Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Posts tagged ‘Holidays’

Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Celebrate the holidays at Deck the Hall when you visit Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens from November 28 – December 30. While Deck the Hall began in 1988, every year is bigger and better. There’s always something new. You’ll be amazed at over 1.4 million lights throughout the estate in this magical Christmas wonderland. While it is lovely all year long, the holidays bring an extra glow that everyone will enjoy.

This lighted tunnel guides you through the grounds.

Many know Stan Hywet as a beautiful historic house in Akron. This was the original site of a stone quarry and gets its name from Old English, where Stan Hywet means stone quarry. This was the country estate of Frank A. Seiberling, one of the co-founders of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1898.

From hospitals and housing to parks and education, their family legacy of giving built a stronger, more connected community. At Stan Hywet, they carry on that spirit of generosity every day by preserving the home they created for the public good. Above the Manor House front door is a sign that reads “Non Nobis Solum” (Not for us Alone), a mantra Gertrude Seiberling included when Stan Hywet was being built and a mantra that continues to inspire all they do today.

Great Hall holds the beauty of an old-fashioned Christmas.

Your Deck the Hall ticket gives you access to a self-guided tour from 3-7:30 pm of the stunning Manor House with it’s dazzling winter-themed décor in twenty rooms. There are also many Christmas displays as each room has a special theme that often brings the beauty of nature inside. There’s even a Lego room that the kids especially enjoy.

Santa and Rudolph are favorites of children and the young at heart.

Visit Santa and Rudolph in the Carriage House Courtyard through December 23. They love to greet the children and have pictures taken with them. Stop in Molly’s Courtyard Cafe for cocoa, gingerbread cookies, beer, or wine and find some great gifts at Molly’s Shop. There’s a new digital Christmas tree on display here.

Molly’s Courtyard is a favorite stop for lights, snacks, and great gifts.

The ticket also gives you access to see all the outdoor lights, Gingerbread Land, and the Dazzle Light Show, an animated light show set to holiday music, in the Great Garden. Step outside into seventy acres of beauty where you are surrounded by the magic of the Christmas season. Twinkling lights around every bend of the walk are incredible.

Find a beautiful poinsettia tree inside Corbin Conservatory.

Corbin Conservatory was originally used by the Seiberling family to grow produce and plants. For Deck the Hall, it is filled with poinsettias of every color imaginable. Pick out your favorite color for a reminder of your visit when you return home.

The playground is always decorated with something the children will enjoy.

Homes of Nature / Children’s Playgarden is a favorite spot for youngsters with decorations that attract their attention. There is so much to explore here from the music of Harmony Hill, the barking of a St. Bernard at Joe’s Dig, or the Model A Ford with rubber tires to remind everyone of the former owner.

Special nights are planned throughout the season. Visit their website at https://stanhywet.org/events/deck-hall for detailed information.

  • Dinner, Ballet, and Deck the Hall features The Little Nutcracker presented by the Cleveland Ballet on December 3 and 4.
  • Dinner and Deck the Hall includes a festive holiday dinner in the Manor House Reception Hall on December 5, 10, 11, and 12.
Take home a poinsettia in your favorite color from the Conservatory.

Deck the Hall at 714 N. Portage Path, Akron is open Nov. 28 – 30, Dec. 4 – 7, 11 – 14, 18 – 23, 26 – 30. They are closed on December 24 and 25. Your visit can begin at 3pm with the last admission being 8 pm.

All tickets must be purchased in advance at stanhywet.org or by calling 330-315-3287. Many nights sell out so get your tickets early. Admission is $28 for adults and $15 for youths (3-17). Children two and under are free. Members of Stan Hywet receive a discount.

Once inside, you can remain on the grounds until 9pm. Parking is free in their Main Lot. When that lot fills, there will be auxiliary lots with shuttle service. Beverages, food, and strollers are not permitted inside the Manor House. There is an area just outside the Manor House to park strollers.

Walk through the sparkling lights to be surrounded by the holiday spirit.

Dress warmly as this celebration is a walking experience that takes you both inside and outside. If you want to see everything, allow yourself two to three hours to see this winter wonderland that sparkles with holiday cheer.

Families make Deck the Hall an annual tradition.

Many families have made Deck the Hall a family tradition. Take time from your busy schedule this year and make it part of your family’s celebration.

Category:

Christmas, Family Fun, Gardens, Museums, Ohio

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Christmas Crackers – A Victorian Tradition

“Snap, crackle, pop” might have been popular in Victorian England – and not with a bowl of cereal. During the Victorian era, Christmas Crackers made that sound and were a popular gift item at gatherings. Even Queen Victoria and Prince Albert shared them with their nine children.

This is the cover of Tom Smith’s catalog where he sold many novelties.

