Activities in Chatham County during this holiday season

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Christmas Day arrives Saturday, and with many people planning on welcoming loved ones into their homes and into Chatham County over the holiday, here are a few suggestions of fun, festive activities:

Last-minute Christmas shopping

Need a last minute gift for a loved one? Chatham County has you covered. Various retailers will be open on Christmas Eve; check for early closing times.

Pittsboro Toys will be open on Christmas Eve if you need to get a gift for the little ones in your life. Located in historic downtown Pittsboro on Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro Toys carries “classic toys,” such as wooden train sets, board games, toy trucks, toy cars and more. They open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m., except on Christmas Eve (2 p.m).

For the 21 and older crowd, Starrlight Mead will also be open on Christmas Eve at The Plant at 130 Lorax Lane in Pittsboro. According to their website, Starrlight Mead will be wrapping bottles of mead to sell to customers from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve “just in case Santa needs a bit of last minute help.”

The Chatham News + Record also published a list of local businesses and their favorite holiday items that make for great gifts. You can find that list in last week’s edition of the News + Record, or on our website here.

Christmas goodies at local bakeries

A staple in the Christmas festivities is the baked goodies such as cookies, pies and more. Carolina Cravings in Pittsboro has a wide range of holiday treats, according to co-owner Iliana Escalante.

The bakery — located at 84 Hillsboro St. — has a wide range of baked treats, including hot chocolate bombs, egg nog pie, decorated gingerbread cookies, shortbread cookies and more.

“We also have specials such as a $25 box,” Escalante said. “That includes one brownie, three bars, half a dozen cookies and you can choose between three macaroons or four truffles.”

Carolina Cravings is open daily leading up to the weekend, including from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, or until supplies last.

Holiday at the Farm

1870 Farm at 1224 Old Lystra Road in northern Chatham County is hosting Christmas themed events throughout the week leading up to Christmas Day.

“Holiday at the Farm” will feature activities such as a petting zoo, s’mores, a scavenger hunt and a chance to meet Santa Claus himself.

“Enjoy access to the farm, transformed into a festive winter wonderland,” the website reads. “Meet Santa (all children get a gift), pet festive animals, take a candy cane from our peppermint forest, pet pony reindeers, enjoy s’mores, meet Frosty the Snowman and take a hayride into our animal pasture … made even better with blankets and hot apple cider.”

1870 Farm is following various COVID-19 guidelines, including a mask requirement. Children will not be able to sit on Santa’s lap, according to the 1870 Farm’s website. But children will receive a gift from Santa and will be able to tell him what they want for Christmas.

“Interaction with Santa will be determined based on COVID-19 at the time of the event and will range from story time with Santa to Santa on a tractor,” according to the website.

The farm is open to guests every day this week, including Christmas Eve. You have to make an appointment for a time slot on the day you wish to go to the farm, and you can find available tickets on the 1870 Farm’s website.

Reporter Taylor Heeden can be reached at theeden@chathamnr.com.