I love our town this time of year! The decorations are stellar, for a small home town feel, store merchants are jovial and passers by are in the spirit of giving! Here are a couple of things you simply must do:
1. Winterfest on Bainbridge Island-12/21-12/23
Annual Holiday Garden of Lights at Bainbridge Gardens. Take a stroll amid flowers, stars, angels and woodland creatures, all designed with thousands of colorful lights. 3 p.m. to closing, daily. Bundle up and bring the whole family, stroll through with a cup of hot chocolate and get in the spirit!
2. Shop Local!
*Passport to the Holidays 2012
Definitely a must this season! Don't forget your coupons from my annual "ShanPak" for great savings at many stores. Pick up a complimentary Passport from any participating retailer. Collect a stamp when you spend $10 at a participating retailer between now & December 24. Collect stamps from 50% of the participating businesses and enter to win one of four Downtown Shopping Sprees, each worth $1,200!
*Elf on the Shop Shelf
Children are invited to participate in their own Holiday Passport. Collect stamps by finding the elf hidden on shelves at participating businesses. Collect 15 stamps to receive a small prize and enter to win a giant stuffed animal! No purchase necessary.
3. Get a local Christmas tree!
There are many U cut locations or stands. Here are my favorites:
*Grandma's U cut located at 9090 New Brooklyn
*Bainbridge Island Farms located at 13610 Manzanita
*Boy Scotts Tree Lot located on Highschool road across from Ace Hardware
*Bainbridge Gardens for wonderful live trees
4. Watch for the Holiday Music Truck it comes to neighborhoods from 5 pm – 9 pm through Christmas Eve
5. Attend a Christmas Eve church service
*New Life Church located at the Pavillion Theatres on Madison, has a service at 6 pm and 8 pm
*Cross Sound Church located at BHS has a service at 5 pm and 11 pm
6. Visit your neighbors, bring them a plate of your favorite home made cookies!
7. Have a holiday martini/drink. Here's where I like to go:
*The Harbour Public House...aka.. The Pub located at 231 Parfitt Way they make a fantastic assortment of drinks and are open until midnight
*Cafe Nola located at 101 Winslow Way
*Four Swallows located at 481 Madison Ave.
8. See the lights! My favorite neighborhoods:
*Commodore Lane
*North Town Woods
*Winslow Way our town is so cute this time of year, very much like "It's a Wonderful Life" in my opinion
9. Clean out your pantry and visit Helpline House with a donation! Not only does this make you feel good, it does good!
10. Count your blessings! What a year it's been, take stock, give thanks and start planning for the greatness 2013 will surely bring!
Wishing you all a blessed, safe, healthy and happy Holiday season and a a prosperous New Year!