To help get you in the holiday spirit, be sure to attend Emmaus’ Old Fashioned Christmas celebrations Dec. 1 and 2.

The Friends of the Emmaus Public Library will host a wine and cheese reception and book sale 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1. The event, held in the Margaret Knoll Gardner room of the library, 11 E. Main St., will feature seasonal sounds by Emmaus High School musicians. The sale features pre-enjoyed books in gift-worthy condition at pleasing prices. Please note the rest of the library is closed during this event.

The business community in Emmaus will hold its annual First Friday in December in Emmaus Christmas shopping extravaganza Dec. 1. This event has become a Lehigh Valley favorite. For shoppers, it means extended store hours, a variety of unique sales and promotions, drinks and refreshments.

All participating businesses will be identified with outdoor luminaries set in front of their businesses. For information, contact La Belle Cuisine-Fine Cookware at 610-928-0070.

The Emmaus Historical Society museum will be open 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1. Visit the museum, 218 Main St., and enjoy refreshments and holiday exhibits while you are entertained by the Emmaus Moravian Church carolers 6:30 p.m.

On Dec. 2 at the library, Miss Sue will host story time 10:30 a.m., Christmas crafts will be offered 11 a.m. and “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” rated G, will be shown 2 p.m. Literary Lunch Jr. is noon.

The Old Fashioned Christmas events on Triangle Park and other venues in Emmaus begin 11 a.m. Dec. 2. The events feature live music, trolley rides, a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus and the annual tree lighting ceremony. Family-friendly activities include sing-alongs, community vendors and a Candy Cane Lane walking tour. There is free admission to the movie, “The Polar Express,” at the Emmaus Theatre with a donation of a canned good. New this year is a Holiday Cheers Trail for those 21 years of age and older. With a passport you are eligible to stop at 12 to 15 participating downtown Emmaus shops and restaurants and sample signature cocktails, mocktails, wine and beer. Tickets went on sale Nov. 6 and only 125 passports will be available. For information, visit emausmainsstreet.com.

On Dec. 2, all historic houses will hold open houses noon to 4 p.m.

Stop at the Knauss Homestead, 164 E. Main St., for light refreshments and to see an 18th century putz and Pyramid tree.

The 1803 House, 55 S. Keystone St., will have a fire in the open hearth, warm cider and other holiday treats, ornament crafting for the children, a wreath sale and tours of the historic house. Be sure to look for the sale of the “1803 House Church Baby,” a traditional Moravian children’s toy. For information, visit www.1803house.org.

The Shelter House, 601 S. Fourth St., will be decorated for the holiday and will feature Christmas crafts for children.

The Emmaus Historical Society museum, 218 Main St., will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 2. From noon to 4 p.m. children are invited to make ornaments, which will decorate the children’s Christmas tree on the Triangle. The tree will be lit 5 p.m. Emmaus Moravian Church members will demonstrate Moravian star and candle making in the museum 1 to 4 p.m. All are welcome and there is no charge for admittance.

The society is participating in the Emmaus Main Street Partner’s Holiday Cheer Trail and will offer beverages in the spirit of the holiday season on the front porch of the museum noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 2.

The Moravian Church is partnering with the historical society to offer a walking tour of Emmaus 1 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2 to visit the 12 historical sites which tell the story of Emmaus’ earliest days. There is no cost for the tour but registration is requested. To register, call 610-966-6591 by Nov. 30.

Seven Generations School, 154 Minor St., will host its annual holiday fair 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2. The fair features 40 or more artisans and vendors, a silent auction, food and a hot chocolate bar, holiday entertainment and a Little Shoppers Shop. For information, call 610-421-8844.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Emmaus Historical Society museum 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 9. The museum, in replicating a former Emaus/Emmaus tradition of going to town hall or fire company #1 for an orange and a box of chocolates during the holidays, will have Santa and Mrs. Claus distribute fruit and a candy box to all visitors (young and the young at heart).

