United States Post Office

To many, the holiday season includes at least one trip to the Post Office.  For me, this holiday season included my first trip to the Post Office in Chicopee.  I went with a healthy dose of patience.  It was the Saturday before Christmas and I knew there was no way I would escape without a wait.  I followed my GPS from my gym to the Post Office at 100 Center Street and parked on the street as it seemed there was no lot.  The Post Office looked quiet.  One or two people going in and out, no line out the door, plenty of spots on the street.  I was delighted.  I grabbed my pile of packages and headed in.  

100 Center Street, Chicopee

It was very quiet...because it was closed.  The lobby was open for PO Box customers, but the counter was closed.   I managed to drop one of my packages as I sulked back to my car.   I gave my GPS one more chance to redeem itself and it found a second Post Office in Chicopee, on Main Street, just a short drive a way.  

The scene at the Main St. Post Office was exactly what I expected.  A near miss accident in the parking lot with a car driving the wrong way in a one way.  A fight for a spot with another car, also going the wrong way in a one way (FYI: one way parking lots are designated by arrow markings on the pavement, posted signs and additionally often have angled spots).  I was in no rush, so I took it all in stride.  

Once inside, the line was long.  Thankfully, the customers inside were smart enough to find a way to wrap it around so that no one needed to stand outside.  The total wait was about 15 minutes (thank you iPhone stop watch).  

The Post Office itself (disregarding the crowds of people and bad drivers) was very nice with some historic charm and cute touches. 

Coward Farms

166 College Highway, Southwick, MA

Last Sunday, we went with friends to cut our own Christmas Tree!  Our friends did the research and picked the location: Coward Farms in Southwick, MA.  They had at least 5 different tree species and a nice selection of different sizes.

When we arrived we were given a tag to attach to the tree and a saw.

Then we went to find our perfect tree!

Once we found it, we cut it down and dragged it to the aisle where it would be picked up and brought back to the shop.

Once there it was shaken and tied for the trip home.

We went inside to pay ($38) and picked up some mistletoe.  They had lots of other evergreen products (wreaths, window boxes, and more), tree stands, ornaments and other holiday decor.

All in all, it was a fun day and we are quite pleased with our tree!

The Details:
Coward Farms
166 College Highway
Southwick, MA
Call for hours: (413) 569-6724

Trees: $38

Bright Nights

Bright Nights, Springfield, MA

The holiday season is here!!  We happened to be in the Forest Park neighborhood last night, so we went to Bright Nights a earlier than we had planned.  Bright Nights is a fantastic holiday light show through Forest Park in Springfield.  I had never been to a light display and I feel like I have been missing out.  It was absolutely spectacular!  We can't wait to go back.

When you arrive you are asked pay a fee, turn off your headlights and turn on your parking lights.  They give you a scratch ticket courtesy of Friendly's (we won a free cone) and a coupon for a future visit ($5 off).  You can also get a coupon for your first visit on the organization's website.  There is a radio station you can tune in to, as if you were at a drive-in movie, that plays holiday music.  Halfway through the park, there is a concession stand.

Here is a taste of what you will see (I apologize or the low quality iPhone pics):

There were tributes to all the holidays of the season.

There were themed sections including Whoville/Suessland and Toy Land.

Whoville

Cat in the Hat

Horton

Toy Land

There were also magical animated displays: reindeer that jumped over you, a nutcracker firing a canon, the game of life, volcanoes and more.

The details:
Dates/Hours:
November 24 - December 5 : Wednesday,Thursday and Sunday, 5pm-9pm and Friday and Saturday 5pm-11pm
December 8 - January 2: Nightly, Sunday to Thursday, 5pm-9pm and Friday, Saturday and Holidays 5pm-11pm

Admission:
Monday - Thursday, $15
Friday - Sunday, and Holidays, $18