McLaughlin Garden plans holiday events

PARIS — Christmas is coming to the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead on Main Street. Special events are planned including decorating workday, wreath-making classes, a party, and an open house.

On Friday, November 30, volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. to decorate the inside and outside of the house and barn. Participants will have a chance to learn to make evergreen roping and a balsam wreath for outdoors and boxwood trees to deck the halls.

A lunch of soup and homemade bread will be served to those who are helping to prepare the home’s interior for the season.

On Saturday, December 1 a balsam wreath-making workshop led by garden volunteer Becky Burke will take place at 9:30 a.m. All materials will be provided and participants will take home their creations.

Joyce Sweatt will teach participants how to make bows. There is a $20 charge for this workshop. Call the garden at 743- 8820 to register so that sufficient materials will be available.

The McLaughlin board of directors will host its annual holiday party to honor volunteers, members and friends at 5 p.m. on December 6. This will give those who have participated in maintaining the garden, house and barn and chance to socialize and see the holiday décor.

Maintaining and preserving the historic property is largely a volunteer effort, and all deserve thanks.

On December 8 the Gift Shop is hosting an open house from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The gift shop committee has restocked the shop with stocking stuffers and ideas for gardeners, bringing back favorite items from other years

Boxwood trees will be for sale. Refreshments will be served.

The shop will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., throughout the months of November and December. It helps to fund the McLaughlin operation.