Fun Holiday Activities to Do in 2020

 Christmas is my most favorite time of year! I absolutely love all of the traditions and activities that get us in the holiday spirit. This year, of course, things are going to be different than usual, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun this holiday. I am going to share a list of fun activities for anyone to do during the season that is COVID safe. I am also going to share some fun activities if you are local to Metro- Detroit. 

Some super fun activities that help you get into the spirit of the season in 2020...

1. Invite a few family members over to decorate Christmas cookies. Everyone can have their own tray with their own icing, sprinkles, etc. so that decorations (and germs) are not shared!

2. Have a bonfire outside with friends and family. Play Christmas music, drink egg nog or festive drinks, and cook some food on the fire. Make sure your Christmas lights are on!

3. Did you know you can hire a Santa to come to your home? Look online for Santa rentals to find one in your neighborhood. I found a Santa who gets COVID tested regularly and follows social distancing regulations. Invite a few friends over and let the kids enjoy a visit with Santa. If you don't feel comfortable having him inside your house, you can visit with Santa on your front lawn. If you have a friend or family member who would volunteer to dress up as Santa, even better! We did this for Easter. My parents dressed up as Easter bunnies and left eggs all throughout our yard. It was so sweet. 

4. Sometimes getting in the spirit means giving. One of my favorite things to do every holiday season is to adopt a family and buy presents for them. It makes me so happy knowing we are helping a family to have a magical holiday. 

5. One tradition we have, which just happens to be COVID safe, is what we call the "Polar Express." On a random day in December, I leave tickets to the "Polar Express" under Charlie's pillow as a surprise and that night we load up in the car in our Christmas jammies with cocoa and snacks and we drive around looking at all of the neighborhood lights. We also usually do a scavenger hunt along the drive. There are lots of holiday light scavenger hunt printables on Pinterest. 

6.. Truly what makes me feel in the spirit of the season is when I am home in my cozy Christmas jammies, with a Christmas candle lit, make a super yummy dinner, and then watch Christmas movies after dinner by the fire and eat Christmas cookies. Being with my family in the comfort of our home and seeing our tree lit up at night - there is nothing better!

I hope these ideas help to make your season brighter!

For my metro-Detroit friends, I wanted to share a local guide to things to do during the season. As we know, the rules and regulations can change daily so I don't know if all of these activities will still be available. I would check the websites regularly to make sure they are still on. 

1. Greenfield Village Holiday Nights - This is one of my favorite traditional Christmas activities. Greenfield Village is a historic village. It truly feels like you are back in time! Dress warm. Make sure you buy tickets soon. They are selling out fast! (Click here for more info)

2. Detroit Zoo Wild Lights - If you haven't been to Wild Lights, it is super fun! The zoo comes to life in lights! Dress warm. Tickets are selling out fast! (Click here for more info)

3. DTE Magic of Lights - This is new this year, but it is a drive-thru experience to look at beautiful holidays lights! Bring some hot cocoa in the car with you.  (Click here for more info)

4. Christmas at Crossroads Village - Drive-thru crossroads village and enjoy the lights and Christmas decorations from your car. (Click here for more info)

5. Meadowbrook Hall Winter Wonderlights - A self guided outdoor light event on the grounds of Meadowbrook Hall. (Click here for more info)

6. Plymouth Walk of Trees in Kellogg Park and Santa Parade - Check out different decorated trees in the Kellogg Park. On November 27, Santa comes to town. Follow him on his route and wave from the sidewalk. (Click here for more info) (For Santa's Parade route, click here)

7. Wayne County Lightfest - Enjoy four miles of lights down Hines Drive from the comfort of your car. (Click here for more info)

8. The Rink at Campus Martius Park - Enjoy the beauty of Detroit and the Campus Martius Park with a fun day of ice skating. Reservations can be made online. (Click here for more info)

I also wanted to share some activities local to Northville for those interested:

