Hey, how are you? I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was great!
And now we are really in the holidays! I think this is one of the most difficult weeks to plan because there are so many events!
Decisions, decisions. So, let’s look at what is going on this week…
Happening Now…
Today is the Church Street Holiday Stroll with Santa Claus at the Freeman Store and Museum, 131 Church St. NE, Vienna, VA at 6 pm. Local merchants may also be participating but this is the center of the celebration. I know not all my readers are local, but for those who are, you may want to check out this special event. I particularly like the Freeman Store for its unique products and old fashioned stick candy, which make great stocking-stuffers and gifts. Hopefully, it will be open because it is not usually open on Mondays.
The National Christmas Tree will be lit on Wednesday, November 30 and will be available for the public to view on December 1st, as will the Capitol Tree, in downtown Washington, DC.
In the Shopping Cart
- If you are looking for Advent calendars, this would be a good time to buy them, as the first of December rolls around. If you are looking for the kind you can fill yourself, I like these cardstock boxes which I bought on Amazon.
- Adorable elf-themed postage stamps are available at the post office for Christmas greeting cards. I bought a bunch of individual cards at Dollar Tree (2/$1).
- You can find the traditional pink and purple Advent taper candles at Hallmark Gold Crown stores, while supplies last, or use candles of your choice.
- My favorite packaged seasonal treat is German gingerbread (lebkuchen), which I buy from The German Gourmet in Falls Church, VA. The German Gourmet also has paper Advent calendars you can reuse year after year.
- Pomegranates are in season and are rich in Vitamin C.
- There is a nation-wide shortage of champagne this year. My Safeway was sold out of all premium brands (Mumms Cordon Rouge, Perrier-Jouet, Veuve Cliquot, etc). If you would like to purchase special bottle ($50 or more) for holiday entertaining or gifting, start hunting now! Or try a less expensive Cava or sparkling apple cider.
A young William browsing for gifts
Giving Tuesday
Be a holiday angel and make a donation to your favorite nonprofit organization this week on Giving Tuesday!
- Did you notice that the Salvation Army kettles now have an apparatus that allows you to use your cell phone to make a donation? Pretty cool!
- USPS Operation Santa toy donations has begun and they are asking for the public’s support. Visit the website to learn how you can brighten the holidays for a child. Donate a toy or gift.
- You can drop off a toy for Toys for Tots at any firehouse in Fairfax County, as well as at many supporting businesses. Or make a cash donation of any amount online.
- This is the last week you can mail in cards to be sent to deployed troops around the world. Check out my post tomorrow for more details on that.
- Here are some more worthy organizations deserving of your support.
Plan Your Weekend
If the weather is good, I recomend the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights at the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria at 5:30 pm Saturday. That’s really special!
I will be at the Fairfax Railroad Museum with William on Sunday to check out their holiday display of model trains. Here are some more events to consider…
Friday, December 2
- Holiday and Gift Book Sale. Burke Centre Library, Burke, VA. 10 am – 6 pm.
- Fairfax City Holiday Market (outdoors). 5 pm – 8 pm. Vendors, live music and food for sale. Old Town Square, 10415 North St. Fairfax, VA.
- Celebration Station at Burke Lake Park. 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA. Evening attraction: see holiday lights, ride the Holiday Express train and Caroler’s Carousel. 6 pm to 9 pm. $10. Register online.
- Dinner and a Movie with the Grinch. Get a headstart on your holiday shopping while your children 4 to 9 years old gather for pizza, Grinch-themed games, stories and a movie. Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 7 pm – 10 pm.
Saturday, December 3 Make a Gift Day
- 76th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. 10 a.m. – Noon. 9301 Center Street, Manassas, VA.
- Scottish Christmas Walk (Parade) in Old Town Alexandria. This one has lots of bagpipes!
- Holiday and Gift Book Sale. Burke Centre Library, Burke, VA. 10 am – 6 pm.
- Holiday Model Train Show. Fairfax Railroad Museum. 10 am – 5 pm.
- Gifts from the HeART shopping event featuring original artwork and one-of-a-kind items. 10% of the proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organization, Cornerstones. 10 am – 3 pm. Lake Anne Reston Community Center. Reston, VA. Free, all ages. Free parking.
- Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park. 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA. Daytime attraction: ride the Holiday Express Train and Caroler’s Carousel, play Gingerbread Man’s Mini Golf, visit with Santa, hot chocolate and more. 11 am – 5 pm. $15 advance; $20 walk-up. Register online.
- Holiday Musical Performances at Reston Town Center Park. 11:30 am – 4:30 pm. Reston Town Center, Reston, VA (outdoors). Free, all ages.
- Fairfax Festival of Lights and Carols (outdoor music and refreshments). 12 noon – 6 PM. Caroling at 5 pm. Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Old Town Square, 10415 North Street, Fairfax, VA.
- Fairfax City Holiday Market (outdoors). 12 pm – 6 pm. Vendors, live music and food for sale. Old Town Square, 10415 North St. Fairfax, VA.
- S’mores Station on the Plaza at Fairfax Corner 1 pm – 4 pm. Gather around firepits and make s’mores; free fixings provided.
- The Wonder of the Season performance of holiday favorites by the Reston Chorale, Center Stage, Hunters Woods Reston Community Center, 4 pm and 7 pm. $25, $20 Seniors, free for military and 17 years and younger with a ticketed adult.
- One Loudoun Holiday Tree Lighting. 4 pm. Ice sculptures and live entertainment.
- Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Potomac River Waterfront, Old Town Alexandria. 5:30 p.m.
- Del Ray Holiday annual tree lighting, Menorah lighting and Christmas carols. 6 pm. Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues, Alexandria, VA.
- Celebration Station at Burke Lake Park. 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA. Evening attraction: see holiday lights, ride the Holiday Express train and Caroler’s Carousel. 6 pm to 9 pm. $10. Register online.
Sunday, December 4 2nd Day of Advent. Nat. Cookie Day. Nat. Ice Skating Day
- Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park. 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA. Daytime attraction: ride the Holiday Express Train and Caroler’s Carousel, play Gingerbread Man’s Mini Golf, visit with Santa, hot chocolate and more. 11 am – 5 pm. $15 advance; $20 walk-up. Register online.
- Photos with Santa 11 am – 2pm. Old Town Square, 10414 North Street, Fairfax City, VA (kids and families).
- Holiday Musical Performances at Reston Town Center Park. 11:30 am – 4:30 pm. Reston Town Center, Reston, VA (outdoors). Free, all ages.
- Holiday Model Train Show. Fairfax Railroad Museum. Noon – 4 pm.
- Fairfax City Holiday Market (outdoors). 12 pm – 5 pm. Vendors, live music and food for sale. Old Town Square, 10415 North St. Fairfax, VA.
- DIY Holiday bows. Drop in to learn to make bows for wreaths and gifts. 2 pm – 4 pm. Pohick Regional Library. 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, VA. Free for adults and teens.
- Great Falls Celebration of Lights 3 pm – 6 pm. Annual tree lighting, petting zoo, hot chocolate and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Great Falls Village Field, Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA.
The Second Sunday of Advent
On the evening of December 4, I hope you can carve out some time for yourself and quiet contemplation. The 2nd Candle of Advent represents love. I will be publishing some thoughts on the story of Joseph in the blog that day.
Cool Yule 
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