by Christine Galeone

It’s that time of the year again. It’s time to try to get into the spirit of the upcoming holidays.

Naturally, people get ready to celebrate the holidays in various ways. But putting up festive décor, attending holiday events, and embracing the spirit of giving are wonderful ways for many to prepare for the season. And Grafton businesses and organizations want to help.

On Sunday Dec. 3, the Grafton Recreation Department will hold its 28th annual Grafton Celebrates the Holidays event. The event will include a craft and vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grafton Municipal Center gym, festivities at “Frosty Stops” throughout Grafton from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., a wreath sale fundraiser for Boy Scout Troop 107 from 12 to 4 p.m. on the Common, winter and festive songs by the Grafton Girl Scouts on the Common around 4 p.m. and Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the Common between 4:30 and 4:45 p.m.  

Several Frosty Stop businesses will offer free food, treats and kids’ activities and giveaways, including chicken noodle soup for adults and a cookie for each child at Bushel N’ Peck, kids’ crafts at Savers Bank, Perreault Nursery and Houlden Farm – with the latter two selling Christmas trees and greenery – and coloring books, badges and a visit with McGruff the Crime Dog for kids and gun locks for adults at the Grafton Police Department. Kids can also participate in many other fun activities like sending a letter to Santa at the Grafton Fire Department, taking on obstacle courses at Premier Sport Taekwondo and Connections Physical Therapy, having s’mores around a campfire at Brigham Hill Community Barn and Grafton Lions Club, and visiting with Santa at Homefield Credit Union from 12 p.m. to 3:30.

A few of the local churches will also offer fun and inspirational activities at the event. The Congregational Church of Grafton will offer a Gaga game starting at 2 p.m. and refreshments. At 1 p.m., the Unitarian Universalist Society will have a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and a performance by the UUSGU bell choir. The Baptist Church of Grafton will have soft, soothing Christmas music playing for its visitors, who can tour the church’s large display of global Manger Scenes depicting the Nativity.  

At the Frosty Stop for Gaudette Insurance Agency, kids can get free custom-made cookies by the Crafted Cookie. People can also help others by dropping off new toys for Toys for Tots at the agency. They can then enter a raffle.    

And at Grafton Community TV, visitors with thumb drives can make video messages for loved ones who are deployed overseas.

People looking for holiday ornaments, décor or gifts can find them in several Grafton shops, including Perreault Nurseries’ gift shop, the Grafton Country Store, Off the Common Antiques and The Saddle Shed. In addition to selling festive soy candles and holiday greenery, Perreault Nurseries, the North Grafton nursery and landscape supply shop sells holiday items featuring angels, birds, animals and more. The Grafton Country Store, the Grafton Common gift shop that sells gifts, jewelry, décor and accessories, among other things, boasts a wide selection of holiday gifts (including many featuring cardinals, snowmen and wildlife), ornaments and décor. Nearby, Off the Common Antiques, the multi-artisan, multi-vendor shop has also updated its inventory to include many holiday hand-crafted and antique ornaments and décor.  Over in South Grafton, The Saddle Shed offers a selection of   horse equipment, accessories, gifts and tack and has winter wear for horses and their riders.   

On Saturday Nov. 25 – which is Small Business Saturday – in North Grafton, Angel Hair Alpacas will hold its annual open house.from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. In addition to fun, educational farm tours, there will be pop-up vendors. Its own farm shop will be selling knitted garments and yarn.

Although the holiday season will be here soon, Grafton and many of its businesses and organizations are ready to help people prepare for it in fun and inspiring ways. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Contact Christine with your Grafton news at [email protected]