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White River State Park
One-of-a-kind Gifts and Holiday Memories
By Adam Hoover
Caretakers have decked the 3.3-acre botanical attraction for the holidays with thousands of lights and holiday decorations, including giant toys, toy soldiers and the world's largest Jack-in-the-Box. Check out the Lionel trains that wind their way through thousands of decorated plants, including hundreds of poinsettias.
Heading to the east end of the park, be sure to check out the White River Trader store at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art for Native American and Western-themed gifts. White River Trader prides itself on its Native American art and jewelry, but it also offers a wide selection of aromatic candles, eclectic incense, apparel, music and books with Native American and Western themes. Additionally, the store sells prints and posters of many of the works displayed in the museum, as well as other original works.
Consider scheduling your trip to the White River Trader on a day when you can enjoy one of the Eiteljorg's unique holiday events. On December 14, the Las Posadas celebration will take you into the world of Mary and Joseph searching for an inn on the night of Jesus' birth. The processional begins and ends at Christ Church Cathedral amid the holiday lights on Monument Circle. After the singing procession, enjoy traditional refreshments and piņatas. While the event is free, a canned food donation is requested.
Reservations are suggested and can be made by contacting Leon Jett at 317-636-9378. Events celebrating Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (the Virgin Mary's feast day) and Dia de los Reyes (Epiphany) will both take place on December 15 at the museum. Hands-on activities are free with museum admission.
If there's a sports fan on your list, you'll hit a homerun with a sport-themed gift from the Victory Fied Hot Corner Gift Shop