Five Best Cities for Holiday Christmas Light Displays

While the rest of the world is cleaning up from Thanksgiving and gathering their Christmas décor from the attic, some Americans have spent the past several months preparing for some of the most elaborate and out-of-this-world holiday light displays in America.

Shindigz, a party supply retailer, set out to find the five most dazzling holiday light displays in America. And, baby – Clark Griswold ain’t got nothin’ on these masterpieces!

5. Nashville & Sevierville, TN – New Market, MD – Myrtle Beach, SC

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland

With four locations confirmed for 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, Sevierville, Tennessee, New Market, Maryland and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland is worth the road trip. Each drive through display contains hundreds of thousands of LED lights controlled by 1,600 different light circuits and perfectly choreographed to festive music. In 2010, Forbes Magazine featured Shadrack’s as a must-see holiday attraction. Pricing starts at $25 per car. The best part about Shadrack’s is that they understand the Shindigz motto to “Make Life More Fun” for others. Every year, Shadrack’s makes generous donations to organizations like Ronald McDonald House, American Red Cross and Toys for Tots among other local charities within the host cities. Our party hats are off to you, Shadrack’s!

 

4. Leavenworth, WA

Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival

Often compared to a real-life version of a country snow globe, the Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth, Washington is the perfect mix of lights, entertainment and old-time holiday spirit. The streets of this Bavarian village feature a sea of twinkling lights, carolers, chestnut vendors and horse-drawn carriages. Bring the family for activities like sledding, caroling, live music and an incredible live nativity. As stated on their website, Leavenworth’s country atmosphere and holiday festivities are enough to make put any snow globe to shame.

 

3. Wheeling, WV

Oglebay Festival of Lights

This incredible display opened in 1985 in Wheeling, West Virginia and has grown into a spectacular attraction of 75 larger-than-life light displays spanning 300 acres over a six mile drive through the Oglebay Resort. The Festival of Lights was featured on the Travel Channel’s Extreme Christmas Celebrations show and has gained notoriety across the nation. The Oglebay Festival of Lights is open through January 8, 2012 on Sundays through Thursdays until 10:00 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays until 11:00 p.m. A per car donation is requested and the pass is valid for the entire festival season.

 

2. Gatlinburg, TN

Smoky Mountain Winterfest

Although this festival spans three cities including Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg, the brightest sights and holiday events of Smoky Mountain Winterfest can be found in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This annual festival is a breathtaking scene of snow covered mountains set behind millions of twinkling lights and several holiday parades. With events like the Festival of Trees, Fantasy of Lights parade, Trolley of Lights Tour and New Year’s Ball Drop and Fireworks show, Gatlinburg in December is one bright spectacle to behold. While Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have equally entertaining events, our vote for best light displays at Winterfest goes to the Gatlinburg version.

 

1. Branson, MO

Silver Dollar City

Located in Branson, Missouri, the Silver Dollar City Holiday Festivities should be on every holiday bucket list. Therefore, it’s the number one city on the Shindigz list of best Christmas Light Displays in America. Christmas on Main Street kicks off the festival with the lighting of a 5-story tall musical Christmas tree with over a million lights choreographed to many favorite Holiday tunes. Shortly after, the Gifts of Christmas Holiday Light Parade takes over the streets with over 100,000 dazzling lights. This parade takes place not once, not twice, but 4 days each week through December 30^th. Want even more? The Branson Area Festival of Lights is a magical one mile long drive through thrilling lights and holiday spirit. With over 175 displays, this unique holiday showcase is guaranteed to please the oldest and youngest of guests. The Branson Area Festival of Lights is open daily through Jan. 2, 2012, from dusk until 11 p.m. Prices start at just $12 for a family vehicle. We wouldn’t be surprised if you could see this city from space in December.

Thoughtful Tips for a Very Merry Holiday

Let the Christmas tree spirit in you shine this holiday!

It Is Never Too Early to Start Planning
Spread holiday party preparation out. For example, buy your party supplies and decorations now, instead of waiting until the last minute to make purchases!

• Turn the TV off and the holiday music on – you’ll be surprised how much more you will get done. Plus, you won’t have the added stress of comparing what you are doing to what the “perfect families” are doing on TV.
• Keep your holiday address list on your computer so you can print out address labels. Many fonts are decorative and you will save significant time versus addressing each one.
• Make lists during your wait times. When waiting in line at the grocery or while working on the treadmill, make lists of everything. People on your gift list, dinner menus, decorations to buy, etc.
• Make your most stressful holiday events a celebration in and of themselves. If you hate to decorate a tree, make it family fun tree night. Proclaim dinner to be elf pizza (easy to order and it’s what the elves do) so you don’t have to cook. Pop popcorn, simmer some yummy pot pourri, pump up the Christmas carols and start a tradition. Give everyone old and young a task. The family will look forward to it each year. Add new ornaments every year, giving each family member a new one to hang.
• Make Sunday afternoon, or any other day of the week, baking day. Have fun baking with family and friends. Host a cookie exchange to increase the variety of cookies during the season.
• Plan your holiday travel plans now. If you plan to fly over the holidays, book the earliest flights in the morning so you’ll be less likely to experience a delay. If possible, avoid connections.
• Plan and purchase a few holiday outfits to wear through the season for all types of parties – office holiday parties, neighbors’ open houses, New Year’s Eve parties, and cookie exchanges. Don’t wait until the last minute to shop for a new outfit!
• Don’t overeat during the holidays with the promise you will lose weight starting in January. Set a weight goal for January 1, and stick with it. Enjoy all the holiday food in smaller helpings.

