Merry Christmas from Visit Roswell Georgia!

The staff of Visit Roswell Georgia wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A Picturesque Holiday in Roswell

No experience is quite as special as a Southern Christmas, and Roswell, Georgia is bursting with holiday spirit. Just north of Atlanta, Roswell is perfect for a charming weekend getaway or an afternoon filled with adventure. The weather allows for plenty of outdoor fun, and the usual hospitality becomes amplified as everyone embraces the season of giving. Just a stroll down Canton Street will sweep you away to a whimsical holiday world.

Step into any of our specialty shops and boutiques and you will find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for all of the special people in your life. Surround yourself with the delightful holiday bustle of downtown Roswell, where you will feel part of a reminiscent storybook. Follow your nose to a bake shop or restaurant to grab a bite and experience Roswell's vibrant culinary scene, with plenty of restaurants to choose from.

But why let the fun stop there? Canton Street is just minutes from a beautiful Southern Trilogy, a trio of historic houses that are decorated with seasonal splendor. These houses include Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall, and Smith Plantation, and all are available to tour (click for more information). At Bulloch Hall you will learn of the 100 year anniversary celebration of the National Parks Service, a notable achievement of Theodore Roosevelt, son of Mittie Bulloch. These gorgeous houses will take you back in time, and remind you of a simpler life filled with family traditions and holiday joy.

There is so much to do and see in Roswell, and your experience wouldn’t be complete without a comfortable stay at one of our accommodating hotels. Peruse our Christmas in Roswell brochure to plan your visit, gather up your friends or family members and spend a day or two creating experiences and memories you’ll cherish for years to come. Your perfect downtown adventure awaits!

Christmas in Roswell

Christmas in Roswell is more than an event. It’s an entire season of Holiday Events with the Southern Trilogy sites, Bulloch Hall, Barrington Hall and Smith Plantation, dressed in seasonal splendor and open for tours, Santa sightings, holiday tours, musical performances, high teas, re-enactments of Mittie Bulloch's Christmastime 1853 wedding to Theodore Roosevelt, theatrical performances, art, open houses, dance and of course fabulous shopping on Georgia's officially recognized "Great Places In Georgia – Great Street," Canton Street, and all around Roswell.

The season kicks off in November with all of the Southern Trilogy sites ready to wow you by Thanksgiving week. “A Very Southern Christmas” at Barrington Hall features the traditions that make Christmas in the South a truly memorable experience. From fireworks to fruit cake, from Christmas Bags to the Pink Pig, Barrington Hall will be sure to bring back childhood memories while making new ones for you and your family.

“All I Want for Christmas Is…” at Smith Plantation will delight your senses with fantasies for the young and the young-at-heart. Rooms of historic Smith Plantation are filled with timeless wishes from the past along with vibrant colors, whimsical trees, and countless memories for all.

Bulloch Hall celebrates with “A Christmas Carol.” Each room of the house will show the story of the Charles Dickens’ holiday favorite Ebenezer Scrooge and what happens to him on that fateful Christmas Even in the early 1840s.

Annual special events complement the daily home tours at the Southern Trilogy homes. The special events sell out so it’s not too early to reserve your spot.

Christmas High Teas at Bulloch Hall are December 1, 6, 8, 13, and 15. Reservations are required. Call 770-992-1731 to reserve your spot for this warm, engaging afternoon with ladies in period clothing serving a two course tea in candlelight followed by a tour of the home.

Manners with Snowflake the Ballerina at Bulloch Hall is December 3rd for children ages 4 to 11. Reservations are required. Call 770-992-1731 to reserve your spot as Snowflake dances her way into the hearts of the children with gentle reminders of good manners. Light refreshments and holiday favors will be provided.

Also on December 3rd, is the Gingerbread Christmas at Smith Plantation home for children ages 5 and up. Reservations are required. Call 770-641-3978 to reserve your spot. This fun event includes preparing and decorating Christmas themed cookies, baked over the open hearth at the plantation’s outdoor cookhouse. Children also prepare a craft to take home.

