Begin Your Holiday Celebrations at Christmas on Round Hill

Are you nostalgic for the holidays of
years past? Do you want to see a Christmas scene right off a holiday card and
shop for your gifts far from malls and highways? Then stop by “Christmas on
Round Hill” at the Round Hill Community House, 397 Round Hill Road in Greenwich,
on December 6 and 7. The weekend is sponsored by the Round Hill Community
Church and proceeds benefit charities, both local and global, and the upkeep of
the Community House.  On
Friday evening, December 6, there will be gala Preview Party
(tickets available through the Church) and on Saturday, December 7, is The
Fair, open free to the whole community.  

The tradition of Christmas on Round
Hill goes back to the 1920s when the Community House was built. The sense of
community was strong then and it continues today. The Community House is
decorated inside and out--the theme is a winter wonderland. Members of the
Church and their friends bake and bring goodies to be sold, as they did then.
There are cookie workshops during the month before, and Christmas puddings are
stirred as they were years ago. The Round Hill Express Train will be chugging
around the grounds carrying young passengers. The train was built in the 1950s
by John McAulay, the church sexton, who used a tractor donated by a member and
wheels from large dollies to support the cars.

The Fair, on
Saturday December 7 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, is free for the
whole community and great fun for families. Santa Claus will be sitting in his
sleigh, as he has done at every Fair for the past 70 years. Children can have
their photos taken on his lap as some of their parents did when they were
small. The beautiful sleigh is over 100 years old and used to glide over the
snowdrifts of backcountry Greenwich. There will be two Magic Shows with
magician Stephen Christopher and his animal friends at 11 a.m. and
2 p.m.  While families shop, there
will be fun activities
for children, including a variety of crafts that they can make and take home.

At the heart of the Fair is “The
Treasure Trove,” a collection of treasures and collectibles from the attics and
closets of many kind donors. You may stumble on a picture, or a pillow, or
piece of silver or vintage dress that you love. In years past there were even a
couple of cars sold at the Fair.

At “Something Special” you will see
beautiful work made by women of the Round Hill Studio. Fine decoupage plates,
decorative lacquered boxes, wood wastebaskets, magazine racks, faux finished
tables, mailboxes and hand-painted children’s furniture are just a few of the
wonderful items available, and at very reasonable prices. “Living Greens”
offers beautiful poinsettias and plants to decorate your home. Vendors will be
selling handmade jewelry, personalized accessories, scarves, decorative
pillows, baby blankets, children's clothing, and more. There will
be face painting courtesy of the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts will be selling
wreaths and swags of greens as they have done for many years. There will be
soup, sandwiches, and drinks available for purchase throughout the day.

 The Gala Preview Party, on Friday December
6 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, launches the weekend.   The Preview Party is, of
course, a great opportunity to browse the stalls and get a start on your
holiday shopping. Tickets are available by calling the Church. Admission to the
Fair on Saturday, December 7 is free. The Round Hill Community House is located at 397 Round Hill Road,
Greenwich.
For more information, or Preview Party tickets, call 203-869-1091 or visit  www.roundhillcommunitychurch.org