One of favorite parts of Decembers growing up was when we would bring down the biggest box in the attic. Opening it up, smelling that mustiness that only eleven months in the attic can do, I would gingerly pick up each little box with a marking on it. Town Church Bell, Red Lion Inn, Antique Store, Grandma’s House, Fire Station. The box revealing its own little miniature building.

Putting together that Christmas village was one thing I got to do with my dad. Just us. Year after year we would put together this little village. Taking it down was one of my least favorite things to do come January, but the day we got to light up the little village again… was one of the highlights of the holiday season. The magic of looking at it all lit up at night still brings me a sense of good old fashioned wonder to this day.

The dear little southwestern Massachusetts village of Stockbridge made up so many of my Christmases growing up. Its architecture replicated to become the buildings of my beloved Christmas village when I was little. Each one depicting the very essence of Stockbridge’s own, Norman Rockwell.

Getting to go there in person creates this strange sense of a hometown. I stared at so many of these buildings, spent so Christmases deciding exactly the order I wanted them to go on the table in the entry hall of our house. Imagined what it would be like to live in this picturesque town.

While I haven’t made it to Stockbridge in December—yet—to experience its festive cheer, getting to spend a very autumnal day in October was the next best thing.

A JOYFILLED ITINERARY: If you find yourself in Stockbridge, I recommend just strolling around downtown before heading over to the Norman Rockwell museum. Check out his artwork and watch the fascinating documentary about his life (and see all his Saturday Evening Post covers!) before heading over to see his studio—this is an addition to the ticket, but very much worth it in my opinion!

Here’s a glance at my fall day in photos.

What was Stockbridge’s joy lesson? There is joy to be felt in nostalgia. Those warm memories from childhood/years ago… remember to visit and indulge in them occasionally. They can give you a deep sense of joy you might have forgotten about for bit.

Stay tuned for where I’m adventuring to next!