~ Darien Holiday Happenings ~

Here’s to a happy 2009 holiday season!  Like last year, this post will be a regularly-updated, running report on whatever holiday happenings I hear about, so bookmark it and check it often, and if you hear of something fun going on in town send it my way! This post only covers events happening in Darien, but be sure to also check out the Events Calendar for events going on all around Fairfield County.

Here we go ….

Ongoing and/or Special Announcements

* Green Moon in Rowayton is offering a drop-off pizza party for little ones from 12pm to 3pm on Saturday, December 5th to give you some holiday shopping time: find out more here.

* Need a reliable sitter this holiday season?  Whether it’s for one date or the whole vacation, call The Sitting Service, owned and operated by a Darien mother of four who only hires sitters she’d use for her own kids.  Also a great resource for pet and house sitters, and services Fairfield County!

* Santa is at the Sport Shop beginning Thursday, December 3rd, and will make his jolliness and lap available Thursdays, from 3pm to 6pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 3pm for initial wish-list consultations and potentially follow-up visits for those naughty kids who are trying to be nice at the last minute …

* The first annual Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Darien kicks off Sunday, November 29th and continues through Saturday December 5th: look for the Elf in participating downtown stores, record the interesting fact they offer, and be entered to win one of 4 enormous and exciting gift baskets.  For all the scoop, plus a way to grab some free DAR stickers, click here.

* Hate wrapping gifts? Let the Depot do it for you!  Drop-off gift wrapping in time for Christmas: you get your gifts wrapped while supporting Darien’s teen center – talk about holiday cheer! Drop-off wrapping: 12/19 & 12/20 Saturday/Sunday: 11-8 pm; 12/21, 12/22, 12/23 Mon/Tues/Wed  3-8 pm

***Events***

Nov 11 & 12: 11th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE AT THE PIEDMONT CLUB to benefit the YWCA Darien/Norwalk.  Enjoy shopping adorable boutique items and high-end cosmetics and fragrances on Wednesday, November 11th from 9am to 4:30pm, and then in the evening from 6:30pm to 9:30pm that includes complimentary champagne and FREE GOODIE BAGS for the first 100 shoppers that night, and continues Thursday November 12th from 9am to 2:30pm.

Nov 13th – FREE MOVIE/ HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE at the Darien Playhouse — 4:00pm. Community is invited to enjoy a complimentary screening of “A Christmas Carol” to help kick off that festive holiday feeling, in exchange for bringing an unwrapped, unopened toy, winter hat or pair of gloves/mittens to support Darien Social Services.  For more information, contact Alicia Sillers at 203-656-7326.

Nov 29th: TRADITIONAL TOWN TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION — Sponsored by the Darien Chamber of Commerce, the celebration begins at 4:30pm in Grove Street Plaza with festive entertainment, and then Santa arrives via Fire Truck at 5pm. He will pull the winning ticket for the ABC Vespa Raffle and then lead children and parents to the “Big Tree” at the Darien Sport Shop for the tree lighting and a “visit with Santa”.  Festivities will continue at Grove Street Plaza for those who aren’t waiting to visit with Santa.  Candy Canes will be provided by Community Fund of Darien, Glow Sticks provided by the Darien Chamber of Commerce, Hot Cocoa & Munchies will be provided by Darien Doughnut and served by the Kiwanis Club,  Caroling led by the DHS Tudor Singers and E.J. Couloucoundis, and “Elf” entertainment will be provided by DAC Dance Students.  Light Rain or shine event, only cancelled if heavy storm.

Dec 1: HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT THE SPORT SHOP FOR THE DARIEN NATURE CENTER — 10am to 6pm.  Get your holiday shopping done early, and 10% of all proceeds go directly to the Darien Nature Center.

Dec 1: HOLIDAY LADIES’ CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH at the DCA — The DCA Women’s Group will be holding its annual Holiday Champagne Brunchand gift exchange at 11:15 on Tuesday, December 1st. The Blue Notes will perform at 11:30am. Those attending should bring a $10 gift. All are welcome. Fee for DCA members is $7 and non-DCA members is $15. Reservations are requested by 10am on November 30. This is one of many social events planned by the Women’s Group for women of all ages. The DCA Women’s Group meets the first Tuesday of each month. New members and friends are always welcome. The DCA is located at 274 Middlesex Road in Darien. Please call the DCA at 655-9050 to make a reservation or for more information.

Dec 3rd: “A Christmas Presence” – 7:30pm, Darien Library.  Lecturer Chet Manchester will talk about Jesus’s life and the timeless message of the healing Christ.  Includes music and video.

Dec 3rd & 4th: SANTA, SPORT SHOP AND OPUS SHOPPING EVENT - 10am to 6pm, daily.  Complimentary photos on Santa’s lap by Jack Dog Studios, a chance to win the Giving Tree, and a donation of the shopping proceeds given to OPUS for Person-to-Person makes these 2 days a MUST at the Darien Sport Shop!

