It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we move toward the celebration of Christmas, there are so many treats in store. I am looking forward to the Solstice, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And Hanukkah is going on all week, as well!
Wow, Can You Believe It’s Almost Christmas?!?
Only six more days until Christmas!- Today is Holly Day. What a good day to put a wreath on your door!
- Here’s an idea: drive around your neighborhood at night and look at the lights with Christmas music on the radio on Tuesday, December 20 – Go Caroling Day.
- Do you love to bake? Bake cookies and share them with neighbors or coworkers on Thursday, December 22 – Christmas Cookie Exchange Day.
- I love Christmas movies!! Snuggle up and watch your favorite movies this Friday, December 23 – Christmas Movie Marathon Day.
- Temperatures will turn bitterly cold later this week. It’s a good idea to fill your gas tank and put a winter emergency kit in your car before Thursday.
- See the Waterskiing Santa and his elves on Saturday, December 24 at 1 pm at the Alexandria Waterfront.
- Watch the NORAD Santa tracker online on Christmas Eve. Updates on Facebook and Twitter, too, if you follow them!
Get Well Wishes
My mom was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia last night. I would be so grateful if you would say a prayer for her or send good wishes for her recovery. Thank you! ♡
Mom making her purchases at The Christmas Mouse
As you have doubtless heard on the news, there are many children and adults who are now ill with the flu, RSV or Covid (some have all three). Virginia’s flu rates are very high right now. Please take care of yourselves, consider taking recommended precautions, and let’s all say a prayer (or send good wishes for recovery) for those who may not be feeling well this week.
In the Shopping Cart
Early this week would be a good time to stock up on necessities because it’s going to get pretty cold later this week. Don’t forget cocoa and marshmallows!
Winter Candy Apple soap and bath products. If you want to feel extra Christmasy, I have a scent for you. The scent of the week is Winter Candy Apple, and like a holly berry, it comes in packaging that is red, red, red. It smells delicious! I bought this to put in my son’s stocking.
Lactaid Brand Egg Nog. Christmas Eve is Eggnog Day! I love egg nog but it upset my tummy. Now I drink the Lactaid brand with zero problems. I mix it with lactose-free milk because the nog is very rich and sweet and top it with nutmeg. Try putting a little in pancake mix, cookie batter or coffee.
Hershsey’s Caramel Syrup. Did you know that December 25 is also Pumpkin Pie Day? I figured out a trick to make store-bought pie taste amazing. After you put on the whipped cream, lightly drizzle the pie with Hershey’s Caramel Syrup. This adds very few calories and it does something magical to the flavors, balancing and blending them to be even more delicious!
Observing the Solstice
As the longest night of the year is upon us on December 21st, the moon will be a whisper of a crescent in the sky. Ancient pagan peoples observed this day as a solar festival. They burned great fires — these became Yule logs.
We owe so many of our modern Christmas traditions to ancient pagan celebrations so why not acknowledge these traditions tonight?
Tonight would be an excellent night to enjoy a yule log cake or “buche de Noel,” light candles, and relax by an real or video fire. Learn how to make a Yule Log
Blue Christmas
December 21st is also the annual observance of Blue Christmas. Life is not perfect and many people become sad or depressed around the holidays. Blue Christmas is a day set aside acknowledge these feelings and to grieve and honor our departed loved ones. It can also be a time to grieve losses of any kind, such as ended relationships or jobs, perhaps, so you can move on to brighter opportunities in the New Year.
Tonight, light a blue or white candle to remember anyone you lost this year, or any person for whom you continue to mourn.
I will be lighting a candle for my Aunt Bev, who died this year from Covid, and my former brother-in- law, Doug, who passed this year after a long struggle with cancer. Rest in peace, Doug and Aunt Bev.
Read more about celebrating a Blue Christmas.
Make Reservations Now for Christmas Eve Feasts!
Several area Italian restaurants in DC and Northern Virginia are offering a traditional Italian-American “Feast of Seven Fishes” on Christmas Eve, including Piero’s Corner in Herndon. For an unforgettable dining experience, make your reservations now!
Reserve your Christmas Eve feast at Wellington’s Restaurant found at the 4 star Westfield’s Marriott in Chantilly — offering a lavish dinner of Caesar Salad, soup, Prime Rib and choice of dessert on Christmas Eve for $39 per person. Call (703) 818-0300 for reservations.
Events This Week!
Monday, December 19
- “Frosty” Live musical theater production for families. 4 pm – 5:30 pm. McLean Community Center’s Alden Theatre. 1234 Ingleside. McLean, VA. Tickets $10.
Saturday, December 24. Christmas Eve
- Carolers with 42nd Street Singers. 11 am – 2 pm. Fairfax Corner (shopping center). 4100 Monument Corner Drive. Fairfax, VA. Last minute shoppers can get free gift wrapping with purchase from 11 am – 2 pm and free cocoa while waiting.
- Water-skiing Santa and company…Alexandria Waterfront – 1 pm, with meet and greet by the waterfront Christmas tree. Masks are requested to be worn. Expect the Grinch!
- 11:30 pm: Christmas Eve Mass (with the Pope) – NBC (also broadcast live online on YouTube)
Sunday, December 25 Merry Christmas!
- Have fun but stay warm! Temperatures may be frigid. These attractions are open all this week and on Christmas Day…
- Meadowlark Garden Winter Walk of Lights is open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Vienna.
- Bull Run Festival of Lights (drive-through) is open 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville.
- Ice and Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run. Alexandria, VA. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Admission to village is $10. Skating and admission is $22 and tickets must be purchased online in advance. 55×80’ Real Ice Rink, 20’ Walk thru Tree, 100’ RGB Lighted Tunnel, lit trees and winter displays, Fire Pits, Heated Igloos, Wreath Photo Op, Bling & Things Retail Shop, Slice & Ice- Pizza, donuts & more.
- Skating at Reston Town Center, Pentagon Row and indoor ice rinks.
Cool Yule 
[…] Blue Christmas before in this blog, a practice that is observed today on December 21st. On Monday, I mentioned that I would be lighting a blue candle and fondly remembering my aunt and former brother in law, […]