Holiday traditions
Christmas is but three days away, and for those of you with younger kids I’m sure the fervor is reaching a peak. I remember the Christmas thrill that occupied our household in those early days—and you know, I’d say our holiday season is still a time of great enthusiasm! Baltimore is rich with festive holiday activities for you and yours. Whether it be a seasonal market, holiday lights, or local events, there’s something to do just about every day in the city.
Today, I thought I’d share with you some of our personal favorite seasonal activities and events, so you, too, can delight in some festive fun!
Miracle on 34th Street
Every year the block of 34th St. between Keswick and Chestnut puts on its best and most extravagant holiday attire and opens for nightly public viewing. Inspired, of course, by the film of the same name, 34th St. has some of the best Christmas lights you can hope to see this time of the year. Plus, there are often special surprises, including local vendors with hot cocoa and choral performances by local groups! For us, it’s not Christmas without the 34th St. lights.
Cocoa at the Charmery
Are you a hot cocoa fan? Of course you are—I’m pretty confident everyone is! Well, some of the best hot cocoa you can get your hands on appears yearly at the Charmery (one location in Hampden, and one location in Roland Park). Their cocoa is rich and extra chocolatey, and comes complete with house-made marshmallows, and peppermint ones to boot! Plus, this cocoa makes a great accompaniment for those 34th St. lights—the Hampden Charmery is only about two blocks from the light displays.
The Baltimorons
Now, this is a bit of a new Christmas tradition for us, since this movie was released this year. But I can say with certainty that The Baltimorons is definitely one of our new favorite seasonal films. It’s a fun, lighthearted rom-com with some unexpected moments of real sincerity, and the performances are nothing short of stellar. A great deal of it is filmed in Hampden—and features 34th St., too—so if you come on down for the lights, you’ll be able to spot plenty of locations where the movie was filmed. It makes for a pretty fun scavenger hunt!
Tradition is one of the most lovely aspects of the season. It helps us remember and honor the passing of time, the meaning that the time has held for us, and the people we’ve shared our lives with. Whatever your holiday traditions, I hope you’ll find these ones a good addition to your usual roster.
And when you’re cozying up in your home during these chilly moments, don’t be afraid to ask yourself if that home is really working for you. Tradition is beautiful, but sometimes, a little change really does the trick! Reach out to me anytime. I’d love to help make your home yours.
Until then—cheers to the season! May you all have some excellent hot cocoa in your future.