Farm Elf to Make Annual Arrival Friday Afternoon

It is Friday, Dec. 13. Here are five things you need to know in Hamilton and Wenham:

1. Gusty: The air temperature will get a little higher on Friday than it was on Thursday, with a high temperature around freezing. The wind will pick up, though, blowing at 14-20 miles per hour from the west with gusts up to 30 mph.

2. Gingerbread: The Christmas tradition of gingerbread is the focus on Friday’s program at Wenham Museum titled “Gingerbread traditions.” The program is for preschoolers and older starting at 10 a.m., taking at look at “how the European custom of gingerbread became an American tradition,” and participants will also be able to visit the Gingerbread Express model train layout. It is included in the cost of daily admission and no pre-registration is required.

3. Toys for Tots: The Toys for Tots campaign continues with collection boxes at several locations in the two towns, including Hamilton-Wenham Library, Hamilton Town Hall, Wenham Town Hall, Wenham Fire Department. The final day to drop off a toy for this year is Saturday, Dec. 14.

4. Cookies: It is that time of the year – Girl Scout Cookies are here. The cookies are now on sale, starting on Friday, including the popular Thin Mints and Caramel deLites plus newer ones such as Cranberry Citrus Crisp. A gluten-free cookie, Chocolate Chip Shortbread, will be sold this year for the first time. Cookies sell for $4 per box except the gluten-free cookies, which sell for $5 per box. Cookies will be sold through March 4.

5. Farm Nisse: The Nisse will visit Appleton Farms on Friday afternoon. What’s a Nisse, you ask. It’s a farm elf from Scandinavian folklore. The anticipation of the arrival of the "elf-like creature" is much of the fun, with children’s crafts, cookies, hot chocolate, and carolers all part of the fun starting at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. A suggested donation is $5 per family and you can call 978-356-5728 x18 or email afeducator@ttor.org to RSVP.

To find out what is going on today in Hamilton and Wenham, check out our events listings.