Holiday Events
- Holiday Events in Florida
- Holiday Events in Georgia
- Holiday Events in Tennessee
- Delicious Cookie Recipes
- Sandy and Sarah’s Famous Peppermint Bark
- Unique Holiday Gift Ideas
- Holiday Safety Tips
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| Making Spirits Bright. Copyright Disney |
Holiday Events in Florida
The Osborne Family
Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park
A beautiful array of glittering lights display awaits you at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Millions of lights create a truly dazzling experience, as they illuminate entire buildings, create beautiful scenes, and even Santa and his reindeer stop by. To cap off the holiday wonder, some nights feature a magical snowfall.
Select dates only in November-January. For more information, call (407) 939-6244 or visit www.disneyworld.com.
Holiday Art Market
Fort Myers
Get an early start on your holiday shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving. Find something for even the pickiest of people on your list—from high quality jewelry and ceramics to photography, home décor and paintings—there’s a little something for everyone.
The event takes place Nov. 20-22. For more information, visit www.holidayartmarket.com.
Nights of Lights
St. Augustine
The nation’s oldest city celebrates the holidays like none other. Millions of lights will illuminate the sky during this family-fun event, which features Florida ice skating, holiday concerts, a Christmas parade and much more.
The event takes place on select nights between Nov. 21-Jan. 31. For more information, visit www.getaway4florida.com/nights.
Holiday Light Celebration
Amelia Island Plantation
Start off the holiday season right at The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island. Horse and carriage rides, a carousel, fun holiday music, Santa and his elves, cookies and hot apple cider—what more could you want!
The event takes place on Nov. 27. For more information, call (904) 491-4646 or visit www.ameliaisland.com.
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| www.snowfestnaples.com |
Bright Nights—A Holiday Lights Spectacular
Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter
Bright lights, sparkling holiday displays and a 50-foot tree make for the ideal holiday celebration. The dazzling light show is synchronized to holiday music, welcoming adults and children alike.
The event takes place select nights between Nov. 27-Dec. 27. For more information, visit www.brightnightspb.com.
SnowFest
Naples
Fun for the whole family! Enjoy a petting zoo, carnival games, a giant slide, live entertainment, an “Elves Magic Workshop,” an ice skating rink and more—all the while 70 tons of snow will be falling, creating a winter wonderland.
The event takes place Dec. 5. For more information, visit www.snowfestnaples.com.
Holiday Events in Georgia
Holiday Trains and Traditions
Atlanta Botanical Garden
All aboard for a family-friendly holiday event! Come out to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which will feature two G-scale trains weaving through tunnels, across landscapes, over bridges and more.
The event takes place Nov. 3-Jan. 3. For more information, call (404) 876-5859 or visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
Christmas Belles
Onstage Atlanta Theater
Experience a Christmas show like never before. Christmas Belles tells the tale of three bickering sisters in a church Christmas pageant. The tale is even complete with sheep, an Elvis impersonator, family secrets and more!
The event takes place Dec. 4-20. For more information, call (404) 897-1802 or visit www.onstageatlanta.com.
WinterFest
Valdosta
Bring the family for a fun-filled day, featuring arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, and of course, a visit from Santa Claus.
The event takes place Dec. 5. For more information, visit www.valdostacity.com.
Christmas on the River & Lighted Holiday Parade
Savannah
Come join the fun with arts and crafts, a children’s play area with bouncies and interactive games—the fun comes to a head with the arrival of Ol’ Saint Nick and the Lighted Parade.
The event takes place Dec. 5-6. For more information, visit www.riverstreetsavannah.com.
32nd Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Historic Downtown Alpharetta
Holiday fun for the whole family! Come enjoy the lighting of Alpharetta’s 45-foot Christmas tree, adorned with 10,000 lights, also the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, children’s crafts, trolley rides and more.
The event takes place Dec. 6. For more information, call (678) 297-6078 or visit www.alpharetta.ga.us.
3rd Annual Christmas Tour of Homes
Statham
Take a break this holiday season, and enjoy a day of touring beautiful homes elegantly decorated for the holidays.
The event takes place Dec. 13. For more information, call (770) 725-8100 or visit www.thegeorgiaclub.com.
Holiday Events in Tennessee
Christmas in the Country Arts & Crafts Festival
Dickson
A two-day event, featuring a variety of arts and crafts, refreshments, entertainment and much more.
The event takes place Nov. 7-9. For more information, visit www.dicksoncountychamber.com.
