Christmas in Avondale Tonight

Tonight (Friday, December 2, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm) sleigh bells will ring, choruses will sing, and it will be Christmas in Avondale.  This event organized by the Avondale Merchants Association is a tradition in our neighborhood dating back at least 25 years. Christmas in Avondale celebrates the art of giving and community. 

The list of who and what is planned is exhaustive.  Street will be closed, an ice slide assembled, and Santa will make a guest appearance. First Coast Chorus and Fishweir School Chorus, will be signing carols. There will be horse and buggy rides down Ingleside Avenue. Santa will make his appearance riding his "sleigh" around 6:00pm and will be at Avondale Artworks the rest of the evening. Merhants will have special treats in each of their stores.  Also of note is the participation of the award-winning Legacy Baton Twirlers, Dance Trance Kids, face painting and temporary tattoos for children and, last but certainly not least, Blossom the Possum from MoSH will make a guest appearance. 

As merchants deck their halls in preparation for the event (and the window decorating contest), we got to thinking about the art of giving.  "People want to give something that they will be remembered by - something meaningful.  It's the sentiment and not the cost.  A gift is about what stirs the soul, about what makes people happy.  A gift can be a treasured memory," said Samantha Wyatt from Avondale Gift Boutique.

"Accessories make the perfect gift.  They add a personal touch to every outfit and can be relatively inexpensive, said Dianne Garcia of J. Ashley Boutique.  A great scarf is a perfect present, as scarves have been the go-to accessory for women for a couple of seasons now. We certainly never under-estimate  what a good pashmina can do!

For the foodie, try Green Man Gourmet (they will have mulled cider--that's Christmas in a cup).  With an extraordinary selection of spices, salts, and rubs, they are sure to have the right cooking accessory for the epicurean in your family.  One can never go wrong with baked goods from Let them Eat Cake or Peterbrooke Chocolatier. 

The perfect accessory for the home, according to Cowford Traders is their best-selling Fraiser Fir candle (there is no merrier scent).  For a truly unique gift, consider an art piece from Avondale Artworks or a beautiful oriental rug from Hooshang. 

The most important gift of all is the experience of the event and the memories created year after year.  "Christmas in Avondale is our gift to the community," said Dianne Garcia of J. Ashley, President of the Avondale Merchants Association.