PARSIPPANY — For one day only, 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 8 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 display of different nativity scenes, and the opportunity to purchase baked goods from an assortment of homemade holiday cookies from a variety of recipes. Admission is free.
The personal collection of over 200 nativities Rev. Susan Sica, keeps growing. New additions this year, include a clay and wire ornament from Uganda and a matchbox sized one from Germany.
The Smith-Baldwin House will be fully decorated for Christmas, adding a touch of nostalgia to the Christmas tradition of displaying a nativity set in a home. The addition of a scavenger hunt for children encourages them to learn more about each piece, as they must find the 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” grow in popularity every year, providing visitors with an enjoyable way to get a head start on their holiday baking. Cookies will be available for purchase at the price of $12.00 per pound. Hours for Cookies and Crèches are from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.. Park at St. Gregory’s and walk next door to The Smith-Baldwin House.
The Smith-Historic Baldwin House, part of Parsippany’s Historic District, is located at 460 S. Beverwyck Road next to St. Gregory’s Church. The House was purchased by the Township of Parsippany in 2013 for the purposes of education and preservation.