Holidays In Amish Country
Three Days/Two Nights
Highlights
Savor a sumptuous holiday meal at the famed Das Dutchman Essenhaus
Dine with an Amish family as they prepare and share family holiday recipes
Make and Take the holiday craft of your choice
Shop and explore on a Backroads Stocking Stuffer Tour
Treat yourself to Amish Acres' Holiday Extravaganza and a Borkholder Dutch Village shopping spree
12:30 - 1:45 PM Music and Lunch” at Das Dutchman Essenhaus
($18.09 per person. $15 for private room plus $100 for harpist)
Savor delicious family recipes passed down through generations in Indiana's largest restaurant. Don't forget desert from the Essenhaus bakery, a pie-lovers paradise complete with 29 varieties—from raspberry cream to custard and pecan-a delicious introduction to Amish Country. During lunch, you’ll be entertained by the soothing sounds of harpist Nancy Lentz as she plays your favorite holiday carols then answers questions about this unique and beautiful instrument.
1:45 - 2:15 PM Color A Christmas Card” at The Quilt Shop
($8 per person)
Join in-house expert Roz for a festive and easy “no sew” session of crayon art coloring on fabric. Men and women will enjoy creating a personalized Christmas card perfect to keep or give as a gift.
2:15 PM Shopping in The Essenhaus Village Shops (Discount coupons provided)
4:15 - 7:15 PM Dinner with Cooking Class Plus Buggy Rides on an Amish Family Farm
Optional sleigh rides weather permitting - same fee - $30 per person plus tip at table on meal portion only)
Your adventure continues into Amish Country with a true experience of a lifetime. Meet the Yoder family, including grandma, dad and the kids, while they show you how to prepare the comfort foods of the heartland. There will be no more lumps in your homemade mashed potatoes after this demonstration! Then, relax and enjoy a traditional family-style Amish meal. Afterwards, take a ride around the family farm in a horse drawn buggy or cozy up indoors while decorating (and eating!) Christmas cookies using the Yoder's delicious family recipe.
7:45 - 8:30 PM OPTIONAL ACTIVITY (Guests will choose in advance of arrival)
Quilting for Dummies The Quilt Shop - Das Dutchman Essenhaus
($8.50 per person)
Expert in-house quilter Roz guides your group through the art of quilting without a needle in sight! All ages will enjoy this creative session as they select and complete a 6” x 6” quilt block. It's a quick, easy, and fun way to create your own take-home souvenir from Amish Country. Ask for the special snowman or angel for the holidays or other themed block to fit your group’s interests.
OR
Deck the Halls - Das Dutchman Essenhaus
($35 per person including supplies / Minimum 12 participants)
This hands-on interactive class, conducted by the Village Shops Event Coordinator, provides tips and techniques to create your own decorative Christmas wreath using mixed greens, floral accents, and ribbon. The result: a gorgeous, hand-made creation to take home and deck your
halls!
OR
“Tuck & Go” Christmas Ornament / The Quilt Shop - Das Dutchman Essenhaus
($5 per person)
Join Roz for this “no sew” quilt pattern that is transformed into a festive ornament. Crafters will choose colorful themed scraps of fabric and position them onto a Styrofoam form for a customized craft to adorn any tree for years to come.
8:30 - 11:30 AM Stocking Stuffer Tour of Amish Country Backroads
($125 total PLUS $12 per person for items in bag)
A welcoming step-on guide awaits to lead your group on a unique backroads tour of Amish Country. You choose the stops and shops along the way from any number of Amish-owned countryside businesses. Fill your Christmas stocking as you go perfect for gift giving to friends and family on Christmas morning or to treat yourself on the ride home.
12:30 PM Amish Acres Holiday Extravaganza
($149 per person inclusive)
The holiday spirit shines at Amish Acres in Nappanee! This heritage resort and 80-acre restored Amish farmstead echoes the simple life of the Amish through historic interpretation, dining, lodging, theatre, countryside tours and more. Start your day with a classic Amish “Haystack” lunch followed by a question and answer session, “Holiday Traditions of the Amish,” led by your Amish hosts. Fill your Christmas Stocking as you explore 10 unique on-site shops. A covered farm wagon with padded seats gives guests an overview of the historic farm as it travels down gravel lanes, past historic buildings, and through the woods. Visitors may enjoy a guided walking tour, view documentary films on the ways of the “Plain People” and enjoy holiday baking with Frieda in the Amish Acres bakery.
Hot Wassail & Christmas Cake Reception in the Historic Restaurant Bar Family-Style Threshers Dinner (Included in above price)
Dine family-style around antique tables in this charming and rustic century-old restored bank barn. For some added fun, suggest that your clients each bring a small “white elephant” or “dirty bingo” wrapped Christmas present to exchange following the evening’s dinner. NOTE: Request private room or area with Christmas tree for gift exchange.
8 - 10:30 PM Round Barn Theatre Production of “White Christmas”
(Included in above price)
Relax and enjoy this Christmas classic featuring the songs of Irving Berlin paired with an uplifting story of loyalty and friendship.
9-11AM Christmas Craft Shopping at Borkholder Dutch Village (No admission fee)
The area's finest indoor crafts and antique mall boasts over 450 booths packed with gifts, home accents, collectibles and more in heated and carpeted comfort. Tuesdays feature a not-to-be-missed antiques and collectibles auction. An on-site restaurant is perfect for rest and refreshment between shopping forays.
