What about you, Daddies? Are you feeling it? (Sound of crickets chirping.)

Uh-huh. That’s what I thought.

Why is that? Why is it that we women cringe at the mere mention of the word “December”, while the guys keep saying how much they are looking forward to the Christmas holidays? What’s up with the holiday disconnect?

I was thinking about that very thing the other day as I wandered through the magazine aisle at the grocery store, when I suddenly realized that glancing at the popular women’s and men’s magazines might give me an insight into our consumer zeitgeist. And it certainly did!

Without naming any names (I’m not calling out any specific publications for being any worse than the rest), these are real titles of actual articles in men’s magazines right now:

2014 Baller Gift Guide – These are gifts for the man who has everything, but still wants more of it

2014 Gift Guide – Go Buy Yourself Something Nice

25 Grown up Toys We Want this Holiday Season

Why You Should Just Say No to Ugly Christmas Sweaters

What’s it like to live in that reality? It must be nice. And by the way, those were practically the only articles I saw that acknowledged Christmas at all.

And the women’s magazines? All I can say is holy 1950s!

Thoughtful Handmade Holiday Gifts

DIY Holiday Ornaments You’ll Love

Turn Holiday Photos into Gifts

And on the subject of lovingly handmaking things (we all have time for that, right?) the “Grande Dame” of women’s magazines — you know the one I’m talking about — has so many articles on this theme the issue might as well be called “Special Christmas Issue! HANDMAKE ALL THE THINGS!!!”

Oh but wait! There’s more! There are a multitude of food articles too, such as:

11 Insanely Pretty Cupcakes.

15 Absolutely Stunning Christmas Cookies (let the butter and sugar do the talking).

I’m not making up the part about letting butter and sugar do the talking!

And then, there was an especially insanity-inducing cover (I’m sure you know which magazine I’m talking about) that juxtaposed a very skinny model with a sexy shot of something extremely sugary, and didn’t spare the exclamation points:

Eat Holiday Goodies and Lose 12 Pounds a Week!

End Anxiety with Vanilla Extract!

Beat the Holiday Blues with Eggnog!

British Breakthrough! Chocolate Chip Cookies Cure Holiday Stress!

But then, for a moment, I had a glimmer of hope when I saw 7 Ways to Outsmart Holiday Craziness – this was in that magazine that promises to help us “simplify” our lives (wink).

But no, I was disappointed again. Upon closer look, the article included the following suggestions:

- How to do more environmentally-friendly gift wrapping,

- Advice on going to two parties in one night,

- Why you should bake your teacher’s gift,

- How use calming yoga breathing to deal with annoying relatives,

- How to deal with messy relatives (hint: keep cleaning supplies close at hand),

- Advice on recycling the non-green wrapping paper after Christmas morning…

And then the suggested article next to it was about choosing the perfect Christmas tree (including lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of six different species of tree).

I think you get the picture…

Well, I have a practical suggestion for reducing holiday stress. How about don’t read any women’s magazines this month?

But do read Richmondmom.com. We’re here for you. We keep it real. (Sips wine.)

Otis and Barbie, probably discussing the Tacky Lights of RVA

Last night, my husband and I had an interesting conversation about Christmas traditions in our house.  I’ll spare you the details but suffice to say, we had different perspectives on whether we had many and what they were.  Ultimately he conceded that I had good points.  We may not go a-caroling, or cut down our own tree Griswald family style, or roast chestnuts on an open fire.  Or build a fire.  But we have many traditions darn it!

Looking at the definition (a la Google), some we carry on from our families, but most are adapted or recently adopted, and I say – they count!

For example:

• We buy the cheap Advent calendars at the drug store that have the tiny chocolates, and we let the kids pop them open each morning before we leave the house.  Chocolate starts the day off right!
• We have a vast collection of Christmas and holiday books, and read at least one every night during December.  I have almost memorized Gingerbread Mouse.
• Otis and Snoopy Jack, our elves on the shelf (or shelves?) visit and get into some mischief or another.  Those cooky jokester geniuses crack me up!
• Our daycare hosts a Christmas pageant.  This was sadly our last year with a child in the pageant, but it has always been what puts me in the spirit each year.
• We “deck the halls” with new and handed-down decorations.  My son loves the Nutcracker the best, and my daughter loves the angel that goes on the top of the tree.  We bought her two years ago at the Garden Ridge.

