PARSIPPANY — Cookies & Crèches, the exhibit of nativities and crèches from around the world will once again take place at the historic Smith-Baldwin House next to St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Parsippany, on Saturday, December 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The collection has been featured on NJN television and in numerous publications. In what has become an annual tradition in our area, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy an enchanting collection of over 200 different nativity scenes, and the opportunity to purchase baked goods from a huge assortment of homemade holiday cookies from a variety of recipes. Admission is free.
There are several new additions this year, including a painting from Egypt and others from the collection of Raymond and Regina Brennan. On loan from their collection, will be a Nativity set from Puerto Rico. Monetary donations to assist relief work taking place will be collected and sent to Episcopal Relief and Development Fund for Puerto Rico.
The Smith-Baldwin House will be fully decorated for Christmas, adding a touch of nostalgia to the Christmas tradition of displaying a crèche or nativity set in a home. The addition of a scavenger hunt among the crèches, encourages children to attend and learn more about them, as they have to locate different materials used in the making of the set, a particular animal featured, or the country where the set was made. At the conclusion, participants get special holiday treat!
Christmas cookie walks are growing in popularity every year and provide visitors with an enjoyable way to get a head start on their holiday baking needs. People are encouraged to arrive early to ensure the best selection before they sell out. Cookies will be available for purchase at the price of $12.00 per pound. Hours for Cookies and Crèches will be from 10 am until 3pm, or until the cookies sell out if that happens first! Park at St. Gregory’s and walk next door to The Smith-Baldwin House.
The Smith-Historic Baldwin House was purchased by The Township of Parsippany in 2013 for the purposes of education and preservation. It is an 1820 long hall colonial set on 2.8 acres on South Beverwyck Road. Part of Parsippany’s Historic District, it is located next to St. Gregory’s at 460 South Beverwyck Road.
