In the movie Elf, Santa’s sleigh is grounded in Central Park. Seems that his only mode of transportation runs on Christmas spirit, a resource sorely lacking in modern-day New York City. While New York may be aglow with its World’s Series trophy this year, we in the Brandywine Valley possess enough spirit every year to propel Santa’s sleigh to the North Pole and back a hundred times over.

Around the Towns

  Start in West Chester. West Chester’s Old Fashioned Christmas earned a place on USA Today’s 2008 list of “Ten Great Places to Catch Up with Santa” for good reason. Staging its 30th annual Victorian-era Christmas, the town swings into the holiday season on Dec. 4th with its Christmas parade and tree lighting. Kris Kringle arrives on the final float and appears again the following morning for “Breakfast with Santa” at the Chester County Historical Society. He’ll also be aboard the Santa’s Express at the West Chester Railroad during select weekends in December.

  For details on this and other events, check out our Upcoming Events page.

  Even if you don’t catch a glimpse of St. Nick, you’ll find plenty to do on the evening of the parade. Enjoy complimentary refreshments at many stores that stay open for the parade, warm up at the Knights of Columbus Soup & Sandwich Parlor, or attend a free concert by the Henderson High School Chamber Orchestra at the Historical Society. Energy to burn? Lace up for the First Annual Jingle Elf 5K Run at 7 p.m.

  Also taking place at the Historical Society, on Dec. 16 at 7 is the 6th Annual Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Kehillah of Chester County.

  Move on to Malvern. Like West Chester, Malvern gives a nod to the Victorian era when it officially welcomes the Christmas season on Dec. 4. With white lights on every tree branch and petite Christmas trees on every lamppost, this small town bellows “Merry Christmas” for all to hear.

  The 11th annual celebration begins in Burke Park on Friday evening with the tree lighting and Santa on hand to hear holiday wishes under the pavilion. (See Santa along with Mrs. Claus on Saturday in the Malvern Federal Savings Bank.) All evening, shops serve light refreshments, performers stroll through the streets, and many churches host free entertainment, including puppet shows, a Nativity play and music. For an outdoor experience, hop into a horse-drawn carriage on Friday evening and Saturday. (Minimal charge on Friday, free on Saturday.)

  To truly channel the spirit of the Victorians, who loved handicrafts as passionately as figgy pudding, attend a workshop in wreath making, gingerbread house design, or birdhouse building held throughout the weekend. And don’t forget to reserve your spot at a new event, a full afternoon tea on Saturday, another lovely Victorian touch for the event.

  Find Your Way to Phoenixville. Phoenixville joins in the holiday wassail with its Christmas parade and tree lighting on Dec. 4. The merriment includes Santa’s arrival and opening of his house on the corner of Bridge and Main, as well as a community sing-along. In many of the stores that evening, find tasty nibbles and the handiwork of local artisans. And don’t miss the gingerbread houses on display at Artisans Gallery and Café. While you can’t sneak even a gumdrop (the gingerbread houses are part of a competition; winner announced Dec. 5), do sample the sweets and libations that have made “starving artist” an outdated stereotype.

  On Dec. 5, Phoenixville holds its Christmas party for the entire community at The Colonial Theatre. People of all ages greet Santa, sing carols, and enjoy a screening of “Olive, the Other Reindeer.” The event is free, but tickets are required. Pick them up at any Phoenixville Federal Bank and Trust branch.

  Throughout the season, the Colonial Theatre shows holiday movies (see sidebar) and hosts The Eric Mintel Quartet: A Charlie Brown Christmas, the City Rhythm Orchestra, and children’s favorite Trout Fishing in America, whose new CD of holiday tunes is about to be released.

  Can’t Miss Kennett Square. Kennett Square marks the season with its 9th Annual Candlelight Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 13. Tour highlights include the Church of the Open Door, a mid-century rancher decorated with folk art tin Christmas ornaments, and a stone Craftsman-style home showcasing a vintage Santa Claus collection.

  Every Friday from Thanksgiving through Christmas, Kennett Square shops stay open late and musicians perform throughout the town. On December Sundays from 12 to 3, dash through the streets in a horse-drawn carriage. The adventure, as well as the price ($5 per person), transports you back to a simpler time.

Museum & Garden Displays

  For decades, Brandywine Valley museums and gardens have delighted us with their winter celebrations. This year, treasure the traditions and revel in some new takes on holiday decorating.

At Longwood Gardens, the old favorites return: the 4.5-acre conservatory decked out in poinsettias; organ sing-alongs; ice skating performances under the stars; breakfast with Santa, fountains “dancing” to holiday classics, and of course, trees glittering with 500,000 outdoor lights.

  The new displays are equally enchanting. Longwood’s tallest indoor tree, a 28-foot-tall Douglas fir, sparkles with 800 cobalt blue butterfly ornaments that actually flutter. Also impressive is an 85-foot-long carpet fashioned from 1,000 living plants — ivy, begonias, and poinsettias among them — gives new meaning to “green” decorating.

  Down the road at Brandywine River Museum, “green” has been in style for years. Months before the holiday, volunteers gather seeds, pinecones and other plant materials, and with great humor and imagination, turn them into lovable critters that decorate the museum’s trees. This year, look for “river life” critters as well as some inspired by Dr. Seuss and Charles Dickens. If you want a critter to call your own, make sure to visit the Annual Critter sale on Dec. 5 & 6.

  For other handmade gifts, check out the weekend Holiday Shops, featuring artisans selling jewelry, pottery and more or purchase a copy of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, illustrated by renowned local artist Charles Santore, who will sign books on Dec. 12. And no December visit to the Museum is complete without a look at its holiday railroad display.

  At Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, a holiday tour highlights the celebrations of Henry Francis du Pont and his family in the first half of the 20th century. Guided by H.F. du Pont’s notes on tablescapes, museum decorators have transformed the dining room into a silver and white wonderland. The conservatory showcases a 1940s tree complete with retro, colored lights and vintage ornaments, while another room is set for a New Year’s Calling Party. To this day, the men in the du Pont family mark January 1st by loading their cars with small gifts and visiting their female relatives to present these tokens. Be sure to look for holiday ephemera from the John and Carolyn Grossman Collection and of course, don’t miss the dried flower tree that has greeted guests for many holiday seasons.

  Of special note: On Tuesdays during the holidays, Winterthur hosts ‘Tis the Season demonstrations where guests learn pomander-making and flower-arranging among other crafts. Check the website for extended hours, musical performances and breakfast with Santa.

  As at Winterthur, Hagley Museum focuses on du Pont family holiday traditions. At Eleutherian Mills, rooms are decorated for a New Year’s Calling Party and Twelfth Night merrymaking. On weekends throughout December, families can make crafts, play games and taste a freshly baked treat on Workers’ Hill.

  If you’re lucky enough to live in the Brandywine Valley, there really is no place like home for the holidays. -CL-

Holiday Movies and Plays

Get in the holiday mood with these shows at local venues.

Media Theatre, Media
Ebenezer, a contemporary musical based on Dickens’ famous curmudgeon, Dec. 5-26

The Back Alley Theatre at Kennett Flash, Kennett Square
Mixed Nuts, Nora Ephron’s zany take on the holidays, Dec. 16 & 20

The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville
White Christmas, Dec. 13
A Christmas Story, Dec. 19
It’s a Wonderful Life, Dec. 20
Elf, Dec. 26
Miracle on 34th Street, Dec. 27
The Polar Express, Dec. 28
-All shows begin at 2 pm.