Speaking of Garden Ridge…. (how often do you hear that as a segue?)

A growing number of our family holiday traditions are tied to Richmond.  We moved from Oklahoma City which we loved, but I think RVA wins in the “doing Christmas with gusto” category.  I mean, the Richmond Tacky Light house decorators are awesome, and the tours have their own apps, maps and websites!  Say what?  The tacky lights of Richmond are really a local treasure.  We LOVE driving around to look at them every year!  That may be the very definition of holiday awesomeness.

Also, I think one way to spell holidays in Richmond may be S A N T A.  There are so many cool ways to hang out with Santa!  Our kids love going to see Santa at the Chesterfield Berry Farm market.  Now that I’ve let out this well-kept secret, maybe it won’t be so enjoyable!  But Santa is picture perfect, you can take pictures at your own pace, and buy some locally grown produce at the same time!

I know there other things I want us to try.  The light display at Lewis Ginter gardens. The living nativity at the zoo.  But what else?

RVA families, what are your favorite Christmas and holiday family traditions?  What should be on our RVA holiday bucket list?  Because while we do have some fabulous annual family Christmas and holiday traditions, I’m always open to a picking up a new one.

Need some ideas? Click here for a great list of things to do in Richmond during the holidays.

The holidays are coming fast!

It’s hard to keep tabs on all the great things happening in Richmond this holiday season, and you know we love a good list over here at Richmondmom so we thought we’d put our list-skills to use and let you know what’s happening when in the month of December.

As usual, last minute additions always pop-up so we’ll be revisiting this guide frequently to add a thing or two that can’t be missed throughout the season.  Check back regularly for the latest updates!

Happy Holidays!

Ongoing Events:

Illumination Light Show & Santa’s Village The lights shine brightly for guests nightly, including holidays, and are enjoyed from the comfort of a vehicle. Also featured is Santa’s Village, complete with family-friendly activities, Christmas tree lot, pictures with Santa, tasty treats, and more.

RVA on Ice Go ice skating in the heart of downtown Richmond. In addition to skating, there will be a Christmas tree lot with trees $25 – $35, hot chocolate, s’mores and holiday music and warm up near the pit fire and snack shack (provided by Johnny Rockets this year!). Free arts and crafts sessions will be offered Saturdays from 2 – 4 pm.

Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town™ Experience Christmas traditions from around the world and keep warm with a mug of Busch Gardens’ signature hot chocolate. This year, Christmas Town is brighter than ever with more than eight million lights. Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at the North Pole to see Santa’s workshop and meet the jolly old elf-himself. Unwrap the gift of Christmas Town starting Nov. 21 select days through Dec. 31.

Animated Light Shows beginning November 9th at Stony Point Fashion Park. Animated light shows take place at the top and bottom of each hour, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Community Tree. Continues through January 4.

Dominion GardenFest of Lights 2014 Opens November 28th. This holiday tradition features more than a half million lights, botanical decorations, trains, holiday dinners, family activities and more. Visit often to fully experience Dominion GardenFest of Lights — the region’s ultimate holiday extravaganza!

Richmond Ballet’s The Nutcracker December 19th- 28th This grand Richmond tradition returns with live music by Richmond Symphony, with 13 performances in the grand Carpenter Theatre. Make your holiday season complete and share the fun of the Mouse King, the Chinese Dragon, the Russian Bear, and much, much more!

Santa’s Christmas Miracle at Virginia Rep- A holiday treat for young audiences, this charming musical comedy is set in Broken-Bone, Montana on December 24, 1883, where the sheriff has outlawed Christmas! It is up to a mysterious stranger and a bungling bandit named Big Bad Bart to unravel the plot and bring the true meaning of the season back into focus. This delightful story emphasizes love and the holiday spirit to the accompaniment of foot-stompin’ country and western music.

Polar Express (Giant Screen Film). Now through Wednesday, January 1, 2014 – Join us as a doubting boy boards a magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home. What unfolds is an adventure where he learns that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. $9 general admission, $5 for members.

The Victorian Holidays Begin  November 21st at Maymont.  runs through January 4, 2014, 12-5pm.For seven weeks, Maymont is decked out for the holidays! Kids and adults alike will enjoy the beautiful decorations and delightful events that attract visitors from all over the country and the world. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season!  Tour the mansion to see the beautiful trimmings on the Christmas tree, the opulent dining room set for a feast, evergreen decorations and lavish gifts welcome the season in grand Victorian style.

