Written by Meghan Gattignolo, Visitor Services Coordinator
For some of us, the holidays can’t come soon enough. After the Thanksgiving meals are over, we want to fill as many days with holiday-themed events and parties, not to mention fun ways to get our holiday gift shopping done. If that sounds like you, then make sure you mark your calendar for Thursday, December 2 from 5 – 8 PM. Not only is it Downtown Clarksville’s monthly Art Walk night – which is a fantastic reason alone to enjoy a downtown walk around the Christmas lights – but it is also Noel Night at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center!
Noel Night is a family-friendly holiday party hosted by Seasons: The Museum Store. Store Manager Laura Rone continues the long-standing tradition this year with a nutcracker-themed party. Live music, decorations and refreshments will lend a festive atmosphere as you shop for gifts. The F&M Bank Huff & Puff Express Model Trains will run and feature the favorite Snowflake Express train, along with other wonderful holiday interactives. Arrive early to ensure you and your little ones don’t miss an appearance from a special guest from the North Pole! A family take-home craft will be available to grab while supplies last to keep the cheer going long after you leave for the night.
While Noel Night is a great party, the focus is on shopping local. “Noel Night is the biggest shopping day of the year for Seasons: The Museum Store. The store staff has worked hard to create a magical atmosphere for shopping,” says Laura. The event includes some spectacular holiday deals: visitors receive 15% off their entire order, while Museum Members get 25% off. Also, if you spend $100, you get a free 2021 Customs House Museum & Cultural Center ornament!
Shopping options are plentiful. Laura just ordered a new assortment of children’s toys and Store Associates Kim and Alexis have put together some fresh gift baskets. Check out Seasons: The Museum Store’s Instagram account to get a taste of what the store has to offer. The staff has also started making more items unique to Seasons, such as mugs, keychains and earrings. If you like to support local artists and businesses, shop local at the Museum! Everything in Seasons: The Museum Store comes from local and regional small business owners. Gift wrapping will also be available for anything you buy during Noel Night at the front desk – one less thing to worry about.
Noel Night heads a Clarksville weekend full of Christmas events, with the annual Lighted Christmas Parade happening Saturday evening, December 4. Make sure you include the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center and Seasons: The Museum Store for your local Christmas shopping! Also, consider becoming a Museum Member this holiday season, or buy a loved one a gift membership that keeps giving all year long! Members receive a range of benefits, including free admission all year long, store discounts and exclusive Museum events.
Meghan Gattignolo
Meghan Gattignolo is the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s Visitor Services Coordinator and regularly contributes articles to the Museum’s blog. From a military family, Meghan has spent most of her life in Clarksville. She loves learning about Clarksville’s history and writing. Meghan holds a B.A. in History from Austin Peay State University, with minors in German and Political Science. She lives in Clarksville with her husband and two daughters.
Becky Wood, Technical Writer, edits each blog post. Maegan Collins, Media & Communications Coordinator, prepares photographs and visual images as well as prepares the blog posts for the web.