AURORA -- Carol Collins believes that Christmas has become too commercialized recently and that's why she looks forward to attending Christmas in Aurora each year.

"They just give the season an old fashioned feel," she said during the annual Christmas in Aurora held in Aurora Thursday. "I don't feel pressured to buy gifts and more gifts. The whole day is just enjoyable and welcoming."

Collins, of Lansing, said that she has been attending the event with her husband, James Collins, and two daughters, Ashley, 12, and Morgan, 14 for about three years.

"The Christmas songs that you have grown up listening to just seem to come alive when you are visiting Aurora at Christmas time," she said.

Her two daughters agreed and said that their favorite part, besides getting to tell Santa their Christmas wishes, is the roasted chestnuts.

Stopping to watch the sunset over the lake, Mary Fletcher, of Moravia, said that the afternoon was a perfect way to jump start the season for herself and granddaughter, Taylor Jenkins, 8.

"Jack Frost is certainly nipping at your nose today," she said. "The only thing that could make today more perfect would be to have some snow falling."

The pair had planned to purchase homemade crafts for friends and family as Christmas gifts during the events and also have dinner at the Aurora Inn.

Jenkins said that she enjoys attending the event with her grandmother each year because the town looks like the ones in the movies.

"It is a very picturesque town," Fletcher agreed. "Many towns hold Christmas events but the buildings and the carolers all come together to create an old fashioned Christmas theme."