Honky-Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular  Swift Creek Mill Theatre Through January 10, 2015.
This holiday sequel to the hugely popular show, The Honky Tonk Angels continues the comic escapades of three ‘good ole gals’ singing holiday tunes made famous by James Brown, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton to name just a few.

Glorious Christmas Nights. December 3 – 14. Will the lights of Christmas shine as brightly elsewhere as they do at home? Well, Glorious Christmas Nights will answer that question in a sparkling new musical called “UNDER THE SAME STARS”. You will embark on an adventure that will take you from Richmond to St. Lucia where Santa wears sunglasses, the drums are steel, and the crabs tap dance to SANTA CLAWS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN! West End Assembly of God, 401 N. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229.

Gift Card and Ornament Special Give the gift of creativity this holiday season! Get a $5 gift card with the purchase of a $30+ gift card in December. Get a $10 gift card with any gift card of $100 or more. 
 Through Dec 24th, buy any four ceramic ornaments and get the 5th FREE of equal or lesser value!
Holiday Item Sale – Dec 27th-31st, all holiday-themed bisque will be on sale.

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Grand Illumination at the Jefferson Hotel Live music begins at 5:30 pm and the tree is illuminated at 6pm. Sing along with a parade of children’s characters and enjoy complimentary refreshments in the Empire room.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Thursday, December 4 – Sunday, December 7, 2014

The Bizarre Bazaar There will be over 475 dynamic exhibitors filling four contiguous exhibition buildings at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Talented musicians play music in each of the buildings and there is a beautifully decorated Café that provides a pleasant place to grab a bite to eat or just rest your feet after some serious shopping. General Admission $7, kids 2-12 $1.50. Free parking.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Create a Gingerbread Platter You’ll be amazed at the beautiful designs you create! Reservations are required, so invite your friends and reserve your spot today.
 Create a family platter, perfect for the holidays. $65.
 6-8pm.

Friday, December 5, 2014

 Grand Illumination 2014 at the James Center Friday, December 5, 2014, 5:45 pm – 7 pm. Bring your family to James Center for a beautiful (free) family tradition. From 5:45 – 5:55 p.m., VCU’s Pep Band: The Peppas will get the crowd ready for the Illumination. At 5:59 p.m. Santaand Lite 98 will count down the seconds to turn on the downtown office buildings lights AND James Center’s Great Tree & Reindeer! From 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., experience the magic of the holidays with two blocks of family entertainment. James Center is very excited to present The Kings of Swing as our featured performance!

Annual Holiday Open House in conjunction with the James Center Lighting on Friday, December 5th from 5-9. The Polar Express movie will be featured on a 40’ inflatable screen in the Plaza across the street from the Station starting at 6:45 PM. Also snacks, children’s train rides and free fun for all! Parking in all adjacent lots to the station.

Yorktown Christmas Tree Lighting Fri, Dec 5, 2014, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Evening highlights include a 7 pm performance by The Fifes and Drums of York Town at the Victory Monument, festive music at Riverwalk Landing, the procession of lights through the historic village, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free. (757) 890.3500

Polaroid Paper Ornaments for All Ages At Regency Square. Create one-of-a kind paper ornaments featuring you! After taking Polaroid 300 photos of each other, use templates or your own imagination to turn your 2014 face into a keepsake ornament using paper and mixed media

Kids Fun Night at All Fired Up Drop off the kids with us on December 5th from 6-8pm as we create a Christmas Tree pinch pot from wet clay, paint a ceramic ornament, AND enjoy a pizza dinner! The cost is $25 per child and is for ages 6 and up. Reservations are required and space is limited, so call and sign up today!

Saturday, December 6, 2014 

Dominion Christmas Parade -The parade will depart from the Science Museum on W. Broad Street and continue east to 7th Street. This beloved Richmond tradition attracts more than 100,000 spectators each year from everywhere in Virginia, with thousands more enjoying the live television broadcast.  Parade starts at 10:00am.

3rd Annual Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run “…a festive, family-friendly competition while fulfilling the club’s philanthropic mission to improve the lives of local children.” The run ends with the Dominion Christmas Parade.

