Howdy, friends! Happy Holidays to you!
I’m excited to be part of The Great Western Christmas Celebration. In fact, I have five new western Christmas books to share with you!
Covering Christmas by Shanna Hatfield
He wants a gold buckle. She needs a fresh start. But love—and a little girl—have other plans.
When the reigning world champion bareback rider retires, Keller Drake finally has a clear shot at claiming the title he’s chased for years, until an attorney corners him at a rodeo with life-altering news. Keller has a five-year-old daughter he never knew existed, and Ella’s late mother named him guardian in her will. Suddenly, the man who can ride the rankest broncs in the world is terrified of something far more dangerous—fatherhood.
As Keller fumbles his way through parenting, he discovers he’s not alone. Cobie Quinn, a sharp-witted reporter for All Things Rodeo, jumps in to help. What begins as a professional connection quickly deepens into a friendship filled with laughter, late-night talks, and a growing attraction Keller didn’t see coming.
After walking away from a broken engagement and a high-pressure job, Cobie thought covering rodeos across the Northwest would be nothing more than a temporary assignment. She didn’t expect to enjoy it—let alone lose her heart to a rugged cowboy and his sweet little girl. Then a new opportunity arises, forcing her to choose between long-held ambitions and a future she never imagined.
With the holidays approaching and Christmas joy in the air, Keller and Cobie must decide if they’re willing to take a chance on a future wrapped in faith, family, and the magic of the season.
Fall in love with Covering Christmas, a wholesome holiday romance sparkling with western charm, healing hearts, and Christmas cheer.
Silver Bell Sweethearts by Shanna Hatfield
Four generations of love. A legacy of craftsmanship.
Four stories of hearts finding joy as well as finding their way home.
Begin the legacy with A Joyful Ring– Enjoy the setting of 1876 Lovely, Oregon—a dusty little mining town where hearts are tender, snow is falling, and love is about to ring with Christmas joy. Gunder and Risa’s story will warm your heart faster than a mug of cocoa by the fire.
A Joyful Love – A runaway woman and a hometown silver artisan discover that Christmas in a small Oregon town may hold more than snow and sleigh bells—it may hold the love they never knew they were searching for.
A Joyful Promise – Step back to 1957 and spend Christmas in the charming town of Lovely, Oregon—where a silver-crafting cowboy and a shy, artistic dreamer discover that the greatest gift may just be a promise of love.
A Joyful Home – Bo Birke’s silver artistry honors her family’s past—but horse trainer Rafe Judson may be her reason to dream about the future. Together, they might find a place to finally call home.
The Great Western Christmas Celebration
Now that we know what year it is, let’s talk about how Main Street might be decorated.
What do the storefronts look like? Are there any special window displays? Ribbons on the lamp posts? Again, anything goes, so long as it’s era-appropriate. Keep the year in mind so we don’t have electric lights in a Gold Rush era town or inflatables in the Roaring Twenties.
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Lots of natural real garland with red ribbons maybe, some candles in the windows. Some wreaths on door fronts. And maybe everybody’s horse drawn carriages has a sleigh because it’s starting to get snowy.
Red bows on every lamp post and wreaths on the doors . In the window displays, carved toys for the boys, stuffed dolls for the girls…maybe a jump rope or a hand-carved chess set or checkers. And a must-have decorated Christmas tree in the town square!
Eastern Redcedar is native to Kansas, so boughs of it in small quantities.
Perhaps the stores have received freight by wagon, so some simple games for the kids, fabric for moms, a new knife for dads, and other dry goods. If they’re lucky, some citrus may have survived the trip west by wagon–too early for rail in the 1850s. Perhaps new boots?
Moms probably made cornhusk dolls for daughters and dads probably carved items for the kids or maybe a built a new rocker for mom or a cradle for a babe on the way.
A dusting of snow covered the town, icicles hung from the eves of the stores, and the windows were frosted over, but the boardwalks were swept clean for customers. Shops displayed red and green items in their windows, and the general store also had toys, peppermint sticks, oranges, and holiday fabrics. The swinging doors of the saloon boasted pine wreaths with red bows, and a sprig of mistletoe hung above the bar entrance. Sleigh bells even graced many of the doors, jingling as people entered or left.
Painted nuts were used; I’m not sure if they were edible afterwards or not. The gilded ones used by Victorians were usually empty nut shells, the nutmeats having been eaten when the nuts were removed from the shells. Perhaps this custom carried over to our frontier. The cranberries and popped corn that were strung as garlands probably wouldn’t have been edible when they were finished being tree or other decorations. If used outdoors, the birds and other animals would’ve enjoyed them. At this time period, ordinary folk would have used gingerbread or other cookies as tree decorations, which would then be eaten.
Our ancestors were clever with their resources. Anything and everything would’ve been considered as possible decoration material, some serving double duty and being eaten or used again after the holiday.
Some of the homes in this neighborhood do fresh garland, Bows and anything else that doesn’t take electricity it’s pretty to see.
Wreaths on doors. Red bows on the lamp posts. A fresh cut tree to decorate sitting in the front window. Homemade garland ready to be hung on the stairs. Plus mistle toe hanging over the front door.
