By ANN WERTMAN

Special to The Press

Remember the Little Shoppers’ Village at the magical Allentown department stores of yesteryear where there was a small scale entry which would only allow children to enter and select perfect gifts for family and friends?

When Christmas gifts were opened, the recipient was amazed with the items their beloved little shopper had selected without adult supervision.

For almost a decade, all the elves at the Liberty Bell Museum’s Little Shoppers Village have witnessed how much thought process these eager youth put into creating great family fun and these never forgotten childhood memories.

Ideally, the accompanying adult would prepare a shopping list of names with ages and their family role and give a spending limit.

With the assist of Christmas elves, items would be selected and packaged ready for gift giving.

What a joy to see the smiles on these young faces as they leave with their unique treasures.

At the Little Shoppers Village in the Liberty Bell Museum, 622 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, this tradition lives on but without the restriction to having only children enter.

Parents, relatives and friends who wish to encourage the element of surprise are welcome to either remain elsewhere in the museum during the shopping spree or supervise as they feel necessary.

All items are priced from $1 to $4 and include new store merchandise, as well as some vintage treasures for all family members.

The Little Shoppers’ Village at the Liberty Bell Museum will be open noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 26, 27, 28 and Dec. 4, creating the perfect family outing to shop and continue the Christmas tradition which came to Hess’s in 1962.

The “Pip: The Mouse Before Christmas” puppet show will be presented at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Masks are required and there is an admission fee.