The holidays are an exciting, joy-filled end to the year spent with family and friends. You’ll be busy decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping and a variety of holiday fun. Don’t let the stress of finding that perfect gift for someone diminish your holiday spirit! There are many shopping options…where do you go, what do you buy? Avoid the chaos and masses at traditional big box stores and enjoy your holiday shopping in a historic, quaint downtown community in Miami County, Ohio filled with unique shops and an eclectic assortment of gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.
Miami County is bountiful with antiques and collectibles, baked goods and artisan offerings, clothing, art, pottery and handmade jewelry and soaps, and many other one-of-a-kind gifts. While you’re shopping, you can experience the delicious local restaurants and warm, cozy coffee houses. You will be right at home while strolling through these downtowns because residents and store owners will treat you like part of the family.
Make a weekend of it and enjoy one of these local, holiday events while you find those special gifts. It won’t be hard with Miami County’s offerings, so you will have plenty of time to sip hot chocolate, sing Christmas carols, take a carriage ride, sit on Santa’s lap and enjoy the holiday spirit that surrounds you.
Being held on November 14 & 15, “A Winter’s Yuletide Gathering” is Tipp City shopkeeper’s open house to kick off the holiday shopping season. Visitors are delighted to find a festive atmosphere complete with sparkling store fronts, carriage rides, and pictures with Santa. Enjoy finding unique gifts, holiday décor, discounts and more from downtown merchants.
November 19-22, the Specialty Shoppes of West Milton invite you to join them for their holiday open house. Here you will find a variety of great gifts while enjoying refreshments, in-stores specials, door prizes and holiday fun.
The day after Thanksgiving, November 27th, Troy lights up for the holidays with its 2015 Hometown Holiday Celebration downtown. Visitors to Troy will enjoy the Grand Illumination of the Christmas tree on the square, phone calls to the North Pole, an appearance by Santa Claus, carriage rides, holiday music, refreshments, and a special holiday reading. And, you will radiate with holiday cheer as you stroll through downtown visiting the merchants.
The Tipp City Christmas in the Village and Holiday Home Tour has become a “holiday must” for hundreds of Miami Valley and Ohio residents. Whether you are a couple looking for design ideas or a group of pals kicking off the holidays, they welcome you with Plaid Tidings on December 4 & 5! Ten homes will be featured on this year’s tour. Each home will reveal the charm and traditions of the homeowners’ own holiday displays, as well as stunning tabletops designed by members of DSID, the region’s professional design organization. Entertainers will stroll the streets, keeping toes tapping as you visit homes at your own pace. Add to the festivities by wearing your own plaid!
Community caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, strolling characters, children’s activities and live entertainment make Piqua’s Christmas on the Green event a family-oriented holiday celebration and a “must do” on many calendars. Held Friday, December 4th, you will have the opportunity to visit historic downtown Piqua’s variety of local shops to choose the perfect gift for your loved one. And, on Saturday, December 5th, families and friends will fill Main Street for Piqua’s holiday parade. After the parade, children can visit with Santa at the historic Fort Piqua Plaza.
After enjoying parade and some holiday shopping in Downtown Piqua, head to an Evening of Lights at Charleston Falls, one of the most popular Miami County parks. Take a stroll down a luminary trail to the 37’ lighted falls. Afterwards, there is still time for some hot chocolate, children’s crafts, seasonal music, visits with Santa and more.
Finally, on Sunday, December 6th, at Hobart Arena, get into the holiday spirit while listening to A Celtic Tenors Christmas featuring the Dayton Philharmonic and Neal Gittleman. With a polished international reputation and just over a million album sales under their belts, The Celtic Tenors offer something truly unique – the skill, range and ability of world-class tenors combined with the personality and fun of genuine artists. They have performed together for over 14 years, and offer more than beautiful voices and musical knowledge, namely the sound that evokes the very soul of the Emerald Isle. The DPO and these three operatic magicians, will enchant you with their gorgeous renditions of Irish folk classics and favorite Christmas tunes like “Silent Night,” “Ave Maria,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Joy to the World.”
Choose Miami County, Ohio for your next holiday shopping destination. The ease of finding one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list will be welcoming and relaxing. And, your family will have a blast participating in all the holiday activities and events these communities offer. Miami County, not just good…Home.Grown.Great.
