I know how upset everyone is with the gas points deals and so I thought it might be fun to talk about something else. So here goes.

Living in VA there is alot to do for the holiday season and PA is not all that far away (thinking road trip) ! I thought it would be great to have a thread with things/locations/events that people might like to do, or have gone to, and that you might recommend or have "behind the scences information about".

Here is one thing I have not done but am thinking about doing:
Event Details - Events & Exhibits - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

It's the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden of Lights - In Richmond VA - They display more than 1/2 million Xmas lights with this yrs theme being East Meets West.

I was wondering if any of our Richmond Shoppers could give me some pointers ? I plan on doing this on a NON weekend evening as I will be taking my 85 yr old Mom. I also see online that sometimes there are cpns - so if anyone has any suggestions I would love it. (or cpns to share -lol)

In the mean time - I hope some other people will help me lengthen this thread and suggest some holiday hot spots !

We always go to see holiday toy train displays. The boys love them and could look at them for hours. Heck, I even like them now. There are 4 we go to every year and a few others we have visited a couple times. My favorite is the one at the Shops at Kenilworth in Towson MD. It has Ravens stuff and is always packed with little boys with their faces pressed up against the display. There is just something about boys and trains.

We don't do much else because there used to be no time with me working retail during the Xmas season and last year I was unemployed with no money. Maybe this year we can finally make it to see the lights in Hershey. One of our county parks has a huge walk through display too.

~T~ Mama to DS 11 and DS 7




http://savingtoat.blogspot.com

I am not aware of too much in my area. When the kids were little, we always took them to see the lights at Lakemont Park. We'll probably go with my grandson this year. In the grand scheme of things, this is rather small, but it's about all we have.

Holiday Lights on the Lake | Altoona, PA

Great idea for a Thread!

Sunshynet
Has your family ever been to the Choo Choo Barn in Strasburg, PA? On Fridays, in December, they hold a canned food drive. Free admission for every canned good you bring.

Our family goes to Strasburg, PA evry year to see the minature train display. After, we take a short journey over to Kitchen Kettle Village. Where we sample fudge, jams, and jellies. They have fun programs on Fridays, and Saturdays. Most of them FREE.

We've been to the Choo Choo Barn numerous times when the boys were younger. I didn't know about the free admission. We might have to check that out! Thanks.

I have rode Thomas at least 6 times, including once not in Strasburg...We like the Toy Train Museum there too. The best railroad museum though is the B&O in Baltimore, except the train ride stinks.

The library in Glen Rock has a big toy train display too in December, and it's free. You can make a donation and they sell snacks. They have a scavenger hunt list to find things in the displays. Keeps the boys entertained for a long time lol

~T~ Mama to DS 11 and DS 7




http://savingtoat.blogspot.com

We love Christmas Town at Busch Gardens!

Um it is wrestling season at my house -- no time for the holidays!












Seriously, though, most of our holiday stuff happens right here in our home. We do lots of crafts and my daughter is knitting reindeer (she is making about 15 of them!) and we sometimes bake (I am discouraging that this year because I don't need the temptation). We usually make a gingerbread house. Then the rest is just about visiting and spending time with friends and family.

There is always Christmas Village located in Bernville, Pa

Welcome to Koziar's Christmas Village

This is a walk through christmas lights village. Small fee to get in but fun for the family.


There is also Hershey's candylane @ hershey park!

Missy, I didnt realize there was "wrestling blood" in your family!!! Thats what our family does this time of year too!! Our nephew went to states his JR and SR year in HS, and now he is wrestling for East Stroudsburg University this year!! Not to mention, DH and I run a business, organizing and running wrestling tournaments all over PA, WV, and NJ!!

Ok sorry for going off topic.....what we do over the holidays...................ummmm...we dont have any "traditions", but we like to go to Sweet Lights in Hershey if we get the chance and we also just love driving around our local towns looking at the houses all lit up.

My boys wrestle and my husband wrestled in school. Nathan my 13 year old just took 1st place in a local tournament. So proud of him.

But that is pretty cool about your business. We do have one tournament in PA and I can't remember where it is at the moment. But it is with the Mason Dixon League (youth wrestling).