Historic Christmas Open House at Hanover Tavern- December 6, 11:00am to 2:00pm. The free event includes Santa Claus, community bake sale, holiday crafts for kids and families, holiday magic shows, story time with all the classic Christmas tales, and light refreshments.

Handmade Greeting Cards at Regency Square Create unique cards for your loved ones. Decorate each card individually or work on one design that you can have printed. Use stamps, punches, acrylic pens, markers, inks, watercolors, and found papers to draw and collage your holiday and everyday messages for your friends and family. (All ages)

Handmade Holiday 11am-5pm at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery.  An annual indie craft show in Richmond, Virginia that is filled with dozens of the best local, regional, and national indie artists and crafters we can find.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Old-Fashioned Christmas Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with St. Nick and Maymont’s Christmas Fairy, good food and drink, festive music, a roaring bonfire and special activities that are sure to fill everyone with a merry holiday spirit.

St. Nick’s Christmas Party The entire family is sure to enjoy an afternoon at Maymont. St. Nick joins Maymont’s Christmas Fairy to host a party filled with magical wishes, games and crafts, special treats, animal friends and a visit to the enchanting home of Major and Mrs. Dooley. Advanced registration required. 

Saturday, December 6 – Sunday December 7, 2014

Let it Snow Genworth Symphony Pops – Hear the symphony play holiday favorites such as Carol of the Bells, Sleigh Ride and Frosty the Snowman during this much loved annual concert. Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage. Tickets start at $10.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Henrico Pops Chorus presents: “Holidays Remembered” featuring selections from two decades of past Henrico Pops Chorus holiday programs. it is a presentation guaranteed to put you in the holiday mood!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Recycled Paper Bag Wrapping Paper for all Ages  at Regency Square-Upcycle paper shopping bags into personalized gift-wrap with acrylics, rollers, stamps, fancy pens, and lots of imagination. Create the perfect finishing touches: paper bows, ribbons, gift tags, and cards. Bring your used paper shopping bags to reduce clutter before the holidays!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Snowman Chip ’n’ Dip Platter at All Fired Up Dec 11 6-8pm: Paint your very own snowman chip ’n’ dip platter which will be a festive addition to your winter decor. $35.

HoliDads at Romp n’ Roll  5:30pm to 7:30pm All Richmond Locations. Dads, we know that a lot of you miss out on the fun and learning every week at Romp n’ Roll, so we have a special evening just for you!  HoliDads is a special night for Dads and their children and will include holiday story time, Christmas-y musical games and activities in the gym, a special keepsake Holiday craft project and pizza too! This event is for dads and their children, ages 5 and under. $12 per child for enrolled members and $17 per child for non-members. Call (804) 364-6363 to reserve your spot!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Preschool Pottery at All Fired Up: 
Parents, come in with your preschool aged kids for a shared painting experience, as we paint pottery inspired by our favorite childrens’  books, songs, and movies!  These classes are geared toward kids 5 and under. Each class is $35.
Christmas Tree/Star of David Fingerprint Plate : Friday, December 12h, 10am-12pm and 
Sunday, December 14th,  2-4pm.

The Candlelight Walk and Caroling in Church Hill 7pm.  A candlelight stroll through historic Church hill beginning at Jefferson Park (Union Hill) at 7:15 pm with bagpipes and drummers leading the way.  The walk ends at Libby Hill with the 180 degree View overlooking the James River and our city gloriously lit up for the holidays as the backdrop. The crowd then joins for holiday caroling and a visit from Santa. All are welcome to become part of a living fairy tale scene that will be long remembered. Free to all.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Handel’s Messiah -Richmond Symphony Chorus Let The Richmond Symphony Chorus and The Richmond Symphony, conducted by Erin Freeman, surround you in the sounds of the season during Handel’s Messiah!

A Colonial Christmas at Berkeley Plantation – Learn how the Harrison family celebrated Christmas during the 18th century with music, Christmas stories and decorations using fresh greenery and natural arrangements. Reservations are required.

Christmas On MacArthur and Santa Parade 11 to 4 p.m.This year’s parade will feature a Number of participants including the ACCA shriners, students of Holton Elementary School, the Virginia State Police, the Richmond Police Department, the Richmond Fire Department, U.S. Marines, YMCA Indian Princesses Cayuga and Indian Guides Waccamaw Tribes, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Fireweed Farms Alpacas, antique cars, trucks and even a trolley. St. Nick will be there, to hear Christmas Wishes after the parade.  Kids who bring an unwrapped toy can register to win one of six brand new bikes!

