Forget Black Friday and big-box store crowds, to many locals nothing says holiday shopping better than the Thursday night hometown hospitality of downtown Exeter merchants with their one-of-a-kind gifts and homemade finger foods. Trade in the holiday hustle and bustle for a true hometown experience and bring the entire family to a Holiday Open House beginning this Thursday night.

From 5-9 p.m. Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13 and 20 downtown Exeter will see a whirl of activity with free horse drawn carriage rides sponsored by Tricia Kirksey Real Estate, a photo op with the one and only Christmas couple Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and all the hot chocolate and hot apple cider you can drink.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to bring some holiday joy to another by taking an ornament from the Exeter Fire Department's Angel Tree. By taking an ornament you are promising to purchase an appropriate new toy for that child to be wrapped and dropped off at the Exeter Fire Station by Christmas Eve. The tree is located at Mixter Park, at the corner of E and Pine Streets. J. Heaton and Coldwell Banker will also be providing a Toys for Tots drop-off spot at the southwest corner of Pine and E Streets. Bring a new unwrapped toy and help a child's holiday become a little brighter.

Shops and eateries ranging from El Nuevo all the way to By the Water Tower Antiques will stay open late for all your holiday shopping needs. In-store specials await alongside diverse merchandise from clothes, jewelry, housewares, tools, antiques to holiday décor. There's no telling what you'll find amongst the shelves! One thing is sure, the event will draw more than those who possess a 93221 zip code.

“We have a large amount of locals but then we also get people from Visalia, Bakersfield and Fresno,” said Hometown Emporium owner Kristy Alves. “I know people who look forward to this all year long.”

The event is in its 18th year and has continued to grow drawing thousands to Pine Street every holiday season. Over 58 merchants plan to participate in this year's event signifying that Exeter is the place to be for that old-fashioned hometown holiday spirit.

“Personally, I don't know of any other town that opens their doors wide open and welcomes people in like this,” said Alves. “You can see starting from the first night it's all about greeting people and holiday cheer.”

For more information call the Exeter Chamber of Commerce at 592-2919.

Toys For Tots

This year marks the 60th anniversary for the Toys for Tots tradition of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. In 2006, Toys for Tots delivered more than 19.2 million toys to over 7.6 million children. Unfortunately, with over 13 million children living in poverty, Toys for Tots needs your help more than ever to achieve our goal of delivering a toy to every child in need.

But thanks to the staff at J. Heaton & Associates/Coldwell Banker you won't have to go out of your way to donate.

For the second straight year, J. Heaton & Associates/ Coldwell Banker employees will be accepting toy donations in downtown Exeter during the Holiday Open House. This year, the drop-off location is on the southwest corner of Pine and E streets.

“We just wanted to do something to give back to the community,” said Realtor Robyn Stearns.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during holidays each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. All of the toys donated in Exeter will go to children at the Exeter Boys & Girls Club.

Toys are delivered by a Marine Corps Reserve Unit or a group of veteran Marines in communities without a Reserve Unit. Through the gift of a shiny new toy, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children who might otherwise be overlooked this holiday season.

The hope is that a message of hope to needy youngsters will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. Sponsor a toy and give a child recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. For more information on the Exeter drop off, call Robyn Stearns at 679-2474. For more information on Toys for Tots, go online to http://toysfortots2007.com.

Angel Tree

The Exeter Fire Department, in cooperation with the Exeter Ministerial Association, will be kicking off its annual Angel Tree Toy Drive on Dec. 1. The drive will continue through Dec. 24.

The Angel Tree will be located at Mixture Park, the corner of Pine and E streets, every Thursday during the Holiday Open House. The Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments signifying the gender and age of a lesss fortunate child living in and around Exeter who otherwise may not experience the joy of opening a present this Christmas.

Residents are asked to pick an ornament off the tree, register it with volunteers at the tree and then purchase an age-appropriate gift for the child.

Gifts may be dropped of at the Angel Tree location on Thursday evenings or at the Exeter Fire Station, located at 137 N. F St. All gifts being delivered need to be wrapped. Gifts will be accepted until Christmas Eve. Firefighters, along with Santa Claus will deliver the toys to the children's homes on Christmas.

The generosity of the Citizens of Exeter and surrounding areas have consistently made the Angel Tree Toy Drive a success for less fortunate children in our area. Last year's drive collected more than 1,000 gifts that went to more than 200 families in Exeter and the surrounding area. Exeter firefighters said they hope to continue the tradition this Christmas season.

For more information about the Angel Tree Toy Drive, please contact the Exeter Fire Station at 592-3714.

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