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The Atkinson Congregational Church in Atkinson, N.H., plans a series of services and events for the Advent and Christmas season. This Sunday, Nov. 30, marks the first of four services in Advent and will be celebrated at the church at 10:30 a.m. with a commemoration and candle lighting. Children in the Kids Club will take part in Advent-themed projects. Next Thursday, Dec.
MeVa Transit’s holiday “Stuff-A-Bus” toys, clothes and food drive is now planned for mid-December. A MeVa bus, dressed up for the holidays, will be accepting unwrapped toys and clothing and such non-perishable foods as rice, pasta, canned goods, cereal, baby food and snacks. On Friday, Dec.12, from 9-11 a.m., the bus will be in the parking lot of the Haverhill Target store, 35 Computer Drive, Haverhill, before moving from 1-4 p.m., to the Methuen Target, 67 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. Santa and his elves from the North Pole will make an appearance at both collection sites. All items will be donated to Neighbors in Need and Debbie’s Treasure Chest, two Lawrence-based charities that serve families in need.
The 2025 edition of the Plaistow Festival of Trees kicks off Friday and runs through the weekend with decorated trees, regular appearances from Santa and more. In addition to trees, crafters will be on hand offering handmade items for gift giving and a snack bar will be available. A raffle table will include a number of items.
The festival, sponsored jointly by the Plaistow Fish and Game Club and Plaistow Lions Club, opens at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 28, and runs to 4 p.m., at 18 May Ray Ave., Plaistow, N.H.
Breakfast with Santa is scheduled for 8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, with the fair itself open until 4.
How many boxes of pasta, rice, cereal and snacks can fit into a Massachusetts State Police Cruiser? The Haverhill High School Football Boosters will find out at its “stuff-a-cruiser” Thanksgiving Food Drive, Monday, Nov. 24, beginning at 6:30 at Haverhill Trinity Stadium, 20 Nettleton Ave. The cruiser will be parked near the stadium concession stand. Aroma Joe’s will be on hand serving complimentary hot drinks.
The Atkinson Garden Club is getting ready for its popular holiday Greens and Gift Sale. This year’s fundraiser takes place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Atkinson Community Center, 4 Main St., Atkinson, N.H.
Handcrafted holiday decorations, wreaths, holly trees, kissing balls, centerpieces, bows, roping and swags will be available. Some will be fashioned from silk botanicals and other dried florals for everlasting arrangements. Also for sale will be raffle tickets for a number of gift baskets and floral arrangements.
Haverhill’s Caleb Dustin-Hunking School is having its fourth Annual Feast Thursday night. The gathering offers a Thanksgiving-like meal, access to the school’s Holiday Store, a showcase of student work, a “pie in the face” raffle, Principal Timothy Betty’s first ever Pie Eating Contest and a performance by the school chorus. The annual feast for Hunking families is Thursday, Nov. 20. from 5-7 p.m. at Caleb Dustin-Hunking School, 480 S. Main St., Haverhill.
The Haverhill Lions Club is again hosting Breakfast with Santa on the first Saturday in December. Parents and families are encouraged to take photographs of children presenting their wish lists to Santa Claus. In addition, Haverhill Lions are asking for gently used children and adults winter coats and jackets for the Coats for Kids Drive, but to omit vests or fleece. Breakfast with Santa takes place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., at Maria’s Family Restaurant, 81-83 Essex St., Haverhill.
The public will have the chance to print Christmas cards during the Museum of Printing’s Sip, Shop and Print event Thursday. The museum’s gift shop is also offering a selection of gifts that celebrate printing along with free gift wrapping. A gift basket door prize will be raffled off. Refreshments include cookies, cider and hot chocolate. The fundraiser is Thursday, Nov.