DC Metro Mom

The first Christmas with a new baby is a magical time, like experiencing the joy and wonder of the holiday season for the first time.  The second Christmas? Not so much.  Last Christmas, Miss L was 18 months old and Christmas was...exhausting! Twenty minutes into unwrapping presents she went all grouchy pants and had to take a nap. 

But this year, Christmas is magical again! Miss L didn't really understand what was going on first Christmas (she was only six months old!) or her second Christmas. But this year is different. Christmas trees, holiday lights, candles, songs, COOKIES! Miss L is all over it. And that makes me really, really, really excited. Nothing like a child to make something seem brand new again.

There is one problem, however. My idea of beautiful holiday decorations are green fir garlands and red velvet bows, maybe a few strings of white lights. Classic. Miss L does not share my opinion. To a two-year-old, the gaudier the better.

Whether you love twinkling white lights and candlelight or bright LED colored lights and animatronic reindeer, there are dozens of light shows now open that will get your family in the holiday spirit.  You can enjoy the lights from the cozy comfort of your car at Bull Run, Adventure Park, and the Mormon Temple or stroll through displays at the Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse, Zoolights at the National Zoo, and Brookside Garden's Garden Lights.  

Adventure Theatre's world premiere production of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas began with a distinguished gentleman (DC actor Gary Sloan) in a richly appointed parlor, reciting from the classic poem by Clement Clarke Moore in a Shakespearian voice.  (Uh-oh...is this going to be a full reading?  Am I going to have to carry a fidgeting-wriggling child out to the lobby?) But WAIT!  The first line barely left his lips when a giant mouse in suspenders leapt out stirring some cookie batter.  My daughter's eyes widened...o.k. this is going to be good!  From there the mouse, Amos, and the gentleman argue about the poem, including misconstrued visions of "pigeons" dancing in their heads.  Emily, a little girl eagerly waiting for Santa joins the fracas, as well as some holiday visitors, and a hilarious rapping Jewish elf named Calliope.  And so the grand adventure begins!

Looking for tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting? Tickets will be distributed for FREE via an online lottery system starting Thursday, November 3rd.  Sign up anytime between at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, and 9:59 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 7 for the chance to win. Tickets will be mailed by November 14, 2011.  A total of 3,000 ticketed seats and 14,000 standing room tickets will be available.

If you aren't lucky enough to win one of the coveted tickets, grab the kids and a cup of hot chocalate and watch it at home!  WETA, Washington DC public broadcasting station, will begin airing the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, December 2nd and continue throughout the holiday season. Viewers are invited to check for local airdates or check their local public station schedules for broadcast dates and times.