22nd Annual James River Parade of Lights Each year, boaters decorate their vessels and take to the river at dusk in a dazzling spectacle of lights.Spectators line the shorelines at several official viewing sites to take in the parade and other festive entertainment. The parade begins in Richmond, just below the fall line, and the boats cruise through Henrico and Chesterfield counties to the Varina-Enon Bridge. For viewing sites, click here.

Yorktown Toyland Parade Decorate a stroller, wagon, yourself, or even a pet and join in the 1:30 pm parade. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet the guests. The Fifes and Drums of York Town will lead the parade, and as an added treat, the Polar Express will be chugging along through Riverwalk Landing. All aboard! Riverwalk Landing. Free.

Holiday Kid’s Night Out at Romp n’ Roll 6pm to 9pm All Richmond Locations Every kid deserves a special night out…and so do you, especially during the busy holiday season! Take a night off to relax or get out and pick up those last few stocking stuffers while the kids run, jump and have a blast at Romp n’ Roll! The night even includes a super special pizza party! Ages 2-5. Potty training not required.  Member Pricing: $20 for one child, $35 for 2 siblings, $40 for 3 siblings.  Non-Member Pricing: $25 for one child, $40 for 2 siblings, $45 for 3 siblings Call (804) 249-5001 to register or visit us online for more information.

Free Carriage Rides in Carytown – Head to the mile of style and take a free carriage ride down Cary Street.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

28th Annual Court End Christmas- An annual holiday tradition! Ten historic sites in downtown Richmond, Virginia, open their doors for a day of free admission and holiday festivities. Carriage rides, carolers, living history, live music, children’s crafts, gift shops and more. A complimentary shuttle will circulate among all sites throughout the event.  Event is rain or shine.

Eastern Henrico Holiday Extravaganza Join holiday celebrations at The Armour House and Dabbs House as we share in the experience of tradition and holidays past. Enjoy decorations of the season and a holiday tree adorned with period ornaments as you tour The Armour House, circa 1917. Visit the Dabbs House where you can sample popular 1860’s holiday refreshments while children create a Civil War era Christmas ornament. Information: 343-3506.

Preschool Pottery at All Fired Up: 
Parents, come in with your preschool aged kids for a shared painting experience, as we paint pottery inspired by our favorite childrens’  books, songs, and movies!  These classes are geared toward kids 5 and under. Each class is $35.
Christmas Tree/Star of David Fingerprint Plate : Friday, December 12h, 10am-12pm and 
Sunday, December 14th,  2-4pm.

Friday, December 19, 2014



“Santa’s Cookies” Dunk Mug Kids Class: 
At All Fired Up kids ages 6-14 can spend the evening with us as we get in the holiday spirit by creating a special mug that looks like Santa and a clay cookie! Pizza dinner provided. 6-8pm. $35 per child.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Tabletop Christmas Tree Class at Lavender Fields Farm Enjoy making your very own decoration with fresh greens and herbs collected from around the farm along with some colorful finishing touches that are sure to make your tree “pop”. Relax and enjoy this hands on activity with all the guidance and materials provided for you to create your very own 12 inch tabletop Christmas tree.

Saturday, December 20, 2014 – Sunday, December 21, 2014

James River Cellars Winery Holiday Open House-11 AM – 5 PM Taste James River Cellars award winning wines, check out the gift shop, visit with special craft vendors and pick up some unique holiday gifts.

Holiday Kids Workshop and Parents Shopping Day Drop the kids off at All Fired Up for an art adventure, while you finish your holiday shopping! On Saturday, December 20th from 10am-Noon, and Sunday, December 21st from 2-4pm, we’ll be creating a snowman from wet clay and designing a fused glass snowflake. All-inclusive cost is $35.

Holiday Combo Class in Short Pump Drop the kids off at Sweet Spot, and they’ll go on an art adventure around Short Pump. They’ll decorating cookies, make a snowman at All Fired Up, and paint “Holiday Mittens” at Spirited Art – all while you finish your holiday shopping! This event will take place on Saturday, December 20th from 9am-12:30pm, and Sunday, December 21st from 1-4:30pm. All-inclusive cost is $62. Sign up through Spirited Art.

