Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, NH

A pathway leads visitors between two simple white structures (the Brethren’s Shop and the Carpenter’s Shop) with the yellow Carriage House and the shingled Horse Barn in the distance at the entrance to the village.
Credit: Heather Marcus We got our afternoon started in the downstairs kitchen of the dwelling house, where we decorated Christmas-tree-shaped cookies. From there, my master crafters took their time and made ornaments—fans made from an assortment of beautiful papers at the Sisters’ Shop and flat felt Scottie dogs decorated with colorful ribbons and pom-poms at the Spin Shop. Kids and adults had a great time working side by side on their crafts, and the volunteer staff was so welcoming and patient. As dusk settled in, white lights twinkled throughout the village. There were large white bulbs strung in loose lines along posts and white candles in many of the windows. Wooden lanterns lit the pathways between the houses and shops. There is something about this time of year, when it starts to get a bit raw and cold outside, that adds extra appeal to the idea of being inside and cozy. Venturing inside each of the buildings, we escaped the chill and were immediately warmed by the heat from the small but mighty wood stoves. Simple, fresh holiday greenery and handmade decorations filled every dwelling, with wreaths on doors, trees in hallways, swag in windows and garlands along banisters. In our travels enjoying Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village, we were able to try our hands at some other traditional skills as well. Lucy proved to be a natural at working the vintage sewing machine, and Ella enjoyed working the loom. Both girls were fascinated by the broom maker, Everett Bailey. A pleasant jovial man who wears the Shaker outfit, complete with vintage straw hat with a thick black ribbon and a simple black vest. He’s been volunteering here for more than a decade. In a different outfit, he would have passed for a pretty believable Santa. As we were leaving, he gave the girls a small piece of sorghum, the thick grass used to make the bristles of their brooms. Impressed with the handiwork and eager to support the work of the village, we purchased a broom from the museum store as an early Christmas gift. Our final stop at Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village was a visit with Santa himself, decked out in a beautiful vintage Santa suit, a holly crown and “a real white beard,” as my older daughter noted. The annual Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village festivities are spread over two weekends in early December. In a holiday season that always feels so rushed, we enjoyed the opportunity to slow down and savor a simpler way of life. The Shakers valued craft and experience long before it was in vogue. We didn’t get to everything during our visit, but thanks to the lights and the warmth and the feeling of crafty accomplishment, we were filled with Christmas spirit when it was time to go. Hopefully we’ll be back next year to experience what we missed this time around. In the meantime, our new decorations will have a special place on our tree—and that new broom might be perfect for sweeping up fallen needles. Here’s a look at our visit to Christmas at Canterbury Shaker Village in photographs.

CHRISTMAS AT CANTERBURY SHAKER VILLAGE