Tis' the season, Neighbor!

By now I’m sure you’re all in the throes of Decorating-Baking-Shopping-Wrapping-&-Repeat mode. Isn’t it overwhelming trying to keep track of all that needs to be done? Or, how about when you lose track of what’s done already? Ever get to the wrapping stage and realize you bought wayyyyy too much? Turns out that has a name. It’s called “Toy Guilt,” as I learned on Good Morning America.

The antithesis of this can be found on my favorite Instagram account. @Drawbertson (aka Donald Robertson) is an accomplished guy--artist, co-creator of MAC Cosmetics, Creative Head at Bobbi Brown. But it’s his role as Dad, and his videos of his adorable 2-year-old twins, Charlie and Henry, that have gained him 182K followers. Hashtagged with #BuyThemNothing, we see his twins playing the old fashioned way: with sticks, rocks, pots, water and paint. Stone Soup anyone?
 
Obviously, he can well afford to buy out his local Toys R Us. That’s what makes him so inspiring. #BuyThemNothing is a constant reminder of how time and attention far outweighs mountains of toys. Experts on GMA warn that buying too much for kids actually breeds entitlement; urging us to try to put more focus on creating experiences and inspiring gratitude. So feel free to “go rogue” off the kid’s lists and use our list (of fun events) instead! Buyer’s remorse never comes from spending more time than money.

Be Merry!
Sandie

We wish everyone Peace & Joy this holiday season and a HAPPY 2017! Thank you to all of our advertisers and our readers for your continued support! 
Regina, Laura, Natalie, Ann, Sandie, Beth and Kate

Just a reminder that we’re off the next two weeks but will return after the New Year with plenty of fun events and activities to beat the winter blues.  

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ESSENT MEDI SPA!    

I sat down a few weeks ago with Dr. Alison Abiri, founder of a new medi-spa in Radnor, Essent Spa, and really enjoyed talking with her. She’s super down to earth, a Mom of 5, raises chickens and is incredibly knowledgeable. She has created a new business that I think is very much needed for those of us out there who want to age gracefully. Essent Spa feels like you're at a resort. You can see how much thought they’ve put into every moment to enhance the experience.

After being greeted by my esthetician I relaxed by the Water wall, sipping coconut water in the lounge area.  I then had the Ultimate Facial and it was amazing. In addition to steam, serums and massage they use Light Therapy to even out skin tone and Microcurrent to sculpt, accentuating cheekbones and lifting the brow. I have to say my skin felt so much better, my face felt tighter, my eyes were lifted and I felt like I looked younger. They have an extensive menu of therapies from Cyro Facials for people that have headaches to Micropen for acne scarring, and many more. I never know what to ask for when booking a facial. At Essent Spa they work with you on what exactly you need for your skin type and what you want to accomplish. We welcome Essent Spa and Dr. Alison to Radnor and wish them much success!

Essent Spa at the Radnor Hotel
595 East Lancaster Avenue, St Davids
484-580-9063
Email: info@essentspa.com
essentspa.com

LITTLE NEIGHBORS TIP    

Hurry, little Neighbors! Today is the last day (December 15th) to write your letter to Santa Claus and receive a letter BACK from the big man himself! Parents, here is the link to ensure that your child’s letter gets to the North Pole on time: DEAR SANTA

In case you miss the deadline ... another way to reach Santa: Dear Santa!

DECK THE HALLS
 

It’s time to get the Christmas tree and there are tons of options!
There’s Dan's Tree Farm, Linvilla Orchards, and Tricolor Tree Farm, West Chester Railroad Christmas Tree Train , Yeager's Tree Farm,  Merrymead Farm, Varners’ Farm, Westlake Tree Farm…the list goes on and on! Whether you want to cut down the tree yourself or choose one and have a farm do the cutting for you or just want to pick out a fresh cut tree, the options are endless. But this (nonprofit) website knows where all the Christmas Trees are in your area and has them organized by county, complete with all the times and details!
Check it out:
Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Farms: choose-and-cut Christmas trees …

Holiday Centerpiece Workshop and Dinner
Thursday, December 15th
7:00 PM
The Buttery
233 E. King St., Malvern
Cottage Flowers Design is hosting this workshop to help you create a beautiful, seasonal arrangement for your home. All floral materials and container will be provided and a delicious dinner will be served. BYOB Cost: $85.00 Email events@malvernbuttery.com to sign up!

