Do you long for the days when you faced the “most wonderful time of the year” with joyful anticipation rather than stress-filled dread? You’re not alone: nearly half of all Americans report an increase in stress levels as the end-of-year holidays approach.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Experts agree keeping it simple can help keep Christmas enjoyable. “One reason so many of us love the idea of an ‘old-fashioned Christmas’ is because our lives seemed much simpler then, and the joys of Christmas were simpler as well,” says Glenda Lehman Ervin of Lehman’s old-time general store in Kidron, OH, and a self-confessed Christmas connoisseur.

Evoking the simple joys of an old-fashioned Christmas doesn’t have to be a complicated affair, Lehman Ervin says. “Few of us have time for all the old-fashioned traditions, but by choosing some pleasant, easy traditions, you can create the Christmas atmosphere without the holiday stress.” A trip to Ohio’s Amish country can provide a soothing Christmas atmosphere with a few holiday home decorating touches that appeal to multiple senses:

 

Scent

Wouldn’t you love the welcoming smell of fresh baked goods to greet your holiday guests?  Visit the Amish Door Village in Wilmot for the traditional baked goods that your family loves, but perhaps you don’t have time to prepare.  Drop into the Bakery where you can pick up a yummy Pumpkin Roll, Peanut Butter Whip or Apple Butter, the perfect items to finish off a delightful holiday meal. Plan a trip to the Market for the annual Holiday Open House November 13th & 14th for samples, door prizes and daily specials. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sight

Dazzle the guests that visit your home with the Prescott entertainment center:: a perfect example of the wide variety of hand-tooled, locally made pieces provided by Homestead Furniture’s (Mt. Hope, OH) legendary craftsmanship. One minute the Prescott is a bookcase, and with the easy touch of a hand the case swivels to reveal a flat screen TV.   Homestead’s charming displays will give you lots of gift giving (and receiving!) ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sound

“Sleigh bells ring. Are you listening?” Sleigh bells create the quintessential Christmas melody. If you’re fresh out of reindeer to adorn, try hanging a strap of sleigh bells on your front door. Their warm sound will be a great greeting for holiday guests and Lehman's bells are handcrafted right here in Amish Country.

“The sound I most associate with Christmas is children’s laughter,” says Lehman Ervin. You can almost count on squeals of glee on Christmas morning when the presents are opened, but decorating your home with a few traditional toys prior to the holidays can help keep them laughing right up to the big day. “Think of toys that are simple – things that you might have played with as a child, like a classic musical jack-in-the-box or an old-fashioned spinning circus top,” she says.  All are available at Lehman’s retail store in Kidron or at www.Lehmans.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Touch

Nothing adds a personal touch like a custom engraved fine piece of wood.  Stop in P. Graham Dunn’s newly expanded showroom in Dalton, take a factory tour, and be delighted by the beauty of the lobby and gallery, decked out for Christmas. 

Select one of the fragrant, alder wood ornaments and have it personalized while you wait by one of the professional laser engravers. Don't miss the annual Christmas sale starting the day before Thanksgiving on November 25, and continuing on the 27th and 28th.   Shop inspired!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taste

If you're looking for a special gift or an indulgence for yourself, consider the Swiss-Style Truffles at Coblentz Chocolates in Walnut Creek. Each truffle is filled with homemade ganache and hand rolled for an exquisite taste and texture.

A new twist to a classic favorite is Coblentz Sea Salt Caramels: milk or dark Coblentz Chocolate Caramel Sprinkled with Authentic Sea Salt – you can’t eat just one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If cooking and baking brings you Christmas joy,  just down the road is Walnut Creek Cheese, where you can find Amish Country’s largest selection of bulk foods. Shopping bulk foods is a great way to save money because none of your food dollars go to support national-brand advertising or excessive packaging. Locally grown fruits and vegetables, pork chops, hamburger, steaks and chicken from the meat shop and a deli counter chock full of local cheese and deli meats make it impossible to leave without a loaded cart of groceries. 

Making traditional recipes from scratch can also be accomplished with a Bosche Mixer from Keim Lumber.  Don’t think Keim only sells lumber – the massive store in Charm is a delight for any homeowner.  Décor, tools, toys, board games, furniture and much more are available at Keim, and don’t forget to stop by the Carpenter’s Café for a light lunch or supper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Anything you use to bring Christmas to your home can also bring the spirit of the season to your friends, far-off family and business associates,” she notes. “Giving a gift that says ‘old-fashioned Christmas’ also tells the recipient that you really put some thought into their gift.”   

“The key is to find a few special things to do so that you don’t add to your holiday stress,” Lehman Ervin says. “I do a lot at Christmas, but I only do what I really want to do. These things really bring the spirit of Christmas to my home without ruining the holidays for me.”