Stores are full of holiday decoration, people spend their nights picking out the perfect tree, and kids are writing out their wish lists. Christmas is almost here, and we, over here at ProsperWalk, couldn’t be more excited! One of the most rewarding parts of working with downtowns and main streets is seeing all the different traditions that communities have in place for the holidays. About a month ago, we featured our favorite Thanksgiving traditions across the country and this month we’re doing the same but Christmas edition. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
- The Legends of Christmas – Historic Saint Charles, Missouri –
One of the best parts of Christmas is the stories and folklore. Santa Claus, The Sugar Plum Fairy, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & Ebenezer Scrooge all come to mind. During this event, these characters (plus 30+ more) come to life and wander the streets! To make it more interactive, each of these holiday figures share their stories in the form of a trading card with shows their picture and a little bit of Christmas history! Collecting these cards has become a tradition for the old and young a like and has become a treasured memory for many!
- 12K of Christmas – Houston, Texas
Christmas, to me, is the ultimate excuse to sip on some delicious warm cider and cuddle around the fireplace while watching classic Christmas films with my loved ones. And then there are those who still want to get out and break a sweat. My exercise regimen goes on what seemingly becomes an indefinite ‘break’ right around Thanksgiving, but not these guys! Downtown Houston hosts a race cleverly named the “12K of Christmas” during the holiday season. A Kids K is also offered for kids and families! And we guarantee you’ll see some “Skinny Santas” in the race too, because this fun run encourages its participants to dress up in their best holiday spirit!
- Santa Paws & Adoption Alley – Downtown San Jose, California
There are certain types of videos that always make me cry and some of my favorites happen to be when people get puppies for Christmas, like this one and this compilation. So color me happy when I found out that San Jose, California hosts a Santa Paws Adoption event every season! The event is a part of its month long “Christmas in the Park” festivities, and features live cats and small dogs that are ready for their forever homes! The best part is the adoption of these animals support local animal shelters and in 2013, enough money was raised to build permanent housing for larger animals! Support a great cause and playing with some friendly animals get two thumbs up in my book!
- Small Business Saturday – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
You’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but have you heard of Small Business Saturday? The Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (as well as other downtowns and main streets around the country) reserve a day for the small businesses in their area. Special discounts and incentives entice shoppers to support their local businesses while it’s a generally great way to get visitors to come experience one of the country’s most dynamic areas! Even though this isn’t specifically Christmas related, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and now Small Business Saturday, continue to be the kickoff to the holiday season! Might as well take advantage of that!
- Christmas in Dairyville / Polar Express – Portland, Oregon
During ten and a half months of the year, Dairyville acts as a replica of a western frontier town. But during the holiday season, it transforms into a winter wonderland. With movies in the Opera house, animals on Storybook Lane, and local choirs singing, it’s like you step into a scene in your favorite Christmas movie. If you wanted to make a full day out of it, you can ride the Polar Express at the Mt. Hood Railroad Station, which is a little over an hour away. For the priceless memories you’ll create with family and friends, it’s worth the drive!
These are just a few of the events that happen around the country for the holidays. Though they all have differences, they do have one thing in common: their purpose is to bring loved ones together and celebrate the season! What could be better than that?
We want to know what traditions you have in your homes, communities, and offices! Have you visited an area that you enjoyed and would like others to know about? Leave us a comment below and let’s start a conversation!
We hope everyone has a safe, joyful, fun-filled holiday season. Merry Christmas from our office to yours!