Father-Husband-Marketer-Geek

By this year, I mean 2010....way back on November 21, to be exact.\ Our annual trip to the Yankee Candle flagship store is always one of our most fun outings of the year. For 10+ years running, my friends and I have trekked our families up north on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We typically stop in Northampton for Starbucks and some shopping. This year was the fourth with kids, and it takes on an entirely new meaning. To see the kids' faces as each new room at the Candle is unveiled is precious. Especially the D56 display room. What a good way to introduce villages to our kids. The flagship store has gotten very commercial in other areas, from the lame imitation Build-A-Bear workshop to the home & garden shop...but I swear, the Yankee Candle Santa is the most authentic...I mean he's the real deal. We always end the trip at Bub's BBQ, which looks like a dive, but offers up a magical chicken noodle soup, great barbecue, and some very good fountain soda with the right ...

....as if they weren't upon us back in October, even. Today we made our annual trek to Yankee Candle in historic Deerfield, MA. We arrived at 5 pm, and unfortunately we missed an appearance by Department 56 artist Cynthia Markle, who is responsible for many of the village accessories such as trees, animals, and other accessories. We had never been to the Candle in the evening, and we were awestruck by the lights on display outside. It was spectacular. If you haven't been there before, this is the flagship store, about the size of 4 Target stores. The store is divided into several small villages of shops, with many themed ornament displays, candle displays, and of course a full section of elaborate D56 displays. There is an educational toy store, a home and garden store, a Bavarian cafe, a candy and sweets shop, and much more. Every year they add more. Of course, on the way home, we stopped at Bub's barbecue , a small restaurant which is usually packed. It's near Umass ...