LOVE ALWAYS, CHRISTMAS, page 17
Libby’s face lit up. “I’m starting to think I know where this is going…”
Adam nodded. “And you wouldn’t be wrong. Basically, one thing led to another and the next thing you know I’m talking to…wait for it…CeCe, because she was our town mayor.”
Libby’s eyes grew huge. “CeCe was the mayor? She never told me that!”
“She’s very modest, but yes, she was the mayor. And you know how she’s a force to be reckoned with…”
“Oh yes, I do,” Libby said.
“Well, once she heard I was a lawyer and that I was looking for a new direction for my life, one where I could work directly with people and help them, that was it,” Adam said. “CeCe wasn’t about to let a lawyer get away when the town needed one so desperately. The next thing I knew—”
“You were moving to Holly Peak,” Libby finished for him. “I love this story.”
Adam chuckled. “It happened so fast, and I don’t know how to explain it, because I’ve always lived in the city, but coming here it felt like this was exactly where I was meant to be.”
“You found a place that really needed you,” Libby said.
Adam smiled. “I did. CeCe always says how thankful they are that I came here because I was needed so much, but this town, these people—I needed them, too, more than I ever realized. That year, Alpine Ridge won the Christmas town competition. Holly Peak wasn’t even entered. I thought that was crazy. I knew how valuable those tourism dollars could be for us, not to mention the chance to get companies interested in investing in our town.”
“Absolutely,” Libby said.
“So, I made it my mission to make sure everyone knew how special Holly Peak was at Christmas and we set our sights on entering and winning the competition the next year.”
Libby was impressed. “And you did it!”
“We did, and we’ve won ever since. That’s why this year, we’re going to do everything humanly possible to win again.”
“You said your mayor’s name is Ed, so CeCe isn’t the mayor anymore?” Libby asked.
Adam shook his head. “No, but she was an incredible mayor. I mean she got me here, right?”
Libby laughed. “Right. So, were all these new Christmas activities your ideas?”
“Oh, I can’t take credit for all of them,” Adam said. “This has been a community effort. Holly Peak has always had a rich history of celebrating Christmas, it just needed to be revived. As you know, CeCe is also a huge Christmas lover, so once I told her about the competition and convinced her we had a shot at it, she got right to work recruiting my mom to help and everyone else she could find. My mom would be here right now if they hadn’t just moved to Evergreen Valley. Since it’s her first Christmas there, she wanted to make sure she made all her new neighbors proud with all her Christmas decorations.”
“We are lucky to have your parents in Evergreen Valley,” Libby said. “When my dad started the decorating tradition, it was because he loved being part of the community. I’m very grateful that it’s people like your parents who are helping to keep my family’s legacy alive. If I can’t be there anymore it makes me feel really good to know my neighbors are carrying out the traditions my family started.”
Adam nodded and smiled. “I get it and I know my parents would love to hear the story about your parents and how they started the decorating tradition. My mom has read everything she can find about the history of Evergreen Valley, but hearing it from you would really be special.”
Libby smiled back at him. “Then I’ll be sure to share some stories with your mom. I also have a ton of pictures I could show her—if I can find them. They’re all packed away in the attic with the Christmas decorations. My mom would bring out all the albums every Christmas.” Libby smiled, remembering. “It was one of our traditions to go through them together. She loved telling me all the stories about all the different Christmas themes over the years. She also would tell me about all our wonderful neighbors. Some of them have moved away over the years, but she kept in touch with everyone, even a family that went all the way to Africa! She was so grateful for how everyone was always there for us, especially after my dad passed away. Starting the tradition of Christmas decorating really brought the community together, and it made all the neighbors closer all year round.”
“My parents are going to love all of that,” Adam said. “I’m so happy they found a forever home in such a great neighborhood. They should have a competition for best Christmas neighborhood in Seattle because I’m sure Evergreen Valley would win.”
“Just like I’m sure you have a great shot at winning Best Christmas Town again for Holly Peak,” Libby said.
“I sure hope so,” Adam replied. “You’ve had a chance to see some of our foodie Christmas traditions here in Holly Peak. If you were judging the Christmas competition what would you think?” Adam asked.
“Honestly, I’m blown away by the creativity and the deliciousness, and I think the judges will be, too,” Libby said.
“I know Alpine Ridge is going to be tough to beat but we’re going to do our best,” Adam said. “I still have a lot more to show you.”
“And so far, I’m loving all I’m seeing. The Candy Cane Crush truck is totally crushing it,” Libby said, laughing at her own joke.
Adam laughed. “Wow, I think you better leave the jokes to me.”
“Oh no!” Libby laughed. “Because then we’re in big trouble!”
“I do have some more candy cane trivia for you, though.”
Libby smiled. “Okay, what do have?”
“Knock, knock…”
“Adam!” Libby swatted his arm.
“Just kidding! The trivia is, did you know almost two billion candy canes are made each year in just the US alone?”
“I did not,” Libby answered. “Since when did you become such a candy cane aficionado?”