Free Carriage Rides in Carytown – Head to the mile of style and take a free carriage ride down Cary Street.

Sunday December 21, 2014

Rompy’s Jolly Holiday Jam 6pm to 7:30pm All Richmond Locations. Join Rompy and the rest of the Romp n’ Roll team for our Jolly Holiday Jam…it will be “jam-packed” with fun games and activities, dancing and, of course, a yummy holiday treat. What a great way to kick off the holidays! This event is for all children 5 years old and under, and is parent-inclusive. $10 per child for enrolled members and $15 per child for non-members. Call (804) 364-6363 to reserve your spot!

Friday, December 26, 2014 – Saturday, December 27, 2014

Holiday Glitter: Monument Avenue Walking Tour Take a tour of Monument Avenue, lined with grand homes that are especially sparkly during the holidays. Dress comfortably and bring a flashlight.

December 29, 2014 – January 2, 2015

Kids FunShops! 
Bring in your kids from 10:30am-Noon all week long for an adventure in pottery, and wet clay building! Each FunShop features a different project that will get their creative juices flowing and costs only $30. Or, sign up for all four classes for only $100!
Monday, Dec 29th –  “My Mitten” Handprint Plate
Tuesday, Dec 30th – “Do You Want to Build A Snowman?” Plaque
Wednesday, Dec 31st – Puffy Penguin Bank
Friday, January 2nd – “Your Name Here” Party Banner

Winter Camp at Romp n’ Roll. December 29^th and 30^th, 9am to noon. All Richmond Locations. School will be out and the snow may fly, but we’ll be turning up the heat during the holiday break with our “Winter Luau” camp! Participate in one or both days and have a blast with beach limbo and volleyball, summer-themed art activities and more!  Cost is just $30 per day for enrolled members and $35 per day for non-members, which includes a nut-free snack for children ages 2 through 5.  Children do not need to be potty trained. Call (804) 364-6363 to reserve your spot!

It may seem strange but Christmas as we think of it today, really began in the 19th century. Along with Clement C. Moore’s now famous poem Twas the Night Before Christmas, and Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, many traditions, stories and things we love about Christmas had its beginnings in the 1800s.

By the time James Henry and Sallie May Dooley built and lived in their beautiful Maymont estate, the idea of celebrating Christmas with family, friends, joy and good cheer was in full swing. Elaborate place settings were set for a delicious Christmas dinner, lavish gifts sat under the tree and aromatic evergreen decorations adorned each room.

This Christmas you can be transported to the Gilded Age at Maymont as it is set in full Victorian splendor.  Maymont has planned a holiday season to inspire and delight visitors young and old.  Guests can take a tour of the mansion decked out in full Christmas grandeur (Tuesdays-Sundays, November 21, 2014-January 4, 2015, 12-5pm ).

Bring the children to Maymont to celebrate an Old-Fashioned Christmas (Sunday, December 7, 12-5pm) and take a horse-drawn carriage ride on the lovely Maymont grounds, visit with St. Nick and Maymont’s Christmas Fairy, enjoy food and drink, festive music, the warmth of a roaring bonfire and special holiday activities.

If you want to bring a little nostalgia home with you, pack up your clippers and your gloves and take a wreath workshop.  Experts at Maymont will help you will create a fresh green wreath to take home or learn how to create a traditional Magnolia wreath and door swag to adorn your front door.

Visitors have loved Maymont during spring, summer and fall for it’s expansive lawn, beautiful gardens, scenic trails and Children’s Farm, but if you have not been during the winter you’re missing a real gem.  Maymont becomes a magical place during the holiday season with the nostalgic warmth and cheer of a 19th century Christmas.

See the full list events of Victorian Holiday events and workshops at Maymont here.
Fees may apply, check the listing for details.

Mmmmm…. Holidays.  Some people think of presents,  parties, the spirit of the season… but there’s pretty much only one think I think about: food.

Holiday food is some of the richest, fattiest and most delicious food out there, and while I absolutely love it, gorging myself at holiday parties is something I tend to regret sooner or later.

