Berlin to host annual Christmas Open House
The annual Berlin Christmas Open House throughout the village is one of the biggest events in a crowded event calendar in Berlin every year.
The annual Berlin Christmas Open House throughout the village is one of the biggest events in a crowded event calendar in Berlin every year, and will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov.,8, 9 and 10.
Eli Hochstetler at the Gospel Bookstore said the big Christmas Open House brings in people from all over Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania every year. “It’s a way to introduce the Christmas Season,” he said. I know everyone in town looks forward to seeing old friends and travelers, who come to see us just for this Christmas celebration.”
Savings will be found from one end of Main Street to the other, Hochstetler said. “The Gospel Bookstore will have the biggest book signing in Holmes County. We’ll have between 30 and 40 authors here, signing their books. The books will also be at 20 percent off for the signed copies. If you have people on your gift list and you’re not sure what to buy, you can choose a book, and have the author inscribe it for the recipient right there.” The book signing is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10.
Brittany Yoder at the Village Gift Barn said sales are just part of the Christmas Open House at the store. “We’re known for our yummy food as well, and we’ll have live music those days.” Yoder said live piano and voiolin will be provided for shoppers, who will be able to save 20 percent storewide Thursday during the Berlin Christmas Open House, and 10 percent off Friday.
Also on Thursday, the store will accept donations of packaged paper products in exchange for an additional 10 percent off any regular priced item.
One Hot Cookie opened its doors in Berlin in May of this year, and Robin Barnby said Berlin has been an active and fund place to do business. “We want people to come in and see us, and we’re offering a free chocolate chip cookie with any purchase during the Christmas Open House. You can munch a cookie while you shop the new and older businesses in town.”
Jamie Swartzentruber at Sol’s palace said the biggest attraction of the Berlin Christmas Open House may be that it involves businesses throughout the village. “A lot of the stores have sales during the year, “ she said, “but this is probably the biggest collective event, which is part of why it’s so popular.”
Sol’s, Swartzentruber said, will be offering 10 percent off storewide on Saturday. “And our employees are all planning to wear their ugliest Christmas sweaters, just for fun.” She added that Sol’s will offer more discounts the following Saturday, as the store marks its 25th anniversary in Berlin on Nov 17.
“The annual Christmas Open House is really the best time to come out and find unique Christmas gifts you might not find anywhere else, at a good price, with plenty of fun things to do in town,” said Swartzentruber.
“There are several new businesses in town,” said Hochstetler. “The Christmas Open House is a good time to come and visit and see what they’re about. It’s a perfect start to the Christmas season.”