Gingerbread people are on the loose in downtown Salem! As part of the Holiday Window Contest 2011, businesses have hidden a gingerbread man or woman in their decorations for all to find. The festive window decorations will be on display in business windows until December 22nd; be on the lookout for the gingerbread people as you stroll along a downtown filled with holiday cheer and enjoy the beautiful, creative decor from the Holiday Window Contest, whose winners we are announcing today!

The votes have been cast and the choice was not easy. There were over thirty contenders, and each business put lots of thought and creativity into their fabulous holiday displays. The winners of each category are:

Most Original: Scrub

Most Traditional: Coons (Mrs. Claus tribute to Breast Cancer awareness)

Most Clever Use of Theme: Fountain Place

Most Attractive Window Box: Paxton

Honorable Mentions go to:

HM Most Original: Boston Bead Company

HM Most Traditional: re-find

HM Most Clever Use of Theme: Mighty Aphrodite

HM Most Attractive Window Box: Sweet Anthem

Congratulations to all winners and honorable mentions!

Salem Main Streets would like to thank all participating businesses:

Bella Hair Salon, 272 Essex St., Mighty Aphrodite Maternity, 244 Essex St., Laura Lanes Skin Care, 242 Essex St., re-find, 72 Washington St., Penelope’s Pet Boutique, 99 Washington St., Paxton Hair Salon, Fountain Place, 232 Essex St., Coon’s Card and Gift Shop, 226 Essex St., Scrub, 230 Essex St., Caffe Graziani 133 Washington St., Treasures over Time, 139 Washington St., Roost Urban Country Design, 40 Front St., Beehive, 38 Front St., Sweet Anthem, 24 Front St., Boston Bead Company, 10 Front St., Seed Stitch Fine Yarn, 21 Front St., J. Mode 17 Front Street, Modern Millie Vintage, 3 Central St., Pamplemousse, 185 Essex St., Addicted Fashion, 208 Essex St., Angels Landing, 244 Essex St., Glass & Etc. Museum Place Mall, Witch Tees, 177 Essex St., Signatures, 181 Essex St., Peabody Essex Museum Shop East India Square, Beautiful Things, 127 Essex St., Fool’s Mansion 127 Essex St., The Picklepot, 75 Wharf St., The Happy Sunflower, 61 Wharf St., The Hungry Whale, 72 Wharf St., Radiance Aveda, 316 Derby St., two girls shop, 320 Derby St., The Boutique, 322 Derby St., Rouge Cosmetics, 322 Derby St.,

We would also like to thank the Salem Main Streets Design Committee, consisting of Committee Chair: Gina Flynn of Eastern Bank, Shirley Walker Salem Real Estate, Doug Hopper, Architect, Bill Yuhas, Architect and Kara Halas of TD Bank.