To help get you in the holiday spirit, be sure to attend Emmaus’ Old Fashioned Christmas celebrations Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The Emmaus Historical Society’s museum, 218 Main St., will celebrate the holidays with an open house 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30. This year’s train putz will be unveiled 4 p.m. The children’s choir from St. Ann School will perform 4:30 p.m. and the Emmaus Moravian Church carolers will sing 6:30 p.m. The museum has been transformed with holiday displays. Visitors will enjoy this journey down memory lane.

The Friends of the Emmaus Public Library will hold a holiday book sale and reception 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 at the library, 11 E. Main St. The sale features pre-enjoyed books in gift-worthy condition at budget-pleasing prices. Wine, punch and cheese will be served. The library is closed during this event.

The Knauss Homestead, 164 E. Main St. (rear), will hold a Yule log burning 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30. Visitors will be treated to a house tour, hot chocolate, cookies, wine and cheese. These activities will continue noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 during the borough’s Old Fashioned Christmas celebration. For information, visit www.Theknaushomestead.org.

Emmaus will celebrate its annual Old Fashioned Christmas 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1. Many of the activities, coordinated by the Emmaus Main Street Partners, take place at Triangle Park. Among the activities there is an Emmaus business window and door décor contest, pictures with Santa Claus, a Holiday Cheers Trail (must be 21 to purchase tickets), trolley rides (small fee) and a tree lighting ceremony. For information, email ashley@Lehighvalleychamber.org.

Each of Emmaus’ historical sites will host holiday related activities.

The Shelter House, 601 S. Fourth St., will hold an open house 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 1. Among the activities: Santa will arrive to greet the children and light refreshments will be provided.

Friends of the 1803 House, 55 S. Keystone Ave., will host an open house noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 1. Visit the house and enjoy the fire in the open hearth baking gingerbread and some warm cider. The house will be decorated with a Christmas tree trimmed with colonial decorations and the window sills decorated by members of the Emmaus Garden Club. There will be ornament crafting for the children and the annual homemade wreath sale. For information, visit www.1803house.org.

The activities during Emmaus’ Old Fashioned Christmas at the Emmaus Public Library include a special story and craft time for readers of all ages as well as a performance by the Liberty Lane Singers. Visit the library’s website www.emmauspl.org for more information or call 610-965-9284.

The Emmaus Historical Society’s museum will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 1. Warm up on the Holiday Cheers Trail noon to 5 p.m. as beverages will be served on the front porch. Demonstrations on how to make Moravian stars and candles will be held 1 to 4 p.m. Children are invited to follow the Candy Cane Lane 2 to 4 p.m. to make an ornament for the children’s tree on the Triangle.

The Historical Society is partnering with the Emmaus Moravian Church to offer a walking tour of the historical sites. The tour starts at the Moravian Church 1 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1. There is no charge to participate but registration is requested by calling the Emmaus Historical Society 610-966-6591.

Seven Generations Charter School, 154 Main St., will host its annual holiday fair 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1. The fair features more than 40 artisans and vendors, a silent auction, refreshments and a hot chocolate bar, holiday entertainment and a Little Shoppers Shop. For information, call 610-421-8844.

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 programs for December are Dec. 7: Dave Hochella, musician; Dec. 14: Deejay Dave, musician. The Dec. 7 gathering is the group’s Christmas dinner. Reservations are requested by Nov. 30. Call 610-966-4273. There will be no meetings Dec. 21 and 28.

The Emmaus Chorale holiday concert, “It’s Christmas Time!” is scheduled 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Faith Presbyterian Church, Second and Cherokee streets. Interim director of the chorale is Daniel Reed. The holiday concert includes a mix of holiday-related music. Interested new members may call Carole Ann Trout at 610-398-4496.

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Emmaus Historical Society museum, 218 Main St., 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 8. In keeping with a borough tradition of many years ago, Santa and Mrs. Claus will give oranges or chocolates to the children and the young at heart.

The Emmaus Historical Society’s December meeting will feature a nostalgic look at Christmas during Hess’s golden era 7 p.m. Dec. 12. The program will be presented by the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum. The society’s programs are held at St. John’s Lutheran Church parish hall, Fifth and Chestnut streets. The society’s annual member Christmas potluck dinner will precede the program 6 p.m. If planning to attend the dinner, call the office at 610-966-6591 and leave your name, how many are coming and whether you are bringing an appetizer, side dish or dessert. Dessert and a white elephant gift exchange (gently used attic treasure valued at $10) will follow the program. Seats are limited so call early to reserve a seat. For information, email emmaushist@ptd.net or visit www.emmaushistoric-pa.org.

Emmaus Borough Council meets 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 17. The borough offices will be closed for the holidays Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2019. Reminder: place refuse/recycling out Wednesday night, Dec. 26 for Dec. 27 pickup. For information, visit borough.emmaus.pa.us.

The December hours for the Emmaus Farmers Market held in the BB&T parking lot, 235 Main St., are 10 a.m. to noon every Sunday. For information, visit emmausmarket.com.

The Emmaus Public Library, 11 E. Main St., has several holiday crafting programs planned for December. Teens are invited to create holiday ornaments to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas 4 p.m. Dec. 5. The adult craft is creating a Snowflake Mason Jar 7 p.m. Dec. 10.

There will be a meet and greet with the library director 10 a.m. Dec. 3. You are invited to stop for coffee or juice and share your ideas with the library’s new director, Maryellen Kanarr. Book-a-Librarian is offered 10 a.m. Thursdays. This is an opportunity to get some help in navigating the library’s collections or the Internet. Email eplcollection@cliu.org or call 610-965-9284, ext. 210, to reserve your 30-minute spot.

Love Oreo cookies? All ages are invited to select, taste and vote for their favorite flavor at the library (while supplies last) 2 p.m. Dec. 8.

For a list of the regularly scheduled library programs and movies, visit www.emmauspl.org.

A representative from the office of Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, will be at the library to help answer questions, fill out forms and more, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 17.

The library will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1, 2019. The library staff wishes you a happy holiday season.

There is still time to purchase a ticket for the drawing for the 10-day AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise (www.amawaterways.com) the Knauss Homestead Society is offering as a fund- raiser. The drawing will be held 3 p.m. Dec. 1 (no need to be present for the drawing). Call Sandy Buss at 610-432-9487 for information.

The Woman’s Club of Emmaus does not meet in December, January 2019 and February 2019. The next meeting will be a celebration of the Girls of the Month, 7 p.m. March 25, 2019. For information about the Woman’s Club of Emmaus, call Karen at 610-366-0807.

The Emmaus Garden Club does not meet during January or February. The next meeting will be in March 2019. Information will be included in the February 2019 column.

Newly elected officers for the Emmaus Kiwanis Club are Robert Smith, president; Laura S. Pitoniak, immediate past president; Fredrica H. Stringfellow, president- elect and Elaine Ruch, secretary. Directors are Lorena Weatherhold, Linda Salter, Richard Durant and Matthew Wright. The Kiwanis meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month 6:15 p.m. at Perkins Restaurant, 3400 Lehigh St., Allentown. For information, visit emmauskiwanis.org.

The deadline for including items in the January 2019 column is Dec. 17. Please send articles to Corrine Durdock, 913 Little Lehigh Drive, email durdock@aol.com or call 610-967-2661.

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