Ohio is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. But there's more to do than just shop! Below a few non-mall shopping ideas, check out other fun (and some free) activities throughout the state. Consider candlelighting ceremonies, nature walks, and even an independent film festival-there's an enjoyable activity for everyone in your family.
Poor Thanksgiving. Between the number-one and number-two (Halloween! Did you know that?) gift-giving seasons of the year, the great idea of sitting down to be thankful for a healthy harvest gets lost in the shuffle. That is, the shuffle of feet in the mall. Don't cheat yourself by failing to enjoy some more basic pleasures. Consider these...
Gotta Shop? Buy Ohio
Face it. Too many of us are out buying presents for people who just don't need anything. How silly. Yet we've succumbed to the 'I-have-to-give-presents' mentality. Here are some thoughts for more meaningful-and local-gift-giving.
1-A check to charity. Consider your LOCAL Red Cross chapter; they do more than you probably know. Or donate to a local animal shelter or children's hospital.
2-A party for people who need it. Call your local food bank and ask what they need. It may be a side of beef or ten cases of spaghetti sauce. Donate it in the name of the person who's so darned hard to buy for, and ask the foodbank manager to sign a letter of appreciation. Wrap it up with lots of good feelings tucked inside.
3-Ohio products. In addition to local orchards, there are Smucker's jellies and gift certificates for Bob Evan's restaurants. Plus, you can the kids for a tour of Malley's or London's Chocolates while they're out of school-and pick up delicious gift items after seeing how they make the candies (and sampling a few!).
Light Up and Be Happy
The first three Saturdays in December, Historic Roscoe Village cheers on the holiday season with its Christmas Candlelighting Ceremonies. At 6 p.m. each Saturday, a performing guest choir calls attention to the outdoor stage and the GIGANTIC Village Christmas tree, a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony. The reading of an inspirational Christmas story then compliments the dramatic lighting of the 35-foot tree. The lighting of the candles begins when the Honorary Candlelighter, usually a public figure, lights the first candle from the main candle on stage and proceeds to pass the flame to the singing of "Silent Night." As each person receives the flame from his neighbor, he begins singing, and so on, until the world is a brighter (and louder) place. On the days of candlelightings, visitors can take horse-drawn surrey rides, listen to live dulcimer music, hear strolling carolers, visit with Santa and his elves, see live reindeer (first Saturday only), and browse through the Shops of Roscoe Village among the old-fashioned holiday decorations and luminaries lining the streets, and learn about Christmas during the 1800s as you tour the Village by candlelight. This year, the celebrations are: December 3, 10, and 17. The location is
Poor Thanksgiving. Between the number-one and number-two (Halloween! Did you know that?) gift-giving seasons of the year, the great idea of sitting down to be thankful for a healthy harvest gets lost in the shuffle. That is, the shuffle of feet in the mall. Don't cheat yourself by failing to enjoy some more basic pleasures. Consider these...
Gotta Shop? Buy Ohio
Face it. Too many of us are out buying presents for people who just don't need anything. How silly. Yet we've succumbed to the 'I-have-to-give-presents' mentality. Here are some thoughts for more meaningful-and local-gift-giving.
1-A check to charity. Consider your LOCAL Red Cross chapter; they do more than you probably know. Or donate to a local animal shelter or children's hospital.
2-A party for people who need it. Call your local food bank and ask what they need. It may be a side of beef or ten cases of spaghetti sauce. Donate it in the name of the person who's so darned hard to buy for, and ask the foodbank manager to sign a letter of appreciation. Wrap it up with lots of good feelings tucked inside.
3-Ohio products. In addition to local orchards, there are Smucker's jellies and gift certificates for Bob Evan's restaurants. Plus, you can the kids for a tour of Malley's or London's Chocolates while they're out of school-and pick up delicious gift items after seeing how they make the candies (and sampling a few!).
Light Up and Be Happy
The first three Saturdays in December, Historic Roscoe Village cheers on the holiday season with its Christmas Candlelighting Ceremonies. At 6 p.m. each Saturday, a performing guest choir calls attention to the outdoor stage and the GIGANTIC Village Christmas tree, a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony. The reading of an inspirational Christmas story then compliments the dramatic lighting of the 35-foot tree. The lighting of the candles begins when the Honorary Candlelighter, usually a public figure, lights the first candle from the main candle on stage and proceeds to pass the flame to the singing of "Silent Night." As each person receives the flame from his neighbor, he begins singing, and so on, until the world is a brighter (and louder) place. On the days of candlelightings, visitors can take horse-drawn surrey rides, listen to live dulcimer music, hear strolling carolers, visit with Santa and his elves, see live reindeer (first Saturday only), and browse through the Shops of Roscoe Village among the old-fashioned holiday decorations and luminaries lining the streets, and learn about Christmas during the 1800s as you tour the Village by candlelight. This year, the celebrations are: December 3, 10, and 17. The location is
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