Holidays

Stamford EMS Contributes to Salvation Army Christmas Aid Program

Let the Depot Elves Help You Wrap Christmas Presents This Friday Through Monday

Count Down to Noon at New Year’s Eve Celebration for Families at Maritime Aquarium

The Maritime Aquarium Will Babysit Your Kids for 3 Hours Saturday Afternoon, Dec 21

‘An Old Fashioned Holiday’ Event Postponed a Day to Sunday, Dec 15

Holiday Stroll in Downtown Stores from 5 to 9 PM, Wednesday — With Refreshments, Special Promotions

What Happens When You Put Money in the Salvation Army Kettle in Darien

Santa, Animal Rides, Caroling and Hot Cocoa at ‘Holiday Magic’ Christmas Season Event Downtown

Wreath-Making Workshop at Darien Arts Center

Rowayton Gardeners Christmas Market Coming Saturday, Dec 7

Christmas Tea with Carolyn’s Absolutely Fabulous Events at DCA on Dec 12

One-of-a-Kind Gifts Offered at Rowayton Arts Center Holiday Gift Show, Nov 29 to Dec 24

Christmas Trees Are Available Starting 10 AM Saturday at Noroton Heights Fire Department

Holiday Greens Wreath Workshop Dec 5 at the Darien Community Association

When Decorating for the Holidays, Consider Safety, Saving Energy and Money: Some Tips

Charity Events and Opportunities

By David Gurliacci | December 20, 2019

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | December 19, 2019

Holidays

By DARIENITE.COM | December 17, 2019

Holidays

By DARIENITE.COM | December 14, 2019

Holidays

By DARIENITE.COM | December 14, 2019

Business

By DARIENITE.COM | December 10, 2019

Charity Events and Opportunities

By DARIENITE.COM | December 4, 2019

Holidays

By DARIENITE.COM | December 3, 2019

Darien Arts Center

By DARIENITE.COM | December 2, 2019

Charity Events and Opportunities

By David Gurliacci | December 2, 2019

Darien Community Association

By DARIENITE.COM | November 30, 2019

Arts & Entertainment

By DARIENITE.COM | November 29, 2019

Holidays

By DARIENITE.COM | November 29, 2019

Darien Community Association

By DARIENITE.COM | November 28, 2019

Healthy Living

By DARIENITE.COM | November 28, 2019

Holiday-related articles

Stamford EMS recently bought new clothing and toys to the Salvation Army’s Be An Angel Tree program and delivered them on Monday, Dec. 9. The donation will support 10 families in need. — an announcement from Stamford Emergency Medical Services
“We are happy to participate in this worthy holiday giving effort,” said Patricia Squires, chief and CEO of Stamford EMS. “As a nonprofit ourselves, it’s one way we can give back to the community that has supported us for over 25 years.”
Stamford EMS has paramedics based in Darien who go to the scenes of more serious medical emergencies, along with Darien EMS-Post 53 ambulances. Participation in the program eliminates the cost of these gifts that would normally be part of the Salvation Army’s holiday expenses.

Have time to shop but no time to wrap? The Darien Depot Youth Center’s elves are back to wrap presents for residents just before the holidays. Drop off unwrapped and labeled presents at the Depot and we will handle the wrapping. A minimum $20 charge is required, but keep in mind that it helps the Depot run programs.

The “Holiday Wrap-Up” runs from:

3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20, and 10 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Dec.

On Dec. 31, count down to 12 o’clock — 12 o’clock noon — in a special “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration geared for families at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

The aquarium’s “Noon Year’s Eve” party offers fun midday activities for families with younger children who want to celebrate the end of 2019 together, but not at the stroke of midnight. Guests also can “string” in the new year on New Year’s Day during a performance by a string quartet from the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. “‘Noon Year’s Eve’ is a fun way for parents and children to count down to 2020 together, but without the kids needing to stay up way past their bedtimes,” said aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth.

Give yourself the gift of some solo holiday shopping on Saturday, Dec. 21 while your kids spend a fun afternoon hanging out with sharks, seals and sea turtles during the “Drop ’n’ Shop” program at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. From 1 to 4 p.m., the Maritime Aquarium has an ocean of age-appropriate hands-on activities and explorations planned for ages 4 to 10, giving parents three solo hours for shopping, wrapping or other holiday prep.

— an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

“With the new SoNo Collection mall just a five-minute walk from the Maritime Aquarium, the ‘Drop ’n’ Shop’ program offers a convenient way for everyone in the family to have a winning afternoon,” said Aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth. Kids will learn from Aquarium staff about the expert care given to the sea turtles, sharks, seals and other animals. They’ll meet and touch live creatures, and also make a holiday ornament to take home.

Due to inclement weather Saturday, the “An Old Fashioned Holiday” event at Tilley Pond Park, originally scheduled for Saturday, instead will take place Sunday, Dec. 15, the town Parks and Recreation Department announced. — an announcement from the Darien Parks and Recreation Department

The free event will still take place from 3 to 5 p.m. and still include decorative lights covering the warming hut (already up!), candles surrounding the sidewalk pathways lighting your exit, two roaring fires to warm your chill and holiday music playing. Also: festive treats for purchase (hot cider, hot cocoa, chocolate covered marshmallow Santas, apple cider doughnuts, gingerbread men, ribbon candy, peppermint lollipops), FREE activity stations for the kids (ornament creating, cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa and visits from a couple special guests) and even some holiday caroling! Caroling will be led and begin at 3:30 p.m. We hope to see you Sunday and get you in the holiday spirit!

Darien will have a holiday stroll on Wednesday with the theme of “Darien Does Holidays!” Enjoy the many unique boutiques and shops in Darien on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 5 to 9 p.m.

