FAMILY TIME in Elmira at Christmas

Christmas in Elmira will be a special experience this year for Dana Costello as she shares her traditions with her first child as they celebrate baby’s first Christmas. And part of those traditions for the resident, property owner, and board member of Elmira’s Downtown Business Improvement Area is to enjoy all the town has to offer over the holiday season, from its special events to holiday crafts to unique shops and delicious dining. “There’s a magical feeling at Christmas in Elmira,” Costello said. “We have a fantastic Santa Claus Parade, which is larger than you’d anticipate for a small town like Elmira. There’s fantastic community support and of course Santa is a huge highlight.” Costello said there’s great community support for the Moonlight Madness event too – the official kick-off to the season in Elmira, which this year was held Nov. 29.

It’s a tradition of friendship, of caring, and of celebrating together. And it’s a feeling that lasts throughout the season. Even if you don’t live there, you still come away from a day of shopping in Elmira with warm-and-fuzzy feelings. You’ve shared the day rather than enduring it. “It’s very different from shopping in a mall,” Costello said. The town is decked out for Christmas, parking is plentiful and free, and despite its size there is quite a bit of variety among the 20-some retail stores, services, restaurants and experiences offered in downtown Elmira. You just might be able to cross a few names off your list and have an enjoyable family outing. Dragonhill Games offers board games and collectable card games and is relatively new on the scene in Elmira. Costello said there’s a strong gaming community in town and around it. “It’s a great place to stop if you are a family that likes to play games,” she said. “Dragonhill has been a great attraction downtown.” newbie The Elmira –“the Tandoori first Indian Grill restaurant is another in town,” packed.” Costello said, “and it’s always The restaurant plus take-out offers and fine is the dining only inhouse Indian restaurant “Everyone in is the very vicinity. excited about this,” Costello said. Local Renaissance is Elmira’s first espresso bar and locals are appreciating the array of espresso- and tea-based drinks as much as visitors to town. “They provide classic coffees, but every season they create something special,” Costello said. “And it’s such a cozy spot where you can work on your laptop, lounge on couches, listen to nice music, meet up with friends or escape there alone. “This is something Elmira has needed.” There are clothing stores, hardware stores, general stores, kitchen stores, flower shops, and places to buy toys and games and gadgets and trinkets. You can also pick out your favourite Christmas tree from the lot in Gore Park. Most of the shops are on Arthur and Church Streets but if you venture off the main drag you’ll find the Elmira Gift Outlet on Union Street, just around the corner. The Elmira Public Library – a Carnegie design built in 1912 – offers a number of seasonal craft-making workshops for children and families as well. “People forget about the library. It’s often lost in the shuffle. But you can go home with a nice take-away craft and even more important, a terrific Christmas memory,” Costello said. And that makes shopping in Elmira both timeless and priceless, she said.