Favorite Christmas Songs as an Adult

I have always loved Christmas Music. When I was little I can remember my parents playing it during the Christmas season and it brings back so many memories of our family decorating the tree.  As a child I loved songs like The Twelve Days of Christmas, Rudolph and Jingle Bells.  As a teenager, Santa Baby got added in. If you asked me to choose a more traditional, religious song, I would have chosen Silent Night or Away in a Manger.   Now that I have grown up (maybe) and love lyrics and tone more than I did as a child, my tastes have changed.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas songs as an adult. I chose my favorite versions so you may see the same artist twice.  If you see a song or artist that you do not usually listen to, take a listen. Maybe you will find that your tastes have changed, also.  Maybe you will even add a few to your play list.

What are your favorite songs? Have you found that list has changed over time?  

*I added YouTube videos so that you could take a listen. If there was not an official version, I just chose whatever was avilable.  I am not reponsible for the creation of any of these videos.

When the Angels Sang - Reba McIntyre
This song really hit me a couple of years ago.  Like the song, I had gotten caught up in the commercial things and the stress was getting to me. I was headed into the mall when this song came on and like the softy that I am, I cried.

Baby It's Cold Outside  - Idina Menzel and Michael Buble'
I do not know if it is the back and forth or the playfulness in this song, but I just love to sing along to it. Believe it or not, the Glee version is also quite good.

Because It's Christmas - Barry Manilow
I know that Barry Manilow may not seem like an obvious Christmas choice, but his whole album is actually quite good. This song is one of my favorites.

Go Tell It On the Mountain - Garth Brooks
As I have gotten older, I tend to lean more toward the religious songs and the soul in this version just makes me happy.

Ave Maria - Luciano Pavarotti
This is my Dad's favorite as it was his mom's.  Growing up, when we would decorate the tree, at some point, my parents would play this song. When it came on, my dad would sit down and listen to it with his eyes closed. If you looked closely, you would see a tear run down his face.  At the time, I appreciated his love for his parents and his emotion, but not the actual song. Now, I love the song for what it means to my dad, but also for the song itself. If you prefer a different version, Josh Groban and Michael Buble' both have different, but great versions.

Mary Did You Know - Pentatonix
This song. This song.  Sigh. If you let yourself really think about the lyrics, wow!  If you really let yourself imagine what I would have been like for Mary it is overwhelming. The line that talks about kissing the face of God really amazes me.  This version is just beautiful. Reba's is also very good.

Don't Save It All for Christmas Day - Celine Dion
I know Celine is not everyone's favorite, but this is the first version that I heard of this song and I guess it stuck with me. I just love the message in this song.

Thankful - Josh Groban
Perhaps this is more of a Thanksgiving song that Christmas, but I think it sends a great message and is a great way to kick off the holiday season.

The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
Is there any more classic song than this? I guess I just had to grow up a little to appreciate it.

O Holy Night - Josh Groban
This has become my favorite Christmas song. There are so many great versions, but I just love this one.  That being said, I would listen to a whole CD of this song and I also love the versions by Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson (both incredible) and NSYNC (I know, I know but it's actually really good.)

Baby Jesus is Born - Garth Brooks
This song just makes me want to get up and sing and shout and join a gospel choir. If you need to get excited about Christmas, try listening to this.

Winter Fun in Maryland - 2015

Here are some ideas to enjoy the winter and holiday season in Maryland.  All ideas are family friendly and most I have personally enjoyed. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions are from the event websites.
 
 
Gaylord Hotel and ICE 
Marvel at more than 2 million twinkling lights, amazing nightly snowfall and beautiful dancing fountains at Gaylord National’s Christmas on the Potomac. 

ICE Pictures from my
Family's trip a few years ago.

 


The Water show is awesome.

Back this year is ICE! with a new theme featuring Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town! Learn how Santa Claus started giving toys to good girls and boys in the retelling of the classic television special.
 
 
 
 

This was from ICE!
When it had a Grinch theme.
The theme changes each year.

Enjoy a special bonus area – The Frostbite Factory – a LIVE ice carving zone. And, don’t forget about Gingerbread Decorating Corner, The Elf on the Shelf^® Scavenger Hunt and much more to get you in the spirit of the season!

It snows INSIDE!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*Personal Note - The ICE! experience is amazing, but if you do not have it in your budget, just a visit to the Gaylord is beautiful with the water and lights show.   You do not have to stay there to enjoy the show.
 
 
Chesapeake City's Winterfest of Lights

Photo from Chesapeak's Site.

 
The Second Annual Chesapeake City WINTERFEST opens with flourish on Sunday, December 1st with a late afternoon concert of holiday music, singing of Christmas carols, and a flurry of new and exciting holiday happenings. Chesapeake City’s season-long Victorian Christmas celebration takes place on both sides of the C&D Canal with a blizzard of holiday lights and spectacular lighted displays along the north and south waterfronts.


