In the Victorian Christmas holiday era, traveling meant dressing warmly and walking to Grandma’s house. Today, families travel by air, rail and personal vehicles thousands of miles to celebrate Christmas with relatives.
Whether you are traveling or entertaining out-of-town guests, it is important to set personal goals for a Christ-focused Christmas at the top of your to-do list.
If you have travel plans for the holidays, start early in November with the necessities of shopping for food, gifts and wrapping.
Allowing the children to help with the wrapping is a great time to share the verse, “It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). Solicit children to wrap gifts for the less fortunate and remind them that Christ’s birth was our personal gift of love from God.
Place wrapped gifts in garbage bags under the bed or in the attic with the appropriate nametags attached until your home is decorated.
This will give you much-needed time for Christmas cantatas, plays, caroling and visiting the elderly, as well as activities in your church. Checking with the local Chamber of Commerce is another way to discover local activities.
When it is time to decorate, include a Nativity scene and allow the children to choose their personal choice of arrangement. Our two children, now adults, eagerly anticipated the honor of placing each figure and animal in the position as they had imagined the manger scene.
Although there were some formidable discussions between the two if the wise men and shepherds should be intermingled, we told them as long as the figure of the Christ Child was in the center — and the center of our lives — then the rest was at their discretion.
Traditions are the ties that give families roots and stability and this season our two-year-old grandson will be entrusted (with guidance) with the Nativity.
My husband, Larry, will also read the Gospel of Luke’s account of the birth of Christ to him on Christmas day. So grandparents, purchase a journal and keep a record of those family traditions.
Whether you are planning extensive travel this holiday season or an inexpensive excursion, quality time together is one of the best gifts you can give one another. For a complete listing of Christmas events and activities in Alabama, click on the state’s Web site, www.800alabama.com.
If you are traveling out of state, contact the Convention and Visitors Center or Chamber of Commerce in the area that you will be visiting during the holiday season. Another excellent source is the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events in the Southeast at www.southeasttourism.org.
Alabama Events
Nov. 23, 1–5 p.m. and Dec. 1–3, 2–4 p.m.: American Village Colonial Christmas, Montevallo
Experience a colonial Christmas at this re-created historical village and civic education center. Hear Yuletide news of the colonies from costumed historical interpreters. Contact the American Village, 1-877-811-1776.
Nov. 27–Dec. 31: Galaxy of Lights, Huntsville
The mile-long holiday light extravaganza featuring animated light displays and nursery rhyme characters is a hit with the children. There are more than 150 exhibits in five major theme areas. Contact 256-830-4447.
Nov. 28–Dec. 31: Magic In Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Theodore
Located only 15 miles from Mobile, the magic of Christmas comes alive with more than 3 million twinkling lights, animated scenes, music and the Nativity.
The Bellingrath Museum Home will be decorated in holiday finery and splendor, and guided tours are available. 5–9 p.m. Contact 1-800-247-8420 or 251-973-2217.
Nov. 28–Dec. 29: Birmingham Zoolight Safari, Birmingham
More than 1 million lights twinkle throughout the zoo for this annual event. 5 p.m. Contact Jennifer Voltz, 205-879-0409.
Nov. 30–Dec 6: Christmas On The River, Demopolis Public Square and City Landing
A weeklong celebration that includes tours of antebellum homes, a live Nativity, children’s day parade and the popular nautical parade Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Contact Kathy Leverett, 334-289-0270.
Nov. 21–Dec. 31: Christmas on the Rocks, Noccalula Falls, Gadsden
A fantastic display of more than 2 million twinkling lights, train ride, Pioneer Village and a spectacular view of the waterfalls at 5:30 p.m. Contact Quent Pazey, 256-547-0783.
Dec. 2: Dickens Downtown, Northport
The streets of downtown Northport will come alive with Victorian music, crafts and family activities.
Holiday music from the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra performers and carolers fill the night air.
The shops and art galleries are open and merchants are dressed in traditional Victorian costume, 5–9 p.m. Contact Anne Huffaker, 205-758-1257.
Dec. 4–Jan. 4: Christmas Sound, Laser Light and Water Show, DeSoto Caverns, Childersburg
Presented on every cavern tour, a spectacular presentation on the birth of Christ. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily and 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Contact 1-800-933-2283.
Dec. 6: Holiday Open House On The Mountain, Ruffner Mountain, Birmingham
Enjoy nature crafts and activities for the season, for all ages, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact Lisa Harris 205-833-8264.
Dec. 6–7: Christmas At The Fort, Dauphin Island
Experience an 1861 Christmas with living history demonstrations. Children can make seashell Christmas ornaments. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact Fort Gaines Staff, 251-861-6992.
Dec. 7: Jemison Van de Graff Mansion Open House, Tuscaloosa
Tour the 1859 Italianate Mansion adorned with fruit, nuts and greenery in the Williamsburg style of Christmas décor. Entertainment and refreshments are provided. 2 p.m.–4
p.m. Contact Jim Young, 205-758-2906.
