The holidays were underway in Newtown, Saturday morning, with  shoppers clustered outside the doors of the Newtown Meeting House on Main Street, eagerly awaiting the start of the Garden Club of Newtown's annual greens sale. Early birds quickly swept through the aisles at 9 0'clock sharp, scooping up hand decorated wreaths, artistic centerpieces crafted from nature's bounty, home made jams, hand painted cookies, and various other holiday decorations made by members of the club. Adding to the morning's delight, was author Sydney Eddison, signing her recently published book of poems, Where We Walk.

At the Newtown Middle School, the Parks and Recreation had arranged to fly in Santa Claus from the North Pole for a special breakfast and craft event. Timid and eager, the littlest of Newtown's citizens lined up to sit on Santa's lap and whisper their wishes to him.

Five-year-old Giada Florentino told Santa that she would love to find Barbie dolls and Play-Doh under the Christmas tree, while Isabel Gietz, 7,  hoped that Santa would grant her wish for a My Little Pony Castle. Isabel's little brother, Hayden, 4, said that he had asked jolly St Nick for Power Rangers and Star Wars Legos.

While families feasted on treats provided by Bagel Delight, Dunkin' Donuts, the Doughnut Inn of Monroe, Masonicare of Newtown (cookies), Maplewood of Newtown (yogurt cake), and Starbucks' coffee for the adults, at a nearby table members of Girl Scout Troop 50055 oversaw children busily making crafts.

Sharon Marovich, of Kids In the Kitchen, had cut out and baked 300 cookies for youngsters  to decorate at the breakfast event, and dozens of young artists happily smeared frosting and sprinkled colored sugar over the treats.

The magic of the season was apparent at the annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall. While Rotarians flipped pancakes and sizzled sausages from Butcher's Best on the grill, Santa Claus made his appearance there, jingling bells and stooping to hear the softly voiced wishes of little diners.

Breakfasters were treated to a feast for the eyes and ears, too, with performances by the dancers from Lathrop School of Dance offering entertainment, mid-morning.

Not too far down the road, book lovers reveled in day one of the two-day Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Holiday Book and Gift Sale, set up in the Meeting Room of the library. The turnout, said Friends' volunteer, Nancy Dvorin, was wonderful, and the selection of books and gifts - thanks to the many donors and local merchants - was outstanding.

The morning's festivities were a cheery follow up to the annual Chamber of Commerce Annual Ram Pasture tree lighting, Friday night. With the Sandy Hook tree lighting scheduled for the afternoon, it was just the thing to put everyone in the spirit for the weekend finale - Sunday's Newtown Savings Bank Holiday Festival to benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services.