Photo from Chesapeak's Site

Come see the lights. Listen to the carolers. Bring the children to Santa’s Workshop in historic Franklin Hall. See the beautifully decorated homes and porch decorating competition. Listen to holiday music concerts in Pell Gardens. Visit the quaint shops and celebrate the season in world-renowned restaurants while in town. Winter-warming beverages and holiday bites are available at the Canal Creamery, a cozy stop along the waterfront next to Pell Gardens. There is also an outdoor Skating rink open through February.
 
 
 National Harbour
National Harbor is your must see destination for all things holiday:


Photo from the National Harbor
Facebook Page

Whether enjoying the festive lights and a wintry stroll with your family, knocking out all of your holiday shopping in one trip, delighting the kids with a visit from Santa on The Carousel, or indulging a cozy date night with your other half — National Harbor is your holiday headquarters. 

Photo from the National Harbor Site
 

 
 
 

You can also enjoy a trip around the Capital Wheel, a year round  Ferris Wheel giving a bird's eye view of the Capital.

Baltimore's 34th Street 
As per Wikipedia,  in Baltimore, Maryland, Miracle on 34th Street is a display of holiday lights that takes place annually on the 700 block of 34th Street (between Chestnut Avenue and Keswick Road) in Baltimore's Hampden community. The display, which involves the residents of most of the houses on the block, started in 1947, and takes place between late November and early January, celebrating its 69th year this Christmas.^[1] The location at the time of year becomes a major tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world, sometimes drawing more than 1000 visitors on a single evening.

A photo from my visit a few years ago.

*Personal Note - The Parking and the street get crowded, but I think everyone should go at least once. It is amazing that all of these families get so much into the spirit and have done so for decades. The lights are not limited to the outside. Some houses have adorable decorations that you can see from the porches or windows.
 
 
 
 The National Christmas Tree and State Trees
The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony takes place each year on the grounds of the Ellipse, south of the White House. With musical performances, and a message of hope and peace, this event kicks off the annual National Christmas Tree program, which runs until January 1st.

In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas Tree on the grounds of the Ellipse. Every year, we continue that tradition, with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. In 1954, 56 smaller trees were planted around the National Christmas Tree, representing the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia. Each year, these trees are decorated by organizations from every state.

The National Christmas Tree Program continues until January 1st and is free to the public. The trees and their decorations are the main attraction, but the program also includes musical performances, a model train, and Santa’s Workshop. All trees are lit from dusk until 11 pm. Musical performances are performed weeknights between 6 pm and 8:30 pm, and weekends between 4 pm and 8:30 pm. The model train runs from 11 am to 11 pm. Santa and his elves are in the workshop at select times throughout December. More information on these hours can be found here.

*Personal Note - Sometimes it is easy to forget how lucky we are to live so close to the Nation's Capital and connected historical sites and events.  While this may not be as exciting as the zoo for kids, it is a cool event to experience. Also, the drive into and out of DC is beautiful this time of year if you take the right route where you can see our nations monuments lit up.



 Annual Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Park
 

Photo from Watkins' Site

This spectacular holiday drive-through event features more than one million twinkling lights and is sure to leave families dazzling in amazement. Be sure to look for the many new Wizard of Oz lighting dipslays!

Photo from Watkins' Site

*Personal Note - The CASH ONY prices are per vehicle, so get more bang for your buck by going with another family.
 
 
 
 

 


Annmarie Garden In Lights in Solomons Island
Winner of Maryland Life Magazine's Finest Holiday Tradition Award, Annmarie Garden In Lights is a magical tour that takes visitors on a beautiful trip through the glittering woods. As you stroll the protected path, you will be transported to a fantastical place of spectacular lights and amazing "light sculptures." Guests will be surrounded by mythical beasts, wild animals, airplanes, pirates, princesses, circus performers, dinosaurs, and more. Because all the "light sculptures" are made at Annmarie, the designs are one-of-a-kind; nothing in this show is commercially available. It is all made just for visitors to Annmarie Garden In Lights! Enjoy the "Holiday I Spy Game," nightly entertainment, special discount nights, sweet treats, and other fun activities.

Photo from Garden Site.

Start your tour in the Arts Building where you will also find the Ornament Show & Sale, nightly entertainment, exhibits, and the Holiday Cafe. And don't forget to ask for a "Holiday I Spy" program. This year, the "Holiday I Spy" game will feature a green shamrock hidden in each vignette. Try to find all seven shamrocks! Scroll down to see the complete schedule of nightly entertainment and activities.

Christmas Village in Baltimore

The new Baltimorean Holiday tradition!

After a tremendous success of Baltimore's sister market - Christmas Village in Philadelphia, which developed within the 7 years of its existence into one of the world's 10 best Holiday markets - Baltimore got it's own version of a German style Christmas Village in 2013.

