Christmas in the Miami Valley

26 Days Till Christmas!

2008-12-01T16:17:00.000-05:00

Oh my, it's been a busy few days! Wednesday was the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It was incredible. The stage was magnificent, the costumes were gorgeous, and all the performers were fantastic, especially the Rockettes. The show started off with the Rockettes dressed as reindeer and Santa preparing to fly from the North Pole to Dayton just for the show! The rest of the show was one great act after another- the Rockettes in a 12 Days of Christmas tap number, a very special Nutcraker featuring a teddy bear Sugar Plum Fairy who really loved the spotlight, the classic toy solidier number with incredibly precise lines and formations. Every scene was more wonderful than the last. The Rockettes even brought New York City to the Nutter Center, and Santa explained to some doubtful children how he manages to be so many places at once. There was ice skating, flying, camels, special effects, snow, and the best damn kickline in the whole world. It was, in every sense of the word, spectacular.

Thanksgiving was great, but Friday was absolutely crazy. The day started at 4 AM when we were off to the mall. The crowds weren't too bad, but we quickly realized that some deals were better than others.

Nevertheless, we got a ton of shopping done and found some gems along the way- like my brother in this hat, for instance:
Then it was home for some breakfast and a nap. For dinner on the day after Thanksgiving, we always go to Spaghetti Warehouse, and it was delicious as usual.

After dinner, it was on to the Dayton Holiday Festival! First we headed over to the Schuster Center to see the Rike's window displays.

Inside it was super crowded, but I still managed to get some decent pictures of the beautiful windows.

After we saw all the windows, it was back out into the cold.

And we were just in time for the countdown to the Grand Illumination. The mayor was introduced.
And so were the couple who donated the beautiful tree.

The Schuster Center Choir sang for a couple of minutes.

And then it was time for the Grand Illumination!

After the tree lighting, there was the very fun Hollylights on the Square show.

And finally, the new and improved Dayton Children's Parade. As this post is already extremely long, I'll recreate the parade with pictures in the next couple of days. All in all, it was a wonderful time and a fantastic start to the holiday season! Leave a comment if you did anything fun to kickoff Christmas time!

28 Days Till Christmas!

2008-11-26T11:28:00.003-05:00

And only 1 till Thanksgiving! Between all the cooking and cleaning today, my mom and I are going to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular! I am so excited about this; you can expect a full report on the show in the coming days.

There are several things that always go into making Thanksgiving wonderful at my house. First among them is family and friends, of course. But also very important are the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (starting at 9 AM), the unparalleled goodness that is Mehaffie's Pies, and the annual Cowboy's game.

Thanksgiving is also the perfect day to strategize for Black Friday. Having a solid game plan before venturing out into the chaos is a must. Check all the ads in the Thanksgiving day paper and compare them to the list of gifts you plan on giving this year. Know when each store opens and which items you will purchase at each store. Plan your route based on which items are most likely to sell out quickly, and consider taking some sort of shopping bag with you if you'll be buying lots of items at every store; getting a cart can be nearly impossible. Finally, take all the ads with you so you know exactly what you're looking for. Last year, my mom and I intended to buy a remote control helicopter for my cousin that we saw in the Kohl's ad for $15. By the time we finally reached the toy section in the back of the store, everything was a mess and all the helicopters had already been claimed. But then I spotted one stuck on a shelf with other toys, and we thought it was our lucky day. We got in line pleased with our success, only to be informed by the sympathetic woman next to us that the $15 helicopters had already sold out, and the model we were holding actually cost $50! So tricky! Clearly, such a mishap could have been prevented with a quick check against the ad.

To start your planning early, BlackFriday.info and Black Friday Ads have tons of leaked ads posted and even highlight the best deals they find, so it's easy to get the best prices on everything you need. Also, if you prefer your shopping with a little more Christmas cheer and a little less cutthroat competition, DDN has compiled an exhaustive list of holiday bazaars.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

It's good to be back!