Children’s Holiday Centerpiece Class
Saturday, December 17th
11:30 AM
Linvilla Orchard
137 Knowlton Rd., Media
Your Children will be so proud to see their Holiday Creation on the table! Join us for this delightful holiday class for a beautiful fresh centerpiece. All supplies included. Cost: $15.00
More Info

Gingerbread Story-Time
Thursday, December 22nd
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Tredyffrin Public Library
582 Upper Gulph Rd., Strafford
Listen to themed stories, enjoy a treat and make individual "Gingerbread Houses" with fun foam & stickers. Online registration required.

Kozier’s Christmas Village
From Nov. 26th through Jan. 1st
Mon-Fri (6:00-9:00pm)
Sat. (5:00-9:30pm)
Sun (5:00-9:00pm)
782 Christmas Village Rd., Bernville, PA
If you’ve seen most of the light displays in your area, take a 40 minute drive and check out the fabulous light display at Kozier’s Christmas Village! With over a million sparkling lights, they’ve won their share of  awards, including Best Outdoor Display in the World (Display World Magazine). A trip through Koziar's Christmas Village is, in the words of the song is like, "Walking in a Winter Wonderland."
koziarschristmasvillage.com

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
 

SHOUTOUT to our neighbor, Chris Todd, President of the Wayne Business Assoc., who’s efforts have resulted in FREE PARKING IN WAYNE every Saturday in December! Now that’s what we call Neighborly!

Winter Wonderland on the Square
Saturday, December 17th
1:00 PM
Suburban Square, 74 Coulter Ave, Ardmore
Dueling ice carvers and the launch of our charity coat, mitten and hat drive with One Warm Coat put a festive tingle in the air. Live holiday ice sculpting begins at 1 p.m. Guest can also enjoy roasted chestnuts, hot cocoa and crafts for kids. We encourage you to bring a new or gently used winter coat, mittens or hat to donate to One Warm Coat.
All guests can register to win $100 gift cards from Suburban Square retailers. All Merry on the Square events are free and open to the public. 

Kids can keep the spirit of Christmas alive by supporting Macy’s Believe Campaign.
Write a letter to Santa and mail it in the Macy’s Letterbox or post one online and Macy’s will donate $1.00 (up to $1 Million) for every letter and online post to the Make A Wish Foundation, the organization that grants wishes to terminally ill children. Here’s how.

OH WHAT FUN!

Reindeer Photos at the Elmwood Park Zoo
Daily through the holidays
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
3:15 PM– 3:45 PM
1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown
Reindeer is the Animal of the Month at EPZ and some of Santa’s reindeer have arrived to help you celebrate the holidays! Come and take a photo with real reindeer to make your spirits bright! elmwoodparkzoo.org 

Breakfast with Santa for West Goshen Residents
Saturday, December 17th
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Timothy’s Restaurant
Parkway Shopping Center, 929 S. High St.,
West Chester
Join the Park and Recreation Department for a favorite West Goshen holiday tradition. Kids can meet Santa, have a hot buffet breakfast, and decorate their own gingerbread men on Saturday, December 17th between 9:00 and 11:00 AM. Cost is just $5 per person. Because space is limited, this event is restricted to residents of West Goshen Township. Registration required.

Caroling at the Carillon in Valley Forge
Washington Memorial Chapel
Valley Forge National Park, Route 23, Valley Forge
Come and join the community for Christmas carol sing-a-long accompanied by the carillon. This free event is outdoors, so dress warmly and bring your friends and neighbors!