In 2015, Baltimore's original German Christmas Market will return to West Shore Park/ Inner Harbor on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. Closing day for the season will be December 27 - the last Sunday of the year, which will give visitors an additional Homecoming Weekend to enjoy! The regular opening hours will be Sun - Thur 11am - 7pm and Fri - Sat 11am - 8pm, with the first three Tuesdays in December (Dec 1, Dec 8, Dec 15) and Christmas Day (Dec 25) being closed days!

 A lot of exciting events and attractions are waiting for our visitors! The well-known and beloved weekend events such as the Opening Ceremony with the Christkind from Nuremberg along with the official Tree Lighting Ceremony and the German American weekend will be back and other new events such as the Homecoming Weekend will be added.

If you want to beat the crowd and enjoy Christmas Village for free, come down to the Inner Harbor on a weekday and enjoy our new Winetasting events, daily Happy Hours, Kids Fridays and daily live performances by locals artists at our stage presented by Condor!

Zoo Lights
Both the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and National Zoo in Washington, D.C. have great light displays and connected activities during Decemeber. 

Photo of the National Zoo from thier website.

Entrance to the national zoo is free, but activities can require paid admission. The Maryland zoo does have an admission fee, but it is reduced in December and may include some events such as Santa Saturdays.





 Outdoor Skating 



Photo from the rink in Glen Burnie
 from thier site.

At various Locations in Maryland, you can find outdoor ice rinks. You can find them in Baltimore, Rockville, Silver Spring, Glen Burnie, Quiet Waters (Annapolis), Solomons Island and Wisp (Garrett County). 









Photo from the rink at Quiet Waters from thier site.

In the past, there has been a rink at the National Harbor, but I am still trying to see if that tradition is continuing this year.



The State of Maryland may not be large, but there is alot of fun in our little state. Get out there and Enjoy it! 

Ten Creative Ways to Give Gift Cards

I am thinking of giving several gift cards for Christmas this year and I am trying to come up with some cute ways to give them. Here are some ideas that I have come up with or found in my online search. Below each idea are some suggestions to help get your creative juices flowing:

1. Pair it with a small gift
If you are giving a gift card to someone who you do not mind spending a little extra on, you can give it with a coordinated or complimentary small gift. 
Retail card -  Pair it with slippers or bubble bath and write something that says, "Have fun shopping then come home and relax."
Home Improvement - Tie it to a small tool or paint brush that connects with the project for which they will use the card.
Beauty Supply - Pair it with a lotion or lip gloss.

2. Be Punny
So, I will be the first to admit that I like puns a little more than the average person. However, even with that in mind, I think most people appreciate a little corny humor now and then.
Coffee - Add a note that that says, "Thanks a latte for all that you do. I hope you have a Merry Christmas" or, "I love you a latte, Happy Birthday."
Anything - Put it in a mason Jar and write, "You are Ah-Mason! Have a Happy Holiday."
Target - Say, "Our friendship is right on Target."
Amazon - "I think you are AMAZing"

3. Be Ornamental
You can always pretty up a gift card by just putting it in an envelope and tying it to an ornament. Not only do you give a cute gift, but the receiver will have a little reminder of you as they decorate each year. You can coordinate the ornament with the card, but you do not have to.

4. Wrap It
I know that some think a gift card is a great way to get out of wrapping, but if you are someone who really likes to present your gifts in a cute way, wrapping it may be the way to go.  You can just find a small box to place it in. If you really want to have fun with the recipient, you can put it in a box, inside a box, inside a box.

5. Frame It
You do not have to buy anything fancy, it can just be a cheap dollar store frame and use a marker to write on the glass. You could just write Merry Christmas or Happy Birthday or you could be more creative and write something like, "Break Glass in Case of Emergency."
 
6. Luggage Tag
If you find a large enough luggage tag, you can just slip the gift card in. This could be especially cute if you are giving a hotel or travel related gift card. 

7. Get Crafty (or Get Etsy)
There are tutorials about how to make adorable envelopes and holders online, but for those who are less crafty, Etsy has some as well.  It might feel silly to pay for shipping for one holder, but if you are someone who gives gift cards often, it may be worth it to order  or make several and have them ready.

8. Put it a Bag
If you are looking for something that will look nice but it is simple, just grab a small gift bag. If you do this, I suggest that you tape the card to the side or bottom of the bag so that it does not get lost when the receiver pulls out the tissue paper. If you want to add a little creativity you can get a solid bag and decorate it. This can be especially cute if the gift is from kids who can add their own creativity.


9. Add a Snack
Who doesn't love snacks? I mean, really. You could try to add something cute that is related or that you can add with a pun. (I told you that I love puns.)
Spa - Add it to a kit-kat and write, "Give yourself a break and enjoy the spa."
The Movies - Add it to a bag of popcorn or typical movie candy

10. Be Simple
Pretty and meaningful does not have to mean a huge amount of effort. You can always just put your gift card inside a meaningful card or write a nice message in a blank card.