Thankfully, the nutritionists at MARTIN’S have been anticipating calorie season with some tips on how to navigate (and still enjoy) all that holiday party food:

• If you go to a party on an empty stomach you will most likely end up eating more than you actually need or even really want. Instead plan ahead. If you have a party that night, don’t skip meals in anticipation. Choose a high protein breakfast and a snack of lean protein, fruits and vegetables beforehand.  Also stay hydrated by drinking 8 to 16 ounces of water.

• Move your body. Find an activity your family loves and do it before your big meal. Or schedule in an extra half hour of exercise the morning of a party.

• Allow yourself small portions or tastes of your favorite dishes. Choose a small cocktail size plate for appetizers and limit yourself to one plate.

• No small plate? Try using a napkin. You will only be able to fit enough food into the palm of your hand, ideal when you hit the sweets table.

• Attending a cocktail party? Try to go for fruit and vegetable trays or lean meat options such as chicken skewers. Watch for dips, sauces and anything fried, crunchy or crispy.

• For dinner events, follow the ChooseMyPlate.gov guidelines. Make half your plate fruit and vegetables. One quarter of your plate can be a scoop of a starch such as mashed potatoes, rice or sweet potatoes. The rest of your plate should be your lean protein (roast turkey, filet mignon, baked ham, etc.)

• Contribute to the food table. This way you can ensure that there is an item or two you can eat without guilt. Make a salad, bring fresh cut fruit, or a “lightened up” version of your favorite holiday side dish or appetizer.

• Liquid calories can add up quickly. Sugary mixers can double your cocktail calories. Stick with wine and light beers, which are about 100 to 125 calories per glass. Follow each alcoholic beverage you have with a glass of water to stay hydrated.

• Slow down at the buffet. It takes your brain about 20 minutes to recognize fullness.

• Move your socializing away from the buffet or sweets table. Out of sight, out of mind.

• Satisfy your sweet tooth with the three bite dessert rule. Choose a small piece, take three bites and savor each bite.

• Make a plan for the day after a big party of meal so you can get back on track quickly.

And if you’re the one in the kitchen, there are a number of simple swaps you can use in preparing your holiday favorites.

• Use low fat dairy products.
• Instead of oil use applesauce or ground flax.
• Try ground turkey and turkey bacon.
• Replace an egg with 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed and 3 Tablespoons water in your baking dishes.
• Use spices or herbs instead of salt to flavor food.
• Add vegetables whenever you can. Try pureed butternut squash in mac and cheese and cauliflower in mashed potatoes.

For more healthy tips visit MARTIN’S Healthy Ideas online or stop into your local MARTIN’S to pick up the free holiday edition of Healthy Ideas Magazine.

Photo credit: “Alfajores” by J. Annie Wang is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Psychologist and author Dr. Susan Newman makes the case that there are times when you need to treat your kids like employees. Sometimes, home life needs to look like business life. The holiday season, especially Thanksgiving, is one of those times. Being a busy, career-oriented mother means that you need to approach Thanksgiving like you do work—with a business plan.

Outsourcing

Martha Stewart has demonstrated that she has the capability to make every little radish rosette and napkin swan but the odds are that she has someone do it for her. The Martha Stewart brand employs up to 500 people, reports Glassdoor. Like many companies in the U.S., she outsources secondary jobs. Thanksgiving Day decorations are important but they will never compete with a delicious turkey. Do not waste your time trying to create a centerpiece when you can easily buy one. Take a look at the holiday centerpieces from FTD and devote your time to creating an amazing meal.

Project Management

Qantas Airways’ director Maxine Brenner can cook. She showed that at the CEO Cookoff this year when she worked with a professional chef to raise more than $13 million for Australia’s homeless. Cooking a grand meal and running an airline have a very important thing in common: both need precise scheduling. List out everything that you need to do to pull off the perfect meal, including time frames and preparation overlap. Find recipes that you can make in advance to spread the project over a longer period. Remember that a big turkey takes several hours in the oven so you have plenty of time to do other meal time prepping.

Human Resources

You are not alone. You can manage people at work so do the same at home. Monaica Ledell of the website mommybreadwinner.com says that she runs her family like a business. She delegates to her husband and her two underage assistants. Make it clear that you are looking for help, not the extra chore of cleaning up after a failed attempt. Telling your adolescent that she is smart and can figure it out is perfectly acceptable. Just like at work, the caveat is that quality assurance is a standard, not a stab at perfection. Let everyone know, in no uncertain terms, what you need then empower them to deliver in their own way.