1. Christmas in the Village - Enjoy Christmas activities in historic Mill Race Village. (Click here for more info)

2. Three Cedars Farm Country Christmas - As far as I have heard, Christmas is still happening at Three Cedars Farm, which makes me super happy! Check out the decorations, visit with Santa, and get some cider & donuts. (Click here for more info)

3. *UPDATE: CANCELLED* Maybury Farm Country Christmas - Visit Maybury farm for Christmas decorations, music, and of course, the animals! Tickets must be purchased in advance. (Click here for more info)

4. Dinner in an igloo at Deadwood - Make a reservation for your family to enjoy dinner dining outside in an igloo at Deadwood. (Click here for more info)

5. Drive-thru Santa Visits at the Novi Civic Center- Register for s Santa drive-thru visit at Novi Civic Center on December 4th. You can enjoy hot cocoa, crafts, and cookies (provided) from your car. (Click here for more info)

6. Holiday Lights at the Farm - Visit MSU Tollgate Farm in Novi for a drive through the farm in your own car and check out the holiday decorations! (Click here for more info)

I hope you enjoy this beautiful season!

5 Tips for the Perfect Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Every year for the past three years, we have hosted a gingerbread house decorating party. Not only is it just a fun get together with family, but we have turned it into a competition and the winner gets an awesome prize! After the first year of hosting, I learned a few tips that will help you to have a stress-free and fun party. Today, I am sharing my tips, as well as links to some of my favorite super cute gingerbread party items!

Tip #1: Always start with prebuilt houses (unless you have lots of time!). The first year we made gingerbread house kits that were not prebuilt and it took so long to assemble them that we had less time left to decorate, which is the fun part. I suggest buying prebuilt to make it fun and easy. 

Tip #2: Create a big enough work space. I have a big family, so naturally I have big tables in my house because I host a lot, but if you do not have a big table, put together as many folding tables as possible and line all of your candy up in bowls down the center. That way everyone can see what candy options are available. 

Tip #3: Use disposable table cloths or runners. Using as much disposable items as possible makes for easy clean up. Gingerbread house decorating is messy!

Tip #4: Have a good prize.  Having a good prize for the winner gives some incentive to get creative with decorating. 

Tip #5: Have LOTS of variety. Offer a wide variety of candy and food to work with. Some of our favorites are gum drops, pretzel rods (perfect for a log cabin), cinnamon imperials, licorice ropes, and marshmallows. Wilton also makes lots of cute gingerbread house decorations. Get creative! Think year, I am thinking of using battery operated string lights to light my house up!

Bonus Tip: Have LOTS of fun! Dress up in a silly costume or wear an ugly sweater. I love wearing silly Christmas earrings for the party. It adds to the fun!

1. Prebuilt gingerbread houses are available at Target (here).

2. How adorable are these cute gingerbread aprons for kids? (here)

3. These Hester & Cook placemats are PERFECT for a gingerbread house party (here). I also love this candy cane runner (here). These are all disposable so perfect for easy clean up. 

4. Need last minute decorations? This gingerbread man garland is from Amazon (here) and ships quickly.

5. I love these invites for the a gingerbread house party. 

You can edit the text to say whatever you like (here). 

6. This pancake mix (here) and this syrup (here) would be a cute prize for the winner!

7. Here is one style of Wilton gingerbread house decorations (here). They make so many different kinds!

8. How fun are these Santa earrings (here)? They are so festive and fun!

9. These little gingerbread man mug toppers (here) would be super cute on hot cocoa or coffee served at the party. 

10. This gingerbread house door mat (here) from Pottery Barn will have your guests feeling festive right when they arrive!

11. Cinnamon imperials (here) and gumdrops (here) are some of my favorite candies to use. Load up on as much candy varieties as possible!

12. These adorable bowls from Target (here) are a cute way to display all of the candy for the party. 

13. I found this adorable girls dress (here) with a smocked gingerbread design on it! How perfect!

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