Emigrants from Sweden used what they called the yule season to start the winter harvest. Across the ceiling would be long strings of cut-up squash, pumpkin, green beans and other vegetables.

"It was more of a preservation activity," said volunteer Bre Cornell, shouting "Happy Yule" to guests. "They would have started (four) candles for advent, a candle for each Sunday prior to yule. It was a countdown tradition."

"It was a very busy time of year," volunteer Jared Cornell said. "It was harvest time. They were either ready for winter or didn't make it."

Although Christmas trees did not become a popular custom until later, paper hearts and tin-punch ornaments were simple ornaments pioneers could make from things they had in their own homes. Pioneers would cut out paper hearts and hang them on the tree with string or even take a nail, rock and small piece of tin to punch in festive designs.

At the park, as small visitors intently glued hearts together and hammered at pieces of tin, it was obvious to volunteers that children can not only learn respect for the early settlers but an appreciation.

"Some of them have decided they want to live here," volunteer Nancy Andersen said. "It teaches you that children can enjoy the simple things."

"It's not only like being in another time but being in another part of the world. Right in the heart of modern city life."

With carriage rides, chestnuts roasting on an open fire (literally) and a visit from Father Christmas himself, the character interpreters took time to deliver a piece of their own holiday cheer to each other. Whether sharing treats, offering an extra coat or singing Christmas carols to their fellow co-workers, the park family shows sharing the joys of Christmas can be done in a simple way — without a shopping mall or credit card.

"That's what Christmas is all about," Andersen said.

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E-mail: astowell@desnews.com