November 24, 2021 submitted by Mona K. Pohl for the Hingham Downtown Association, courtesy photos
Gathering with family and friends for the holidays is an incredibly welcome reality this year, and likely one of the best gifts most of us could receive. Adding to the joyousness of reuniting, The Hingham Downtown Association (HDA) has been planning a month of celebrations, gift shopping, and holiday cheer for everyone to enjoy.
Holly Jolly Hingham will kickstart the season with Small Business Saturday on November 27th and the festivities will continue throughout December each Saturday until Christmas. Downtown’s beloved 40th Annual Christmas in the Square is back on schedule, December 3rd from 5p.m.– 8p.m., appealing to the kid in all of us with Santa arriving on South Street atop a police-escorted fire truck at 6:30 p.m.
“Christmas in the Square elevates and illuminates the charm of Downtown to postcard-perfect in multiple ways, ranging from the beautifully decorated store windows, the garland- and light- wrapped lampposts throughout town, and The Women’s Club Festival of Trees at the Community Center, to live holiday music and dancing, the outdoor showing of It’s a Wonderful Life on the tunnel cap, and of course, a visit with Santa on South Street,” said Lynn Barclay, executive director of the HDA. “We are so fortunate to hold this beloved community celebration of the season this year, and can’t wait to welcome everyone back for all of the wonderful activities we have planned during the month-long Holly Jolly Hingham.”
Downtown will be transformed into a quintessential New England holiday wonderland with business and community sponsored lampposts adorned and aglow, warm and tastefully decorated shop windows, ice sculpture demonstrations, and horse-drawn hay rides. Children will delight in posing for pictures in the Holly Jolly cutouts and sending letters express to Santa in the North Pole from the mailbox outside La Petite Maison.
Every year, Stacey Mahoney, who works for the Postal Service by day and is one of Santa’s elves by night, very kindly and generously takes the time to read and respond to all the letters the kids put in the North Pole mailbox (please be sure to clearly write names and return addresses on the letters). Her work exemplifies how the holidays inspire many to do good deeds for others. The timing is just right to reciprocate Stacey’s kindness, since her home was recently destroyed by a fire while she was away taking care of her ailing father, a retired fire fighter. Fortunately, everyone, including the three family dogs, escaped safely. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Stacey and her family, you can donate here.
The Holly Jolly month is a great opportunity to shop local and get to know the Downtown merchants, who make finding the perfect gift a fun and gratifying experience. Browse their meticulously curated selections and services spanning stylish clothing, beautiful decorative items and artwork for the home, witty, funny, sentimental keepsakes, highly tailored personal services, scrumptious dining options, delectable treats, and more. The joy and beauty of the season in picturesque Downtown Hingham is an incredible backdrop for holiday gift and entertaining shopping--without the hassle of crowds and lines.
Make plans with friends and family for shopping, sharing a meal, toasting the holidays and reveling in the festiveness of Downtown. Holly Jolly Hingham special events will be on the Saturdays leading up to Christmas (11/27, 12/4, 12/11 and 12/18). Shops will offer extended hours on Thursdays until 7 p.m. and they will be open on Sundays.
For more information visit www.discoverhingham.com and follow Downtown Hingham on Facebook: @downtownhingham and Instagram: @hinghamdowntown for updates on #hinghamholidays.
The events of Holly Jolly Hingham are funded by the Hingham Downtown Association, with generous donations from the “Adopt a Lamppost” fundraiser and corporate sponsors: Linden Ponds, Hingham Institution for Savings, South Shore Bank, The Fruit Center, Curtis Management, William Raveis Real Estate and the Rotary Club.