Try Something New
Start a new tradition for each holiday each year. Family members love the traditional aspect of holiday celebrations. Each year add to your own traditions by trying something new.

• For Thanksgiving, make it a pre-dinner tradition to tell each family member or guest at the table one thing about them that makes them special.
• For Christmas, have each individual select a figure from the nativity scene.Then, one-by-one, tell the story of Jesus’ birth from the figure’s eye. Include animals, angels, shepherds, the wise men and their unique point-of-view. This is a wonderful activity for children of all ages!
• Prepare a birthday cake for baby Jesus and sing happy birthday on Christmas day.
• For Hanukkah, ask the youngest and the oldest to tell the family the meaning behind the celebration and the importance of each element. Enjoy the differing views.
• For New Year’s Eve, create a box of wishes for the New Year and select a wish each week throughout the year. A wish for a family movie night, for a day without arguing, a parents’ night out, a picnic visit to a nearby park—be creative!

Treat Your Family Like Company
Don’t save the best china, outfits, and decorations for guests. Treat the ones you are closest to and love the most to a holiday filled with the best!

Make It the “Year of Decorations” and Go All Out!
Even the tightest budgets can decorate using inexpensive items such as construction paper and Christmas balloons. Set your children or friends to making paper chains in red and green or blue and white. Decorate your with lovely paper and plastic tableware and a festive, gold cone tree centerpiece to let your family and friends know you think they are special (and no one has to wash the dishes!).

Don’t Forget the Special Favor or Memento
Providing family and friends with a treasured memento, such as a snowflake gel candle or personalized bath salts, will be appreciated as much as any large and costly gift you might give. Whether big or small, give your guests something to take home to remember the time you spent together over the holiday.

Keep Your Camera Ready!
Make sure your camera’s batteries are charged and ready to go. Keep spare “AA’s” in your camera case for emergencies. Leave your camera in an easy-to-get-to place for taking those spontaneous pictures of children baking cookies and playing in the snow. There is no such thing as too many photos or priceless memories!

Crafty, Christmas “Kid’s Table” Tablecovers

Let them create a Christmas Kid's Table Tablecover

Many families that gather at the holidays have too many people to fit around one table. One common solution to this issue is to divide the guest seating into two tables, an adult table and a kid table. If this is the arrangement at your gathering, you may be wondering what to do this year for the tablecover at the kid’s table?

We have an artsy idea for you that will keep the little ones busy, while the adults enjoy a pleasant holiday meal at their table. The best part about this tablecover is that it is inexpensive, and it can go home with the artists if they choose to limit their artwork to their allotted section of tablecover.

Christmas “Kid’s Table” Tablecover:

• Use flat white paper (item BGFPLN WHI) and red crepe streamers (STMCR2 RED) to create this look.
• Cover the table top with white flat paper.
• Create diagonal “candy cane stripes” using crepe streamers.
• Add a small metal bucket (Item WESMMB) to each place setting filled with crayons (TOYCRA8).
• The table cover becomes a craft by allowing children to draw and color on it during dinner.

Candy Cane Christmas Kid’s Tablecover:

• In the middle of the candy cane tablecover, place a festive candy cane centerpiece. The kids will enjoy looking at this bouquet of candy canes.
• In addition to the metal crayon bucket, place individually wrapped peppermint candy canes with an adorable snowman on the wrapper at each kid’s spot.
• Kids love cupcakes! Make a batch of your favorite flavor cupcakes, frost them, and then put in the cute candy cane cupcake picks.
• In keeping with the candy cane theme, decorate your party space with a few quick and easy holiday wall graphics. The wall graphics include: a personalized ribbon, a giant candy cane, a happy snowman, and a smiling gingerbread man.
• At the end of the party, remove the tableware and food off of the table and take a picture of the masterpiece. Then, let each kid take home their section of the tablecover, if they so desire.

Christmas Candy Topiaries

Create Christmas Candy Topiaries

This is a fun, candy inspired Christmas decoration that does not cost very much and will cost you very little time, precious time that is difficult to come by in the month of December.

