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CELEBRATING YESTERYEAR Although the holidays may look differently, and The Martin Mitchell Mansion at Naper Settlement will not be decorated this year; Century Memorial Chapel will still be adorned for winter weddings. “There is something magical about winter weddings at Century Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement. Our couples love the warm wood interior of our historic chapel and special decorations for the holiday season,” Director of Marketing, Brittany Tepper says. Naper Settlement also has an extensive collection of items that showcase how the holiday season has been celebrated in Naperville throughout history. From holiday decorations to events, each item not only tells a unique story but showcases how history plays an important role in some of our traditions, such as the Collins and Durran, Jewelry and Clothing Store on Jefferson Avenue with front windows decorated for Christmas in the 1900s. Now, in the era of social distancing, other locales, such as The Little Traveler in Geneva plans to carry on the cookie tradition in a new way. During several days in December, shoppers will receive a complimentary packet of Chef David’s fresh-baked cookies before they leave. It is the store’s way of saying, “Thanks for sticking by us.” Over the years, festival goers traditionally have grown accustom to stopping in from the cold and warming up with complimentary cocoa, hot cider, and fresh-baked cookies in the store’s Atrium Café as a part of Geneva’s annual Christmas Walk. "My personal favorite Traveler tradition is the lighting up of Christmas lights along every eave; it gives the place a magical glow,” Bev Nickleson, Marketing Coordinator for The Little Traveler shares. “Luckily, that's one tradition social distancing can't put a stop to!" COVID-19 also cannot prevent Customer Appreciation Days at Oswald Pharmacy in Naperville which will be held on the first Saturday in December in celebration of their 145th Anniversary. The in-store and online raffle will definitely look different this year than it did back in the 1930s and 40s when Louis Oswald and Harold Kester would hold doll and toy contests for pharmacy customers; however, the energy and excitement of holiday magic will still be felt throughout the store with the ‘Old World Christmas’ handmade ornaments that are treasured traditions. “Growing up in a retail business, Christmas is a year-round event! We place some of our Christmas orders as early as January, start receiving shipments in the summer, and start merchandising as early as August,” says Alex Anderson, General Manager of Oswald Pharmacy who will begin his own tradition as he becomes the new owner on January 1, 2021. 2020 has brought many new holiday events throughout the community, such as Christmas in the Movies via Zoom hosted by the Glen Ellyn Historical Society on November 7th at 2 p.m. where historian Leslie Goddard will review the book Christmas in the Movies by Jeremy Arnold and share behind-the-scenes stories about each movie’s production, reception and legacy. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-in-the-movies-a-leslie-goddard-illustrated-lecture-tickets-122591266779). In years past, Stacey’s Tavern Museum hosted an interactive Pioneer Christmas where participants discovered the similarities between Pioneer celebrations at Christmas and the German traditions which were absorbed into the American celebration and enjoyed trying their hand at making Christmas cookies , sing carols, and listen to stories about the one room schoolhouse. Old or new, different or the same, traditions are built on family, friends, and memories that are made in the moment. Don’t’ forget to enjoy the moment this holiday season! "My personal favorite Traveler tradition is the lighting up of Christmas lights along every eave; t it gives the place a magical glow,” Bev Nickleson, Marketing Coordinator for The Little Traveler shares. “Luckily, that's one tradition social distancing can't put a stop to!" COVID-19 also cannot prevent Customer Appreciation Days at Oswald Pharmacy in Naperville which will be held on the first Saturday in December in celebration of their 145th Anniversary. The in-store and online raffle will definitely look different this year than it did back in the 1930s and 40s when Louis Oswald and Harold Kester would hold doll and toy contests for pharmacy customers; however, the energy and excitement of holiday magic will still be felt throughout the store with the ‘Old World Christmas’ handmade ornaments that are treasured traditions. “Growing up in a retail business, Christmas is a year-round event! We place some of our Christmas orders as early as January, start receiving shipments in the summer, and start merchandising as early as August,” says Alex Anderson, General Manager of Oswald Pharmacy who will begin his own tradition as he becomes the new owner on January 1, 2021. 2020 has brought many new holiday events throughout the community, such as Christmas in the Movies via Zoom hosted by the Glen Ellyn Historical Society on November 7th at 2 p.m. where historian Leslie Goddard will review the book Christmas in the Movies by Jeremy Arnold and share behind-the-scenes stories about each movie’s production, reception and legacy. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-in-the-movies-a-leslie-goddard-illustrated-lecture-tickets-122591266779). In years past, Stacey’s Tavern Museum hosted an interactive Pioneer Christmas where participants discovered the similarities between Pioneer celebrations at Christmas and the German traditions which were absorbed into the American celebration and enjoyed trying their hand at making Christmas cookies , sing carols, and listen to stories about the one room schoolhouse. Old or new, different or the same, traditions are built on family, friends, and memories that are made in the moment. Don’t’ forget to enjoy the moment this holiday season! ALL HOLIDAY HAPPY ALL KANE COUNTY

HOLIDAY HISTORY | How Communities Keep Yesterday's Holiday Traditions Celebrated

CELEBRATING YESTERYEAR Although the holidays may look differently, and The Martin Mitchell Mansion at Naper Settlement will not be...

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