Dec. 7: Symphony By The Sea, Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach
Christmas concert will feature the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in a festive, elegant evening setting. For tickets contact 251-981-9811, Ext. 103 or Kaiser Realty, Inc., 251-968-6868.
Dec. 7: A Plantation Christmas, Belle Mont Mansion (cir. 1828), Tuscumbia
A holiday event with traditional decorations, period Christmas music and refreshments at one of Alabama’s most distinguished homes. 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Contact Colbert County Tourism Bureau, 256-383-0783.
Dec. 8: West Alabama Christmas Parade, Downtown Tuscaloosa
The largest Christmas parade in the state has more than 200 entries that spread holiday cheer as they wind through the streets. 6:30 p.m. Contact Tuscaloosa P.A.R.A., 205-562-3220.
Dec. 20: Mobile Christmas Parade, Downtown Mobile
The street will be filled with holiday floats, marching bands, costumed children and Santa. 1:30 p.m. Contact Rhonda Davis, 251-208-7540.
Southeast events
Nov. 7–Jan. 4: Christmas at Biltmore Estate, Ashville, N.C.
The Christmas Eve celebration in 1895 was a joyous event at the home of George Vanderbilt. Today, the tradition continues with a celebration in the 250-room house museum that includes holiday music, miles of evergreen garland, hundreds of poinsettias, wreaths and dozens of Christmas trees. Ask about the Candlelight Christmas Evening Tour. Call for ticket reservations. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Check for time of operations. Contact 1-800-624-1575, www.biltmore.com.
Nov. 7–Feb. 13: Winterfest, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Voted Festival of the Year three times by the Southeast Tourism Society, brilliant displays of more than 4 million lights adorn the city. The Trolley Tour of Lights is a great way to view the animated displays of eagles in flight, dancing bears and twinkling snowflakes. Reservations are required for the Trolley Tour. Contact 1-865-453-6444. For a complete guide to Winterfest events contact Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, 1-800-251-9100 or www.mypigeonforge.com.
Nov. 8–Dec. 30: Dollywood-Smoky Mountain Christmas Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
The event features a 3 million twinkling light display and parade. Dolly’s Christmas Chapel features performances by area choral groups and the musical, “Christmas in the Smokies,” is the park’s signature holiday musical production at the Celebrity Theater. The Kingdom Heirs Gospel group performs Christmas hymns and songs, and “O Holy Night,” a living Nativity narrative musical, tells the true meaning of Christmas at the Valley Theater. Thursday through Sunday 2 p.m.–9 p.m. Contact 1-800 Dollywood, www.dollywood.com.
Nov. 14–Dec. 30: A Southern Christmas, Stone Mountain, Ga.
Millions of lights illuminate the park. See the “Song of the Trees” musical light show, watch for the Snow Angel, and take the kids to The Great Barn. This 1870s barn is filled with four floors of 21st century fun. There are rope nets to climb, mazes to explore and super slides that whisk you from ceiling to floor. The scenic railroad is also popular for the entire family. Contact 770-498-5690, www.stonemountainpark.com.
Nov. 20–Jan. 4: Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas, Nashville, Tenn.
Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is the setting for the World’s Largest Nativity scene with special lighting effects and a stirring audio of the biblical story of the birth of Christ.
Fantasy in Ice is a winter wonderland made of ice, and is located next door to the resort at the Gaslight Theater.
The event features life-sized sculptures and ice slides for children of all ages made from more than 1.5 million pounds of ice. Contact 1-888-Opry872, gaylordopryland.com
Nov. 21–Dec. 28: Callaway Gardens, Fantasy In Lights
Known as one of the largest holiday light shows in the world, there are more than 8 million lights that light up the night. The custom-designed scenes are larger-than-life and each one has a dedicated sound system that plays a musical arrangement. The show is situated along a five-mile drive through the woodlands and is designed to enhance the natural setting. Plan to spend an hour in the Christmas Village. You may choose to drive your car through the lights or ride in an open-air Jolly Trolley. The lights are turned on at 6 p.m. The Christmas Village opens at noon daily. Contact 1-800-225-5292, www.callawaygardens.com.
Dec. 1–26: Christmas Town, U.S.A., McAdenville, N.C.
The small textile town along the South Fork River is transformed as more than 375 trees come to life in glowing red, white and green splendor, so beautiful it even gained notice by the late CBS legend Charles Kuralt. Contact 704-824-3551, www.mcadenville-christmastown.com.
Dec. 3–23: Christmas at the Old Capitol, Jackson, Miss.
Experience the Christmas holidays in all the 19th Century’s finery. The centerpiece is a 30-foot cedar decorated as it was in the 1870s–1880s.
Underneath are period toys, including toy trains zipping over their tracks, plus Sunday musical performances.
Dec. 5: Candlelight Tour
Old Capitol, Manship House, and Governor’s Mansion. Contact 601-359-6920, www.mdah.state.ms.us.
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