Wednesday Unwind - 'Tis the Season

Yes, Home for the Holidays takes on a very literal meaning in 2020, and our celebrations will be covid-safe – new ones like virtual visits with Santa, hot chocolate (or toddies) with a friend outside on the front porch, or ugly holiday facemasks. And, standards like touring the best light displays in town. Join us in making this holiday season an opportunity to create new traditions!

🎁 Give Back. This Year and Every Year.

Time or money. You have something valuable that can make someone’s season a little brighter. Here are some local ideas:

• Mirbeau Cares - Mirbeau Cares supports individuals who are facing or have faced a life-threatening illness, as well as caregivers who help them achieve that balance that is so often hard to find when battling some of life’s toughest challenges. Simply follow the link to learn more and nominate someone you think deserves to be pampered. This year, that list is pretty long!

• Donations Collected at The Market – In one stop you can donate food items to feed local families in need through South Shore Community Action Council’s Greater Plymouth Food Distribution Center, donate hats and mittens to help keep kids warm this winter on the Mitten Tree (donations also go to South Shore Community Action Council,) and give supplies to help care for shelter pets through the Helping Hands for the Plymouth Animal Shelter.

• Children’s Holiday Fund -This Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless program provides toys, gifts, and winter clothing, and Holiday Meal Baskets to children in our South Shore communities. There are several opportunities to support the initiative including sponsoring a child, sponsoring a family, hosting a toy or gift drive, or donating a toy.

💳 Shop Local

Eat local. Spend local. Enjoy local. Plymouth is home to many small businesses. Yes, Amazon is easy, but this year, consider keeping your holiday shopping local where your dollars will have a direct, positive impact your neighbors. Little things make the biggest difference. Here are a couple of ideas on shopping local.

• The Taunton Garden Club continues its holiday fundraising tradition at the red container on the Village Green on UPDATE: Sunday, December 6 between 11am – 3pm. Shop for all your holiday greenery (no trees). While you’re there, enjoy the Village Green decked out for the holidays!

• The Pinehills Arts Market Online Showcase allows you to connect with and shop some of our favorite local artists and makers from Holiday Arts Markets past.

• Plymouth’s Hometown Stroll is taking place December 10 – 13. Shop beautiful Downtown and enjoy ongoing festivities including the festival of trees, snowflake scavenger hunt, live music, festive windows, Santa and more.

• Support Local Restaurants Plymouth is a foodie's dream, but independent restaurant owners are facing a huge challenge. We can help them by eating take out and buying gift cards for those on our holiday list. Order directly from your favorite restaurants and tip generously. We love our Pinehills restaurants (Rye Tavern, East Bay Grille at Pinehills Golf Club, Mamma Mia's, The Bistro & Wine Bar at Mirbeau Inn & Spa, and The Blueberry Muffin) and here’s a list of Plymouth restaurants from the Plymouth Chamber.

🎅🎉 Festive Fun

• Virtual Visit with Santa.
  We’re all missing our in-person visits with Santa this year. But Santa is hip to all the latest technology and is ready to visit with you. We found these options to schedule a video chat with Santa! (No endorsements implied.)
  • Video Chat with Santa
  • Santa's Club
  • Virtual Visit with Santa by eventgotoguy.com

• NORAD Track Santa's Ride (FREE)
  Not even Covid-19 can stop Santa from comin’ to town! He’s taken all the precautions and will be safe to travel. Watch his flight around the world courtesy of NORAD.

• Watch Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker at Home (FREE)
  Around here, a trip to the Boston Opera House to see the Nutcracker is an iconic holiday tradition. This year the Boston Ballet has partnered with NBC10 Boston for a one-hour broadcast that will bring the magic of The Nutcracker to you. Online, on-demand or scheduled broadcasts through December 25.

• See Holiday Lights
  Nothing puts you in the spirit quite like seeing holiday lights. While it’s always fun to drive around town to check out your neighbors' light displays, there are some bigger light displays in the New England area.
  • Magic of Lights at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro - Through January 2^nd
  • Marshfield Fair Holiday Lights Display, Marshfield - Through December 30th
  • La Salette Festival of Lights, Attleboro- Through January 3rd
  • Gardens Aglow Heritage Museum & Gardens, Sandwich- Select nights through December 27th

• Virtual Gingerbread War
  Gingerbread Wars have been a team building exercise for many workplaces during holiday parties. How about throwing down a family challenge? Here’s how:
  • Each family participating buys a Gingerbread House kit or use what you have from around the house – the only rule – everything must be edible.
  • Schedule a Zoom Party where everyone builds their gingerbread house during the party. After 45 minutes everyone shares their houses, and a winner is crowned.
  • Imagine the bragging rights you’ll have for 2021!

• A Night of Classic Holiday Movies
  There are a million holiday movies and now a million ways to watch them from the comfort of home. Take turns choosing and make holiday movie night a regular event with the family this season. Need some help deciding? Check out our list below. Popcorn and Hot Cocoa recommended!
  • The Holiday – Jude Law need we say more.
  • The Polar Express – You’ll feel like you’re on the train yourself.
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas – But did he really?
  • Die Hard – It’s always up for debate, but it’s a Christmas movie.
  • Meet Me in St. Louis – Hello? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas – You’ll be able to see them on PBS. Check the schedule.
  • Elf - The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
  • White Christmas – Crosby, Clooney, Kaye. Dancing, singing, romance and laughs. Classic!
  • A Christmas Story – If you have cable it will play for 24 hours on a loop
  • Christmas Vacation – Whose family gatherings don’t look like this.
  • It’s a Wonderful Life – A lesson on what is truly important in life.

From our family to yours, here’s to a holiday full of love and light!