Last Friday night, students and graduates from New Paltz High School sang holiday songs on the steps of the New Paltz Reformed Church. (Photo by Lauren Thomas)

There is nothing like fellowship to make a holiday closer to the hearts of the people. For more than half a century, the New Paltz Reformed Church on the historic Huguenot Street has held an annual Christmas market, making gifts, reusing decorations, baking homemade jellies and jams, pies, and biscuits.

As with most things, last year's holiday fair was not held due to COVID-19 concerns, which is one of the many minor issues in the community calendar. However, this year, the congregation brought handicrafts back to Christmas, displaying a dazzling array of artisan works. 

On Friday, December 3, at 5 pm, early birds or night owls can visit the church offerings in advance. There are many fresh pine wreaths, decorated with everything from traditional velvet ribbons to pine cones, silver stars, and a bit of bittersweet to give a seasonal color. The air was full of the scent of pine trees, and people mingled in the fireside room. There was a real sense of joy and surprise in these little things: a pair of blue knitted gloves or a light-colored striped baby with ladybug buttons sweater.

Barbara Lane points to a group of six trees, all of which are decorated with handmade ornaments and sold to the public. She explained: “We started this work a few years ago, and we will provide people in the congregation with an opportunity to'adopt a tree'.” “In this way, every tree has a theme and a person or group of people is responsible. These particular decorations." She and her friend Kevin Cook have a vintage tree with various vintage-colored light bulbs in bright pink, green and aqua blue, decorated with ribbons and rhinestones. And beaded tassels. "I learned a lot from Kevin," she said, "and it was very interesting. When we looked for vintage accessories and handmade paper to make [Japanese] fan accessories, it turned out to be part of the treasure hunt."

The community room of the New Paltz Reformed Church Education Building is filled with Christmas trees, decorated with handmade decorations, sold as part of the church’s annual Christmas market.

After the first hour, there were almost no decorations on the tree of congregation member Nancy Owen. She took iconic photos of New Paltz, such as Mohawk Mountain House, Juott Farm on Huguenot Street, Jenkins and Lucens Orchard, even the tavern and Water Street Market, and installed them On a wooden ornament hanging on a candy cane hook. There is also an acorn tree, the acorns are felt, and glass marbles are stuck on the top of the acorns.

"It's all about people getting together, having that kind of friendship and friendship, and offering this gift to the public, which really is. These items are homemade and superbly crafted," Lane said.

Crocheted hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, baby clothes and handbags seem to be full of creativity in every corner. There are also hand-woven bowls, electric stoves and pants from Uganda, as well as hand-carved giraffes and plates. "Uganda was devastated by the AIDS pandemic, and the AOET [AIDS Orphans Education Trust Fund] helped sell these exquisite items. Then we sent them all back to the villages destroyed by the disease," said Michelle Phillips, her daughter Arianna Phillips Si works at a table at the exhibition. Their uncle Glenn Phillips has traveled to Uganda many times to help establish and fund schools and medical clinics, and bring doctors, nurses and teachers to help educate and prevent HIV. "We are part of this [Reformed Church of New Paltz] congregation, but this is a national organization," she explained. According to AOET, 2.6 million children were orphaned during the AIDS epidemic in Uganda (www.aoetusa.com).

Last Friday night, the New Paltz Reformed Church held an annual homemade "soup on the stool".

There are also homemade jams and applesauce on the table, as well as pumpkin bread and homemade chocolate. Along the corridor of the education building is the "adopted snowman" of the New Paltz Family Shelter. There are all kinds of snowmen and snowmen, from fabrics to wood to ceramics, each of which can be purchased through donations and used directly in family planning to help those who do not have any number of them to find safe and appropriate housing. condition.

To ensure that children have the opportunity to buy something for their loved ones, the Youth Choir has a "build stuffed animal" room where children can choose a stuffed toy and dress it, decorate it and place their toys . Put your signature style under the tree. Opposite the hall is the room where the ghost of Christmas passed, filled with all kinds of almost new or used holiday decorations, including wrapping paper, bags, decorations, cookie trays, lights, lawn decorations, huge origami stars and porcelain tea cups dish. Angel pattern. cost? Donate anything you own or want to donate to the youth choir.

Marlene and Joel Alfieri are helping to manage the Repurpose Room, joking, and chatting with everyone who comes in. "There are many treasures here," Marlene said. "But only three people can get in at a time!"

"We have been members of the church for about eight years," Joel said. "Most of our friends are church friends."

Megan Stacey and Alyssa B enjoy homemade soup at the annual Christmas market at New Paltz Reformed Church on Huguenot Street.

"They are such a loving and caring congregation," Marlene added. "We are here!"

In addition to having a soup on Stoop at 6pm on Friday night and a live concert with Jason Clinton in the Big Blue Band at the Sanctuary of the Church, there are dozens of shoppers taking advantage of Twice Blessed’s market-themed night time, this is a A thrift store operated by a thrift store. The church has more high-quality goods, old-fashioned glassware and tableware, and bargains per square foot—including $4 skates—than most second-hand stores combined.

People pass by outside paper-cut glass lanterns, their arms are full of wreaths, and their festive bags are filled with snacks and festive hints. On Saturday, December 4, there will be a whole day of Christmas market waiting for early risers.

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