The materials that you need to make this topiary decoration are: Styrofoam cones, a bottle of quick-dry glue, a bag of large gumdrops, a bag of peppermints, a bag of cinnamon disks, a bag of marshmallows, personalized white swirl lollipops, and some pretty ribbon. Follow the easy instructions below to construct your custom Christmas candy topiary.
*Note: This project in not edible, it is for decorative use only.

Christmas Candy Topiaries:

• Purchase Styrofoam cones from your local craft store.
• Decorative purposes only. Not edible.
• Use quick-dry glue to add large gumdrops, peppermints, cinnamon disks, and marshmallows to create our candy topiaries.
• Personalize your topiary with our PERSONALIZED WHITE SWIRL LOLLIPOP (CDYWHSP). Just insert the stick into the top of the topiary.
• Use quick-dry glue to attach a cute bow made from your favorite ribbon.

Christmas Candy Topiary Ideas:

Due to the fact that the topiaries are non-edible, yet embellished with candy, we have listed several other edible ideas for your holiday table for guests to indulge themselves.
• Two adorable treat bag sets to offer your guests are the stocking treat bag set and the felt mitten treat bag set. Very little assembly is required and they come with a cellophane bag, label, and ribbon for including a delicious treat.
• Chocolate covered pretzels are a scrumptious goodie! Use the Christmas tree pretzel mold to make chocolate pretzel creations. Now cover a bouquet of fancy, decorated pretzels with plastic wrap and tie a red or green ribbon around it to secure the pretzels. Then, set a pretzel bouquet at each guest’s place.
• Instead of dismantling the topiary by removing the personalized white swirl lollipop, you can offer your guests a lollipop alternative with adorable dessert lollipops. These lollipops feature fun desserts like an ice cream cone, a piece of cake, a cupcake, and a ice cream sundae.

You’re So Sweet Mr. Snowman! Edible Snowman Favors

Edible Marshmallow Snowmen Favors

There’s nothing like a delicious homemade favor to give your party a warm and cozy feel! These cute edible snowman favors also make great projects for school winter parties and all types of gatherings whether your guests are young, old, or in-between. Just follow the directions below to make this yummy sweet treat:

Edible Marshmallow Snowmen Favors:
• Create the sparkly look by wetting 3 large marshmallows with water and rolling them in course sugar. Let dry.
• Once dry, insert a lollipop stick into the center of all 3 marshmallows. The lollipop stick should only be inserted about 75% through the top marshmallow so that it is not sticking out the top.
• Using white cake piping gel (or frosting) as your “glue”, add cake dots or large sprinkles for eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons.
• Add a scarf by using thin red licorice strings.
• A mini Oreo cookie and Rolo create the hats- use piping gel or frosting as “glue.”
• Toothpicks and mini marshmallows complete the arms.

Edible Snowman Favor Ideas:
• To complement your edible snowmen favors, warm up your guests by giving them a winter mug filled with a few snowflakes hot cocoa mix packets inside.
• Entertain your guests with a melted snowman in their drink, sitting right next to their marshmallow snowman favor. Use clear cups, and then add defrosty snowman ice cubes to each beverage.
• Cover your food table(s) with the Nordic flakes plastic tablecover. It features a fun snowflake pattern with the look of a runner down the center of the table cover.
• Add bright color to your party tables with the snowman carols basic kit-n-kaboodle for your tableware. These happy snowmen will look perfect with the snowmen favors.

Delightful, Santa Bucket Favor Pails

Create Santa Buckle Favor Pails

Looking for a creative way to display and contain your Christmas party favors? We have an easy, unique favor holder for you to make, and all you need are some small red pails, black felt, white felt, and hot glue for this project. Even Santa would be impressed by these favor pails. Follow the steps below to make these festive Santa bucket favor pails:

Santa’s Buckle Favor Pails:

• Use the small red pail (item FVRSPL RED).
• Create the Santa favor pail by using FVRSPL RED, black felt, white felt, and hot glue.
• Cut a long strip of black felt for the “belt”. Hot glue the black felt strip to the pail.
• Use white felt to create the buckle, and hot glue it to the black felt.
• For a snowy look, fill the pail with cotton balls and add your favorite favors. (We used our edible marshmallow snowmen favors).

Santa Bucket Favor Pail Ideas:

• These jolly favor pails should be filled with fun
  Christmas party favors like: Christmas yo-yo’s, mini Christmas coloring books, candy cane pencils, snowman playing cards, and holiday sticker strips.
• Transform your party space with a
  cozy Christmas scene setter. Other Christmas scene setters include: the Christmas scene setter kit, the Christmas trees room setter, and windows and the fireplace scene setter.
• Santa may not be at your party (or maybe he will be, that’s up to you) but Santa’s sleigh can be there. Add a beautiful Santa’s bag
  prop next to the sleigh filled with wrapped empty boxes to complete the effect. The Santa’s bag is made out of crushed velvet looking fabric with gold embroidered wording and a gold drawstring rope. Santa’s sleigh is a great photo opportunity, and you may even want to include your photo in your Christmas cards.