2008-11-22T19:33:00.004-05:00

I'm finally back home in Dayton for the week of Thanksgiving, and Christmas is already in full force here! Pretty much the first thing I did when I got home yesterday was head to the Greene for their tree lighting and Christmas kickoff. It was so much fun! The Rhythm in Shoes performance was great and the lights all around were beautiful. Their Christmas parade was a little short, but hey, they're still building up this event every year. The Beavercreek marching band sounded awesome, per usual (shoutout to my cousin, Matthew, on trumpet!). After the parade, it was time for the lighting of the 50 ft. Christmas tree. There was the usual countdown to the lighting, but as a special surprise fireworks were launched when the tree was lit! To be honest, I don't think I even turned to look at the newly-lit tree until the fireworks ended. All in all, it was a very merry time. I'll have pictures up soon, but as a preview, here's one of the tree before it was lit:

In other Christmas news, Cinema De Lux at the Greene will be showing free Christmas movies starting November 29th. All that is required is that you bring a non-perishable food item to donate. The movie schedule is as follows, with all the movies being shown at 10:00 AM.
November 29th- It's a Wonderful Life
December 6th- Home Alone
December 13th- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (I assume this is the Jim Carrey version)
December 20th- White Christmas

The ice rink at Riverscape downtown opens November 29th. The full schedule of when the rink will be open can be found here. On Friday evenings and Saturdays, it costs $5 to skate and on Sundays it costs $3. These prices include skate rental. Other nights of the week it's free to skate and skate rentals cost $3. There are even various lessons on Sundays that cost just another $3 in addition to the $3 price to skate. Additionally, they will have many special skating events throughout the season. Every Saturday starting November 29th and all through December from 7-10 PM there will be a Starlight Skate with laser and music shows at 6:55 PM and 8:30 PM. Admission including skate rental is $5. Also, on December 21st from 1-3 PM you can skate with some of Santa's elves; it's free to meet the elves, but admission to the rink including skate rental is $3.

The Human Race Theatre Company will be performing A Christmas Carol this year. The complete performance schedule can be found here. All performances will be at the Loft Theatre and tickets range from $33 to $40, depending on which day you go. Buy your tickets here.

As always, all these events have also been added to the Christmas Events Calendar. For any given day, you can head over there and find loads of great things to do!

You better not pout...

2008-11-18T10:39:00.009-05:00

That's right, Santa Claus is comin' to town. Matter of fact, he's already here! Santa arrived at the Dayton Mall Saturday and will be there 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 12 PM to 5 PM on Sundays. Santa will also be at the Mall at Fairfield Commons starting at 5 PM on November 23rd and be there regularly from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 12 PM to 5 PM on Sundays. He'll also be at The Greene starting this Friday at 6 PM and will be there 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 8 PM on Saturdays, and 12 PM to 6 PM on Sundays. Pets can even visit with Santa at the Greene from 6 PM to 8 PM on November 30th and December 7th. Santa must really love Dayton to hang out here so much. What a guy!

TubaChristmas will be happening in Dayton again this year. As the name suggests the event brings together tuba and euphonium players to play Christmas music all around the world. The event in Dayton will be happening Friday December 19th at 7:30 PM at the Masonic Temple. If you can play the tuba and would like to participate, registration will be happening the same day starting at 4 PM and rehersal starts at 5 PM. From what I understand, there is a $5 registration fee and you'll also have to buy your own copy of the music. Full information including who to contact with questions can be found here. This sounds like a lot of fun, and I'm excited to hear a tuba take on Christmas. Thanks to Keith for the info!

I talked a little about the lights Clifton Mill last time. Another great display is Woodland Lights in Washington Township close to the Dayton Mall. Every night starting December 5th through December 30th (except Christmas Eve and Christmas) from 6 PM to 9 PM they will have lots of lights and Christmas displays along a half-mile wooded path. Mondays and Tuesdays are lights and Santa nights where you can see all the lights and visit with Santa. On these nights kids under 3 are free and everyone else only pays $2. Wednesdays thourough Sundays are activity nights where you can see the lights, visit with Santa, take carriage rides, see live deer, participate in games and activities, and much more. One these nights kids under 3 get in for free and everyone else pays $5. Thanks to Emily for the info!

Have I missed your favorite Christmas event? Let me know by leaving a comment or shooting me an email. I would love to know your favorite way to spend the holidays in Dayton. And as a reminder, I'm still looking for your favorite recipe to include in December's Christmas recipe of the day.

Posting may be sporadic for the rest of this week as I have two exams and two papers due in the span of the next two days. However, the good news is that I'll be heading home for Thanksgiving on Friday so I'll be able to better investigate Dayton Christmas happenings. In the coming days expect lots of pictures and first-hand event reviews, starting with the Greene's Christmas tree lighting and parade on Friday.

Go Bucks!

Christmas Season Has Arrived!

