Missouriland

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MISSOURILAND

Ye Olde Christmas

Webster Groves kicked o the holiday season with its 36th annual open house

Photos by SARAH LOVETT

Words by ROSALIND EARLY

AMr. and Mrs. Claus, horsedrawn carriages, Victorianstyled carolers. For the cynic among us, the Old Webster Holiday Open House on November 13 was nostalgic kitsch trying to harken back to a time that never was. (When you’re recalling Victorian-era life, you’re also talking about unfair labor practices, very polluted cities, and people being put in jail for debt … oh, actually, not a lot has changed.) But pretty much everything kitschy gets a pass if it’s for Christmas.

Kids seemed to be having a good time with the balloon animals, face painting and meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Plus, revelers were able to roast marshmallows over fire pits, get free trolley and carriage rides, and do some gift shopping at area businesses. n

A CELEBRATION OF THE UNIQUE AND FASCINATING ASPECTS OF OUR HOME[ ]