A small-town Christmas: When budgets are tight, but community is strong

In the glow of December lights and the quiet crunch of snow under boots, Christmas arrives differently in small towns. In places like Watervliet, Coloma, and Hartford, Michigan, the holiday season isn’t defined by grand displays or extravagant spending. Instead, it is shaped by shared traditions, familiar faces, and a deep sense of community that carries people through even when budgets are tight.