Kentucky Christian University's Young Library The 12 Towns of Christmas Virtual Vacation

Oh, Joy! We've made it to Illinois (forgive my pun).

This small town of (now less than) 400 people wasn't named with Christmas in mind. Rather, it was named after founder and railroad CEO, J.F. Joy. It is part of Mercer County.

Ever since, this town has become another popular destination for Christmas cards and letters to receive their Christmas "Joy" postmark! The stamp design changes every year, but if you'd like to send "Joy" to someone special, the post office address is:

P.O. Box 9998

Joy, Ill., 61260

For the Christmas festivities, let's take a look at what Mercer County, IL has to offer:

Viola Christmas Walk:

The township of Viola, slightly larger than Joy, features an annual Christmas walk, which includes craft vendors, door prizes, beautiful outdoor decorations and nativities, and more!

Holly Days:

Another Mercer County township, called Aledo, is known for their parade, 5K run, and weekend long vendor fair, known as Holly Days, which kicks off the Christmas season.

Hot Chocolate

When you visit Joy, Illinois, you got to party like you're riding the Polar Express on Christmas Eve! How do you do that? By drinking some hot chocolate. When you make some from scratch with help from celebratingsweets.com, just remember the only rule that matters - never, ever let it cool!

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips OR chopped chocolate bar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

• Place milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium/medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until warm (but not boiling). 
• Add chocolate chips and whisk constantly until the chocolate chips melt and distribute evenly into the milk.
• Whisk in vanilla extract, serve immediately.

After you finish your hot chocolate, get back on the road and head North to Rudolph, Wisconsin.