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| HANDCRAFTED
Holiday Sale of Fine Craft & Pottery
Preview Party: December 5th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Sale: December 6th - 14th
See website for times
Community Arts Center
414 Plush Mill Rd., Wallingford
Community Arts Center & The Potters Guild Present their Annual Holiday Sale of Fine Craft & Pottery which will feature one-of-a-kind handcrafted objects by local artists. With over 60 participating artists including 28 Potters Guild members, the Holiday Sale offers hundreds of original creations with vision and passion built into every piece.
Details
Kimberton Craft Show
Friday, December 6th; 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, December 7th; 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Kimberton Waldorf School
410 W Seven Stars Rd., Phoenixville
Juried craft show offers useful and beautiful handcrafted items at a festive event that also raises scholarship monies for families in need. Admission fee to the craft show goes to the Terry Neville Fund, which provides emergency assistance to current families who experience a financial crisis which reduces their ability to keep up with tuition payments. Every class from pre-K to the 12th grade, has had a student who has benefitted from the Terry Neville Fund.
Details
The Skate Show
Now Through December 13th
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
West Chester University E.O. Bull Center
2 Rosedale Ave., West Chester, PA
Students in West Chester's Art and Design Department present THE SKATE SHOW with hand-made skateboards.
Details
Holiday Critter Sale
December 5th – 11th
Brandywine River Museum
1 Hoffmans Mill Rd., Chadds Ford
Critter volunteers have been using their imaginations and crafty talents all year long to create thousands of ornaments. Handcrafted and environmentally-friendly ornaments make distinctive gifts and benefit the Volunteers’ Purchase Fund, and Art Education and Programming. Prices range from $5-$35.
Details
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| MARCH, RUN, PLAY BALL
US Air Force Jingle Elf Run/Walk
Friday, December 6th
6:30 PM
Market St. between High and Walnut Sts.
West Chester
Something for everyone: a two mile run, a one mile walk, and a children’s race. Registration includes a jingle elf hat you can sport during the race! Age group prizes and cash award to the top finishers and best dressed elves!
Details
March-In of the Continental Army
Thursday, December 19th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Valley Forge National Historic Park
1400 North Outer Line Dr., King of Prussia
This annual event commemorates the arrival of General George Washington’s ill-supplied Continental Army at Valley Forge, in order to establish a winter encampment. Take a candlelit walk to the Muhlenberg Brigade huts, encounter reenactors at a living Continental camp, meet George Washington, and enjoy eighteenth-century music. Warm up with holiday drinks and treats at the Visitors Center, see historic chocolate making, and more!
Details
Reindeer Romp 5k Fun Run/Walk/Pub Crawl
All proceeds benefit the Amercian Cancer Society
Saturday, December 14th
3:00 PM for run; 3:05 PM for walk
Havertown
5K Fun Run & Pizza, Pub Crawl through Havertown
Details
Elves for the Shelves 5K and Fun Run
Saturday, December 7th
7:00 AM
114 West Wayne Ave., Wayne
A family fun event in conjunction with the Wayne Business Associations’ Old-Fashioned Christmas Santa Parade. Proceeds benefit the Radnor Public Library.
Details
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| GAINING KNOWLEDGE
Women on the Rise Speaker Series
December 10th
6:30 PM Reception
7:00 PM Program
The Baldwin School
701 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr
Kicking off the 2019-20 speaker series, The Baldwin School will be hosting alumna Katayoun M. Copeland '85, Delaware County District Attorney. Prior to being appointed by the Delaware County Board of Judges as the District Attorney in January 2018, Ms. Copeland served as a member of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for six years, assigned to its Narcotics and Organized Crime Section. The Women on the Rise Speaker Series intends to show girls there are many different paths to explore by giving access to women who are harnessing their passions and forging new paths. This event is free and open to public.
Details
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Career Fair
Wednesday, December 11th
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Crown Plaza Hotel
260 Mall Blvd., King of Prussia
Live recruiting and hiring event sponsored by National Career Fairs, a leading recruiter in the area.
Details
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Malvern · Downingtown
Phoenixville · Collegeville Douglassville · Ottsville
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Whether furnishing your home, picking up a new outfit, hitting the gym or looking for a date night spot, Suburban Square has it all!
suburbansquare.com
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Fairytales collide in our brand new holiday panto! This hilarious, musical mashup is perfect for all ages.
People's Light
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Planning for your holiday parties?
Add "Hire a Party Host Helper" to your to-do list and call us today!
partyhosthelper.com
(844)-30-PARTY
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Shop our Warehouse online only auction on December 4 for a great selection of furnishings, decoratives, fine art, and
so much more.
Then take a look at our huge collection of model trains & accessories, layouts, and more on December 6 at our Estate Discovery Auction, which also features an Audi A4 Estate auto with only 24K original miles!
Looking for that one-of-a-kind statement gift? Check out our December 10 Real Estate auction for an absolutely gorgeous 14+ acre artisan's retreat overlooking the Delaware River in Pipersville, PA.
Need last-minute gifts? Stay tuned for our December 13 discovery auction for lots of great ideas!
Gift giving made easy, Briggs Auction style.
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Checking without fees- now that’s good business.
Visit First Resource Bank,
Where Customer Satisfaction Comes FIRST!
Now open in Wayne.
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Find gifts in 60 specialty shops. Enjoy fine dining or casual fare. See a magnificent gingerbread house display. And enjoy the company of people you love.
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Since 1856, Notre Dame has
inspired young women to excel
within a college preparatory
curriculum rooted in the Catholic mission of service
to others.
610.971.0498
ndapa.org
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RTC presents “Into the Woods”!
Enjoy this family-friendly show over the holidays or give tickets as a gift for someone who has everything!
RTCwc.org
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