When I think of Christmas time in New England, I think of twinkling lights, snow-covered trees lining the streets, colonial homes with candles in the window, and the smell of fresh-baked cookies. I think of people gathering in the town square, sleigh rides, carolers, and sounds of children laughing. It is a magical time of year and one I would love to share with you. Here are eight amazing things to do in New England at Christmas time.
Nantucket Christmas Stroll
Photo courtesy of Christmas Stroll 
Photo courtesy of Christmas Stroll
What initially began as a way to keep the islanders from escaping to the mainland of Cape Cod to shop, local merchants kept their shops open late the first Friday night of December. Shopkeepers provided hot drinks, wine, and cookies as shoppers perused through the local shops. As the years went on, the event grew and has become an internationally-renowned holiday event.
Nantucket’s Christmas Stroll is held the first weekend in December. Hundreds of decorated trees line the downtown streets while carolers gather to sing Christmas carols. There is cookie decorating, an ugly sweater contest, live entertainment, Santa visits, and more. As mentioned, this is a well-attended event, so reservations for lodging should be made well in advance. For more information, go to Christmas Stroll.
Kennebunk Christmas Prelude
Photo courtesy of Kennebunkport news 
Photo courtesy of Kennebunkport news
Most know of Kennebunkport, Maine, as the summer home of the Bush Family, but did you know for 40 years, it has been home to the annual Christmas Prelude. The town transforms into a winter wonderland. It will remind you of Christmas pasts. This popular event was once featured on HGTV as the number 2 Christmas town in America. It draws people from all around the world.
This year the prelude is December 2nd-December 12th. It includes historic home tours, caroling, shopping, craft fairs, sleigh rides, concerts, food and drink, boat rides, wreath making, trolley rides, and more. This event is so popular; visitors are encouraged to book their lodging for the following year before leaving for home. You can find more information here.
Annual Holiday Inn to Inn Cookie and Candy Tour
We leave the great state of Maine and head to New Hampshire for the 24th annual Holiday Inn to Inn Cookie and Candy Tour. This self-guided tour is December 11th and 12th from 11-3 each day. From Jackson to Eaton, New Hampshire, nine inns are decked out in their holiday best, serving delicious holiday cookies and candies. Go from inn to inn sampling treats, both savory and sweet. Each visitor will receive a recipe card for the treats featured in a holiday cookbook to take home. Stay at one of the nine inns and collect an ornament for your tree. Go to their website for more information and to check availability for this year’s tour.
Zoo Lights
Photo courtesy of Zoo Lights 
Photo courtesy of Zoo Lights
Every year the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA, is transformed by thousands of twinkling lights. Explore the zoo, where you will see foxes, black bears, and even a reindeer or two. Each night, gather around the fire, make some s’mores, take a ride on the carousel, and visit with old St. Nick. On certain nights of the week, be entertained by local singer Renee Lamy or swing by and say hi to Mrs. Claus. Adults can visit Lord Hobo Holiday Beer Garden for drinks, games and get their picture taken with a real working sleigh on Thursday nights.
How does hot cocoa with a reindeer sound? Experience an up-close encounter with a reindeer and enjoy a hot chocolate bar with all the fixings and a photo opp with these magical creatures.
This event runs Nov. 19 – Jan. 9, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Christmas by Candlelight-Old Sturbridge Village
Photo courtesy of Sturbridge Village 
Photo courtesy of Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor living history museum depicting life in rural New England in the 19th century. Starting the first weekend in December, go back time and experience New England holiday traditions with sleigh rides, live entertainment, storytelling, festive foods, a bonfire, and more. Stroll around the village and see firsthand how Christmas was celebrated in the 19th century. Make sure you don’t miss the nightly tree lighting or the fantastic gingerbread house contest. I highly recommend going to visit Mrs. Claus for one of her homemade cookies.
Additional information, including times and ticket prices, can be found here.
Fun Fact: Did you know that in 1659, Christmas was officially banned in Massachusetts? The ban was lifted in 1850, but New Englanders did not celebrate it until it became a federal holiday in 1870.
Christmas at the Newport Mansions
Courtesy of Newport News 
Courtesy of Newport News 
Courtesy of Newport News
What I love about living in New England is one minute you can be celebrating the holidays in 19th-century fashion and the next, touring these beautiful mansions living the life of Jackie Kennedy and the Vanderbilts. Experience the beauty of The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House–three National Historic Landmarks. Here you will find Christmas at its finest. The garland is hung high above the mantles, floor-to-ceiling trees in many of the rooms, along with hundreds of poinsettias lining the staircases. Explore the beautiful dining rooms, where nothing but the best china is laid out for holiday dinners. To purchase tickets or to learn more, go to Christmas at the Newport Mansions.
Holiday Pops
The Boston Pops is part of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and is famously known for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the 4th of July and its Holiday concerts. The holiday season kicks off on December 3rd, with numerous shows throughout the month. I have enjoyed attending a Holiday Pops performance, and it is not to be missed.