Red bows, ribbons and garlands.
Wreaths on the storefronts. Church decorated with garland and candles.
there are lot of cut cedar boughs on all the posts and red ribbons too – windows all contain gift ideas, from soap bars to jewelry pieces and of course lots of toys!
In my mind, the store fronts look like Dodge City on Gunsmoke with red ribbons on all the doors and posts.
By the 1850s, the Gold Rush era in San Francisco had gas lights, so for the era I chose, gas light posts are wrapped in greenery (carefully!) and red ribbons, as are the storefronts. The toy store has a toy display–a doll’s house, a little rocking chair with a doll in it, a wagon… The bakery has cookies and pies and other goodies on glass footed plates all in a nest of greenery, holly with red berries and ribbons.
I think they would have red ribbons and greenery on the lamppost. The store window might have a few toys , a few pieces of jewelry, and every day items.
In the 1850’s Christmas trees were gaining in popularity after having been introduced from Germany in the 1830’s. Main Street and the shops are bedecked with fresh pine/fir boughs, holly if available, winter berries, ribbons and bows and strings of popcorn. Christmas trees are in shops and on the street as well. Candles placed among the greenery and on the trees add to the festive atmosphere. Hollyberry has snow with sleighs, their with sleigh bells ringing, dashing down Main Street. The toy store has displays of toys children are begging for all the while hoping to find their wished-for treasure on Christmas morning. Wonderful smells of the season come from the bakery and street corner vendors.
Some red ribbons on the posts and greenery along the store fronts. some homemade wreaths on the doors, made by the creative women of the time, some candles in the windows
The lamp post should have something that is lit. The store fronts should have natural greenery with fake candles for safety reasons. Let’s have a Santa also and a giving tree where you take a name and buy that person a present.
Lots of winter greenery, holly and red ribbons, along with snowflakes cut out by the town children during a town celebration, as well as stars made by the local blacksmith from scrap iron.
The town would be decorated with greenery – swags of pine and evergreen branches would be placed over windows, doorway, fences, and railings. The businesses and family homes would be sporting wreaths made from greenery they would look nice with accents of pinecones and berries. I think the windows would be lit with the warm glow of candles. I can also visualize the people of the town gathering and singing Christmas carols:)
The grocers store has a small Christmas tree in the front window bedecked with strings of popcorn and red ribbon.
Beautiful homemade wreaths on doors. Red ribbons and greenery on the storefronts.
Ribbons and wreaths can decorate a lot for less expense. Lights strung on store fronts would be nice.
Garlands and wreaths from ever greens. Store fronts might decorate showcasing store-bought gifts.
The store front doors have natural wreaths made of pine cones and greenery with red bows. In the mercantile front windows are displays of winter clothing, blankets, gloves, lanterns, and a pot belly stove for sale. Another store front has women’s and children’s clothing, some of it in red and greens for Christmas. Even the blacksmith’s shop has a wreath on their door shaped like a horseshoe. There are candles and greenery decorating the windows of the local restaurant with a bell that tinkles when you open the door. Hanging from one side of the main street to the other side is a large hand painted banner with Merry Christmas to All written on it.
A lot of fresh garlands and bows.
I think since the town name is Hollyberry, they take advantage of that during the Christmas season. The town decorates the storefronts with wreaths made out of holly, the garland that wraps the polls has sprigs of holly and ribbon throughout. I think there could be some sort of planters by the shops (maybe barrels cut in half or something made by the blacksmith?) that are filled with sprigs of evergreen, holly, and pine cones.
I would say each store front is decorated, but slightly different. Wreaths of fresh greenery on the shop doors, some with bows, others with pine cones, or berries. Some shops opted for wrapping posts out front with ribbon. In the window of the general store they have a Christmas tree, with gingerbread ornaments, candy canes, and candles on the branches to make it shine.
Lots of reindeer carvings along with garlands and bells.
People who grow wheat or rhy make beautiful braided wheat decorations with ribbon for color
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Lots of greenery from trees around Hollyberry, possibly some cedar, spruce, whatever there is, and of course, there must be holly, since it’s in the name of the town!! Each of the stores would be putting Christmas touches in their windows, whether it’s popcorn strings, greenery, paper chains, or candles. The town seamstress would use different Christmas ribbons in her decorations, too.
Red and green ribbons on lampposts, wreaths on doors, candles in the windows, and a Christmas tree on the square.
Pine boughs, holly leaves, pine cones, paper snowflakes, ribbons and carved wooden nativity scene would fill a store window.
Pine cone wreaths are home made with a pure wax candle and placed in the center to burn brightly to foretell the birth of Jesus. Bright red bows are made out of felt and attached at the bottom of each wreath and centered. It is a glorious celebration inside the homestead. The simplest of festivities bring joy because families are together, making their way across the meadows at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Life is good.
Lots of pine garland and bows on the lamppost and a wreath on the door with red bows and nuts colored!
Depending on the exact geographic location, if there were trees easily and generously available, I think the most appropriate decorations for a dressing for windows, doors, or lampposts would be natural greenery entwined with ribbons.