2008-11-14T12:03:00.006-05:00

Yes, now it's official. It's Christmastime in the Miami Valley! As of a few minutes ago, LITE 99.9 is officially playing only Christmas music. They kicked it off with Jingle Bell Rock from the Christmas Cottage at the Mall at Fairfield Commons. This is their tenth year playing the Christmas music already, and let me tell you, these people are pretty much in the business of generating Christmas spirit! If you're like me and live too far away to listen to LITE 99.9 on the radio, don't worry! You can stream their station live to your computer at their website. Also on their website, starting today you can register daily for the $10,000 shopping spree to the Mall at Fairfield Commons! You can also register at the Christmas Cottage daily, so that's loads of chances to win! I'm really thinking this could be my year...

In other news, the Dayton Ballet's Nutcracker is back at the Schuster Center again this year. With a Daytonian twist on a Christmas classic, the show portrays Virginia Kettering as the young girl dreaming about the nutcracker she recieves from her uncle.
I think this pretty much seals Mrs. Kettering's status as Christmas icon, as it was also she who started the Dayton Holiday Festival so everyone in Dayton could enjoy the season. You can buy your tickets ranging from $27.00- $70.00 here for any of the following show times (which have also been added to the Christmas events calendar):
December 12, 7:30 PM
December 13, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM
December 14, 1 PM and 4:30 PM
December 19, 7:30 PM
December 20, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM
December 21, 2:30 PM

I'd also like to mention quickly that Clifton Mill will be starting it's holiday light display aptly named Legendary Lights at Clifton Mill on November 28th.
It'll be open every day through January 4th from 5 PM to 9 PM, though it closes an hour earlier on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Kids 6 and under get in free and everyone else pays $8. They put up approximately 3.5 million lights and the result is spectacular. You can find full information about the light display and other attractions they'll offer this year here.

Finally, I'd like to leave you with something that I'll call Christmas Quote Friday:

"Christmas renews our youth by stirring our wonder. The capacity for wonder has been called our most pregnant human faculty, for in it are born our art, our science, our religion." -Ralph Sockman, senior pastor of Christ Church in New York City, born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio in 1889 and graduated from OWU

41 Days Till Christmas!

2008-11-13T17:08:00.009-05:00

Things are really starting to get exciting now!

Lite 99.9 will be having their usual Christmas music kickoff at the Buschur's Home Improvement Christmas Cottage at the Mall at Fairfield Commons tomorrow at noon. They'll be there starting at 10 AM and they'll make the switch at noon. There will be hourly contests and an opportunity to be among the first to register for their $10,000 shopping spree at the mall. If you get to be there for the festivities tomorrow, please send in pictures! Also, to get everyone excited for tomorrow they're playing the occasional "sound of the season" today, so tune in and you might catch your favorite Christmas song.

The 60 ft. Blue Spruce Christmas tree has arrived downtown in preparation for the Dayton Holiday Festival! These pictures from DDN of the tree being dragged around town are pretty incredible. Thanks to my mom for the link!

I've already talked a lot about holiday events downtown, but as it turns out The Greene in Beavercreek is a pretty exciting place to be during the holiday season too. Their Christmas tree is only 50 ft. tall, but still, that's pretty big. The holiday tree lighting celebration and parade will be happening November 21 at 5:45 PM. There will be a performance by Rhythm in Shoes and a Special Wish Foundation child will get to light the tree. Additionally, you can see live reindeer every weekend from 5-9 PM starting December 5th. They're reportedly on loan from Santa, so that's pretty cool. There will be a Live Nativity every Friday and Saturday from 7-10 PM and Sunday 3-6 PM starting November 21st through December 24th, plus special times at 7-10 PM from December 18th through the 24th. The Town Square at the Greene will also feature pictures with Santa and many musical acts and costumed characters throughout the season. Full information about all their holiday activities and events can be found here.

One of the most reliable sources of great Christmas movies has traditionally been ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. Well, they're starting even earlier this year! Unfortunately though, the name of the event somewhat restricts that, so from the period of November 16th through November 30th they're calling it the Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas. They'll be showing lots of special movies, but starting December 1st with the actual 25 Days of Christmas is when it really gets good. Just a quick glance at their programming schedule shows almost every single one of my favorite Christmas movies! I'm so stoked for this. Their website even links to another great Christmas blog, Elfblog, that chronicles the adventures of an elf at the North Pole! Not as informative as my blog, but charming nonetheless (haha!).

Finally, I'd like to ask for anyone who reads this blog to email me at mvchristmas@gmail.com with their favorite Christmas recipe. Starting December 1st I'll feature a Christmas recipe of the day, and maybe even try a few of them myself and report on the result.

