Giving Tree seeks more willing to give

POULSBO — Kids passing by the downtown Holiday Heritage House on any given weekend are pretty sure to smile seeing Father Christmas in his long crimson robes and holding a basket of candy canes.

But Father Christmas is making a plea to the community to help him bring smiles to a few more kids’ faces this season.

This weekend is the last time the Heritage House, sponsored by the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association, will be open this year. Father Christmas is on hand noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The man who has been portraying the spirit of generosity for about nine years downtown said he’s seen a lot of kids this season, but hopes this coming weekend will bring more shoppers to Little Norway.

“It’s been a little slow. Weather hasn’t exactly been helping us,” Father Christmas commented. “It’s not as busy as it has been other years.”

Father Christmas is also hoping for a little help with the Giving Tree in the Heritage House. Ornaments hung by HDPA merchants list boys and girls of various ages who need help this Christmas. Shoppers can take an ornament, then return it with an age-appropriate toy that will be given to Fishline.

“We’ve got some in and we’ve had some ornaments go out but it would be nice to have more,” Father Christmas said.

One load of toys from the Heritage House has already been delivered to Fishline, where Director Tricia Sullivan said they became part of the Fishline Toy Shop, which takes place through Dec. 18.

She added that toys donated this weekend will be used for last-minute gifts for children whose parents did not sign up for the Toy Shop, and some will be held until next Christmas season.

“They’re very important because they’re kind of like our seed gifts for next year’s Toy Shop,” Sullivan said.

In addition, this is the last weekend of special later holiday hours at downtown stores. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, merchants will stay open until 8 p.m. Brass Unlimited will perform from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, followed by a performance by the North Kitsap High School Carolers from 4-6 p.m. The Poulsbo Marine Science Center will also be open special hours and offering “Drop and Shop” with special activities for kids to enjoy while their parents shop downtown.

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