Christmas Crackers all began with Tom Smith of London in 1847. He first used a twisted sheet of patterned paper to wrap his sugared almonds. When sales slipped, he began finding new ways to promote his candy and his business. His first idea was to include a romantic note.

Inside the cracker were a variety of gifts depending on who was to be the recipient.

When the note didn’t increase sales, Smith enlarged the size to a paper tube so it could hold something larger inside. Then wrapped it in festive paper fitting for the occasion This new improved cracker was launched for sale under the name “Bangs of Expectation.”

Imagine the excitement of waiting to see what special surprise was hidden inside.

Two people would hold the cracker and snap it, the “snap” being produced by the silver fulminate inside. The paper would “crackle “and out would “pop” a piece of candy, a trinket, fans, jewelry, and a piece of paper with an amusing joke or riddle.

What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations?

Tinselitis!

What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school?

The elf-abet!

His sons carried on the business after Tom died in 1869, never to see the real success of his cracker. His three sons – Thomas, Henry, and Walter – added a tissue paper crown to the cracker. This became a Christmas tradition in England, and when the tube broke apart, the person holding the longest end got to keep all the contents. The paper hats inside took the appearance of crowns, and were then worn at Christmas dinner. You had to wear your crown!

This Norman Rockwell painting of snapping Christmas Crackers was done in 1911.

Crackers were often used as table decorations but also present at Victorian teas with special ones made for the Queen’s family. It was even rumored that Queen Elizabeth enjoyed her Christmas lunch while wearing one of Smith’s crepe-paper crowns. Tom Smith, Ltd. still holds the Royal Warrant as Supplier of Christmas Crackers to the Royal Family.

In 2022, Tom Smith celebrated the 175th anniversary of the invention of Christmas Crackers. Today, they make approximately 17,000,000 Christmas Crackers a year. The Christmas tradition continues!

Maybe you would like to add a little “Snap, crackle, pop” to your Christmas by starting the Christmas cracker tradition with your family. Perhaps you’ll enjoy the little riddle inside as you place the crown on your head.

What’s a parent’s favorite Christmas carol?

Silent Night!

Category:

Christmas, Family Fun, Uncategorized

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Magical Sleigh Ride

Waiting at the theaterTap, tap, tap! Sitting on a cold bench outside the theater, Katherine tapped her foot impatiently waiting for the show to begin. Dressed in a warm cape with a red knit scarf around her neck, the winter chill didn’t bother her. The Christmas season always brought her out to watch the crowds pass on their way to shop for the holidays. But Katherine didn’t need to shop for anything, she only wanted to see the Christmas show.

While she waited, she heard the clip-clop of horses’ hooves on the pavement.  Riding in a horse and sleigh would be more fun than playing charades at a party, thought the young lady. The second time she heard it, she jumped from the bench and moved quickly to the side of the street.

“Any chance you could pick up a lady for a short ride?” Katherine smiled as she approached the driver of the sleigh.

“Usually people pay to ride, but I’m in the Christmas spirit tonight so let me help you up here.” Then the driver wrapped a warm blanket around her legs before they headed off on an adventure.

Katherine and the sleigh just seemed to float over the town almost like a magic carpet with sleigh bells attached.  She could look down and see all the mannequins along the street. There were those beautiful courthouse lights she had heard so much about but had never seen.  Katherine’s laughter warmed the air as she pleaded with the driver, “Could you circle around again so I can see those lights a little better. Slow down!”

The driver settled the sleigh softly on the roof of the bank building. Then he watched with Katherine as they enjoyed the beautiful courthouse with pulsating Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music.

Later as they drifted over the city, Katherine was as excited as the kids at a chestnut roasting. Her heart skipped a beat as they swooped down around the frozen Salt Fork Lake. The dazzling snow-capped firs and pines were the perfect hide-out for a family of deer. The snow glistened in the moonlight creating a magical feeling in the air.

Mannequin still waitsThe evening flew by with Katherine feeling like a young girl again. Happiness like this was a priceless treasure even though she knew it would soon end. As the sleigh came back to the theater, it dropped down to the street and the clip-clop of horses’ hooves was heard once again. Katherine sat back down on the bench and waited with the ticket still in her hand. Perhaps that ticket will bring her more magical happenings in the future. But for now, Katherine is again the mannequin that sits on the bench in front of the theater, hoping the passers-by will enjoy their walk through Dickens Victorian Village.

Story Behind the Story

Being a volunteer at Dickens Victorian Village in Cambridge, Ohio brings me lots of pleasure. A few weeks ago, however, one of  the mannequins was stolen from the bench in front of the theater.  Strangely enough, the next day she was back on her bench. Another volunteer, who knows I enjoy writing stories, suggested that I create a story about her adventure while she was gone.  Hope you enjoyed Katherine’s little sleigh ride!

Category:

Cambridge, Just for Fun

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