Enjoy the Christmas music tomorrow, everyone!

Christmas Music

2008-11-12T21:50:00.004-05:00

Just a quick post before I head back to the books and my crazy busy week...

Lite 99.9, Dayton's Christmas music station, will start playing their wall-to-wall Christmas music starting this Friday at noon. I haven't heard anything about it yet, but I bet they'll have another big kickoff for it at the Mall at Fairfield Commons again this year. I will keep you posted as I find out more.

Get excited!

So Many Christmas Events!

2008-11-09T17:14:00.008-05:00

There are so many things to talk about today, I'll just jump right in...

One of my favorite Christmas traditions as a kid was getting to do my holiday shopping at the Tike's Shop. Originally located in Rike's Department Store, later moved to Elder-Beerman, and now in the Berry Reception Room of the Schuster Center, the store has allowed kids to surprise their parents and siblings with gifts for decades. Parents can give their kids a certain sum of money and wait outside while "elves" help the children pick out perfect gifts that fall within their budget. Then kids get to help wrap the gifts, all while parents are none the wiser and no surprises are spoiled! In retrospect, maybe my dad didn't need that "#1 Dad" tape measure every year, but it was sure a lot of fun buying it! The complete schedule of store hours can be found here, and have also been posted to the calendar. The schedule also includes times when Santa will be there for visits.

While you're visiting the Tike's Shop is also the perfect time to check out the Wonderland Window displays. These animated displays, once located in Rike's Department Store and now found in the Schuster Center Wintergarden, are a Daytonian legend. They've recently been beautifully restored and two new displays have been created. For me at least, these windows recall all the best memories of Christmas and, now that they're back and in the Schuster Center, must not be missed. It's just not a proper Christmas season without a trip to see them.
Thanks to Sarah for the pictures!

The windows will go up starting November 21st through December 23rd and be open to the public from 9 AM to 9 PM daily (except when the Schuster Center has special events). All the classics including the Toy Shop, the Victorian Family, Woodlands, and the 1950s Holiday Family will be there, as well as the new windows Candy Shoppe and Bubbles. Blogger Sue at Rabbit Run Cottage has a great post about these windows, complete with fantastic pictures!

In a previous post I mentioned that Hollylights on the Square will be debuting directly after the Grand Illumination on November 28th at Courthouse Square. However, if you can't make it downtown to see the show then, the display will also be running every half hour Monday-Friday, from 12-1 PM and 5-8 PM (until 10 PM on Friday), and Saturdays and Sundays, from 12-10 PM through January 4th, 2009. So there are a lot more chances to see this fun display!

This year The Neon movie theater downtown will be running a holiday movie series. They will show A Christmas Story on Saturday, December 6th at noon, Elf on Saturday, December 13th at noon, and Miracle on 34th Street (the 1994 version) on Saturday, December 20th at noon. The movies are free for kids under 12 and $2 for everyone else, and they suggest you arrive early to guarantee you get a seat.

Also on these three Saturdays (December 6th, 13th, and 20th) kids can have lunch with Santa at Uno Chicago Grill downtown. Visits with Santa happen from 10:30-11 AM and lunch is served at 11. Reservations are required for this event. Call (937) 910-8000. Lunch with Santa at Uno's followed by a Christmas movie at the Neon sounds like just about the perfect Saturday afternoon!

There are still loads of events to discuss, so check back every day this week!

49 Days Till Christmas!

2008-11-05T21:18:00.007-05:00

We're finally under 50 days till Christmas! To start today, I'd like to share a little gem my dad forwarded me.
Yes, that is a Christmas tree constructed entirely from Mountain Dew cans and a 2 liter Mountain Dew bottle tree topper! The subject of the email was "Redneck Christmas," but I think this is pretty ingenious. I never realized before how well Mountain Dew colors suited Christmas. With the lights, it all looks oddly classy.

Edit: This tree turns out to be a much bigger deal than I thought. It even has its own Myspace page. Check it all out here. Many thanks to David for the info!

In other news, I've posted to the calendar the November schedule for the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery's Christmas-themed laser shows. I think a lot of people don't even realize the museum offers laser shows like these, but they are really a lot of fun for not a lot of money. The complete schedule for November can also be found here. The website also includes descriptions of all the shows, including The Star of Bethlehem, Christmas Laser Fantasy, and Mannheim Steamroller's Holidays. Tickets are $3.00 for museum members and $5.00 for non-members. I think little kids especially will really get a kick out of the laser show, and nobody can argue with great Christmas music.