Charlie Brown Jazz!
Thursday, December 15th
7:30 PM
The Colonial Theater
227 Bridge St., Phoenixville
Enjoy a “Jazzy” version of your favorite music from Vince Guaraldi’s, “Charlie Brown’s Christmas!” The Eric Mintel Quartet return for their high-energy holiday extravaganza…Charlie Brown Jazz!
Fun for the entire family!
More Info

Beru Revue!
Saturday, December 17th
8:30 PM
Ardmore Music Hall
23 E Lancaster Ave, Ardmore
Beru Revue has deep roots in our area, playing the circuit of Philadelphia clubs throughout the 1980s. They relaunched themselves in 2006 and are again taking the stage of the Ardmore Music Hall in an unusual and high-energy holiday performance that has been called "...Alice Cooper meets Gilbert & Sullivan."
More Info

Brandywine Ballet presents: The Nutcracker
Friday, December 9th through
Sunday, December 18th
Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall
700 S. High St., West Chester
Ring in the season with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, and be transported to the magical Land of Sweets as you join Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy on the journey of a dream. Brandywine Ballet’s eight-performance run of The Nutcracker continues to delight audiences each December with a tour de force of beauty and elegance.
brandywineballet.org

Winter Music Recital at the Wayne Art Center
Saturday, December 17th
9:00 AM -1:00 PM
413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne
Free and Open to the public, come and hear the WAC’s music students show off their talent!
wayneart.org 

Handel Messiah  
Sunday, December 18th
4:00 PM  
St. Katharine of Siena Church
104 S. Aberdeen Ave., Wayne
A Philadelphia tradition! On original Baroque instruments, Handel's Messiah celebrates the Story of the Season. Bright trumpets, grand voices of choristers and dazzling soloists--this is Christmas at its best! Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (one intermission) Tickets 

Eagles Holiday Cheer & Dance Camp
Wednesday, December 28th &
Thursday, December 29th
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Did you know Cheerleading may be added as a sport in the next Olympics? The Philadelphia Eagles Cheer & Dance Academy offers cheer instruction from members of one of the NFL’s most elite squads – the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders. Campers will spend two full days learning choreography, practicing their favorite Eagles cheers, and sharing their talents at the end-of-camp Showcase Performance; not to mention an official Eagles Cheer shirt, set of pom poms, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Eagles Cheerleaders Dance Studio.  More Info

Into the Wild Live! Jack Hanna
Saturday, February 4th
Keswick Theater
291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside
It’s a ways away, but tickets are sure to sell out quickly! You’ve seen him countless times on television; and now, America’s most beloved Zookeeper, Jack Hanna, is bringing his animal show live to the Keswick Theater! Ticket information

Skate with Santa at Blue Cross RiverRink WinterFest
Through Sunday, December 18th
Skate with Santa: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Regular Skating Rink, Open Daily through March 5th, including holidays
Hours 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
Skate with Santa Claus or just go ice-skating on Olympic-size skating rink overlooking the Delaware River. Enjoy a ski chalet-style lodge and winter garden with a majestically lit holiday tree (over 100,000 LED lights!), an outdoor seating area with fire pits, kids’ lodge with arcade games, food, entertainment events and more. Purchase tickets to skate with Santa HERE 
RiverRink details and schedule

Rothman Rink at Dilworth Park & the Winter Garden Maze
Open 7 days a week, including holidays
City Hall, Broad St., Philadelphia
Ice skate where skyline views await! The ice rink is open to skaters of all levels and all ages, and those who aren’t so familiar with ice skating can take part in a $99, five-class learn to skate lesson on Sunday mornings. Open everyday, including Christmas Eve, Christmas and News Years Day. Skate Rentals available! Afterwards, head over to the heated tent to food, drinks and even craft beer and cocktails located at the tip of the ice rink. Be sure to wander through the Winter Garden Maze, new this year!
ccdparks.org 

