MINERVA, Ohio — If you visit the village of Minerva throughout the month of December, you might feel like you've stepped onto the set of a Christmas movie.

Minerva has a population of around 3,600 people and for a small village, they do the holidays big.

“This year, we are doing what we call ‘December Wonderland’ and it is a wide variety of events that will take place throughout the entire month at locations throughout the village," said Denise Freeland, the executive director of the Minerva Chamber of Commerce. 

Freeland explained that for the past 10 years, Minerva's Christmas celebration was condensed to just one weekend, but with the coronavirus, village leaders decided to spread the joy for the whole month to allow for more social distancing.

“It’s just part of our community that we have always had some sort of Christmas celebration, and some people have said this might be better than what we have had in the past because it spreads it out and it gives more people an opportunity to take advantage of the different activities."

Minerva's December Wonderland is about more than fun — it also embodies the holiday spirt of giving back.

All of their events, like the “make and take” craft kits that children can pick up at the local library are free.

“I feel like that is one of Minerva's greatest strengths; (it) is the cooperation between the business community and the human service organizations and the chamber. People are just really generous and willing to help out.”

For anyone who needs something extra to keep them warm this winter, the Minerva First Presbyterian church tied hand-knitted scarfs around downtown lampposts for anyone to take for free.

“It’s been happening for quite a while, and usually, they put them out during (December Wonderland), and they are usually gone by the end of it. So, within three hours they are gone, so people really enjoy those.”

For a complete list of December wonderland events, you can visit the Minerva Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.