Fashions for Evergreens, the annual competitive decorated-tree display, returns to the The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center this year, along with the Inn's trademark gingerbread house, now expanded to include the chugging of a toy train.

Here are details of holiday events. For reservations call 540-231-0120.

Fashions for Evergreens
Decorated holiday trees will be displayed in the lobby through Jan. 1. The 14 professionally designed trees present decorating concepts and ideas, and anyone who stops by for a look can vote for a favorite.

The Inn's Graham Central Station
The Inn's culinary team took the traditional gingerbread house a step further for 2013, creating a village with an ice castle and a model toy train set. You can watch last year's gingerbread house being mixed, baked, and decorated in a three-minute YouTube video.

Family night at Preston's
Each Friday night in December starting at 5 p.m., patrons can enjoy dinner at Preston's for $12.95 each, with a children's menu also available. Dinner includes dessert plus coffee or tea along with a soup or salad and a choice from among three entrées: apple almond chicken breast, country fried pork chop, or pumpkin ravioli.

Sunday brunch with Santa
Each Sunday leading up to Dec. 25, Preston's will feature a Santa-hosted Sunday brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A complimentary photo with Santa is included. Cost is $19.50 for adults, $10.95 for children.

Holiday carolers
If carolers are a must-see (or must-hear) for you, consider dropping in for song and a free cup of hot chocolate Dec. 6 and Dec. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. The strolling carolers are from Ad Hoctet, an octet of the Blacksburg Master Chorale.

A Visit from Santa
Cameras are allowed as kids hang out with a singing Santa Dec. 13; the 90-minute program starts at 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
A four-course dinner priced at $34 on Dec. 24 at Preston’s runs from 5 to 9 p.m., while the Dec. 25 champagne brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; cost is $24.50 for adults, $12.95 for children.

New Year’s Eve
For those not inclined to stay up past midnight, a four-course dinner at Preston’s on Dec. 31 runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The $49 dinner includes entertainment and a champagne toast.

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