Christmas past alive
Published 9:00 pm Friday, November 28, 2003
SNOHOMISH — While millions rushed to the malls before daylight Friday, hundreds casually strolled through Snohomish’s old-time downtown as the sun set.
Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, people flock to Snohomish’s annual "Home for the Holidays" celebration, where they are transported decades into the past.
There were carolers on the streets, teenagers selling hot cocoa and glistening window displays. Santa Claus and his wife were kicking around downtown, and the townspeople gathered at 5 p.m. as Mrs. Claus, flanked by the Snohomish Children’s Choir, flipped the switch to light the town tree — a 22-foot evergreen at the corner of First Street and Avenue B.
Bundled up families, many with children in strollers or dogs on leashes, meandered up and down the streets together, laughing, window shopping and snacking. After dark, the entire downtown area was lit up and bustling — but not rushed.
Under an awning, a handful of teenagers with Snohomish Fire Explorers No. 444 were serving hot drinks and fighting over who got to stand nearest the stove.
They also got a peek at the Snohomish town tree lighting.
"It’s really nice — you don’t really see families together that much," said Michelle Orton, 15.
"When you see families out, it makes you feel warm inside," said Ashley Quinn, also 15.
The girls both remember attending "Home for the Holidays" downtown as kids.
"It’s really cute when you see little kids excited," Quinn said. "I get excited too, but I don’t know … it’s kind of too cold to jump for joy."
Granted, it is one of the largest shopping days of the year, and downtown Snohomish businesses will benefit from the crowds "Home for the Holidays" drew. But these are the same sort of stores that warmly greet every customer and put gingerbread cookies and hot, spiced apple cider out for everyone.
Marion Wall, who owns Piccadilly Circus with her husband, Geoff, said business seemed to be picking up after dark. Her British imports store, where you can buy Turkish Delight and also a poster displaying different breeds of British sheep, was warm. And because of the restaurant in the back, where you can buy bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes), it smelled the way a mother’s house does when dinner is almost done.
A few doors down is Legends of Camelot, where you can buy a Celtic wedding band or a medieval-type sword. Santa and Mrs. Claus had stopped by for the evening and waved to passersby in the store’s window.
"It’s a busy, busy, busy time," Santa said. "There are all kinds of personal appearances." Not to mention all the list checking and toy making, he said.
As if on cue, in walked Christina Deierling, 5, and her mother, Renee. Christina rushed up to Santa and hugged him. And, as kids do in the face of such a merry spirit, she promptly forgot what it is that she wanted for Christmas.
"I can’t remember," she said.
"Was it a Barbie? It wasn’t Bob the construction guy," Santa said. "A Bratz? You didn’t want a Bratz?"
Christina shook her head, and looked at her mother, who prompted her. Christina wants stickers and a swing set and a Lambchop puppet.
"Aha," Santa said. "Now, the important question is, have you been good? I don’t have to check my list, do I? I can take your word for it?"
Christina leaned close to his ear and said in a loud whisper, "Yes!"
Santa and Mrs. Claus — who sometimes go by William and Mary Harvey — said they sang Christmas carols all the way to Snohomish from Santa’s "Kirkland workshop."
But don’t let their civilian names fool you. Mrs. Claus pulled out Santa’s identification — a card that said "International Driver’s License." It read:
"Name: Kriss Kringle; Eyes: blue; Hair: white; Weight: jolly; Expires: never; Restrictions: nine reindeer."
"My favorite part about all this is the excitement and joy that the season brings," Santa said, greeting a Russian couple and their little boy.
"S Rozhdestvom Kristovym," he called out to them.
They smiled.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick:
425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
