Starbucks Thanks Customers with Holiday Cheer

The back of Starbucks was jammed Tuesday evening as families came out with their children to enjoy a little holiday cheer.

The popular coffee house hosted a holiday party, which was described by store officials as a way to thank the Westfield community and the store's regulars for coming in during the course of the year. Many customers brought their children for the event, which featured a visit by Santa Claus and kids arts and crafts activities.

For the adults in the crowd, live Christmas music was played in one corner while in another corner three Starbucks coffees were distributed, along with samples of oatmeal cookies. The cookies were billed as being paired with the coffees.

Patrons were asked to bring a toy to put into the toy drive the store was sponsoring as a part of the party.

Editor's Note: Gerald Tobin, who portrayed Santa at the party, is a contributor to Westfield Patch.