Yankee Candle wax works exhibit appeals to families this holiday season

With a light snow falling gently from the ceiling, visitors to the Yankee Candle flagship store in Deerfield watch as a train travels around the room, examine Christmas ornaments and check out a vast array of nutcrackers and German steins.

The display in the Bavarian Village is up all year round, but this time of year, visitors flock to the store to conjure up a little holiday spirit.

Visitors who stop at Yankee Candle will also see something new this year. Dubbed "Wax Works," the exhibit features six interactive activities that allow customers to try their hand at working in wax.

"It helps us get into the holiday spirit," said Mary M. Green, of Agawam, who recently visited with her two children, ages 5 and 8. "It's like seeing Christmas through their eyes."

Green's friend, Kathy A. Yelle, of West Springfield, agreed, saying she comes for her grandchildren.

"Nobody's saying 'you can't touch that' or 'you can't do that' (to the kids)," Yelle said. "It's very kid-oriented."

And kids are enjoying the Wax Works exhibits, which are all hands-on experiences. One of the most popular new features of Wax Works is "Wax Hands." Guests can dip their hands into wax and make a wax sculpture, at a cost of $5.

"We like to see all the different ways people can use their hands," said Lynn A. Brunelle, Flagship marketing manager. "People have done a fist, a 'thumbs up,' two people holding hands, and a peace sign. It's been a huge hit."

Employees working at the Wax Hands exhibit can attest to that. On a recent weekday in November, there were several people waiting their turn to make a hand sculpture. But on weekends, the wait for Wax Hands can be an hour long. Employees say they have all done their own hand sculptures so they can describe the experience to guests. They say it feels like having your hand shrink-wrapped....