Cheap Trips: Christmas Village, Tree Shopping and Carpenter's Woods

The Gallery at Cedar Hollow

Address: 2447 Yellow Springs Road, Malvern, PA 19355
Distance From Marple Newtown Patch: About 13 miles or 24 minutes.
Admission: Free
Parking: Free lot
Hours:

• Tuesday-Friday, noon to 6 p.m.
• Saturday-Sunday, 1p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday closed

Summary: For art lovers, there’s nothing like the feel of an art house that changes with the seasons, and The Gallery at Cedar Hollow in Malvern is one of those places. It has a variety of fine arts, crafts, folk art, paintings, ceramics and pottery. The Gallery of Cedar Hollow also has collections from local artists and those from all over the country. And if you’re in the holiday spirit, there is a Craft Fair through Dec. 30 that includes handmade crafts, Christmas decorations, and Hanukkah gifts and decorations.

Links: 

• Patch Places Page
• Facebook Page

Carpenter's Woods

Address: Wayne Ave and West Sedgwick Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119. There are several entrances. One is located at Sedgwick Street and Wayne Avenue; another is at Greene Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue.
How Far From Marple Newtown Patch? About 19 miles or 31 minutes.
Admission Fee: Free
Hours: The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
Summary: This West Mt. Airy park, which is maintained, in part, by Friends of Carpenter's Woods, is part of the city's Fairmount Park system. It's well known as a prime spot for birdwatching and its hiking trails are often patronized by dogwalkers and other residents. It's very close to much of the West Mt. Airy business area—Weavers Way Co-op isn't very far away—so it's possible to spend time in the park for a while then get back to things relatively quickly. Plant lovers will enjoy the many noninvasive plants that are present in the park, and those interested can come back and volunteer their time here to keep the park looking good.

Links:

• Friends of Carpenter's Woods

Varner Farms

Address: 746 S. Trappe Road, Collegeville, PA 19426
Distrance From Marple Newtown Patch: About 21 miles or 35 minutes.
Hours of operation:

• Monday—Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Closing at 4 p.m. Dec. 23

Summary: The Christmas season is upon us, and if you want to keep your shopping and recreation dollars local, hit , just outside of Trappe, along Route 113.

Take a tractor or horse-drawn cart ride out to the field where you can cut down your own tree, or select one from the stalls near the store if you’re not feeling that adventurous. You can also pick up other holiday décor, including wreaths, tree ornaments and Nativity sets. Various jellies and preserves are also available for purchase. Wander the grounds as you enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider, and check out their small zoo of farm animals.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the “reason for the season,” Varners will be hosting a live Nativity on Dec. 17.

Links: 

•  
• Website

Christmas City Village 

Address: The Sun Inn, 556 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 
Distance From Marple Newtown Patch: About 54 miles or 1 hour and 9 minutes.
Admission: Free
Hours:

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Eve (last day)

Summary: The village is modeled after a traditional German Weihnachtsmarkt with 20 wooden huts where vendors sell holiday crafts, food and gifts in the courtyard of the historic  in downtown Bethlehem. This is a new attraction added to Bethlehem's annual  and . Visitors can also enjoy the nearby  in Allentown.
Links: 

• Website
• Patch Viewfinder