No matter where you go in the world, the small town, snowbound, jingle bell version of Christmas persists. It is a uniquely American version of Christmas adopted across the world, with its white fields and horse drawn sleighs and freckled-faced kids sledding down hills in idyllic little towns that dot the country’s northeast.

The images — snowy rural roads, train sets, roasted chestnuts — were embedded even deeper in the public consciousness by artists like Norman Rockwell and writers like Charles Dickens and companies like Courier and Ives. The feeling those images seem to inspire, even today, is a longing for one’s childhood, and a desire for all to be well. Perhaps we think that Christmas can be a time when perfection is finally within our reach or perhaps it has become a season of reassurance.

I love that idea — that Christmas is a time of reassurance. It is more to most people than a trip to the mall and canned Christmas music.

There is a painting in the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts that depicts Rockwell’s hometown of Stockbridge on a snowy, silent night in December. The town is dressed in its subtle Christmas finery and it epitomizes the essence of Christmas in small towns across the country. We want to walk down that street, buy a wooden toy for our nephew, and drink hot chocolate in the red brick cafe as lights twinkle on the clapboard buildings.

Our snowy enclave here in Western New York has Rockwellian overtones for sure, and next Saturday the Village of Lakewood is offering a Christmas celebration that is full of nostalgia and hot chocolate and Christmas carolers — the Christmas of your childhood, if you will.

What I like most about the events they’ve planned is that they bring back the small town Christmas spirit that sometimes gets lost in the bustle. And what’s not to love about live reindeer, horse drawn sleighs and real Christmas carolers?

And you know any activity with the world “stroll” in it is bound to be fun.

Two Christmas trees will be lit on each end of a Christmas stroll down Chautauqua Avenue, Santa will make an appearance and 60 different vendors will have crafts, foodstuffs and other things for sale. There’s a baking contest, hot chocolate stand, tree stump carvers and even a coupon book for use at local vendors.

“We wanted to bring a nostalgic, old-fashioned spirit of the holiday season to the Village of Lakewood for the area residents,” said mayor Cara Birrittieri. “Our Events and Marketing Committee members are working hard to put together an event full of family and friends’ fun and Christmas cheer.”

Hours are from noon-8 p.m. on Dec. 10. More information is available at the village website at: www.lakewoodny.com. You’ll find information on the holiday baking contest as well as the Christmas light competition for village houses and storefronts. Registration forms for contests can be found there as well.

Let’s see some Christmas spirit in our village houses!

And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I really hope it snows.

Noon-8 p.m.: shopping, vendors, local restaurants open.

Noon-3:30 p.m.: real reindeer appearance

Noon-3 p.m.: Lakewood Museum tour & treats.

4-6 p.m.: complimentary hayrides

5-8 p.m.: Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves visit

5-8 p.m.: Christmas carolers

7:30-7:45 p.m.: double tree lighting and Christmas scroll: (also basket raffle and Christmas lighting contest winner announced)

7:30 p.m.: Recognition Park tree lighting

7:45 p.m.: Hartley Park tree lighting

We hope to see you there!

Note: This is a partial list of activities