Milford is the cutest little town. It’s like straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Last week, members of the community (and maybe others who weren’t) gathered on the sidewalks of Main Street to watch the local businesses reveal their holiday displays. It really was ideal. There was a chill in the air, enhancing the excitement, and a light snowfall set the perfect scene. Everyone was bundled up, huddled in small groups, making chitchat while waiting in anticipation.

It’s the kind of thing that small towns thrive on, a real sense of community. It’s the charm of not being lost in the crowds of a big city. It’s the invitation to make small talk with an unknown friendly neighbor about how the local weather, which the two of you share, has caught you off guard and left you both with snow covered deck furniture in need of putting away (or maybe that was just my occurrence). It’s experiencing the pride and joy of local business owners who care to enhance their community and make it special for every season.

Okay, maybe (in small part) the perfect snowfall was due to a machine projected from a hometown restaurant. (My kids loved filling me in on that.) But if that isn’t a testament of how far the local businesses were willing to go to make the evening magical, then I don’t know what is! It only added to the ambiance of an already idyllic scene. (And aren’t all Hallmark movies made on a set?) I mean, I couldn’t have been more charmed- even if you would have told me that all of the townspeople were paid actors.

We started by meeting up with some friends and their kids at the local coffee roaster’s shop, The Proving Grounds (a play on the GM’s Proving Grounds, the largest business in town.) While we were there, warming up and ordering something to keep us warm outdoors, we caught a glimpse of their display… Santa himself! He was checking his list (twice). Can you believe it? Right here in Milford.

Of course the kids were excited, but we left Santa to do his work and joined back in the hubbub of anticipation on Main Street. When the clock struck 6:30 pm, the wrapping papers were ripped off like it was Christmas morning, to expose the extraordinary secrets that awaited…

And SO many of the displays were special and thought out! Many were obviously themed for their specific shop, such as, the Milford Baking Co.:

and Music & Arts:

Restaurants, like the Blue Grill, had festively painted their windows to last for the whole season:

The live displays were captivating. Clothing stores displayed their merchandise and gift shops showed their wares… Like Nana’s Niche & Corner:

The kids in this display were emulating a snowball fight. Ah-dorable.

Shop owners could tell a whole story by sharing a glimpse of heartwarming relatable scenes. For example this present wrapping scene from The Clothing Cove:

I can’t really pick a favorite, but another window display from the same store was at the top of my list. The whole scene, full of penguins and ice fishing at what I imagine to be the North Pole, was transcendental story book. I couldn’t even snap a clear picture because of all of the kids faces pressed to the glass, and then I thought, “what better way to capture its essence and magnativity?”

Some stores shared playful displays:

Some went vintage (and enticed the kids with sugar cookies, literally just inside their doors):

One, Acorn Farms, had the most beautiful gingerbread house I’ve even seen! It was rotating in a fairy tale scene of marshmallow trees and life-sized gingerbread men and women:

The night was instantly one of my favorite holiday paving events. I’m thankful for such community members and businesses for making things special and memorable for kids (and us grown-ups). And I’m appreciative for this important guy taking time out of his busy schedule to pose for Santa selfies.

Happy holiday season everyone!