Neville Cottage Christmas Village - Volunteers Needed!

at home. He got the point immediately."

That first year, stopped in at yard sales and thrift stores, eventually collected enough decorations to fill their cottage. "The theme was Christmas Around the World. You couldn't go on Amazon to buy decorations or order stuff. You had to hunt, track down stuff over months," says Scott. "We now have a Christmas shed. It's floor to ceiling, side to side decorations."

This year the theme is Rocking Around Christmas Village and the Nevilles started preparing back in January, "We've been doing yard sales, estate sales, after Christmas clearance sales," explains Kris. "We do it for the kids. We go and stand by the cottages and listen to the kids as they walk by. It's the joy," says Kris.

Christmas Village is set to open November 29th at 6:30pm, where the flip of a switch will officially light the 55 Christmas Village cottages, including the Nevilles'. With their children all grow up, Scott and Kris have their grandchildren to keep the tradition alive. Kris smiles as she says, "They like doing it. They're little so they can climb in the cottages and we stand outside directing where to put things. Last year when we got new lights, they brought a ladder, climbed up and pulled off the old lights."

The hard work behind Christmas Village often goes unseen as families stroll through the magical, luminous Municipal Gardens but it's seeing those warm moments that keep families and volunteers coming back each year. "Take the time and let the kids really look in the cottages. Your kids will remember Christmas Village," says Kris.

Making their connection to this annual event even more special, Scott and Kris also pass out toy cars they build and paint on behalf of the non-profit Tiny Tim's Foundation. These toy cars, adorned with a cartoon smiling face, are sent around the globe to children in need with nearly 2 millionth car now donated, The Neville's also occasionally hand out these unique cars to the children visiting Christmas Village. "Our grandkids love to come down and give the cars away to little kids. We love to sit and watch our grandkids learn to be generous, stepping out of themselves to make someone else happy."

After living in Ogden for nearly 20 years, the Nevilles moved to Hooper where they have more space and the whole neighborhood gets in on decorating for Ogden's Christmas Village. "We had a lady who anything we needed sewn, like a little tablecloth or an apron for Santa, she would put things she was doing aside, and sew for us," says Scott. "When we got our new cottage, it was a shell. People that I knew who were good at these things helped us paint, shingle and wire it. They would spare the time to help me."

Now with two cottages, it's double the work but also double the memories. Having an opportunity to spend time with their family and connect with their community, the Nevilles don't plan on stopping anytime soon. "We plan to do this as long as we can. I love the memories that will come back year after year after year," says Scott

Kris echo's her husband's sentiments saying, "We love this season. The feeling of love. The love during that time of year that you don't always see."

Christmas Village is free to all visitors and starts on November 29 through January 1. While all the villages are full, Ogden City is still seeking volunteers for the Light Parade on Nov. 29.

More information about Christmas Village and volunteering can be found at Ogdencity.gov/ChristmasVillage