Dec 5th: HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS FAIR — 10am to 4pm.  Visit with Santa, Kids’ Games, Arts & Crafts, Wreaths, Boutique Vendors, and more!  Holmes School, 18 Hoyt Street.

Dec 5th: DARIEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY- GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP- 1:30-2:30pm.  Children decorate their own gingerbread house. All materials will be supplied; finished houses become a delightful
holiday decoration for your home. Limited to 20 children, aged 7 and older. $25 each. Reservations required through the society at info@darienhistorical.org or by calling 655-9233.

Dec 5th and 6th: WALTER SCHALK HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR & FUNDRAISER — Sat, 8pm; Sun 2pm and 6pm.  This broadway-quality musical comedy performance rivals the Rockettes!!  So much fun for the whole family.

Dec 8th: HOLIDAY GREENS WORKSHOP AT THE DCA — 9:30am.  Wreaths created can be hung or used as centerpieces. Coffee will be served at 9:30am and the program will start at 10:00am. Reservations are required by December 2nd.  Participants should bring pruners and gloves. There is a $10 fee for garden club members, $15 fee for DCA non-garden club members, and a $20 fee for non-DCA members.  Please call the DCA 655-9050 to make your reservation.

Dec 9th: HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE at the DCA — 6pm to 9pm.  Evening of shopping from over 40 boutique vendors in festively decorated DCA house.  Items for sale includes but are not limited to handbags, designer leather gloves, belts, scarves, shawls, men’s ties, table linens, infant and childrenswear, home goods, jewelry in many price ranges, stationery, women’s clothing and golf wear, decorative decoupage items, travel cases, ornaments, cosmetics, Irish knits, totebags, hand-turned wooden bowls, dried floral arrangements, decorative pillows, and teen items. Also available for sale will be the first DCA cookbook, “In Good Taste” which includes recipes from many local clubs and restaurants as well as DCA members.  Shopping at the boutique will support the DCA’s mission including its scholarship program for Darien High School seniors and returning college students.

Dec 10th: HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE at the DCA — 9am to 4pm. (see above)  Vendors at this event will include: A Little Pocket Change, Adrienne Lee, Ali D’Oro Jewelry, Angela Moore, Anita Designs, April Marin, Arbonne, Buckle Bling, Charlie and Grace, Created by A, Cynthia Alexander, Diamer, Family Stitches, Gemvelopes, Gilann Books, Handcrafted by Brigitte, In2Design, Jewelry By Us, Lady Ming, Lady Syll, MGD Irish Knits, Misshapened Bowl, Nahui Ollin, Ostilly Collections, Paper Essentials, Pop Handbags, Richard Tsao, Shaneen Huxham, Silpada, Sparklies, Slurge, Stockings and Stuffers, Suzanne Saltzman, M. Saverine Decoupage, Style Boutique, Sweet Samantha, Triple Sweet, Alane Weissman, ZeBeDeBe, and more.

Dec 10th: COOKIES, COCKTAILS & A CAUSE – Non-members as well as YWCA members are invited to attend the festivities beginning at 7:30pm at a YWCA member’s home in Darien (location will be provided upon event registration).  The event will involve a cookie swap and the unveiling of the YWCA Community Tree, a holiday tree with ornaments that can be purchased as donations to the YWCA’s community outreach programs.  Guests are asked to bring 3 dozen cookies for a cookie swap.  Wine and other beverages will be served along with light appetizers.  A $10 fee at the door will cover the expense of refreshments.  Guests should pre-register for the party at www.ywcadariennorwalk.org or by calling 655-2535.

Dec 11th: FESTIVAL OF WREATHS — Darien Nature Center annual fundraiser, with festive holiday wreaths created and contributed by community members and local businesses.  The inside of the Nature Center will be transformed into a twinkling wonderland of holiday cheer by more than 100 wreaths!!  Daytime viewing of wreaths open to all for a nominal donation: 9am to 2pm.  Evening gala and silent auction of wreaths: 6pm to 9pm.  For tickets, please call 655-7459.

Dec 13th: SET OUT YOUR CANDLES FOR HOPE — annual Hope Lights Lives campaign to support the Center For Hope.  More info here.

Dec 18th: HOLIDAY HAPPENING AT THE DCA – Mom’s Morning In is having a Holiday Happening for all to enjoy.  Santa will be on site to read lists and take pictures with his elves from 10:00am to 12:00pm.  You can bring your camera or have your photo taken for a nominal fee.  There will be a sing-a-long with holiday favorites to spread the holiday cheer. Cost is $8 per child.

Tags: Happenings, Holiday Happenings

Category: Around Town