Inventory Control

The CEO of Campbell Soup Denise Morrison says that she has been preparing to run a company all of her life. You can guess that she does not run out of carrots for Campbell’s chicken noodle soup. Creating a Thanksgiving feast requires organization. When you create your grocery shopping list, make sure that it reflects the entree that you are creating with the ingredients. If you are using the same ingredient for several food courses, place the total amount on the list then parenthetically separate the quantities so that you know what you need for each recipe.

Marketing

We all like to think that our business and our cooking is the best, but how you market your meal makes a difference. Food advertisers spend millions of dollars annually to make people believe that their food is a little better than reality shows. Research in the journal Appetite shows that marketing, especially to children, positively affects the enjoyment of the food so present your food with a flourish and the disclaimer that it is delicious.

“Tis the holiday season and a wonderful time to connect with family and friends! Of course, it’s also the time when we are surrounded by endless amounts of traditional holiday indulgences such as baked goods and sweets. Any party is bound to be brimming with tons of cookies for the cookie swap, cakes of all kinds and festive candy.

Check out these festive holiday ideas for avoiding sugar overload and incorporating some fun, tasty treats that your little ones and yourself are sure to love.

Warm up with festive holiday drinks that are low in sugar.

• HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE – Warm up milk or an unsweetened milk alternative (nut or soy) on the stove or in the microwave. Add unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract and a touch of sweetener (such as Stevia). Great way to warm up on a cold night!

• SPARKLING BEVERAGE – Splash 100% juice in sparkling water and top with orange slices. Serve in a glass or in a pitcher for a party.

• WARM SPICED STEAMER – Mix milk with favorite spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg then warm on the stove or microwave. Add some vanilla extract and enjoy this cozy treat before bed-time.

Serve up fun fruit and veggie treats as appetizers or snacks.

• BANANA STICK SNOWMEN – Slice a banana and slide 3 slices onto a kabob stick. Cut carrot slivers for the noses and use mini chocolate chips for the eyes and buttons. Pretzel sticks make great arms.

• GRINCH FRUIT KABOB – Slide a green grape, a banana slice and one strawberry (with top cut off) onto a toothpick. Top with a mini marshmallow for a hat. Great treat for a snack or party!

• CHRISTMAS TREE VEGGIE PLATTER – Arrange broccoli florets in the shape of a Christmas tree. Decorate with cherry tomatoes and carrot slices as ornaments and slices of red pepper for the garland. Cut celery makes a great stump. Top with a star cut out of a yellow bell pepper.

Decorate sandwiches

• CHRISTMAS TREE PITAS – Cut pita bread into triangle shaped wedges, spread with guacamole and decorate with ornaments using chopped red bell pepper. Place half a thin pretzel stick in the bottom for the trunk.

• SNOWMAN SANDWICH – Use cookie cutters or a drinking glass to cut out circles in the bread. Spread your favorite nut butter and layer with your favorite sliced fruit between two round slices. Decorate the bread to resemble a snowman – use blueberries for the eyes and smile and a sliced carrot for the nose.

The MARTIN’S nutritionists wish you all a healthy, happy holiday!

For more healthy tips, visit MARTIN’S online or call to schedule a consultation with Valerie or with Caroline Roessler, in-store nutritionist at MARTIN’S new Midlothian store!

Valerie Pulley, RDN has more than 23 years of experience as a registered dietitian and is currently the Richmond area in-store nutritionist for MARTIN’S Food Markets.  As a working mom of two daughters, Valerie relates well to the challenges today’s moms face trying to establish and maintain healthy habits for a busy lifestyle. She is committed to offering practical advice based on up-to-date medical information to help families make sustainable healthy changes to their lifestyle. To get a plan tailored to you, call Valerie at 804-364-3644 to set up a one-on-one consultation.

Photo Credit: “Snowman Smile” by Bunches and Bits {Karina} is licensed under CC BY 2.0 photo has been cropped to fit.

Garden Members receive their 10% discount on all purchases! Learn more about the benefits of Garden Membership. 

Join us at the Garden for a special evening of shopping just in time for the holidays. Guests will be greeted with a glass of champagne or sparkling cider and enjoy live music and door prizes while you shop.

The Garden Cafe will be open for dining 5 – 7 pm.