“When I was researching what kind of Christmas things we needed to have in Holly Peak. I wanted to make sure we could pay tribute to Christmases past, present, and future. I think that’s what makes us different than places like Alpine Ridge. We focus on tapping into Christmas traditions and nostalgia because that’s what Christmas should be all about. Anyone can put up thousands of lights and go for the glitz and glam and turn Christmas into one big show, but here in Holly Peak, we want more than that. We want to honor our old Christmas traditions while looking at fun ways to create new ones every year.”
“Is that what Alpine Ridge is doing, just throwing a lot of money around to try and win Christmas?” Libby asked.
“Yes, from what I’ve seen and heard so far. But they’re missing the most important thing.”
“What’s that?” Libby asked.
“They’re missing the heart of Christmas. They don’t want anything old and nostalgic because they think the past is boring. You should see the new giant Christmas tree they have in their town square.”
“What’s wrong with having a big, new tree?” Libby asked.
“It’s one of those fake silver tinsel trees with these glaring red and green Christmas lights that blink on and off to follow the beat of whatever rock music is being blasted in the square.”
“They’re not playing Christmas songs?” Libby asked, surprised.
“They are but none of the classics,” Adam said. “They’re trying to attract a younger generation. They even have a new slogan that says Alpine Ridge, not your grandmother’s Christmas.”
Libby winced. “Okay, I can see what they’re trying to do in their marketing but…”
Adam jumped in. “It’s all wrong. They’re basically saying they don’t want any old Christmas traditions—or any old people, for that matter. They’re trying to say everything they’re doing in Alpine Ridge for Christmas is going to be new, fresh, and fun and that they’re the place to go for a hip Christmas celebration.”
“Is it working?”
Adam stood up and started pacing around the gazebo. “Yes, unfortunately, it is working because everyone wants to go see what’s new. No one wants to miss anything.”
“And you’re worried the judges for the Christmas competition will get sucked in, too?” Libby asked.
“Frankly, yes,” Adam said. “One of the things we’re judged on is being creative and finding new ways every year to bring the Christmas spirit alive. That’s why we have Christmas Park, the Christmas food trucks, all the different Christmas activities. We have new stuff, too, but our new stuff is still rooted in tradition.”
“I think that’s a good thing,” Libby said. “You have to capitalize on what makes you special. You can highlight that on your social media, you know. You could do daily posts, a countdown to Christmas listing all the new things people need to see and experience while embracing the true…what did you say?”
“The true meaning and magic of Christmas,” Adam finished.
“Exactly!”
“But social media isn’t our thing,” Adam said. “That’s more what Alpine Ridge does.”
“Social media isn’t just for hipsters or trendy campaigns,” Libby said as she stood up and walked over to Adam. “It’s a great way to get out any message you want—new or nostalgic, trendy or traditional. Whoever you are, you can use social media to share that message. I just hate to see you ignore this tool when I know it could make a big difference for you.”
She got out her phone.
“Let me show you. I’m going to do a quick search using the hashtag #AlpineRidge.” Her eyes grew huge. “Whoa. This isn’t good…”
“What?” Adam leaned in to see what she’d found.
She held out her phone. “Look. “Alpine Ridge is all over social media. They’re posting daily pictures, just like I was saying you should, using the hashtag #AlpineRidgeChristmas. See how all the tourists are using the same hashtags? It’s creating a sense of community and sharing. That’s what you want, Adam. Oh, look!”
“What?”
Libby shook her head, worried. “They’re even doing weekly drawings, picking winners from people who have used their hashtag and posted pictures and giving the winners prizes. This is totally what you need to be doing, too.”
“I don’t want to copy them,” Adam said.
“It’s not copying them. They didn’t invent hashtags. This is what everyone does because it’s smart.”
Adam crossed his arms and gave her a look. “You’re saying I’m not smart?”
“You’re obviously very smart—and that’s why I really think you should consider incorporating some social media into your PR plan, even if you just do it at Christmas to start. Please, Adam, let me help you. We can start small.”
“But you’re already helping me by giving your feedback about our Christmas activities. If you liked Candy Cane Crush, wait until you see all the other unique Christmas treats we’ve got in Holly Peak. You’re going to be blown away. So, what do you say? You in?”
“Will you at least think about letting me help you with social media?” Libby asked. She wasn’t giving up.
“Okay, I’ll think about it, but I’m not making you any promises,” Adam said.
“Then I’m ready for whatever you want to show me next. Count me in as your Christmas treats taster. The more sugar, the merrier.”
Adam laughed. “Now that’s the Christmas spirit! Let’s go!”
As Libby followed Adam over to the next food truck, she was already thinking how she was going to win him over to the social media side.
But one thing she’d learned from experience was that it didn’t help her to pitch anything until someone was ready to listen. Right now, Adam wasn’t there yet.
Chapter 17
An hour later, after hitting up more food trucks and Holly Peak’s quaint Christmas market, Libby felt like she was on a sugar high.
It hadn’t helped that Adam had insisted she try all the holiday goodies so she could pick her favorites.
