I recently posted about a trip my daughter and I took to Ocean City this winter. This came from my daughter asking for and getting a local trip for Christmas last year. And, it’s the best tradition ever!
My 11-year-old daughter has gotten to an age where she does not want many toys but has not started to care enough about clothes and shoes to ask for a bunch of that for holidays. Because of that, a year ago, she started asking for experiences.
Last Christmas she asked for a trip. Santa provided the hotel and an experience, and I paid for the rest. We did a local visit to a fun area in DC only about 30 minutes away. My daughter and I both love hotels so we did not need to go far to enjoy a night away.
Then came her birthday, and again, she did not have any huge wants, so we went to a concert, and she brought two friends.
So, when Christmas came around this year, she knew exactly what she wanted… another trip. This time she asked for 2 nights so that we could really enjoy without feeling rushed.
I know there may eventually be Lululemon clothes on her list or she may want to upgrade from her from her Kookaburra to full Uggs, but I hope the Christmas trip always happens. In fact, I want to plan something similar with my son before he graduates. The one-on-one time with the kids gets less and less as they get older and I genuinely cherish it. It would be harder for my husband because of his back injury, but I may even try to see if we could make something work around that for him.
I should add that my kids have several grandparents still living. That blesses them with fun and love and stories. It also gives them a chance to ask for an extra gift or two for holidays.
I know this won’t be for everyone, or every stage, but I highly encourage experiences as gifts. It doesn’t have to be a trip, it could be a membership to the aquarium or a sporting event. But, if it works for you, those memories will last forever. Give it a try.
Let me know in the comments if you need some ideas. I would be happy to throw some out.
I am always looking for ideas that will show someone that I appreciate them without busting my own budget. For my daughter that goes to preschool, it can be hard to buy for multiple teachers without breaking the bank. This idea allowed me to give a small token of appreciation to each of the teachers in a creative way.
You could grow your gift by giving them a more expensive gift card or keep it small by giving a $5 gift card so that they can buy themselves a cup of coffee and a donut.
If you hadn't read my previous post, I am a big dork who loves puns. I looked up a few and joined them together to come up with this. I hope it helps you in your search for teacher appreciation ideas.
I'd like to give a big "thank you" to all of the teachers out there who give endless hours and patience to our children, not to mention some of their own financial resources. I wish I could buy them all the moon, but since I can't, I hope gift like this shows them that they are appreciated.
A friend sent me the below scone idea the other day which of course spiraled out of control into a 30 minute search for cute Easter ideas. Please tell me that I am not the only one goes off on these tangents. I am guessing that since Pinterest is so popular, I must be in good company with some one, right? Anywho, here are my favorites from my search. I hope you find something that you like.
I have not posted in a while because my life has been so busy of, well, life! Between holidays, family stuff, winter sports, a sprained ankle and a blizzard, my focus has been elsewhere. However, with valentine's day fast approaching, my son and I started to think about what he could give out.
He has gotten to an age where he is very worried about giving anything out that could be taken the wrong way. He notices girls, but still acts like they have cooties. (By the way, I hope that lasts for a LONG time!)
He does not like anything personal, so with his concerns in mind, here are some ideas that he and I found that seemed fairly safe. I hope one of them works for you
You Rock I think something similar to this will be the winner.
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.
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.
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 Lightsin 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.
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.
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!