A Christmas Carol will be performed in the Terrace Room at Bulloch Hall December 3, 16, 17, and 23rd. What better way to enjoy Bulloch Hall’s 2011 decorating them than with a performance of this Charles Dickens classic? Reservations are required. Call 770-992-1731 to reserve your spot as Wally Hinds, with 20-years experience with this holiday classic, once again brings it to life.

A Southern Trilogy Candlelight Tour is December 10th. This is your chance to see all three of the homes in their holiday finery by candlelight. Enjoy festive holiday decorations, children’s activities, seasonal treats, and entertainment.

Cookies with Mrs. Claus at Barrington Hall is December 17th. Mrs. Claus will be on hand for a seventy-five minute cookie making workshop with the children. Children will take their cookies home as well as their special letter to Santa. Reservations are required. Call 770-640-3855 to reserve a spot.

Christmas for Kids at Bulloch Hall is December 17th. Non-stop fun for ages 5-11. Activities include Yule log hunt, candy cane hunt, Christmas crafts, light snack, storytelling by “Queen Glitter,” a visit with Mr. & Mrs. Claus and a tour of the house. Reservations are required. Call 770-992-1731 to reserve your spot.

The Reenactment of Mittie Bulloch’s 1953 Wedding to Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. is December 21st at Bulloch Hall. In this much anticipated annual reenactment, each room represents a snippet of the mid-1800s. Ladies discuss the fashion of the day while the gentlemen talk about the events of the times all leading up to the wedding. Reservations are required. Please call 770-992-1731 to reserve your spot.

These are only a few of the many special events taking place in Roswell from mid-November until New Year’s Eve. For specific times, prices, and more information on these events and the many others that Roswell has to offer during the holiday season, just click on hwww.visitroswellga.com/christmas-in-roswell.html

It’s A Wrap

Would you believe that there are only 72 more shopping days until Christmas? More importantly there are only 39 more days until the holiday events start along the Divine 9.

What, you’ve never heard of the Divine 9? To us local folk, that’s Georgia Highway 9, here in Roswell and Alpharetta. Each year, starting with Thanksgiving week, Roswell and Alpharetta host some must-attend events and celebrations all up and down the Divine 9.

To unveil the Holidays along the Divine 9 publication a very special, fun event is scheduled on Monday, October 17th at 11 am at Northpoint Mall. Mayor Jere Wood of Roswell, Mayor Arthur Letchas of Alpharetta, and their wives, Judie Raiford and Sally Letchas will participate in “The Mayor’s Holiday Wrap-Up.”

Each husband and wife team will be in a race to see which team can wrap the most toys in 19 minutes. Santa himself will give special acclaim to the team with the most wrapped gifts and a few other select categories. Performers from the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance production of The Nutcracker will be on hand providing additional holiday merriment. All gifts will be donated to North Fulton Community Charities.

I’m not sure what will be the most fun – cheering on my favorite mayor and wife team or getting some great ideas for how to wrap those funny shaped packages that I have to deal with each year. I wonder if Santa will let me sit on his lap, at my age? Guess I’d better focus on the beauty and majesty of the Tolbert Yilmaz Nutcracker dancers and be content with being awed at their skills.

The best part about this event is being the first to find out about the 84 (yes, I said 84) events in the Holidays along the Divine 9 publication. I know for a fact that some of them are of the “fills up fast, gotta reserve my spot, now” type of events.

Join us at Northpoint Mall on Monday, October 17th for the thrill of competition, the beauty of the dancers, and I bet you’ll even hear a jingle bell or two – you just have to be there in person to find out what I mean.

If you ever snuck under the tree as a kid, carefully opened a wrapped package to see what you were getting, and then taped it back up, I bet you can’t wait for Monday to see what all the Holidays along the Divine 9 has to offer. Guess what? You don’t have to wait. Just go to www.visitroswellga.com/divine9.html and click on the link to view all of the events.

