Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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Edmonton's Countryside • Country Christmas

Country Christmas

October – January

During this time of year, we begin to sense a change in the air. The weather begins to change and some of us have snow in our yards. One gets the feeling that Christmas is in the air and it gives us a sense of expectancy. Seems that, when the cold weather rolls around each year, we just assume Christmas is "right around the corner". Even before Thanksgiving has come and gone, the malls begin to dress up for the holiday season. The Christmas trees are decorated, garland is everywhere and the lights are turned on. The holiday season has begun, and Tom Turkey isn't even out of the oven.

So our houses are all aglow with lights everywhere, the tree will be trimmed in colourful decorations, and we are into the spirit of the season. What is there left to do? Go shopping for that one-of-a-kind gift, spend a weekend retreat with your girlfriends, enjoy a hands-on demonstration in creating evergreen centerpieces, or enjoy what the outdoors has to offer besides snow.

Join us in Edmonton’s Countryside and “Experience the Wonder!”

 

Family Fun for Christmas

For more fun than you can shake Santa’s cane at, come to First Choice Tree Nursery. The Cherdarchuk family is crazy about Christmas all year round and invite you to join them for an enchanting and unforgettable holiday experience at A Very Cherdarchuk Christmas. Visit with the Claus’ and some of their reindeer. Enjoy lots of goodies and fun activities. Explore Santa’s Enchanted Christmas Tree Forest and tour the Cherdarchuk home with its rich tapestry of accents, lights, and inspirational ideas. (Come anytime and shop Santa’s Treasures and Mrs. Claus Greenery Boutique!)

On November 19th & 20th, bring the whole family for, perhaps, the warmest shopping experience of your life. Plan to visit Heather Edwards and 10 other artisans during the annual Work of our Hands Christmas Open House & Sale at Pottery by Heather since 1970. The people, the products, the personal service, and the joy in finding the perfect handcrafted gift will surround you and bring you back for more of this countryside studio. The partners of Rural Rendezvous Unique Country Experiences have a Christmas list of their own for you to check off on November 20th & 21st at the 4th Annual Christmas Rendezvous. The focus is on fun as you visit a colorful number of destinations including Carvel General Store, Beyond the Blue Sky, Ever After Antiques and Collectibles, Matsunaga Turnbull Pottery, Saumer Time Alpaca Ranch and more. Eat! Shop! Drive! Be merry!

Experience Christmas Unwrapped  at Greenland Garden Centre; Alberta’s Largest Christmas Store. Every October their amazing greenhouses are transformed into a beautiful display of Christmas trees, collectibles, figures, and so much more. Their Country Christmas event offers an afternoon of old fashioned family fun in support of the Strathcona Christmas Bureau. Decorate cookies, sing carols on a hay ride & warm by the fire. Greenland Garden Centre is also accepting Food Bank & toy donations.

A big Christmas party is a sure way to warm a heart on a cold day. Choose from lots of fantastic winter celebrations - we’ve got you covered in every region! The Tri-Community Festival of Trees happens November 19th -21st. Stony Plain Lites Up the Night on November 18th. On November 27 th head out to the Spruce Grove Christmas in Central Park event, the Morinville Lite up the Nite Festival or the City of Leduc Christmas Party. December 1st sees Wabamun celebrate the season. On December 4th historic Fort Saskatchewan’s annual Santa Claus Parade is on, or head to beautiful St. Albert’s Downtown Light-Up. Strathcona County’s annual New Year’s Eve Family Celebration at Broadmoor Lake happens December 31.

Share the joy in Edmonton’s Countryside!

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Christmas Holiday Fun

Start your Christmas holiday fun early this year with a trip to Edmonton’s Countryside. Real early!

Indulge in the offerings from the folks of the Rural Rendezvous Unique Country Experiences on November 19 & 20 at their 4th Annual Christmas Rendezvous. The focus is on fun as you visit a number of cozy and colorful destinations including Carvel General Store, Beyond the Blue Sky, Ever After Antiques and Collectibles, Matsunaga Turnbull Pottery, Saumer Time Alpaca Ranch and more. Well worth the pleasant drive to the countryside for this very special event.

If there is someone who brings out genuine smiles at this time of year, it is Heather Edwards. Come to Pottery by Heather since 1970 for her well-known Work of our Hands Christmas Open House & Sale on November 13th & 14th and prepare to be amazed at the talents of Heather and over 10 other talented artisans. The people, the products, the personal service, and the joy in finding the perfect gift will become an annual Christmas shopping tradition at this countryside studio. Before or after the Open House, the studio is open year-round for pottery shopping.

And, if there a whole family of people who can sincerely bring out your Christmas spirit, it is the Cherdarchuks of First Choice Tree Nursery. Crazy about Christmas all year round, they make your experience enchanting, fun and unforgettable. Santa’s Treasures is an absolute treasure trove of yuletide delights and Christmas collectables and Mrs. Claus’ Greenery Boutique is truly inspirational. Register for a magical mix of workshops and seminars or come to the fun-filled 2nd Annual Mrs. Claus’ Ornament Swap. Bring a friend or make a date with all your favourite shopping mates to experience this amazing holiday haven.

Come early. Stay late. Take home perfect parcels and memories.

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Shopping in the Countryside Christmas Style

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." 
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Make your Christmas shopping experience more beautiful this year with a trip to Edmonton’s Countryside. Leave the city behind for the day and experience a slower pace, a friendly face, and the joy of finding something altogether different to give this year.

In the north region of Sturgeon County, lies an enchanting and unforgettable holiday experience at First Choice Tree Nursery courtesy of the Cherdarchuk family. Enter Santa’s Treasures. Distinct décor. Ornaments galore. Dept 56 North Pole & Dickens Series collectables. The delightful Snowbabies. Sparkles and swirls and sugary twirls on trees that make you smile. The fragrant smell of real evergreens done up to your liking or do-it-yourself) greets you in Mrs. Claus’ Greenery Boutique. Hort Couture Fashions by Cory Christopher will have you in awe. It’s a place where you find perfect treasures here and there and everywhere.

Pottery by Heather since 1970 in nearby Bon Accord is a must when seeking the softer side of the season. Master Potter and 2010 Woman of Distinction Award winner, Heather Edwards, is as gracious and as warm a host as you will find anywhere. Enter her studio and feel right at home. No hustle, no bustle, no pressure to buy. Have a cup of tea as you investigate her beautiful works of functional art. Durable, beautiful, porcelain dishes. Place settings, serving dishes, tea sets, mugs. All microwave, oven & dishwasher safe. Everything on display is ready to buy and put under the tree.

Farmers’ Markets are always full of pleasant surprises and, in Parkland County; the Spruce Grove Grain Elevator Farmers’ Market goes every Saturday right up until mid December when their Merry Market closes the season. Here’s the place to lighten your holiday workload and stock up on fresh Christmas baking and home-made jams and jellies. A variety of craftspeople, artisans, and hobbyists round out the atmosphere in this lovingly restored historical site. The Christmas Rendezvous on November 19th & 20st is brought to you by Rural Rendezvous Unique Country Experiences in Parkland County. Collectibles and antiques, an “everything cowboy” store, the Carvel General Store, a countryside pottery business, cozy Alpaca wear, and more along the way provides hours and hours of sheer shopping pleasure.

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