Philly From the Top!
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
And Santa Too: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, 11:00 AM -2:00 PM
One Liberty Observation Deck
1650 Market St., Philadelphia
See your city like never before, from 57 floors up!
November 28th, 2016 marks the one year milestone of 360º views of Philly from the Top. In honor of this milestone, enjoy $5 off admission with the code: ANNIVERSARY through December 31st. And if you’re a local (within a zip code of 191xx) you can take 50% off admission. Kids will get to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, share their wish list, and take a photo. One free Kids admission (ages 11 & under) with one paid Adult admission from November 25th through December 31st. phillyfromthetop.com 

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Ballet
Friday, December 9th – Saturday, December 31st
Academy of Music
240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
Philadelphia Nutcracker Ballet
It simply wouldn't be the holidays in Philadelphia without this timeless family tradition. Be swept away to the magical Land of the Sweets as Tchaikovsky's iconic score pairs with lavish sets, opulent costumes, and the enchanting performances of the dancers. This classic tale touches the hearts of all with its endearing story of a girl, a gift and a wondrous dream. Ticket info: paballet.org 

The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head Exhibit &
Meet & Greet
Exhibit runs through January 16th
Meet & Greet: December 17th, 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic (formerly North Concourse Drive), Phila.
Welcome to The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD! Follow our spudly hero on globetrotting adventures through a tropical jungle, an archaeological dig, under the sea, and even in outer space! Each different area teaches children to welcome new experiences with confidence, curiosity and humor; to think about all they can be and do; and to always respect themselves and others. This special Feature Exhibit is one of their largest, with elements spreading throughout the first floor of the Museum.
pleasetouchmuseum.org

MatzoBall
December 24th
Rumor Nightclub
1500 Samson St., Philadelphia
9:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Bigger and better than ever, MatzoBall, the nations leading Jewish single’s event, kicks off its 30th year with an unforgettable Jewcy adventure. With almost three decades of experience, nobody can do it bigger or better than Matzoball and this year will prove to be no different. Gather a group of friends and get ready for the most epic one-night-stand of the year and join us for what USA Today dubs “The Number 1 Holiday Party of the Year”. For ages 21 – 49 
More Info

The 18th Annual Reindeer Romp
Saturday, December 17th
6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
23rd & Fairmont Ave.
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - For A Beer!  That time of the year is back - over 1,500 people are once again expected to attend the season's favorite bar crawl.  Be sure to come out with your family, friends, and co-workers for the 18th Annual Reindeer Romp in the Fairmount / Art Museum area.  $10 and a toy or a used jacket/coat gets you antlers and great drink specials while you ROMP around 12 Fairmount area bars to support these charities: New Leash On Life, CHOP, and Feel The Warmth. More info and bar list here:

Monday, December 19th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Valley Forge National Park
1400 N. Outerline Dr., King of Prussia
On December 19, 1777, General George Washington's Continental Army "marched in" to Valley Forge to set up winter quarters. This annual event commemorates their arrival and determination to persevere against insurmountable hardship and difficult conditions during their 6-month encampment. Take a candle-lit guided walk to the Muhlenberg Brigade huts where you'll encounter a living continental camp. Warm up in the Visitor Center with 18th century music, refreshments, and more!
This event is free and weather dependent. 610-783-0199
valleyforge.org

Zen Meditation for Adults
Saturday, December 24th & every Saturday thereon
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Tredyffrin Public Library, Executive Conference Room
582 Upper Gulph Rd., Strafford
Escape the holiday madness and steal a little time away for yourself with some inner solitude. The Main Line Meditation Group is an open Zen practitioner-led community. Their mission is to welcome everyone interested in exploring Zen practice by offering a space to meditate with others. Chairs are available. Please bring your own Zafu or Zabuton (cushions or pillows) if you want to follow the tradition of sitting on the floor.
More Info

RING IN THE NEW YEAR!

Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Bash
Saturday, December 31st
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Lo Spiedo Restaurant
4503 S. Broad St. (Navy Yard), Philadelphia
Looking for somewhere where the whole family can enjoy a New Year’s Eve bash? Marc Vetri’s got you covered! There’s an adult and kids buffet, games and activities with a special Ball Drop at 8:00 PM! They’ll even have a Kid’s Mocktail Bar. Tickets available here