Having had my fair share of moving, there is no place like home -- especially for the holidays. This past Saturday, I attended Westwood's annual Home for the Holidays celebration with my 3 year old son, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law all in tow.
We began the festivities at the library for Story Time with Mrs. Claus, which was a great start to our night. The timing of the event was perfectly set from 5PM to 5:30pm so we arrived in Westwood with plenty of time to find good parking for the rest of the evening. Mrs. Claus was fabulous and animated as she patiently read a few Christmas favorites to the children (and adults too!). It is no wonder why Santa loves her so much: she even took time out of her busy schedule to take pictures with the kids.
We began the festivities at the library for Story Time with Mrs. Claus, which was a great start to our night. The timing of the event was perfectly set from 5PM to 5:30pm so we arrived in Westwood with plenty of time to find good parking for the rest of the evening. Mrs. Claus was fabulous and animated as she patiently read a few Christmas favorites to the children (and adults too!). It is no wonder why Santa loves her so much: she even took time out of her busy schedule to take pictures with the kids.
My son was just about on holiday overload that day by the time we reached Mrs. Claus. But apparently, nothing can keep down the spirit of the holidays in a 3 year old -- especially with a Claus around! The library also offered hot chocolate and cookies in addition to a name the Elf on the Shelf contest to keep the kids full and entertained while we waited for the parade to begin.
From the library we proceeded to head towards Washington Avenue along with a growing number of patrons. As we were walking, the spirit of the season really started to pick up. Before the parade even started we were embraced by the cheerful sounds of Christmas melodies playing from a small brass band in Veteran's Park. The notes sailed through the crisp, winter air. I was kept warm by the memories the music brought back to me, and I could see the same response in others' eyes as well. The smell of hot chocolate came in waves as it got passed from steaming cup to steaming cup by the onlookers humming along to the holiday tune. It may be a familiar scene to most, as each year the festivities seem to play out like the 'stories of old' that we know so well.
This year's parade was Sports themed and was pulled off wholeheartedly by the community with consideration to the upcoming Winter Olympics and, more importantly, the Westwood Regionals Championship game (Go Cardinals!).
As we walked up and down the route, there was plenty of popcorn and balloons to be had by all, bringing lots of smiles. Laughter that filled the air was almost louder than the parade itself.
Home for the Holidays is another event down in the history books. It left me feeling both as spirited as my 3 year old and yet terribly anxious knowing that I have almost no shopping done yet. Eek! As the holiday season gears up into full speed, I would love some more time to slow down and smell the delicious hot chocolate.
As we walked up and down the route, there was plenty of popcorn and balloons to be had by all, bringing lots of smiles. Laughter that filled the air was almost louder than the parade itself.
Home for the Holidays is another event down in the history books. It left me feeling both as spirited as my 3 year old and yet terribly anxious knowing that I have almost no shopping done yet. Eek! As the holiday season gears up into full speed, I would love some more time to slow down and smell the delicious hot chocolate.
If you missed Westwood's annual Home for the Holidays festivities this past Saturday, make sure to mark it down for next year and the next year and the next year and so on. The event has become a tradition to many families in Bergen County and it is clear why. Westwood's Home for the Holiday's event will definitely become a tradition in my family as the official kick-off to another spectacular, and somehow always too rushed, holiday
season.
season.
From one to all, Happy Holidays!
About The Author
Jennifer is the mother of two amazing little boys and loves to know what is going on around them so they can get involved. Originally from the Midwest, Jennifer moved East 8 years ago to pursue a career in New York City's fast-paced apparel industry. After her first son was born, Jennifer and her husband decided it was time to get out of NYC and get some real space to raise a family. They found their niche right in Bergen County. Since stepping foot here, they haven't turned back! Jennifer claims to have the heart of a Midwesterner but the sprit of an East-coaster which, so far, hasn't failed her yet. She always look forward to what is to come. After her second son was born, Jennifer decided to give the apparel industry a break to focus on her two children. To keep her feet wet in the apparel industry and spend quality time at home, she became the East Coast sales representative for The Good Ones, a young boys children's apparel company that she can personally put her stamp of approval on.