Another great event coming up is The Mall at Fairfield Common's Magical Night of Giving on Sunday, November 23rd from 4 PM to 8 PM. Basically you can buy a ticket from one of the many charity organizations selling them or directly at the mall management office for $5 (which will go entirely to the charity organization), and this will earn you a special Magical Night VIP stamp when you get to the mall on the 23rd. With this stamp, you will have access to four hours of awesome deals throughout the mall. The full list and all details can be found on their website, but some of the highlights include 15% off all regularly priced merchandise at Bath and Body Works, $10 off a purchase of $50 or more at Finish Line, 15% off your entire purchase at Lane Bryant, 25% off your entire purchase at New York and Company, 20% off your entire purchase at Yankee Candle, and many, many others. In addition to the great sales, there will be tons of incredible prizes raffled off throughout the event ranging from cookie cakes to a diamond circle pendant and a myriad of gift cards. Furthermore, there will be many family holiday events including visits with Santa, musical performances, and dance groups. So basically, you'll be doing something great for local charities while saving loads of money on your holiday shopping. Sounds like a win for everyone to me.

Mannheim Steamroller

2008-11-02T14:10:00.005-05:00

In keeping with today's Christmas music theme, I just found out that the Schuster Center will host The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis on November 30th at 7 PM. Unfortunately this show is almost completely soldout already, with only a handful of $65 and $80 seats left. However, if you don't mind going alone and shelling out the bucks to hear what will surely be an awesome show, go here to for more info and to buy your tickets. If you're lucky enough to already have tickets, let us know how the show was!

52 Days Till Christmas!

2008-11-02T12:40:00.003-05:00

Happy November! This is when the Christmas events really start to pick up...

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is coming to the Nutter Center again this year. If you've never had a chance to see their show before, trust me when I say that it is incredible! TSO's rock and roll take on Christmas backed up by stunning laser special effects is unsurpassed in putting you in the holiday spirit. They even make it snow inside the Nutter Center! Their shows in Dayton this year are on January 4th, which unfortunately is after Christmas and the very last stop on their tour. Their shows in Cincinnati at U.S. Bank Arena also happen after Christmas, on January 2nd. There's no doubt these shows will still be amazing, but since they're bound to be a little better when paired with the Christmas anticipation, I'll be attending one of their shows in Columbus on Saturday, December 20th at Nationwide Arena. If none of these dates work for you and you're willing to travel even farther, they'll also make appearances in Youngstown, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. Full information about their music and tour can be found here, and info about the Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton shows has been added to the Christmas Events Calendar. I really cannot say enough about how awesome TSO shows are, and I am so excited to see them again this year!

Also, while I'm on the topic of TSO, if you're handy with your Christmas lights, then consider entering the Symphony in Lights contest. The house best decorated with lights set to a Trans-Siberian Orchestra song could win a $300 mall gift certificate or even a trip for two to Chicago to see a TSO concert on New Year's Weekend. Basically, all you have to do is decorate your house to one of their songs and upload the video to YouTube. They'll be accepting entries from November 1st through December 12th. This contest is particularly exciting because the Symphony in Lights show is designed by Carson Williams. Mr. Williams is perhaps best known for his Christmas light display set to the TSO song "Wizards in Winter" at his home in nearby Mason, Ohio that was featured in a December 2005 Miller Lite commercial.

Eventually his light show became so popular that traffic in his neighborhood was a huge inconvenience to the neighbors and had to be moved to the nearby Heritage Oak Park in Mason. The show was changed to a drive through format and a $15 admission was charged. This year, however, Mr. Williams' main sponsor, Festivals of Mason Inc., could no longer afford to support him and unless another sponsor steps forward soon, the show will not be happening this year. This is a huge disappointment, and if I hear anything else about the status of his show, I will of course let you know.

As it stands, the closest place we can see Mr. Williams' work is now the Columbus Zoo at their Wildlights event. From November 21st through January 3rd, the zoo will be covered in more than 3 million lights, some of which are set to music by Mr. Williams' company. There will be other Christmas events including pictures with Santa, and the cost is covered with admission to the zoo, $7 for ages 2-9 and 60+, $10 for everyone else. The event takes place from 5 PM-9PM every Sunday through Thursday, and 5PM-10PM every Friday and Saturday, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.

