By Rebekah Sherman
What’s more exciting than taking a winter escape with new and fun fragrances to smell and be transported to a German-style Christmas village right here in Massachusetts? Only two weeks into the 2025 Spring Semester, and there are already new and exciting opportunities and events for students to attend, like the Yankee Candle Village Bus Trip. Students were able to capture their magical and fun adventures with their friends on their phones and bought Christmas and candle keepsakes for their dorms or home.
The Yankee Candle Village Bus Trip was hosted by Western New England University Student Involvement and took place on Saturday, February 1, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. University tickets for the event were free and included transportation to and from the Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.
“Take a trip to Yankee Candle Village where you can make your own candle, visit the different attraction villages, and have a bite to eat!” wrote Blanca Amaya, the adult supervisor of the trip and a sophomore Criminal Justice major at Western New England University.
Students were greeted by smiling and friendly employees as they walked through the village entrance. They were able to see firsthand the festivities and Christmas-themed decorations throughout the Yankee Candle Village.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid,” said Sean Maserati, a student at Western New England University. Maserati has visited the Yankee Candle Village “about seven times.”
He enjoyed making candles with his girlfriend, Kristy Maradia, an international student from India, at the Wax Works attraction. Maserati “liked mixing the different scents and finding what different scents go together and what doesn’t.”
Students who attended the trip had the opportunity to create original scented candles and buy merchandise, toys, and a variety of candles. Some deals included large candle jars costing $40 for two candles and mini candle jars costing $12 for three candles. Students and guests could add a personalized photo and unique background to their candle label with a purchase of one large candle. A few candle scents on display or in the stores included the Balsman & Cedar, Lilac Blossoms, Fresh Cut Roses, Lemon Lavender, and Vanilla Crème Brûlée. Some of the different attractions at the Yankee Candle Village included the Home and General Stores, Yankee Candy, Toy Shop & Santa’s Workshop, New England Market & Food Court, Wax Works, Black Forest, Bavarian Village, Man Cave & Pet, Candle Emporium, and the Nutcracker Castle. A Build-A-Bear Workshop and a Ben & Jerry’s shop are also located on-site. There were plenty of places to photograph the winter adventure.
When asked if they enjoyed the trip, Maserati and Maradia said, “So very much.”
Maradia said it was her first time visiting the village, and she “really liked the Black Forest.”
The Black Forest attraction’s ceiling looked like the night sky, with a reindeer in the center of the room surrounded by fake pine trees twinkling with lights. The additional sensory stimuli of bird calls echoed throughout the Black Forest attraction. The Black Forest also had fake snowfall every four minutes, a mesmerizing experience, especially for children. There was a carved bench to one side, a great place for taking photographs.
Western New England University students and other visiting guests had the opportunity to create their own scented candles at the Wax Works attraction, like Maserati and Maradia.
Maradia named her candle masterpiece “Addiction to Coffee.” Maserati called his candle “Kristy’s Winter Wonderland.”
The Wax Works attraction had various scents, and guests could find their desired candle scent, push a green button, and watch as the pebble-like wax poured out from the machines and slowly filled up their empty jars. Once completed, they could head over to an employee to finish creating their candle masterpieces. Students and other guests could also dip their hands into candle wax or dip their own waxed candle sticks or waxed shapes like a toy plane, at the Wax Works Attraction.
Three other university students expressed their positive experience during the trip, including Max Edwards, Israel John, and Amaya.
The Nutcracker Castle attraction was medieval-themed, where students and other guests could walk over a bridge that had a moat on either side. There were also two waterfalls, which added to the enchanting mood.
Edwards said, “The Nutcracker Castle had a very good ambiance.”
Students could make a wish and throw change into the moat to support the Dakin Animal Shelter. The Yankee Candle Village donates between $3,000 and $5,000 from coins collected from the moat annually. Inside the castle, there are two red-padded thrones with a coat of arms hanging above the wall with nutcracker-themed Christmas-tree ornaments.
John voiced his opinion concerning the Hillside Café food, which is located in the New England Market & Food Court. John said, “I really liked the pizza. Pizza was very good!”
The Hillside Café had a variety of food selections for students and other guests to enjoy, including mac and cheese, various salads and wraps, and pizza slices, all of which were reasonably priced. The Hillside Café is also located near the Candle Mountain Boys and the Yankee Candy attractions. The Candle Mountain Boys attraction is set up as a mini theater with mannequins singing country music, which added to the relaxing and family-friendly vibes.
Amaya revealed that she enjoyed different things from the Yankee Candy attraction.
Amaya said, “I really like the candy jellybean area and the teddy bears.”
The Yankee Candy attraction is where students could find candy and toys, like lollipops and jellybean candies, Ty plush stuffed animals, Barbie dolls, marbles, glow-in-the-dark lava lamps, cars, and figurines. They could also take pictures inside the boat attraction. The Yankee Candy attraction is situated next to the Toy Shop & Santa’s Workshop, where students could also buy puzzles, crafts, Legos, and other Christmas-themed toys like the Grinch or Rudolph plush toys.
Students who went on the trip will remember Yankee Candle Village fondly.
In case you missed out on this trip and would like to visit the Yankee Candle Village at South Deerfield yourself or with a friend, feel free to head over to the Yankee Candle Village website at https://www.yankeecandle.com/stores/massachusetts/south-deerfield-ma to check out their upcoming events or to order candles and gifts online. You may also contact their store manager at (877) 636-7707.
