Thursday, November 29, 2018

Enjoying the Entire Holiday Season

The two most striking thing about December are 1) How early it gets dark out. 2) The holidays are upon us. Truthfully, I hate how early it gets dark at this time of year. When I get out of work I barely have an hour of daylight. There's not a lot one can do with that little amount of time. Tens of millions are getting out of work when it is already dark.

To combat this depressing lack of sunlight, I take full advantage of the holidays. I don't just look at the "holidays" as Christmas morning. We try to really take full advantage of all of the events going on during December. Anyone reading this blog knows I am a firm believer in making memories. Here is a list of Holiday ideas. Some we are doing, some we have done, some I want to do-

Our calendar-

Sat December 1- Stadium Theater Christmas

Stadium Theater in Woonsocket  puts on a show of Christmas Carols that are tied together in a story. Some are just songs others are "song and dance numbers". I went last year and found it very entertaining.

Tues Dec 4- Creepy Christmas with Jeff  Belanger

Jeff does a presentation usually at libraries where he explains the origins and legends of Christmas. Things like the Yule Log, how Christmas fell on Dec 25, and Santa are discussed. He also talks about darker charecters such as Krampus. It is a lot of fun.  The presentation we are going to is in Middleboro. However he is doing a couple more in other places. If interested here is his website
https://www.jeffbelanger.com/

Jordan's Furniture, Avon, MA

Laurie and I are going to the Enchanted Village at the Jordan's Furniture in Avon. On top of the Enchanted Village there is also a 4D Polar Express Ride, an indoor skating rink, and a Laser Light Show,. We went a couple years ago and had a blast

A Christmas Carol-

A Christmas Carol is playing at many places this month. It is probably the most famous ghost story ever. We are seeing it at the Stadium Theater

December 18- A Christmas Celtic Sojourn-

Thi is something I have wanted to do for a few years. I'm not sure what to expect, but it is a basically an Irish sing and dance show. We are seeing it at the Hanover Theater in Worcester. There are also shows in New Bedford, Emerson College in Boston, and The Vets in Providence. You can get info at the venue websites or below
https://www.wgbh.org/music/celtic/christmas-celtic-sojourn

Trial of Ebenezer-

It has been a year and Scrooge is back to his old ways. He sues the ghosts and Cratchet. I have wanted to see this play for three years. It is running at the Attleboro Community Theater the next three weekends.

Heritage Gardens, Sandwich, MA

A landscaped garden decorated in Christmas lights. I only heard about this last year. It seems worth the trip
https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/


Other ideas-

There are plenty of things to do during the season that I have never done or never heard of. I'm sure a little internet research or exploring can find you exactly what you are into. Here are some othere things we have done that might make you a little more jolly during the holiday season

Boston Pops Holiday Concert-

Seriously, the Pops under Keith Lockhart is my favorite thing I have ever done Christmas related. Everyone should go at least once. Symphony Hall is awesome. The show has moments that will have you laugh out loud. At other points you will be in awe. The 12 Days of Christmas rendition is one of the best things ever

Old Sturbridge Village Christmas by Candlelight

OSV is only open a 3-8 pm certain days of the week during December. The town is transformed for Christmas. There are chestnuts roasting on an open fire, there are carolers, holiday concerts, poetry readings, gingerbread houses, a barn fire, etc. It is really fun

Other holiday concerts- There are holiday concerts all over not just the Boston Pops. They may be more convenient and cheaper.

Bake Sales

Church Fairs

Craft Fairs

Tree Lighting

La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights

Holiday Movies on the Big Screen -   The Greenwich Odeum has screenings of "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Frozen"  http://www.greenwichodeum.com/calendar/

The Odeum also has other holiday themed shows during the month.

For other ideas especially theater check out Motif Magazine. It is essentially a stoner magazine but there section on things to do is second to none.
http://motifri.com/

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The holidays should be about more than the latest electronic. If your stressed out during the season, you are doing it wrong. Eliminate the things that are stressing you out and add things you will enjoy. Have fun during the holidays. You know what comes after the holidays? January which is a big pile of SUCK!!!


No comments:

Post a Comment