Rock the Vote and the Rockettes

2008-10-31T19:15:00.006-04:00

In the coming days, there are two very important votes we must all cast. The first is to decide who will be the next president of the United States. The second, and arguably more important*, is to tell LITE 99.9, Dayton's Christmas music station, when you want them to start playing wall-to-wall Christmas music. The poll is found here on the site's main page, and the choices range from "NOW!", to the more traditional "Thanksgiving", to (and this makes me shudder) "Never." So head over and let them know!

Edit: This poll has since been taken down. As soon as they announce when the Christmas music begins, I will let you know!

In other news, you may have heard that the famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes is coming to the Nutter Center this year! I am so excited about this as the show is bound to be, well, spectacular. There are three chances to see the show. Tuesday, November 25th at 7:30 PM and Wednesday, November 26th at 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets range from $49.00-69.00, but it's worth it just for the high kicks. Buy your tickets here ASAP! Additionally, they will have lots of other shows in Cincinnati and Columbus if you can't make it to see them in Dayton. All the info about these shows has been posted on the Christmas Events Calendar.

*That was a ridiculous thing to say. Please go vote on Tuesday!

Do you have awesome gingerbread skillz?

2008-10-30T19:43:00.004-04:00

If so, then consider entering in the Dayton Holiday Festival's Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays competition! Entry forms are due by November 14th and can be downloaded here. There are four categories: Youth (12 and under), Teen (13-17), Adult (18+), and Professional, so everyone is eligible. The type of building you make is extremely flexible so long as the outside is entirely covered in edible material. Aaaand, there is a very nice cash prize for the best amateur and professional structures as well as several smaller prizes, not to mention all the fame and glory that will surely be bestowed upon the winners.

Dayton Holiday Festival

2008-10-28T17:24:00.007-04:00

I just added information to the calendar about THE classic Dayton Christmas event- the Dayton Holiday Festival and Grand Illumination! Complete information about this event can be found here. All the important information and some of the highlights are listed below:

Friday, November 28, 2008 from 4-9 PM

Grand Illumination happens at 8 PM and is followed immediately by the new and improved lighted Dayton Children's Parade (this is the first time the parade will happen on the same day as the illumination). Also following the illumination is the second year of HollyLights on the Square sponsored by DP&L, colored lights sychronized to classic holiday songs. This was fantastic last year and is not to be missed!

Horse-drawn wagon rides will be offered again this year from 5-9 PM at a cost of $1 per person. Board your wagon at the corner of Second and Main and make sure you get there early as lines will definiely be extremely long.

The Sounds of the Season musical event will be happening in the lobby of the National City Center from 5:30- 7:45 PM with local choirs and musical groups.

Street Fair on Third (previously known as Main Street U.S.A.) features carnival rides. Note that for the first time this event will be taking place on Third St. between Main and Ludlow. The rides are free, but the lines are long.

The Holiday Hunt is a scavenger hunt provided by Junior League of Dayton. Kids from 2-12 can go to the Junior League of Dayton tent at Courthouse Square up until 7 PM to get their maps and instructions which will lead them around downtown to local businesses, at each of which they will recieve a small prize or snack. I loved this as a kid, but start early as it always took us quite a while to make it through the whole thing. It's also a cool way to get familiar with some local businesses that I had never even heard about before.

The Holiday Village sponsored by Time Warner Cable will be located in the lobby of Kettering Tower and feature crafts, face painting, and activities for the younger crowd from 4-9 PM. Also here, kids can call the North Pole and report their wishlist to an elf with TWC's "Dial-an-Elf" phone bank. To be honest, I'd even like to do this!

Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays will be in the Old Court House from 4-9 PM. Make sure to check these out- the skill and creativity that go into them is astounding.

The Dayton Holiday festival is technically an event that lasts all the way up to Christmas with many more ongoing holidays events. I'll discuss these more later, but in my mind, there is simply no other way to start the Christmas season properly than to spend the day after Thanksgiving downtown at these classic events!

57 Days till Christmas!

2008-10-28T00:58:00.006-04:00

Welcome! In this first post I'd like to both introduce myself and layout a plan for what I hope to do with this blog.

My name's Kristina. I'm 19 years old and attend a small liberal arts school in central Ohio. Though I no longer live in Dayton for most of the year, I'm still very connected to what's going on at home and couldn't imagine celebrating the holidays anywhere else.

In the coming months this blog will be filled with everything you need to know to make the most of holidays. I will cover holiday events, notable yard displays, Christmas shopping must-haves, favorite recipes, readers' personal stories, and holiday top 10 lists- everything you could possibly need to celebrate the season right.

This blog is meant to serve you, the reader, so please, leave me your comments, suggestions, contributions, and thoughts!