— an announcement from the Darien Chamber of Commerce

Stroll from shop to shop with your list of gifts you need to find for your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Each participating store will have refreshments to enjoy, lite bites and special promotions offered that night! Share the event with you all you know! The participating stores are:

A Little Something White Bridal Couture, Aquarius, Barrett Bookstore, Brown & Co., Chocolate Works, Coco and Lala, Darien Toy Box, David Harvey Jewelers, The Dock Shop, EGG New York, Everything is Rosey, Flowers and Flowers, Good Goods, Helen Ainson, J.McLaughlin, Kirby and Company, Kirby Girl, Mandarine Home, Morley, Runner’s Roost, Shoes ‘N’ More, Sipstirs, and Sokayri.

The Salvation Army bell ringing season runs through Christmas Eve when the red kettles are packed away for the season. When you give at the red kettle outside of Palmer’s Market, 90% of the money dropped in the kettle goes right back to our community! — an announcement from Darien Department of Human Services

Did you know that the volunteers outside of Palmer’s Market collects on average about $500 in donations? The volunteers are your friends and neighbors. Groups such as the Boy Scouts, the Masons, Darien Men’s Group and others spend their weekends in December ringing the bells to benefit our community.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, Santa will arrive at Grove Street Plaza and come down the Chimney to visit with children, who get to ride on animals, sip hot cocoa and listen to carolers from Darien High School. — an announcement from the Darien Chamber of Commerce

Families can be entertained while waiting for his arrival with Rides on the Giant Animals — Lucy the Polar Bear and Rudy the Reindeer, Carolers from Darien High School will entertain all, and there will be hot cocoa. This is one local event you won’t want to miss and is great way to spread the cheer. Holiday Magic is a joint effort and is put together by Bill Jensen of Darien Toy Box, the Darien Chamber of Commerce, PG Properties and The Melting Pot.

Enjoy a cup of coffee at the Darien Arts Center and have a relaxing morning of creativity at their Saturday morning Wreath Making Workshop on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.

Get in the holiday spirit & bring a friend. Wreaths & supplies are provided. $60 per person. Sign up online, here, or find out more at darienarts.org.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, the Rowayton Community Center transforms into a stunning showcase of holiday decorations with the annual Rowayton Gardeners’ Annual Christmas Market. — an announcement from Rowayton Gardeners

The Market, which takes place at the Rowayton Community Center, 22 Highland Ave., features designer-quality wreaths and center pieces, one-of-a-kind gifts, boxwood trees and ornaments — all reasonably priced. A range of fabulous items are on offer at the silent auction, and Santa is also on hand to welcome children and grandchildren. Come support the Garden Club’s mission of spreading the word about conservation, maintaining most of our public spaces, introducing children to the joy of growing living things, and raising community awareness about the environment.

Enjoy tea sandwiches, assorted scones with jam and clotted cream, and a selection of traditional British Christmas treats — in the festive atmosphere of the Darien Community Association mansion, beautifully decorated for the season. UPDATE: “This event is sold out. Please call our office at 203-655-9050 extension 10 to be put on the waitlist,” the DCA says on its website. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

Caterer Carolyn Eddie and her fabulous supporting cast return to the DCA on Thursday, Dec. 12 for the holidays!

Shop one-of-a-kind gifts by local artists at Rowayton Arts Center’s annual Holiday Gift Show from Nov. 29 to Dec. 24, 2019. There’s a Coffee and Bagels breakfast offered at the RAC this Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Christmas Trees 2019 Noroton Heights Fire Department

Clear a spot in your living room: “Trees are here!” Noroton Heights Fire Department announced on Facebook Wednesday night. “Members and friends helped unload them and get everything set up for opening day on Saturday Nov. 30 at 10 a.m.!” Here’s the rest of the announcement of the volunteer fire department’s annual tree sales:

We have new hours this year:

—Thursday and Friday 5 to 8 p.m.
—Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Can’t wait to see everyone there!

Join the the DCA’s Greenhouse Group as they lead you in this hands-on workshop to make a festive wreath of your very own at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 5. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

Bring your gloves, pruners and imagination and we’ll provide the rest, including fresh greens, ribbons and a variety of embellishments. If You’re Going … This workshop is $35, or $25 for DCA members.

« August 2022 »

With the holiday season upon us, neighborhoods are starting to twinkle with festive light displays inside and out. Here are some safety tips were recently announced by Eversource on lighting and the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office on other decorations, as well. (Darienite.com added the boldface, not to add urgency but to make the tips quicker to scan so you can concentrate on the ones you don’t already follow.)

FROM EVERSOURCE:
SAFETY
“Before putting up holiday decorations, it’s important to inspect them to ensure they’re not broken or damaged — check lighted displays for cracked sockets, frayed wires or loose connections,” said Ken Bogler, Eversource vice president of safety. “When decorating outside, we remind people to work from a stable surface and to always be aware of any power lines or other hazards that might be nearby.”

More Safety Tips:

Never run extension cords under rugs or coil them tightly, which can cause them to overheat
Water and electricity do not mix so keep outdoor connections off the ground
Check labels to ensure lights are used properly — outside light are labeled for outdoor use
All the parts of the lights need to be dampness and temperature-proof
Check extension cords for wear, and plug outdoor lights and decorations into GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets
Use advanced power strips where possible for all holiday lighting to eliminate standby energy loss

SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY
Customers can save money and protect the planet by replacing traditional incandescent lights with an energy-efficient light-emitting diode, or LED, holiday decoration. Not only do LEDs use 80 percent less energy than conventional bulbs, they last longer, and they are brighter and safer, as they are much cooler than incandescent lights.