WILL B.

Town Christmas Rocks

Instead of my usual essay on Olney Christmas, I thought a top ten list would be fun. So, in no particular order, these are my favorite things about a small town Christmas.

10. For me, nothing holds the beauty of Christmas and other holidays as the view from a small town, the charming shops that line Main Street and the beautiful country views.

9. Friends and families are closer in small towns, even closer during Christmas.

8. High school basketball hits differently in small towns during Christmas break: there is electricity on the boards and warmth in the stands.

7. Small towns are generally surrounded by other small towns, making it easy to travel to multiple holiday events unique to each small town.

6. Churches in small towns are like extended family and always have amazing Christmas gatherings.

5. Small towns always have one family-owned grocery store. When you walk down the aisles you wont get down the aisle without having a conversation or one or more friendly greetings. Going grocery shopping for Christmas or Thanksgiving in a small town store is more like going to a friend’s house to raid their pantry and talk about everything happening.

4. Small town tree lightings and parades will always be more special then big city holiday events. Standing elbow to elbow with friends, family and neighbors, singing carols or sharing a hot cocoa while kids take photos with Santa.

3. Main Street in any small town is magical during Christmas, shops adorned with bright cheery lights and trees, happy smiles everywhere you turn.

2. High on my list personally will always be Olney Floral & Design. For me the holidays do not begin until Olney Floral has their Christmas open house; it is like walking into a Christmas wonderland and to pass by the shop’s window is to look straight into the heart of what Christmas looks like.

1. I know I said these are not in order but it just lined up that my number 1 on the list happened to fall right into place. Number 1 will always be the people of small towns. Small town people are built differently, whether you grew up or moved to one, small town communities always make sure everyone is taken care of throughout the year but especially during the holidays with free meals, free groceries, Toys for Tots and angel trees for teens, everyone is always taken care of.

This is Will B saying, Merry Christmas. May all your memories be festive and bright this Christmas.