Becoming the Best U: Christmas stress and finding a new normal

By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
Question: Christmas is my least favorite holiday. My parents are divorced and both got remarried. My sister spends Christmas with her husband’s family. Me, I just want to get through the day. I hate the drama the comes with it all. Is it terrible if I just stay home and ignore the day?
Jane – Berwyn
Answer: You’re not alone. Although many people say...
Longwood FC again helping Santa to tour so. Chesco areas

Gianna Winters helps Santa get ready for his tour in a previous year. File photo.
EAST MARLBOROUGH — Santa has scheduled his yearly arrival trips on a Longwood Fire Company truck.
“It’s that time of you year again for Longwood Fire Company to escort our buddy, Santa, throughout our area,” said Longwood Fire Chief A. J. McCarthy.
Because of COVID concerns, no candy canes will be distributed.
All...
On Your Table: Time for Christmas cookies!

By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times
Who can resist sugar cookies at Christmas time?
The countdown to Christmas is well underway and in many kitchens so is the rush to bake holiday sweets, notably cookies. Why do we eat cookies for Christmas? For so many families, it’s not Christmas without cookies. Our kids leave cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve, we spend weeks baking and...
Longwood gears up for Christmas with a French accent

A Longwood Christmas runs November 23–January 7. Photo by Daniel Traub.
EAST MARLBOROUGH — There is only one way to describe Longwood Gardens French-inspired holiday display . . . c’est magnifique! Explore the warm 4-acre conservatory and be enchanted by fanciful topiary and more than 50 trees adorned in classic holiday tones boasting sparkling crystal ornaments reminiscent of the splendor of...
What I really want for Christmas this year

A time to open our heart to those in need
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, the Times
How many times have you been asked the question “what do you want for Christmas?”
On the surface, it seems innocuous enough, right? But, as I was watching the news regarding the horrifying situation in Aleppo, I realized that our “wants” pale in comparison to others around the world. Children, orphaned by violence,...
Santa to visit Pennsbury, Pocopson this weekend

It’s not really christmas until Santa visits your neighborhood a top of a Longwood Fire Company Engine.
For those good girls and boys, Santa has scheduled his yearly neighborhood tours on a Longwood Fire Company truck, complete with flashing lights and sirens to announce his arrival.
All of the trips begin at 9:00 a.m. Santa will visit areas served by Longwood’s fire and rescue service. Santa’s...
What To Do: Holiday season kicks off with fun events

Holiday Light Parade in Kennett Square among busy weekend of activities
By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times
Holiday Light Parade in Kennett Square.
Now that Thanksgiving 2016 is history, the floodgates have burst open and unleashed a torrent of annual traditional holiday events and activities.
The holiday season will officially arrive in Kennett Square on November 27 when Downtown Kennett Square...
A Longwood Christmas rings in the holidays, Nov. 24

A Longwood Christmas begins Nov. 24.
A Longwood Christmas rings in the holiday season with a musically inspired display November 24–January 8. Explore the warm 4-acre conservatory and be enchanted by more than 50 trees decorated for the holiday season, including an 18-foot revolving tree adorned with musical instruments in our grand Music Room, and a 30-foot tree composed of more than 1,300 poinsettias,...
Focus on the good for this most unusual Christmas