Growing up, my older brother (his nameās Chad, but to me, heās Bubba) and I had a special tradition. On Christmas Eve, weād camp out in his room, playing board games and watching holiday specials until we couldnāt keep our eyes open. Then on Christmas morning, weād race into Mama and Daddyās room, doing whatever shenanigans we could to wake them bright and early.
Daddy would always venture to the living room to set up the video camcorder and capture our excitement as we raced in to see what Santa brought the night before. One year, it was a puppy. Another, a piano. And one of our favorites, a desktop computer (granted, the DSL came a few years later). Nowadays, Iām the one running down the stairs with my cell phone camera in video mode to catch all of the joy my little one experiences when he sees the spread.
Itās no secret that today, for me, is historically my favorite of every year. I adore the thrill of Santaās surprises, love giving gifts, and, well, itās pretty nice to receive them too! But the most special part, for me, is enjoying a morning with my little family where thereās no schedule, thereās stocking candy for breakfast, and wrapping paper littered all over the floor. I hope your holiday season is just as merry and bright as youād hopedāand Iām so glad youāre here.
P.S. Our offices are closed from Dec. 24-Jan. 1; fear notāyour newsletters will continue as normal. However, I wonāt be keeping tabs on my inbox during that timeāso while I always look forward to hearing from you, I likely wonāt see your message(s) until the New Year. Happy holidays from all of us here at Dogwood!
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Top things to do after dark in Virginia
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Hereās what you need to know: Does a 5 p.m. sunset leave you with extra space in your evening? Weāve found fun, festive ways to fill the voidāwithout breaking the bank. Just because it gets dark early doesnāt mean you canāt go on an adventure to explore something new and exciting.
Our top picks:
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Experience the magic of the season with a 2.5-mile drive-thru light show that is sure to amaze you at the Bull Run Festival of Lights. Open through Jan. 5, this enchanting event lights up the night with festive colors galore. Included in the admission price, guests can also explore a unique holiday village, complete with bonfires, sāmores, and merchandise.
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Dark Sky Park at Staunton River State Park is a must-visit attraction if you like to look at the stars. The parkās low horizons make it a good place to look at the skyāand all the cosmos has to offer. There are several options at the park for stargazers, including checking out telescopes and enjoying interpretive programs.
- If youāre visiting Colonial Williamsburg, youāve simply got to swing by the Williamsburg Liberty Ice Pavilion. Located downtown, the pavilion provides the perfect experience to ice skateāwhile taking in historic sites! If youāre hoping for a warm treat, youāre in luck. Hot cider, coffee, and more are available for purchase when you step off of the ice.
Pining for more? Weāve got adventures galore for your family to enjoy after the sun sets this winter.
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A hometown Christmas miracle from 1946
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The year was 1946āand 11-year-old Ruth Maxie knew that Santa Claus was real.
As a child, Ruth didnāt have many dolls of her own. She and her five sisters lived with their single mother in the Danville area, and money was understandably tight. Thatās why when Ruth walked into a local department store around Christmastime and spotted the most beautiful doll sheād ever seen, she knew it wasnāt a realistic item to request for Christmas.
She knew her mother couldnāt afford the $12 purchase, and besides, the girls were ever-so grateful for the tasty treats Santa usually brought, like an orange and some nuts. Still, she mentioned the blonde-haired, brown-eyed doll in the pink dress to her mother.
Come Christmas morning, Ruth awoke to the shock of a lifetime. Not only had Santa come the night before, but heād left the very same doll she saw in the department store downtownāand it was all hers.
āI could not believe that I got it because I knew mama didnāt have that much money, but I was the happiest little girl in the world,ā Ruth said.
Now 89 years old, Ruth still doesnāt know how her mother couldāve afforded the doll. That left only one option, and itās one sheās told her family for years. In 1946, Ruth knew with certainty that there was a Santa Clausāand the magic of that morning still exists over 75 years later.
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This email is written by Amie Knowles, community editor at Dogwood, lifelong Virginia resident, and mom to a fantastic six-year-old who loves monster trucks. Have a question or comment? Reply back to this email!
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Our mailing address is: Courier Newsroom 611 Pennsylvania Ave SE Washington, DC 20003-4303
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