By Caroline Roosevelt
Contributing Writer

The annual Kennett Square Holiday Village Market kicked off on Dec. 7 to a bustling and bundled crowd, brought to us again by Kennett Collaborative, MerelyMere and Square Roots Collective.

While I have attended this annual rite of passage in each year of its existence -- I helped put on the event in its early years -- this year was special, because I was attending it with my three-year-old daughter, who knows who Santa is and what he does, so this year’s Santa visit was very important.

The Holiday Village Market has been tirelessly curated to encapsulate the magic of the season in a way that only Kennett Square imbues, where rustic charm meets small business owners and vendors with fantastic wares, food trucks, and of course, warm drinks and activities for the kids.

Now, in previous years, I’d beeline for the spiked cider, but this year I allowed my daughter to lead, and our first stop was to Santa Claus, who will be at his throne during every Holiday Village Market from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. As we approached him, her chattering and confident excitement receded into starstruck awe, and maybe a little fear. We walked up onto the stage to meet the man himself and snap a few pics. She sat on my lap, but still right next to him, beaming. A core memory was created.

I felt like I was on the set of a Hallmark movie as we roamed around the market checking out homemade and vintage crafts from local artisans. I knew we couldn’t, but I was curious to check out the artificial ice rink complete with a section beside the rink with artificial snowflakes gently tumbling down for a perfect photo op.

We were on a mission. We had missed the face-painter, but Daisy patiently waited in line for a balloon snowman created by the featured balloon artist. Next, we picked up some French fries at Albie’s Burger Truck, picked up a loaded hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream and settled into the heated and insulated section. Unprompted, Daisy dunked her French fries into her warm beverage. 

Before we knew it, the crowd thinned, the sun started to wane, and we decided to pack it up and head home. We arrived back at the house, and I presented Daisy to my husband. She was covered in hot chocolate, hair askew, heaving with frantic toddler energy, and proudly clutching a new crocheted stuffed cat keychain from Bee Handmade Boutique in one hand and her balloon snowman in another. 

The Kennett Square Holiday Village Market continues Dec. 14 and 15 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at The Kennett Creamery on Birch Street in Kennett Square. To plan your visit, check out the schedule and featured vendors at http://www.kennettholidaymarket.com.