Christmas comes but once a year but boy does it announce itself. These days store start putting up their Christmas items in October and “All I Want For Christmas” seems to magically start playing at exactly 12:01 AM November 1st. Somehow, though, every year the holiday sneaks up on you and it gets filled up with so many things as time runs away. Before you know it, it’s two days till Christmas, you still have shopping to do, and you haven’t done anything “special” with you family. So, here’s some ideas to make lasting memories.
Christmas Markets (Christkindl Markets)
A European tradition that goes back centuries and is becoming popular in the US, Christmas markets are a staple for many people’s holiday. If you go to a larger city near you, though, it’s likely you’ll find one. A simple Google search for Christmas markets around a number of large cities revealed that almost every city seems to have one. Some are certainly larger than others and some are more established, but this is a great way to spend an evening. Getting chilled by the cold winter air, warmed by fire, and drinking warm wine or hot chocolate is basically my ideal evening.
Christmas markets are a perfect idea for Christmas family activities.
Concerts
Christmas concerts are such a staple of the holiday that entire bands exist to do nothing but that. If you’ve never done a Christmas concert, I truly recommend it, they are a blast! They are also plentiful. Here are some things to look for around you:
- Check out the local college or university hosting a concert with their music program.
- If you live near a city with its own philharmonic or symphony orchestra, without a doubt they will host a Christmas concert.
- Touring bands, like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra or Mannheim Steamroller are legendary for their Holiday concert series. Look up their tour dates and see if one comes near you.
Light Displays
Obviously, Christmas lights are one of the defining characteristics of the season. For many years now, public spaces like zoos and botanical gardens have been hosting illumination events that last the month of December. These events are all over the place and often get missed by people because they just didn’t see the flyer. These are often a fun evening of walking paths and some hot chocolate as you take in lighting display that would leave Clark Griswald feeling inadequate.
Don’t overcomplicate it – even taking a walk down the street makes for perfect Christmas Family Activities
Theater
Your first thought here is probably for the movies, which is certainly an option, but that’s not what I was referring to. What I mean is going to see a live performance of something like A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, or any of the countless Christmas themed plays that pop up every year all over the place. When I was a kid, my dad took my brother and I to see both The Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker (they were different years, to be clear). I still remember those evenings nearly thirty years later.
Ouch. I just wrote that sentence…
Regardless, I remember them, with great fondness and love. What I don’t remember much is going to see a movie near Christmas, which we also did. There’s nothing quite like a live performance to really capture your imagination and create a memory that lasts.
