COEUR d’ALENE — Christmas came early to Sherman Avenue on Saturday night.

Antlers bobbed, Christmas light necklaces twinkled and laughter was in the air as a group of around 20 women and men became reindeer and hunters for a night of merrymaking at several bars and restaurants, drawing smiles from both passerby and fellow patrons.

The gathering was all in the name of Christmas cheer, said Colleen Graey, and supporting local businesses.

“If somebody gets a laugh out of us, then it's all the better,” she said.

Stops included Backwoods Bar, Rivaura Tasting Room, the Cd’A Eagles, Seasons of Coeur d’Alene and The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Each location offered a different backdrop for the festivities, ranging from casual bar settings to elegant tasting rooms. The group lingered for about an hour at each stop to enjoy a drink and share stories.

And this group had plenty of stories to share.

The reindeer and hunters weren’t brought together by happenstance, but by many years of friendship.

“This is a solid group,” Graey said. “We do stuff like this all the time.”

Londa Perkins agreed.

“We find any reason to get out and party together,” Perkins said with a laugh. “We’re like the socialites of Coeur d’Alene.”

Wendy Keimer explained that last year, four of the ladies got together for a bar crawl and donned the cozy reindeer onesies for the first time.

This year, they were able to rally a sleigh team’s worth of reindeer.

“It won’t be the last time we do this,” Keimer said.

The husbands were let in on the festivities as well.

Todd Halterman was more than happy to sip a glass of wine in attire fit for a hunting trip as he caught up with friends at Rivaura Tasting Room.

“I galloped on down here when I learned I could wear my hunting gear and hang out with these people,” Halterman said.

Shelley Hammond explained that the gathering was not only a celebration of their friendship, but of the community they call home.

“We love our little town,” Hammond said. “This is us creating fun.”

The group is already planning on making a merry return next Christmas, and others are welcome to join — provided they dress on theme, of course.

They would even consider breaking from the reindeer and hunter dress code to welcome a Grinch into the festive fold, under one condition.

“Only if you have a Max,” Graey said. “We need a Max.”

    Nika Babcock is all smiles on Sherman Avenue on Saturday night.
  

    Longtime friends gathered on Sherman Avenue on Saturday night to spread Christmas cheer at area businesses. Back row, from left: Will Perkins, Charlie Walters, Theo Behrmann, Colleen Graey, Wendy Keimer, Katia Burke, Tim Burke, Shelley Hammond, Londa Perkins, Nika Babcock, Harlan Babcock, Laurie Tramel and Nancy Mills. Front row: Robyn Walters, Jessica Morales, Tim Halterman and Merrily Whalen.