Edaville Railroad- Christmas Festival of Lights
Edaville Railroad was THE place to go at Christmas time when I was a kid. I remember heading down to Carver, MA, riding the Edaville railroad to see all the Christmas lights. Forty years later, Edaville is still there and better than ever. Experience magical light displays, stroll through Thomas Land (remember Thomas the Tank Engine?), take a ride to the land of Soder to see the beautiful Christmas lights. Of course, there is plenty of hot cocoa, rides and attractions, and the big man himself, Jolly Old St. Nick. Head over to Edaville’s website for more information.
As you can see, New England has a lot to offer this holiday season. So, if you happen to be in the area, make sure to attend one of these fantastic events. I know I plan to.
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It is the middle of December. Winter is about a week away, and snowy days are upon us. Well, at least for those of us that live in the north! One of my favorite things to do after a long day at work is to snuggle up with a good book and a nice cup of tea. For those of you in the south, this may be a lovely iced tea.
Now, it can’t be just any tea. Over the years, I have developed a taste for loose leaf tea. Loose-leaf teas are more flavorful and overall better quality. Loose leaf tea tends to be larger than the tea in a teabag. The tea in a tea bag is broken down or crushed. Therefore, the essential oils in the tea, which give the tea flavor, is destroyed. The loose leaf tea is allowed to circulate in the boiling water, swells, therefore, giving off a robust flavor.
When my favorite tea shop closed, I had to seek out an alternative. Thankfully, it did not take me long. Last Christmas, my sister introduced me to David’s Tea. David’s Tea started back in 2008 in Toronto, Canada. Today, there are over 230 stores over Canada, and the U.S. David’s Tea has over 100 flavors. This includes traditional teas, exotic infusions from around the world, exclusive blends, pure and flavored matcha, unique blends, and limited edition seasonal collections. David’s also boasts the most extensive selection of organic teas and infusions in North America.
You can buy as little as 2 ounces or as much as 40 ounces of a flavor of tea. The teas come in a container, as shown above, or in a resealable pouch. The smaller tins are magnetic. They stack nicely on top of one another and stay put. As you can see, I have a variety of flavors. Now that the seasons are changing, I will be ordering some seasonable flavors. There is a maple chai I have my eye on. Speaking of flavors, David’s Tea has some fantastic teas for the holidays. I highly recommend their Candy Cane.
It has white chocolate chips, candy snowflakes, and pieces of crushed candy cane. It makes for a delicious after-dinner treat without the guilt.
In addition to teas, Davids sells accessories to go with the tea. There are mugs, travel mugs, rock candy sugars, steepers, ice tea pitchers, infusers, and more. It has everything for your tea needs.
Tell me, are you a tea drinker? What is your favorite flavor? Share below as I am always looking for a new tea to try.
Thanksgiving is in one week, Hanukkah is in 4 and a half weeks, and Christmas is in 5 short weeks. The holiday season is upon us, and while it can be a happy, joyous time, it can also be a stressful time of year. Stress can wreak havoc on our bodies, break down our immune systems, making us more susceptible to illness. Follow these eight simple tips to stay on track and have a happy AND healthy holiday season.
- Stick to your morning routine. The days leading up to the holidays are hectic. In addition to our already busy lives, there is shopping, baking, wrapping, holiday parties, and get-togethers, school events, work functions, and more. Before we know it, it is bedtime, and we don’t know where the day went. Our morning routines play an important part in our day. It sets the tone of the day ahead, allows us to control our schedules and prioritize our time. By keeping our morning routines, we start our day with a positive mindset, and the day seems less daunting.
- DO NOT skip breakfast. Our cars can’t run on empty, and neither can our bodies. Start the day with a hearty, healthy breakfast to stay full longer. I find if I fuel my body correctly, I am more apt to skip the holiday goodies I see throughout the office. Or if I am out shopping, I will not fill up on fast food.
- Do some form of exercise a day. For me, this is usually the first one that falls off my radar during the holiday season. I claim to have no time. Well, guess what, everyone has time for a 10 min walk, 10 mins of strength training, yoga, whatever it is you may like to do. Not only is it good for you, but it gives you more energy to plow through the day. I have committed to 30 mins a day of some form of exercise. Some days are easier than others, but damn does it feel good when I am done.
- Choose your treats well. The average American gains weight between Halloween and New Years. This is not a free for all people! I am not telling you to give up your treats, but choose wisely. Pick the ones that you only have during the holidays. I can have chocolate chip cookies any time of year; however, I have a particular cookie I only make at Christmas time. This will be my treat of choice.
- Pace Yourself. I love a good holiday cocktail or two, but I hate feeling so crappy the next day. To avoid being hungover, make sure to pace yourself throughout the evening. Have a club soda in between drinks. Do not drink on an empty stomach. You will be thankful you did.
- Boost your immune system. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, get enough sleep, and oh, did I mention exercise? It will help keep you going through the craziness of the season.
- Hydrate. Our bodies crave water. It keeps everything flowing throughout the body. It will keep you full in between meals and, as noted above, help avoid that hangover.
- Take time to recharge. Don’t forget to take care of you. Whether it be a mani/pedi or 30 minutes locked away in a room with a good book, take the time. Not only do we need to be physically healthy but healthy mentally as well.
