The season of hot peppermint mochas, Christmas trees, holiday cheer, bulky coats, and snow is soon upon us. This season is either a favourite of many or an absolute hate for others. Whatever your feelings are on this season, you have to admit that between December and January, everything is so magical. The crisp breeze, twinkling lights, holiday music, bare trees, frost on your windows and the feeling of giving back is quite amazing. To help guide you on some holiday festive fun, I’ve compiled a little list of things you can do this winter right here in Essex County.
Get Festive at Home. Set up your Christmas tree, put up lights out front of the house and join everyone else in some holiday fun. If you’re not celebrating Christmas, decorate for Kwanzaa or Hanukkah or any other celebratory event. It’s always fun to get the family together to decorate and be merry together. There are some great places to find decorations, from more affordable places like Dollarama and Walmart, to more unique places like HomeSense and Pier One, and lastly to more personalized places like Michaels as well.
Take a Winter Wonderland Walk. Drive up to Amherstburg for the Amherstburg River Lights that display different lit caricatures and trees all along Teddy Jones Park and the Navy Yard Park. To top it off, they even have a Gingerbread Warming House with festive activities for children, a meet and greet with Santa, and beautiful decor. If you want to make this night even more special, you could even take part in the Christmas House Tours. This event has 10 professionally decorated homes perfect for a little tour and some super cute Instagram pictures. Another great place to venture out to is the Kingsville Fantasy of Lights event for some romantic, yet fun, displays.
Enjoy the Christmas Parade. Every year, there are various Santa Claus parades that take place all around Essex County. This is a great event for little ones in the family to enjoy. After the parade, maybe grab some dinner at a local restaurant and then go for some hot cocoa.
Bring Family and Friends Together for a Holiday Dinner. The best part of winter is how everyone tends to come home for the holidays. Make a few calls, dress up and go out for dinner. A lot of restaurants tend to get festive as well, so enjoy good company and some good food together before life gets super busy once again. Some great restaurants to check out are on Ouellette St. or even in the Walkerville area in Windsor.
Get a Picture with Santa. Go to Devonshire Mall and get a picture with Santa! The display at the mall every holiday season is always so beautiful. The mall transforms into a magical place around this time. After meeting Santa, get some holiday shopping done and even wrapped with all the volunteer tables stationed throughout the mall.
Watch a Christmas Play. The WFCU centre is hosting “The Nutcracker” early this December. Go out and see the 100 elegant ballet dancers perform to this holiday classic.
Go for Tea. Don’t feel like drinking the festive drinks at Tim Hortons or Starbucks, then go to either Teacups and Crowns or Annabelle’s Tea Room for high tea. Both locations are stunning and the festive decor will blow you away.
For even more festive fun, take a trip to Toronto or even right across the pond to Detroit. Toronto has amazing events going on all season long, and Detroit is always a fun trip to take regardless of the season.
*Disclaimer: Featured image is not mine. Retrieved here.