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Section: Discover the Joy
Rediscovering the Joy of Small-Town Holidays
By Joe Kissel
It’s a comfort to know some people take the holidays very seriously.
Left strictly to Yuletide underachievers like Ebenezer and me, front yards in December would not resemble kitschy discotheques celebrating the deity of Niagara Mohawk, little Virginia would’ve learned the harsh environmental implications of conspicuous Christmas consumption, and most distressingly, mistletoe would simply be the code name for some trillion-dollar nuclear defense system.
Thankfully, most people aren’t afflicted with seasonal affective cynicism disorder. And once the joyous work of these true believers takes shape—holiday toy and food collections for the less fortunate, streets and halls decked with holly and genuine cheer, the first snowman of the season—you’ll realize once again that Christmas isn’t a time of year, it’s a state of mind.
Nowhere is that Christmas mindset better explored than in a small town, where for better or worse, everybody knows who you are. Here, anonymity is not an option, and anyway, Christmas is not a time for keeping your feelings covert. It’s more for wearing them brightly on your sleeve, attached to an arm grasping a mug of hot cider and singing the songs that reach back to the origins of this jolly holiday, unequivocally showing the human heart is warmer inside than any wintry chill out there.
If you’re looking for some small-town holiday cheer, a great place to start is East Aurora, home of the legendary Roycrofter artisans and toymaker Fisher-Price. The town features a quaintly decorated Main Street and a sleigh-full of activities designed to get you away from the crass crush of cars and human cattle at the mall and back to a more organic time when Christmas didn’t go beep-beep.
The history of East Aurora is inextricably linked with that of the Roycrofters, founded by writer and philosopher Elbert Hubbard, who started that handicraft community in 1895 after ditching the devil’s work of advertising and later his meandering of England’s hills and dales. Rather quickly, an industry of travel, education and craftwork developed around Hubbard and the Roycroft campus he built.
So a great place to start any outing to East Aurora would be the Roycroft Inn. There you’ll find architecture inspired by the elegant simplicity of the arts and crafts movement and an atmosphere that’s appropriately warmest at Christmastime. Oddly enough, though, Hubbard and friends, with their thoughts on thought and often strange celebrations, were rather humanistic if not downright pagan. (But then again, one would struggle mightily to find any red-suited figures ho-ho-hoing in either the old or new testaments.)
Though you needn’t look far for Mr. and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 18 when the town presents its annual Carolcade. The jolly ones will lead hundreds upon hundreds of carolers through the seasonal songbook while others enjoy hayrides or get out of the chill while browsing the shops on Main Street. And naturally, life in a northern town would not be complete without an appearance from those icons of Christmas, The Salvation Army Band.
Looking for a personal, handcrafted gift? The town’s artisans will thrill through the chill Dec. 4 and 5, showing off handmade jewelry, wood furniture in the Roycroft style, pottery, prints, baskets and all other manner of the arts and crafts movement. For those feeling lucky, there’s also the legendary “goodie box” containing works of art and craft provided by the Roycroft Artisans and valued at more than $4,000. The box is currently on display at the Roycroft Campus Antiques, where tickets can be purchased in advance of the show. For more info, call 655-7252.
If the thought of hope and redemption, resurrection and fulfillment appeal to your imagination, George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will be preformed at 7:30pm, Dec. 4 by the Community Advent Chorale accompanied by orchestra. Handel’s “Messiah” has been praised through the ages for its elegant melodies and extraordinary choral sonorities, and it’s a wonderful choice for the high-minded side of Christmas.
The beautiful homes of East Aurora—dressed in full holiday regalia and steeped in history—will be on display Dec. 12. A book sale will take place Dec. 4 and 5 at the Hubbard Museum. And since many arthritis sufferers report worsened pain during the winter, The Roycroft Inn will host a evening of alternative healing techniques at 7:30pm, Dec. 8 for those living with joint discomfort. And, you can enjoy dinner followed by jazz events on two Fridays, Dec. 3 and 17 at the inn.
That’s a lot of holiday cheer, but East Aurora is by no means the only small town in Western New York with public holiday celebrations. A northern alternative is the hamlet of Newfane, which is just north of Lockport. There, you’ll again find the cozy, friendly atmosphere of a town welcoming its neighbors and visitors alike to their holiday activities.
Kicking off Newfane’s Christmas season is their Dec. 3 event that will feature sleigh rides, caroling, music and other entertainment, free coffee and cider from The Coffee Emporium, and, naturally, a visit from Santa Claus. Their Main Street also features numerous shops, and further north in historic Olcott, even more gift-giving opportunities await. At Grace Bible Church, see the story of the birth of Jesus unfold during its annual living nativity, a massive production comprising more than a hundred members of the community.
Yes, there is Christmas warmth and charm to be found even in the coldest, darkest depths of the city and suburbs. But really, no Christmas could be complete without a trip through the woods to a small-town holiday destination. This is where Christmas was born, and forever shall be where it is most purely preserved.
There, even the most inveterate of humbuggers and their glassy hearts are likely to soften and melt away.
EAST AURORA EVENTS
Dec. 3, Friday Fireside Jazz, featuring Jazzline with vocalist Jenny Jones, 7:30pm at the Roycroft Inn.
Dec. 4, Handel’s “Messiah” - 7:30pm at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, Main & Center Streets.
Dec. 4 and 5, Roycroft Winter Festival 10am–5pm at East Aurora Middle School, Main Street.
Dec. 4 and 5, Holiday Book Sale - (Sat. 10am–3pm, Sun 12pm–3pm) Hubbard Museum, 363 Oakwood Ave.
Dec. 8, Ancient Healing Techniques 7:30pm at The Copper Shop Tea Room. For more info, call 652-7805.
Dec. 12, Annual Tour of Homes 10:30am–4:30pm, $20. For more information call 652-5522.
Dec. 17, Friday Fireside Jazz featuring The Jeffery Arthur Trio, 7:30pm at the Roycroft Inn.
Dec. 18, Carolcade - 7pm, Main Street between Olean and Elm streets.
NEWFANE EVENTS
Dec. 3, Annual Tree Lighting and Festivities - 5–8pm, Main Street.
Dec. 3 and 5 and Dec. 10 and 12, Grace Bible Church’s Living Nativity, 6023 Dutton Place (just off of Main Street), free. For more information call 778-9081.
Joe Kissel is a freelance writer who lives in North Tonawanda, New York.
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