Comments on: The 2023 Holiday Fun List https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/ Writer, Author, Speaker Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:06:20 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Beth https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485922 Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:06:20 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485922 Have you ever been to the holiday train show at the New York Botanical Garden? I love all the NY landmarks made out of natural materials.

]]> By: Louise https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485726 Sat, 18 Nov 2023 18:12:01 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485726 I always enjoy the Fun Lists – Laura’s and others! Mine includes:
*visit the Gingerbread Lane display at a downtown hotel. The elaborate scenes are created by professional and amateur bakers, including family groups and schools. Donations go to a charity.
*attend a holiday-themed “Opera Tea” at a local university with my sister. Not sure what to expect from the music but the student opera company has a very good reputation.
*visit free outdoor Christmas light displays. There are a couple of wonderful commercial displays but you have to book in advance and we live in a rainy city…
*immerse myself in the Jacqui Lawson online Advent Calendar. Addictive fun for every day December 1-25.

]]> By: Saturday Seven 312: Lifestyle & More for Quilters - A Quilting Life https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485700 Sat, 18 Nov 2023 11:01:02 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485700 […] you have a Holiday Fun List? I love reading Laura’s seasonal lists and using them as a starting point for my own holiday […]

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485611 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 13:13:39 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485611 In reply to Laura C.

@Laura C – I love playing Christmas songs! It gives me an extra nudge to play the piano this time of year.

]]> By: Laura C https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485563 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 01:02:01 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485563 You inspired me to buy a book of kids piano Christmas songs. Maybe this will help me stick with it!

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485488 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 02:24:43 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485488 In reply to BethC..

@BethC- great list! I hadn’t even considered the Messiah concert concept…maybe I should. And I love the idea of wandering Trader Joe’s just to see what treats are there. Browsing in general can be fun!

]]> By: BethC. https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485483 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 01:32:13 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485483 We just wrapped up my son and daughter-in-law’s Covid-delayed wedding celebration, so I haven’t had time to focus much on the holidays. Here is what I have come up with so far:

1. Spend time with friends and family. I have 3 different events with friends that people have scheduled, plus a family celebration for my husband’s milestone birthday. It should provide a nice amount of good cheer without being overwhelming.
2. Take a quick trip to Quebec City with my adult daughter. I don’t usually like to do vacation stuff in December, but my daughter really wants to head up there for a long weekend and check out any Christmas markets that they have. Trips with adult kids don’t happen all that often, so I’m going for it. It is a quick flight from our area, and if it is freezing cold, at least I know that there will be maple lattes to warm us up…..
3. Head to Barnes and Noble and scoop up an assortment of holiday-themed magazines. This is a long-standing tradition for me-I will bring most home, but will grab a warm drink and peruse one while there. It seems to me that the number of holiday-themed magazines has dwindled-I remember that McCall’s and Ladies Home Journal had good holiday issues back in the day.
4. Spend an afternoon at home curled up with said Christmas magazines,
5. Take some time to wander aimlessly around a few of our local shopping centers to soak up the decor,
6. Visit Trader Joe’s and Aldi to see what holiday treats they have. I became a huge fan of Trader Joe’s chocolate drizzled kettle corn a few years back, but then it disappeared. The following year, my wanderings led me to discover that the popcorn had migrated over to Aldi. I already have purchased a bag this week…
7. Order photo holiday cards-we have a great family picture from the wedding mentioned up above. I haven’t done this since we took a great picture of us in our Christmas pajamas a few years back.
8. See if I can find a local Messiah concert.
9. Try to see the holiday trains at the Morris Arboretum in the Philadelphia area. This has been on my list for years, but it is a bit out of the way for us.
10. Try not to stress out about the fact that I haven’t given any thought to gift ideas as of yet-and since I try to do a lot of my shopping from the comfort of my couch on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I really need to get started…..

]]> By: BethC. https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485355 Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:56:11 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485355 In reply to Barb.

What a great NYC whirlwind trip! You mad ethe most of your time.

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485283 Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:00:23 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485283 In reply to Barb.

@Barb – so fun! The Rockettes trip will be quick as we have lots of people with us, but the earlier December trip will be a little more leisurely. The city can be really lovely at Christmas so I am looking forward to it.

]]> By: Barb https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/11/the-2023-holiday-fun-list/#comment-485282 Mon, 13 Nov 2023 14:04:00 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19357#comment-485282 Several years ago, I tagged along with my husband on a trip to NYC. My first time there. I spent the morning at the Met museum doing a docent tour and wandering (and it turned out my neighbor from here in the Midwest was there at the same time, we just didn’t know!). Then I dashed through and alongside Central Park up to Radio City Music Hall. The Christmas Spectacular is, indeed, spectacular. I’d always wanted to see it, and I’m glad I saw it THERE as opposed to an arena setting here. Classic. Finished at the MoMA where my husband met me. The next day we did his quick tour of the sights, his Buddy the Elf Tour: skating rink, Empire State Building, Macy’s. We had a cup of coffee (not the world’s best but not lousy either) and passed on the pizza. Stopped by the big Christmas tree where they were rehearsing for that night’s lighting show! It was a magical two days of dreams fulfilled. And I have a Rockettes Christmas ornament to remember it by.

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