I wish I could remember everything from 1957, but it is vague. We had fake snow, in spray cans which were sprayed inside the windows to depict snow piled against a building window. A roll of fake snow (cotton) with sparkles in it. No streetlamps to my recollection. Real Christmas wreaths hanging on doors. One Christmas tree with HUGE bulbs in a tear drop shape on it with mostly paper decorations.
Pre Civil war , candles on the trees, handmade ornaments, paper chains as garland on the Christmas trees, , lots of garland and red bows on fences and posts. Stockngs with apples in them and handmade toys
Beautifully painted windows, ribbons and greenery everywhere…
Ribbons on on the lamp posts
Merry Christmas
There are ribbons and lights on main Street poles. Trees are lit with lights. Wreaths and faux snow sprayed on the store front windows.
I love the image of Hollyberry being decorated with holly, garlands, greenery and bows, but would like to introduce a way of bringing special light to brighten the early darkness and often weary moods of the townspeople. Perhaps having a community tree on or near the Main Street that people could add to as they were able, whether with handmade ornaments, edible decorations such as dried citrus slices, or whatever bit of color or meaning they can spare. Then on Christmas Eve, the town could gather and carefully place candles on the tree to be lit while folks gather and sing carols. Candles in windows add a beautiful glow and can be lit when the homes and businesses can manage. The emphasis is on inclusion and appreciation of what each can offer and would allow the entire town to join in the joy and spirit of Christmas. ??
I don’t know why the 2 question marks appear at the end of my comment. I tried to leave a heart. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Ribbons on the lamp posts, candles in the shop windows, wooden Nativity scenes
Garlands around poles, store windows with a decorated tree , maybe candy canes, and fake presents under it.
Lots of greenery and holly.
garlands from the Christmas trees that where cut and ribbons attached to them, some of them put on the doors of the shops and bank and church. some of the trees would be decorated with home made ornaments and maybe someone lived close enough to get a Birke bell.
Since the town is called Hollyberry I think it must be near the wet side of the mountains. There, evergreen boughs would be available for decorating inside and outside with bows made from scraps of fabric. A community Christmas tree somewhere in town would be decorated with paper chains and ornaments made from wood, paper and fabric. Maybe a few metal pieces made by the blacksmith.
candles in windows
Pine boughs, and candles.
Wreaths on the poles, candles, candy, handmade angel ornaments, stockings, women’s clothing bonnets and dolls & toys for the children on display. A beautiful Christmas tree in the middle of town & the church with holly, green boughs, candles & etc. What a magical time of year for the small town of Hollyberry.
Have a heartfelt Christmas & a Happy New Year, everyone!!!!
There would be ribbons on lamp posts, candles in the windows, homemade wreaths in the windows. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
Just finished the Silver Bell Sweethearts series and loved them all. I can see big red bows on each lamp post with colorful displays in each storefront window. Maybe each store could have a different part of the nativity displayed, until you get to the end of the street and Jesus is lying in the manger.
Lots of natural greenery with small clips of Mistletoe tied on lamp posts .bells that the wind will cause to ring and red and golden ornaments on wreaths On every door.
Wreaths on doors and red bows on the lamp posts look nice.
Wonderful window displays in the town stores. Also, decorations on the lamp posts and lovely decorated tree in the town square.
Greenery would be primary in the decorations.. The businesses could have wreaths with red berries on their doors. Idk the establishment had a large window, like the mercantile, the window would be edged by garland all the way around. Smaller windows could get the same treatment. Decorations would be from items on hand: pinecones (whitewashed), berries, wooden shapes (either natural or whitewashed), tin from cans cut into shapes, and if someone had some, ribbon tied into bows.
As for a parade, they could do what our historic town did one year. The “floats” were stationary. They had a theme and each float along Main Street was an appropriate scene or a musical group. We of course used electric lights for them, but they could use lanterns and luminaries made from tin cans with holes punched in Christmasy patterns with candles. The people would stroll the street looking at the floats. Ours was lovely (a Victorian theme) but they wouldn’t need many, just something to highlight the season and the sponsor.
Oops, I combined my comment for both posts into one. I will copy the parade information and enter it on the other post.
Street lamps tied with big red bows and some greenery attached. Wresths on doors and candles in the windows always make for a beautiful old fashioned Christmas!
Nature all the way with lots of greenery with berries around the windows and the doors. With all the Garland, swags and arrangements and of course wreaths and of coarse you have too have dried oranges,cranberries and popcorn garland. All The scent just makes me think of Christmas. Oh and I can’t forget about the lovely candles throughout the rooms flickering it’s beautiful glow. love an old fashion Christmas, make me happy
In our small town in VA, everyone goes for lights. A contest takes place for the most beautiful light display. Houses are outlined with either the same color pall over or mixed colors of every kind. Displays in yards illustrate ever Christmas story possible. Some yards even have music from sunset to midnight. Winners get monetary prizes. People drive around at night to see as many as they can. Children love it.
Greenery garland on lampposts along with bows tied to them and wreaths on doors.