After talking with some friends earlier today--ok, really we were eating Christmas cookies in the kitchen, but let's face it that's where the best conversations take place--anyway, we decided there are three dominate personality types during the holidays: 1. The panicky person who realizes this is the last weekend before Christmas so now might be a good time to start shopping. (I can relate.) 2. The type of person who started their shopping in April, had it all bought by May and everything wrapped and safely hidden in the attic by June. Oh, and all the decorating and baking are finished as well by now. (P.S. and By the Way--the rest now feel completely inadequate thanks to you guys.) and 3. The person who just doesn't care about all the presents, fancy wrapping and bows...they'll find a great gift, stick it in a sparkly gift-bag, then be on their way to actually enjoy the season and all the fun things there are to get out and do! Those are the folks I want to hang out with this weekend. And if you check the Event Calendar, you'll see there's lots to choose from this weekend. I mean a lot.
All of the theatres in Columbus are busy this weekend with "Disney's Mary Poppins" and "A Tuna Christmas" at the Springer Opera House, "Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol" with the Family Theatre, and Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" at the Liberty Theatre & Cultural Center. Maybe you've got time for a quick roadtrip this weekend so head north to LaGrange to enjoy the holiday season at Hills & Dales Estate--talk about a stunning house, but just wait until you see it all decorated for Christmas. Then hop over to Pine Mountain and create some Holiday Crafts with Santa at FDR State Park, complete with sleigh-hayrides, music and hot chocolate. And since you'll be in the neighborhood, make sure you put Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens on your schedule for the weekend. That is a MUST during the season.
If you need a little music to make your holidays complete, look no further than a couple of performances happening at RiverCenter. Saturday night (Dec. 20) it's a Rivertown Christmas with nationally-known singer-songwriter Allen Levi. Allen may be well known all over the country, but he's also a much loved local son who is blessed with a voice and a talent to paint a picture with a song better than anyone I know. He always puts on a great show. And speaking of musical wonders, Monday evening (Dec. 22) Cantus Columbus will present their 15th Annual Cantus Christmas. This year, they're welcoming a special guest organist and a brass quintet to bring this music to life. This one will leave you with goosebumps!!
So finish up your shopping, wrap the last present, make one more batch of cookies, then call it a day and go have some Christmas fun!