Yule Fest: A 1780s Christmas
Goodlettsville
It's time to bring in the holidays with a 1700s-style celebration! Featuring refreshments, live music and dancing, nighttime entertainment, a Christmas story reading, caroling and more.
The event takes place Dec. 5. For more information, call (615) 859-3678 or visit www.cityofgoodlettsville.org.
Christmas in the Country
Kingsport
At the Exchange Place, enjoy baked goods, arts and crafts, fresh mountain greenery and wreaths. The event wraps up with a traditional Yule Log Ceremony.
The event takes place Dec. 5. For more information, call (423) 288-6071 or visit www.exchangeplace.info.
Victorian Holiday Tours for Children
Murfreesboro
Bring the kids to experience Christmas from yesteryear. With Victorian customs throughout and festive decorations, your visit is sure to be a memorable one.
The event takes place Dec. 7-16. Reservations are required. For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or visit www.oaklandsmuseum.org.
Winter Magic Tunes & Tales
Gatlinburg
On Friday and Saturday nights, get in the holiday spirit along the Parkway! Characters and storytellers will be greeting guests with caroling and live entertainment.
The event takes place Nov. 27-Dec. 20. For more information, call 1-800-568-4748 or visit www.eventsgatlinburg.com.
The Nutcracker “Sweet”
Gatlinburg
The Smoky Mountain Dance Theater Company presents this dazzling performance in the W.L. Mills Auditorium.
The event takes place Nov. 27-28. For more information, call (865) 680-7369 or visit www.eventsgatlinburg.com.
Sandy and Sarah's Famous Peppermint Bark
We’ve shared this special treat each holiday with family and friends. It’s fun to make as a family and even more fun to give!
For a special touch, line gift boxes with festive red cellophane.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 – 11 oz. bag dark chocolate chips
- 1 – 11 oz. bag white chocolate chips
- Several candy canes, crushed
- Parchment paper
Melt dark chocolate chips in a double boiler until smooth. Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Spread out an even layer of melted dark chocolate over the parchment (about 1/8"-1/4" thick). Cool in the freezer for 20 minutes. While cooling, melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler.
Remove the cookie sheet from the freezer (the chocolate should be hardened) and spread a layer of melted white chocolate over the entire piece of dark chocolate. This should be about the same thickness as the dark chocolate. Sprinkle liberally with crushed candy canes. Gently push candy canes into the white chocolate, just enough so they won’t fall off when cool.
Return the cookie sheet to the freezer and let cool for 30 minutes or until hard.
Break the bark into ragged pieces. Place in cookie boxes lined with red cellophane. Keep refrigerated for freshness.
Gifts that create memories needn’t take a tremendous amount of time or money. Smaller children can get away with popsicle-stick photo frames and pipe cleaner ornaments. But great gifts given from and to adults take a bit more planning. Here are ideas for the over-10 crowd.
Themed Baskets
Personalize baskets to suit the recipient. Dollar and discount stores can provide inexpensive baskets and trinkets to match the theme. Themes can include: tea, hot chocolate, coffees, artisan, chef, scrapbooker, gardener, handyman, sports fan, etc. Wrap the whole basket
in cellophane for a professional look.
Photos from Days Past
Look through attics and storerooms to find old photo albums. You’ll be surprised how many memories these old images bring to mind. Have duplicate photos made (or scan and print them yourself) and frame these photos to bring a flood of memories to the recipient. You can go a step further and scan in a number of images and set to music. Easy-to-use software is available today to create your own memory DVDs.
Family Recipe Book
Look through your own cookbooks, contact relatives and ask for their “special” recipe that may have been handed down from generation to generation. Create your own recipe cards on your computer or purchase inexpensive software, then place in a generic recipe book with plenty of blank pages to fill in. Not only is this a wonderful gift, but it documents family recipes for future generations.
Herb Planter Boxes
If you have an amateur chef in the family (and we all do), there’s nothing they probably love more than cooking with fresh herbs. Create an herb planter from a kit found at your local hardware store or pots of herbs with the names hand-painted on the front of each container.
Candy & Cookies
Gift boxes of homemade treats are perfect if you have to exchange gifts with several co-workers or neighbors. White candy boxes can be purchased at an art supply store at a reasonable price in a variety of sizes. Colorful cellophane can be used to line the box and finished with ribbon. Choose a signature treat such as homemade fudge, peppermint bark chocolate chip cookies or peanut brittle—you can also mix and match.
With today’s hectic lifestyle, it’s even more important to bring families together during the holidays to share old—or create new—traditions and memories.