KOUTS | Kouts annual Open House is Dec. 6 and 7. Kouts is adding its outdoor Hometown Christmas celebration as well, for the first time holding the event on the same Saturday evening as the open houses.

The idea is to provide shoppers with the choice to be indoors or outdoors, shopping or singing, drinking free hot chocolate or taking pictures of kids with Santa.

Many businesses will remain open later into the evening than usual. But most importantly, participants and attendees alike will have time to take a moment and soak in the nostalgia.

Homes and businesses begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Saturday, Santa and fire truck arrive at 2pm, Town Tree Lighting at 4:45, singing all day. The open houses will resume Sunday as well from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This event is unique in that the public is invited to shop not only in Kouts Indiana businesses, but also its churches and its homes. Participating homeowners, parishes and business owners join forces to promote crafts, snacks and Christmas.

For an entire weekend shoppers map out their strategy, going from shop to shop and house to house, hunting for often handmade item that may not be found in franchises. Indeed many Kouts businesses have maps on hand this week to pass out to the public. -- FOR THE TIMES