By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” in part because of all of the memorable events that become family traditions. Don’t miss these special events this season:
• Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles. Meet costumed characters from A Christmas Carol, hear carolers, meet Father Christmas and try hot roasted chestnuts. Of course, shopping in the local stores is a must-do to get a jump on that gift list. The event runs each weekend in December in historic downtown Skaneateles.
• The Eastman House Museum (www.eastman.org) in Rochester hosts an annual Sweet Creations gingerbread house display, open during museum hours. No taste testing permitted!
• Genesee Valley Country Village and Museum in Mumford (https://www.gcv.org) hosts special holiday events and themed weekends. These fill up fast, so make a reservation if you plan to attend.
• Santa’s Workshop (www.northpoleny.com) in North Pole, New York celebrates its 75th Christmas this year with a bevy of costumed characters and festive activities. Check the website for special events all month.
• Lights on the Lake (www.lightsonthelake.com) in Liverpool sparkles throughout the month with a larger-than-life display spanning Onondaga Lake Park. In western New York, check out the Festival of Lights at the Erie County Fairgrounds (https://www.the-fairgrounds.com/p/fol) in Hamburg.
• Holiday Nights at the Zoo (https://rosamondgiffordzoo.org) in Syracuse transforms the Rosamond Gifford Zoo into a Christmas wonderland with sparkling lights for visitors to enjoy, along with hot chocolate, s’mores, live music, ice carving, entertainers and animals on evening exhibit.
• Everson Museum of Art (www.everson.org) hosts its Holiday Festival of Trees. View decorated trees, along with holiday workshops, live performances and seasonal treats from Dec. 5-15.
• Guided Christmas Tours at Lorenzo (https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/15/details.aspx) exhibit the historic home beautifully decorated for the holidays Dec. 12-15.
• It’s a Wonderful Life celebration (www.wonderfullifemuseum.com/2021-festival) in Seneca Falls celebrates the “real” Bedford Falls from the classic Christmas movie Dec. 13-15. Meet stars from the movie and visit spots in Seneca Falls dedicated to promoting the town’s connection to the film, along with other festive goings-on.
Want to try some new, low-budget traditions? Try This
• Set a $5 or $10 gift limit with your family.
• Make your gifts from things you already have.
• Celebrate “Thriftmas” with only secondhand items as gifts among your immediate family members. A lot of thrift stores carry very nice items at a bargain.
• Exchange only homemade food.
Make it a “kids only” for family gift giving. Do you and your siblings really need more stuff?
• Put more thought instead of money into gifts, such as an electronic photo frame loaded with favorite photos of you and the recipient.
• Gather the extended family for a Christmas potluck instead of meeting at a fancy restaurant. Or try simplifying the family feast with just the dishes you most enjoy.
• Craft Christmas cards and décor out of supplies you have on hand instead of buying new.