Christmas tradition returns after 10 year absence

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

A decades-long Dayton Christmas tradition is back after being gone for more than a decade.

Teaming with eye-catching snowmen, wreaths, bulbs and other decorations, Christmas in the Valley gift store has returned to the Miami Valley Hospital lobby. 
The store is open for to the public.

Jenny Lewis, president and  CEO at Miami Valley Hospital Foundation,  said the volunteer-steamed gift shop was started in 1973.

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Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Renovation work more than 10 years ago shelved the tradition. A selection of Christmas items were sold in the hospitals gift shop.

Lewis said Christmas in the Valley was revived by an employee survey.

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"This was one of their favorite things about the holidays," Lewis said.

This year, the buckeye candies hospital volunteers have sold annually for 43 years returned to the shop.

About 120 volunteers rolled 20,811 buckeyes over three days.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

The chocolate dipped peanut butter treats sold out in little more than 24 hours.

Susan Kash,  Miami Valley Hospital's gift shop buyer and manager, said she searched for unique gifts to fill the Christmas gift shops.

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There are jackets, sweaters, snow globes, nativity scenes, reindeer, decorative Christmas houses, stockings,  baby's first Christmas ornaments and glass Christmas trees.

Benny the giant Teddy bear, an unofficial hospital gift shop mascot, greets shoppers at the door dressed for the season.

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

"There is something for everyone here," Kash said of the Christmas in the Valley store.

Items start at $1.99.

The most expensive items cost a few hundred dollars.

The shop is an authorized  Old World Christmas store.

"I am so happy that it is back," Kash said.

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Maureen Palmer of Kettering, a Miami Valley volunteer since 1994,  was also thrilled that the shop has returned.

"It is so beautiful," she said of the store. "It is unique and people like to have something different in their homes and it helps the hospital."

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo by Amelia Robinson

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