Can you believe that Christmas is next week? I was just talking to a friend and was making plans, until we realized that the day wouldn’t work because, hello, it’s Christmas Eve! For my Tuesday 10 today I rounded up a list of my top things to do before Christmas is officially here (some we already checked off!).
1. See a Light Display. This weather has been oddly/amazingly warm lately and I’m not complaining! We took advantage and headed to the Kennywood Festival of Lights to stroll around without coats *in December*, and take in the displays. They are open for weekends the rest of this month from 5p.m.-9p.m.
2. Bake Christmas Cookies. I still haven’t baked anything for the holidays, (my mixer is sitting in the corner begging to be used) and have been eyeing some recipes that look amazing. Particularly these chocolate crinkles that look and sound like they’d be so good! Find the recipe here.
3. Make Hot Chocolate from Scratch. Bonus points if there are homemade marshmallows. I usually make the hot chocolate recipe on the Hershey’s label, but this blogger’s sweet and salty peanut butter version is genius!
4. Wrap Presents. I have been really inspired by minimal design concepts lately, and love how brown paper packages look tied up with string, via blogger Hege in France.
5. Movies. Um, speaking of, watch The Sound of Music.
6. Lobby Hopping. This is so fun for a date night! Dress up in a festive outfit and take in some hotel lobbies before dinner. They are usually decked out this time of year and you can grab a drink in the fun atmosphere. This photo was from the Omni William Penn and you can easily walk from there to The Hotel Monaco!
7. A Christmas Coffee. I’m addicted to caffeine and I’m not ashamed to admit it. How good does a gingerbread, Italian egg nog, or peppermint bark flavored latte sound right about now? These are Carnegie Coffee Companies holiday flavors and I think I’ll take one of each.
8. PJ Pics. I loved how my pictures came out with my son from my Christmas morning post, and think they would be so great to recreate with the entire family. Realistically, it’d be hard to get a group of kids to cooperate, but it’s worth a try. And you might get some funny shots out of it! These could also make for some adorable couples shots in front of your tree! I usually get matching or coordinating pj sets, The Gaps selection is great, and you can buy for the whole family in one stop!
9. Donate to a Charity. This could be just because, or in someone’s name as a gift. St. Jude Children’s Hospital has cards you can use in conjunction with your donation.
10. Take a Carriage Ride. Settler’s Ridge in Robinson has carriage rides from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Donations from your ride go to the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, and it’s a great break from shopping!
