We Are Absolutely Crushing Christmas
(That's what it's about, right?)
My husband is a planner. A romantic and a planner. That means that he’s particularly skilled at creating a “perfect” moment after much thought and precision. I have to hand it to Michael — he nailed Christmas this year. Not that the holiday is meant to be won like a Sunday night football game, but he did it. Touchdown.
It started with Mike’s Atlanta-based cousin who was on the hunt to find a real-life “Hallmark Christmas town.” She found it and let us in on the secret. It exists. That town is Woodstock, Vermont. Like so many elves, Mike organized a detailed Christmas excursion and packed us and the dog into the car, heading northward.
For 40 years, this little village of 3,000 residents has been producing Wassail Weekend in December. It’s every bit as authentic and adorable as you’d dream.
Snow-covered hills encircling the town. A covered bridge over a winding river. Old Europe-inspired stores and pubs. A craft fair at the church. Warm, smiling locals offering you cookies at their doorsteps (seriously).
Wassail Weekend is called such, because you can, naturally, get warm cups of the mulled cider as you wander around this little wintry heaven. You’d prefer eggnog or hot cocoa or a local beer? That’s there too. Stroll around the green as children flop down to make snow angels and dogs tussle under a bending pine tree.
What really stands out here is the earnestness (particularly to this New Yorker). There’s no irony, no winking, no eye-roll at anything Christmas. This is a deeply sincere and positively merry celebration of the season. On Saturday afternoon, there’s a parade through town with Clydesdale horses, a bonfire, and caroling with the town elder — a 92-year-old who plays the accordion. Afterwards, you can gather at the Town Hall for the annual holiday cabaret.
On Sunday, we stopped by a nearby farm to make our own candles, pet some sheep, and dash through the snow on a two-horse open sleigh, blankets on our laps and smiles on our faces.
But that’s just a taste of what we’ve “accomplished” this month.
The tree in our home is tall and proud. Our dog has a new plaid neckerchief. My mom baked excellent trays of pfeffernüsse. We’ve had dinner and cocktails with family and friends. We won awards at a cookie exchange. (So did Mom, duh.) All of my Christmas cards have been dropped in the mailbox. We’ve seen a stage production of “A Christmas Carol” with old college friends and will cap off our seasonal film series with a home screening of “The Holiday” tonight.
Tomorrow morning, Mike will begin roasting short rib and then I’ll start on the mushroom and leek bread pudding.
I know that Christmas is all about family and love and kindness. And we’re sincerely crushing it. Wink.
Take This Trip
From NYC, Woodstock, VT is a 4-5 hour drive. Post up at The Woodstock Inn, the town’s grand dame, or The Shire, a riverside motel with a glow-up that Moria Rose would love. (It’s also pet-friendly).
Reserve your fancy dinner at The Red Rooster and don’t forget to grab a killer burger at Worthy Kitchen. Step back into time and learn about the area’s history at Billings Farm, where you can also buy maple syrup, make candles, pet horses, feed goats, et. al. Be sure to pick up some souvenirs at the impeccably-curated Woody’s Mercantile or Clover Apothecary, a shop that’s been in operation since 1928. End the weekend with a nightcap at Au Comptoir, a cozy French-inspired cocktail bar.
Such an interesting article! And such wonderful ways to celebrate Christmas. Thanks for sharing all your information. You're a very talented writer and I enjoy your articles very much!