Someone commented “Bah Humbug! Get in the spirit!” to a post that I wrote the other day about the fact that Santa has already taken up residency at the North Shore Shopping Center. To the contrary….I’m well on my way towards making sure that this holiday season is as magical for my boys as possible. Although, I sincerely did appreciate the kick in the butt…as sometimes I do need it.
While I have totally begun my holiday planning, I try to keep the holidays a bit under wraps for the boys until Thanksgiving. We’ve made a Thanksgiving night tradition out of making popcorn and hot cocoa, spreading out sleeping bags, and watching The Polar Express for the past several years. For us…that is the true beginning of the holiday season. That also happens to be the evening that jolly, little “Jingle the Elf” sneaks back into the house to oversee the boys’ behavior and keep the big S privy to the going ons of the dynamic Schrafft duo. And then, the day after Thanksgiving, we go out and tag and decorate our Christmas Tree at the tree farm (and then let it sit and simmer prior to going back to chop it down)…..another favorite day of ours for sure! In my humble opinion, 7 or 8 weeks of holiday excitement kind of detracts from the specialness of the season. Too much of a good thing, and all. For pete’s sake, that is 1/6 of the entire year! For us, the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas is perfect! And…we do those 4 weeks BIG.
For starters, an overnight trip to NYC to skate at Rockefeller Center and to see the tree, lights, and decorations is already booked (thanks to a pretty sweet Groupon)….as is a trip to ride on the Polar Express up in New Hampshire. A really special thing for little ones to do. My iCal on my Mac is all loaded with no fewer than a dozen important holiday festivities and I’ve already lamented the fact that we can’t see Santa on the Beauport Princess while simultaneously watching him arrive by lobster boat in Rockport Harbor. The two appearances overlap by just enough time to make doing both impossible. Never mind the lies that would have to be told to explain how Santa actually did both. Magic….I know.
I won’t share more of those events/activities with you yet…as they are bound to reveal themselves in some upcoming “Picks of the Weekend” posts over the course of the next several Thursdays.
A whopping 4 stocking stuffers have been purchased….along with three teacher gifts. I have a “sticky” on my desktop all organized with a T and an F and a B (for both) to be uber organized about which gifts have been ordered…and for whom (with the boys being exactly 2 years apart…they get some gifts that are actually meant for them to share…hence the B column). I have items in virtual shopping bags locked and loaded at Under Armour, Nike, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Likewise, my eBay “watch” list is growing with NWT (new with tag) items to be bid on. I’ve also started to DVR Christmas movies as they begin to get listed. Game On, peeps.
Christmas is indeed starting to take shape….and commercials like this one are starting to give me the warm fuzzies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf2xLK91Yco
Good Morning Gloucester 
Hi Nicole,
Can I come be a kid on your house?!?! Sounds like a magical season, esp trip to NYC.
My BFF, her hubs and 2 kids (5 & 2) are coming to Rockport the day after Thanskgiving. Would love any suggestions, seasonal or otherwise, if you know of anything. Halibut Point SP and playground at Rockport elementary are my standbys
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Hey, Erin. How long are they here and where are they coming from? I’ll come up with some ideas.
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Hi Nicole,
They are from DC but driving up from South Shore that morning, heading out around 5 pm. Short visit. Very much appreciate your ideas. I know you’re busy!
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I haven’t forgotten about you and your guests, Erin. At first I was thinking of all sorts of activities for little ones that age, but most of my first thoughts were 25-35 mins away. Like the Wenham Museum’s Holiday Train Exhibit. Not ideal if they are coming to Rockport to visit for just a few hours! My kids have always loved just going for drives and seeing the different types of fishing boats and the historic landmarks, breakwaters, etc. But….I know they’re weird that way! It certainly isn’t for all kids…especially if they’ve already been in the car driving up from the South Shore. I think you’re spot on with Halibut Point. Ravenswood is good for a hike too. We sometimes go sprinkle “reindeer” food around in the woods to get ready for Santa’s furry friends. Corny, I know. Rockport Elem playground, like you said, is great. There are often horses out near the track/soccer fields too. The new Burnham’s Field playground is great too. AND…it is across from Holy Cow which would be great for a post romp treat!! Check and see if they’re open. The Lone Gull and even Halibut Pt. restaurant are good for some yummy hot cocoa after an outdoor activity. If it is going to be REALLY cold…you may want to have them pack a bathing suit (sounds weird) and plan on hitting the indoor pool at the Cape Ann Marina. For a fee you can get a day pass for the indoor pool. I’ll keep on thinking. Also see if there is anything going on at one of the local libraries or Art Haven. I’ll keep on thinking.
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Nicole,
Thank you so much for the suggestions! I love the idea of reindeer food in Ravenswood and hot chocolate at Halibut Point afterwards. I’m going to be hopefully for a warmer day. Happy Thanksgiving!
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We did pastry from Cafe Sicilia and bagels/donuts from Jim’s. Then a nice walk and some snow angels at Halibut Point State Park. Maggie (5 yr old guest) declared it the “perfect winter wonderland”. Home for turkey/stuffing/cranberry sandwiches and some frozen videos on the couch while the adults got caught up. Blocks and huge pad of paper with crayons made the day complete 🙂
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Well, I’m the Bah Humbug guy. Sometimes the intended sentiment does not always come across in emails. One need to be careful I meant it in the spirit of “Don’t worry, be happy!” kind of a thing. And it certainly sounds like you and your family are! Good for you.
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I like the nickname, “Bah Humbug Guy”. I hope that you know that I took no offense. I know well from your past comments here on GMG that you meant no harm! I was hoping my offering of the “Although, I sincerely did appreciate the kick in the butt…as sometimes I do need it” would let you know that I was not offended at all. I actually smiled when I read it! And….it was a nice segue to a new post about Holiday Spirit. I hope you don’t feel like I threw you under the proverbial bus….that was not my intention! Happy Holidays!
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