he Evening of Enchantment at Donaroma's returns for its 21st year on Thursday, Dec. 11, which will also be its last. The family plans to retire the tradition after this year.
Since 2004, Donaroma’s in Edgartown has brought the holiday magic with its Evening of Enchantment. On one night each December, the florist and garden store transforms into a glittering wonderland, heralding the Christmas in Edgartown festivities.
The Evening of Enchantment returns for its 21st year on Thursday, Dec. 11, which will also be its last. The family plans to retire the tradition after this year.
“It’s a big production,” said Janice Donaroma, who has conceptualized and helped execute every Evening of Enchantment theme since it started.
No two years of enchantment have been exactly the same. This year’s theme is “The Land of the Northern Lights” and tells the story of a royal arctic family’s Christmas celebration.
Social media marketing director Gislaine Donaroma said the evening will offer enjoyment for guests of all ages.
Gislaine Donaroma and Janice Donaroma lead the way.
Gislaine Donaroma and Janice Donaroma lead the way.
“It’s awesome to see everybody enjoy the whole event,” she said. “The magic of the season comes alive because of the work we put together.”
When visitors walk into the main garden store building, they will be greeted with a Nordic-inspired display to match the year’s theme. Classic holiday decorations abound, including lights, garland, ornaments and plush woodland creatures. Seasonal offerings, such as poinsettias and handmade wreaths, join the greenhouse collection.
But there are also some unconventional touches, like a life-sized igloo that houses Santa Claus warming himself by the fire.
“This is where Santa comes to relax and go over his list,” Janice said.
The Evening of Enchantment prominently features nods to Island culture, including a decorated Christmas trees reflecting the history and culture of each town. The Oak Bluffs tree is decked out with donuts and Victorian gingerbread cottages, while Edgartown’s features blue hydrangea blooms.
The largest tree represents the whole Island in a vision of purple.
Preparations began in October.
Preparations began in October.
“I grew up in northern Virginia because my father was in the service, [and] every Christmas we would go to the National Christmas Tree,” Janice said. “Instead, we have our Martha’s Vineyard Christmas tree.”
With every square inch of the grounds covered with decorations, Donaroma’s has become a veritable holiday labyrinth. It also includes a literal labyrinth made by Donaroma’s stoneworkers, where visitors will be able to light frankincense and myrrh.
“I’ve always had a thing for labyrinths,” Janice said. “This will be all lit up. The kids really love it.”
On the big night, Janice, Gislaine and others will complete the display by wearing regal costumes and getting into character as Nordic royalty. Janice has also prepared hundreds of gingerbread cookies to be served, with a side of cider or sangria.
Throughout the season, visitors can continue to enjoy Jeff Donaroma’s light show in the parking lot, set to music if they tune their radios to 87.9 FM.
Janice and Gislaine emphasized that every moment of the celebration represents months of work by the entire Donaroma’s team, including the floral and nursery departments, the irrigation and lighting crew, the lawn crew, office administrators and others.
Holiday cheer is here.
Holiday cheer is here.
Mariko Kawaguchi, a manager and horticulturalist who has been at Donaroma’s for 35 years, has seen Evening of Enchantment evolve from a few chestnuts roasting on an open fire into the spectacle it is today. She and the rest of the team have been preparing for the event since October.
“It’s an odd balancing act, but we do it, and the town loves it,” Ms. Kawaguchi said. “It’s kind of like a little hug and a kiss to our community that has kept us in business, and that’s meaningful.”
For the Donaroma’s team, the final Evening of Enchantment is an emotional moment. Gislaine said that many will miss the event, including her eight-year-old daughter.
“I’m trying not to think too much about it, you know,” Gislaine said. “Otherwise, I’ll get really sad.”
But Janice and Gislaine agreed that it might not be goodbye forever — perhaps just for now.
“Maybe we’ll come back,” Gislaine said. “We’ll see.”
Donaroma’s Evening of Enchantment takes place on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
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