For most people, Christmas means food, family, and friends. It means staying close to home with the people you love, and keeping it local.
With that spirit in mind, we hope that you will take advantage of all that downtown Napa has to offer. This season, when it’s time to visit a restaurant, do some Holiday shopping, or treat yourself to a wine tasting adventure, we hope you’ll keep it local. Small business owners tend to live in the town in which they do business, and they hire locally, so your excursions will probably bring you face-to-face with neighbors. And those neighbors tend to spend Christmas the same way you do.
“I love to cook,” said Allyson Stoner, who works at Napa Tourist Information Center. “Christmas means extra time in the kitchen. My ten year-old son, Aiden, helps me all day. That’s Christmas. Plus, my boyfriend and his son will join us to eat, so we get to share it all.”
It’s the same with Cecilia Chavez from Anette’s Chocolates, just more of everything. “About fifteen of us start out at my grandmother’s on Christmas Eve. We have dinner, then exchange gifts,” said Cecilia. “Christmas morning, about twenty-five of us will have breakfast at my other grandmother’s, and exchange gifts again. Lunch is in Calistoga with my God parents, about fifteen of us this time, then dinner is in Cloverdale with my Dad’s family. There’s three dozen there alone! It’s a lot of people and a lot of food, and it’s wonderful.”
“Christmas means family, home cooked meals and togetherness,” said Bobbi Jakovac, from The Mustard Seed Clothing Company. She and her partner, Ed Berruezo, will host a group of ten at their place. “There’s something special about being home during the Holidays. Next month, we get to go to Hawaii for the birth of my newest grandson. What a great present that is.”
Looking for something to do while the clan is all together? Take advantage of the free Holiday trolley rides. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., from December 7th through the 23rd, hop on board a trolley and enjoy a free tour of downtown and the Oxbow Public Market. Bring the family and check out the Holiday decorations, maybe even signing Christmas carols during the ride. Stops are at the Napa River Inn, Oxbow Public Market near CIA Copia, and at Dwight Murray Plaza. December 1st at 2:00 p.m. in Veterans Park, enjoy the 3rd Annual Tuba Christmas. This free concert will redefine how you view the tuba. It’s always fun.
However you enjoy this season, know that Downtown businesses appreciate your support. They, too, keep it local, and look forward to everyone enjoying a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. Happy Holidays to you all! DoNapa.com