Christmas in Roswell

The lights and decorations are up and the events are planned. All that’s needed are people to enjoy Christmas in Roswell. Christmas in Roswell isn’t one event - it’s over a month’s worth of historic homes decorated and ready for tours, all kinds of activities, theatrical performances, music, dance, high teas, candlelight tours and much more all around the city. Chosen as a “Top Twenty Event” three times by the Southeastern Tourism Society, Christmas in Roswell is not to be missed.

The “Southern Trilogy – The Historic Homes of Roswell” are where most folks start their experience. Each year, the homes choose new themes so it’s fun to go each year and see the magical transformation of the homes. Normal tour prices apply to day time tours.

Barrington Hall’s theme is “I Collect Christmas” featuring fascinating and whimsical Christmas collectibles. Whether an extensive collection of 19th century antique ornaments, or vintage nutcrackers, there is something to thrill the collector in each of us. The home is decorated in traditional Southern style! Tours on the hour from 10 A.M. – 3 P.M. Mon. – Sat. and from 1 – 3 P.M. on Sundays (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

It’s “The 12 Days of Christmas” at Historic Bulloch Hall. Beginning with a perfect partridge nestled in a Pear tree, visitors will go from room-to-room (you may sing if you wish) experiencing the many delightful interpretations of those melodious 12 days. Self-guided tours of the home decorated for the holidays in this favorite (and fun) theme. Mon. - Sat. 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.; Sun. 1 P.M. - 4 P.M. (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

Come visit the “Winter Wonderland on the Plantation” at Smith Plantation Home. Heritage flora and fauna native to Smith Plantation is this year’s theme, featuring antebellum plants, birds and wildlife as the Roswell Garden Club takes Smith Plantation to new heights with seasonal décor. Tours on the hour from 10 A.M. – 3 P.M. Mon. – Sat. and from 1 – 3 P.M. on Sundays (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

Special Events at the Historic Homes of Roswell:
Note: Most of these events require reservations and do sell out. Please call the phone number listed with the event to make reservations.

December 3, 8, 10, 14, 16
Christmas High Tea at Bulloch Hall. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon is enjoying “High Tea” served in Bulloch Hall by ladies in period clothing. Reservations required; 770-992-1731.

December 12
Christmas For Kids at Bulloch Hall from 10 A.M. – Noon. Yule Log hunt, Candy Cane hunt, storytelling, Christmas crafts, a tour of the house decorated for Christmas, light snack and lots of fun. Reservations required; $10 per person; 770-992-1731.

Saturday, December 12, 5pm-9pm Visit all three of Roswell's historic sites in beautiful candlelight and enjoy festive holiday decorations and entertainment. One private home in Historic Roswell will also be open to the public on this day only! Smith Plantation will feature "Winter Wonderland on the Plantation" featuring decorations by the Roswell Garden Club highlighting historic flora and fauna. Barrington Hall's theme "I Collect Christmas" will display decorations from personal Christmas collections, and Bulloch Hall will be celebrating "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Admission is $20 in advance $25 at the door for adults, and $10 in advance and $15 at the door for children 6 years and younger.

December 17
Reenactment of Mittie Bulloch’s Christmastime 1853 Wedding to Theodore Roosevelt (Sr.) Step back in time to the chilly December 1853 evening in the sleepy little village of Roswell, GA and be a guest at a wedding that will wake up the 20th Century. This marriage resulted in our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt and our 34th First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Enjoy a charming evening with the Bullochs and the Roosevelts and the Roswell townspeople. First tour begins at 6:30 P.M. and then every ½ hour until 8:30 P.M. Reservations are required. 770-992-1731.

December 19
Gingerbread Christmas at Smith Plantation Home. Four 30 minute workshops include preparing and decorating Christmas themed cookies. Participants assist with baking cookies over the open hearth of the plantation outdoor cookhouse. Ages 5 and up; each workshop limited to 10 children. Advance reservations required; $10 per child; 770-641-3978.

But wait, there’s more. Check out http://www.visitroswellga.com/include-new/2009ChristmasInRoswellBrochure.pdf for information on all of the events.

Merry Christmas!