The museum has several gift suggestions including the Emmaus Historical Society glass ball tree ornaments and pewter ornaments. The museum will be closed Dec. 3, 23, 24, 30 and 31.

The Emmaus Historical Society will host a Christmas covered dish party 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at St. John’s Lutheran Church parish hall, 501 Chestnut St. If you are planning to attend, call 610-966-6591 and let them know if you’ll bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert.

Emmaus businesses will celebrate “Small Business Saturday,” Nov. 25. Pre-register online at www.emmausmainstreet.com and then stop at the Emmaus Main Street Partners office, 191 Main St., to get a free “ShopSmall Offer Bag” filled with various offers from downtown businesses. For information, call 610-739-1237.

Emmaus Farmers Market’s Winter Market held in the BB&T parking lot, 235 Main St., begins Dec. 3. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon. Nov. 26 will be the last regular season market. For information, visit emmausmarket.com.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, the library will hold a cookie swap 2 p.m. Dec. 9. Bring a few dozen cookies and a copy of the recipe to exchange for an assortment to take home. The library staff will even help copy your recipe.

There will be a holiday crafting afternoon for youngsters and their families 2 p.m. Dec. 16. Holiday movies offered during the month are “White Christmas” 1 p.m. Dec. 21 and “It’s A Wonderful Life,’’ rated PG, 1 p.m. Dec. 28.

If you are planning to retire in the near future, the library has arranged for Oaktree Advisors to offer advice on social security, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4. RSVP to 610-965-9284, ext. 210 or eplcollections@cliu.org.

Movie night, “The Glass Castle,” PG-13, will be held 6:30 p.m. Dec. 26.

For other program offerings and information, visit www.emmauspl.org or call 610-965-9284.

The library will be closed Dec. 23 and 25 for the holiday.

Emmaus Borough Council meets 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 18. Borough offices are closed for the holiday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2018.

Curbside leaf collection continues through Dec. 6. Compost site hours continue 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 6. The electronics recycling on Kline’s Lane is closed December through February 2018. Reminder: Due to the holiday, place refuse out Dec. 27 for Dec. 28 pickup. For information, visit borough.emmaus.pa.us.

The Emmaus Senior Citizens group meets 1 p.m. every Friday at St. Matthew’s E.C. Church, Fifth and Ridge streets. All local senior citizens are invited to attend the meetings. The programs for December are Dec. 1: Dave Machetti, musician; Dec. 8: Fred Arnold, musician; Dec. 15 is the group’s Christmas party and they meet noon. David Loehr, musician, will entertain. There are no meetings Dec. 22 and 29. The members wish you a Happy Holidays.

Reminder: The Woman’s Club of Emmaus meets 1 p.m. Nov. 27 in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 501 Chestnut St. The public is invited to attend. The club is selling Gertrude Hawk chocolates for Christmas. Orders can be placed at the Nov. 27 meeting. The club does not meet in December, January 2018 or February 2018.

Plaudits to the Emmaus Arts Commission for its successful student film festival. This year there were more submissions than ever from over 12 different schools. There was also a record attendance for the viewing which filled the Emmaus Theater. Congratulations to Parkland High School for its film “WANDering” which won first place in the high school contest and Lower Macungie Middle School for its film “Watch Your Step,“ which won first place in the middle school contest.

If you are looking for a creative gift for a special someone, the Emmaus Remembrance Garden is selling commemorative bricks. The bricks are placed at the Remembrance Garden at the Knauss Homestread. There are several options from which to choose: Christmas, wedding, anniversary, birthday, retirement, Eagle Scout recognition, veterans and community heroes. For information and cost, visit www.emmausremembers.org or call Mike Waddell at 484-274-2089.

The deadline for including items in the January 2018, column is Dec. 20. Please send articles to Corrine Durdock, 913 Little Lehigh Dr., call 610-967-2661 or email durdock@aol.com.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.