From Holly Peak’s Christmas Candied Apples to the town’s signature Christmas fudge, Holly Berry Bakery’s famous seven-layered Holiday Heaven cake, and the Peppermint Pumpkin pie, Libby had never seen such a variety of tasty Christmas-themed sweets.
She felt like if she ate one more thing, she was going to become as round as a snowman and would have to be rolled back to Seattle.
“Are you ready to try some Glittering Christmas Donut Holes?” Adam asked as he held a plate up.
Libby laughed. “What kind of donuts? No. Wait. Don’t answer that. I can’t do it, no matter what they are. I can’t eat another thing.”
“Okay, we can take these donuts for later,” Adam said. “We need to get over to the barn.”
“The barn?” Libby asked. “Just so you know I draw the line at milking Christmas cows for a holiday milkshake.”
Adam laughed. “You know, that’s not a bad idea…” he teased.
Libby shook her head. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Come on. Time’s a wasting.” Adam said as they left the bakery and headed down Main Street.
Libby was looking around. “I never saw a barn on Main Street.”
“That’s because it’s not right on Main Street,” he said, right as they turned at the corner. “It’s two blocks off of Main Street, on Fircrest Lane. It’s right over there…” Adam pointed down a street.
Libby did a double take because sure enough, there it was. It was a big red barn tucked up next to the woods. It was lit up with Christmas lights and was decorated with Holly Peak’s traditional holly garland and wreaths. As they headed toward it, Libby read the sign above the barn.
“The Holly Peak Ice Rink.” Libby gave Adam a surprised look. “You have an ice rink in a…barn?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Adam asked as he opened up the door so she could go inside.
Libby laughed. “No. I’ve never heard of anyone having an ice rink in a barn.”
“Then you obviously don’t know the right people,” Adam said with a wink. “You skate, right?”
“Uh, not really,” Libby said. “Not since I was eight.”
“So, you skate. Great! Wait until you see what the rink does for Christmas.”
All Libby could do was laugh. She had to admire the way Adam only heard the things he wanted to hear.
“What size are you?” Adam asked. “I’ll go get you skates.”
“I’m guessing you’re not going to take no for an answer?” Libby asked.
When Adam just grinned back at her, she gave up.
“I’m an eight, but I’m warning you I don’t skate.”
“Be right back!” Adam said as he took off whistling “Deck The Halls.”
Once Libby was standing alone, she had a chance to look around inside the giant barn. There were hundreds of white twinkle lights strung across the barn’s rafters. In the middle of the barn was the skating rink.
Libby inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh scent of the Douglas fir Christmas trees, sparkling with Christmas lights, that surrounded the rink.
The most impressive Christmas tree by far that Libby saw was the twenty-foot Christmas tree that was right in the middle of the ice rink. Not only was it lit up with Christmas lights, it was decorated with beautiful sprigs of holly, shiny red berries, and red and green velvet bows.
Now Libby understood why Adam had been whistling “Deck the Halls,” because there was a group of carolers dressed up in Victorian-era vintage costumes like something out of a Charles Dickens novel skating around the rink singing “Deck the Halls” while encouraging everyone else skating to sing along.
That’s when Libby also noticed everyone skating was wearing Christmas sweaters. And these were no ordinary sweaters. These were the wildest, craziest Christmas sweaters Libby had ever seen.
“No way,” Libby said to herself as she eyed a teenager wearing a green Christmas sweater that went all the way to the floor and was shaped like a Christmas tree. It even had decorations hanging off of it.
Adam walked up behind her and held up her skates. “Ready?”
Libby groaned. “You’re really serious about this? I can’t.”
“You’re right, you can’t,” Adam agreed.
Libby was relieved for a second…until Adam continued.
“You can’t until you put on a Christmas sweater,” Adam finished with smile.
Libby’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s the dress code,” Adam explained cheerfully. “At Christmas, the only way you’re allowed on the ice is if you’re wearing a Christmas sweater. It’s one of our new Christmas activities this year—isn’t it great?”
Libby looked at him like he was nuttier than a fruitcake. “You’re telling me you make people wear ugly Christmas sweaters to go skating?”
“Ouch, calling everyone’s sweaters ugly is a little harsh, don’t you think?”
Libby laughed. “No. I just saw a guy go by in a reindeer sweater that had giant antlers sticking out on both sides.”
“Sounds cute,” Adam said.
Libby shook her head. “On the back of the sweater was a reindeer tail that had little brown things under it. It was poop, Adam. Poop!”
Adam laughed. “You’re so judgey. Here in Holly Peak, we like to say that the more creative your Christmas sweater is, the more Christmas spirit you have.”
“Well, since we don’t have Christmas sweaters, it looks like we can’t skate,” Libby said, pretending to be disappointed. “Bummer, but rules are rules…”
“Good thing we can rent one!” Adam said. “That’s our next stop.”
“Wait, rent what? You already have my skates,” Libby asked, confused.
“Keep up, Libby,” Adam said with a laugh as he started walking toward the rink, pointing to a kiosk off to the side. “You can rent a Christmas sweater.”
