Lincoln's Hearthside House Set to Celebrate Holiday Season
GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team
Lincoln's Hearthside House Set to Celebrate Holiday Season
“While Hearthside’s Christmas events are our most popular, many miss out because of busy schedules. With these pre-holiday events done by mid-December, it is advisable to put this on your holiday calendar now before it fills up with other activities,” said Kathy Hartley, president of the Friends of Hearthside.
General admission for all tours is $10; $5 ages 10-16, children under age 10 at no charge. Proceeds from these events benefit Hearthside’s historic preservation efforts and educational programming.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSunday, Dec. 4 2 - 6 p.m. “The Nutcracker: Clara’s Dream Comes Alive”
Hearthside opens its doors to the holiday season by bringing together two great Christmas classics. Peformers from Lincoln’s Heritage Ballet bring to life the story of The Nutcracker in the festively decorated setting of Hearthside’s old-fashioned Christmas home.
As visitors stroll through on a self-guided, they will hear the enchanting story about the little girl named Clara who receives a Nutcracker from her godfather for Christmas as told by each of the dancers situated in rooms throughout the house. See the story’s favorite characters, such as the Nutcracker soldiers, the Mouse Queen, Clara, and the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy magically come to life in each of the rooms. Santa will also be there to welcome children.
Beginning at 2:00, there will be tour groups of limited size starting every half hour with the last admittance at 5:00. Call Hearthside at 401-726-0597 or email [email protected] to reserve.
Saturday, December 10 4 – 7 p.m. “An Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration by Candlelight”
The treasured elegance of Christmas is truly appreciated by the amber glow of candlelight and the twinkling lights of the ornate trees, adding even greater warmth to this beautiful home. Traditional caroling will greet visitors arriving between 4-6 p.m. and the sounds of the season will be performed on Hearthside’s antique piano throughout the evening. Stroll through the house on a self-guided tour. Capture memories with a family photograph in front of one of the beautiful Christmas trees by the fire. Enjoy hot cider and a cookie in the Colonial kitchen and plan a visit with the Victorian Santa.
Sunday, December 11 2 – 6 p.m. “An Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration”
A selection of seasonal sounds will be featured on Hearthside’s antique piano, only played at Christmastime. Later in the afternoon, the music room is filled with the beautiful sounds of the harp performed between 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy the music and to stroll through the house in a self-guided tour to discover the dazzling beauty that each room holds and learn about the beginnings of where our popular Christmas traditions came from. This is the last chance to visit with Santa before Christmas so be sure to have those last minute gift wishes ready.
Wednesday, December 28 and Friday, December 30 4 - 7 p.m. “Home for the Holidays Candlelight Tours”
Before the end of the season and once the holiday rush is over, there is still time to visit Hearthside to enjoy the decorations. These candlelight tours will be the only time during the month that a fully-guided tour given by the costumed interpreters about the history of the house will be given. “It's a chance for an evening out with family, house guests, or an opportunity to see the decorations if you didn't get a chance earlier in the season,” notes Hartley. Advance reservations are required since space is limited for each tour. Tours are given every half hour starting at 4:00 p.m. with the last one at 6:00 p.m. and last one hour.
For more information, click here.
25 Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit - 2016
Buy an Ugly Christmas Sweater
You are bound to be invited to an ugly Christmas sweater party at some point during the holiday season.
So be prepared for it and go buy yourself the ugliest Christmas sweater that you can find and wear it to the party.
Maybe you will win.
Dress Up Your Pet, Send it Around
Reindeer ears and a Santa outfits are always good, but this holiday season, step your game up.
Become a Facebook legend.
A Festivus for the Rest of Us
You must watch the Festivus episode of Seinfeld, it is one of the most famous episodes of the entire series.
Laughter is the best medicine, after all.
When you finish the episode, be sure to celebrate Festivus on December 23.
Happy Festivus!
PHOTO: Matt Keef/Flickr
Get Those Decorations up
Get those decorations up early this year and go all out, go to the extreme with the decorating.
Why not be the talk of the neighborhood?
Add to the holiday cheer.
PHOTO: Romeo Banias/Flickr
Sing Christmas Carols in Neighborhood
Get a group of friends or family members and go caroling in the neighborhood.
Or if that is not your thing, have a sing-along at someone's house, like a karaoke party.
Or just sing along to the radio in the car. Fine.
PHOTO: cindybrown33/Flickr
See a Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep
A Christmas Carol is arguably the most famous Christmas play there is and Trinity Rep puts on a great performance year in and year out.
Get into the holiday spirit by seeing this classic play.
Don't make us send the three ghosts to your home.
Try a New Holiday Cocktail
Branch out your holiday cocktails -- eggnog is fine, but have you tried a Blue Xmas Margarita or a Chocolate Martini?
For some cool new holiday cocktail ideas, click here.
PHOTO: Corner Perk Cafe/Flickr
Go to a Holiday Service
Don't wait until Christmas, get in the spirit of things ahead of the holidays.
The sights, the sounds, the music -- if it doesn't make you think about the true meaning of things, try again the following weekend!
PHOTO: Brook Ward/Flickr
You Must Watch Home Alone
While it may not be your traditional Christmas movie, it certainly brings home the holiday spirit.
Home Alone is an all-time classic that simply must be watched.
Enjoy!
Watch Holiday Classics on TV
Tis the time of year when some of the best movies are back on television, holiday movies.
Be sure to check our local listings for movies such as Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph and other timeless classics.
Then grab a big bowl of popcorn or any other favorite snack and enjoy.
Dress up as Santa
Grab an authentic looking Santa costume and dress up as jolly old Saint Nick for an entire day.
During that day, visit friends and relatives with young kids or even a local mall to find out what is on everyone's Christmas list.
PHOTO: Kelly Sue DeConnick/Flickr
Take a Day Off to Relieve the Stress
Don't wait until the weekend when the lines -- and traffic -- are long and tiring.
Take a personal day during the week if you can. Get some shopping and wrapping done.
And then relax.
PHOTo: Matilda Diamant/Flickr
Design Your Own Gifts, Don't Buy Them
Don't go to the crowded stores and buy gifts that are available any time of year, design your own gifts for friends and family members.
Maybe a cool photo collage or tickets for a service among other things.
Think of the stress you will save.
Find New Cookie Recipes
Cookies are big part of the holidays, whether you are leaving them for Santa or eating them yourself.
While it's perfectly fine to use your favorite cookie recipes, be sure to try some new recipes as well.
Need some ideas? Check out the links below
100 Best Holiday Cookie Recipes
PHOTO: Troy Tolley/Flickr
Go Ice Skating at the Newport Skating Center
The Newport Skating Center is open for another season and what's better than skating and seeing Newport at the time?
If that is not enough, go old fashioned and skate on a frozen pond.
Host a Gift Wrapping Competition With Friends
One of the most painful parts of the holidays is wrapping gifts, especially if there are a lot of them.
Invite some friends over and have a gift wrapping competition. Be sure to make some cookies and beverages while you are at it.
PHOTO: intellichick/Flickr
Visit Borrelli's Christmas Tree Farm
The Christmas season can't begin without a Christmas tree and Borrelli's has just the trees for you.
Start your Christmas tree shopping now and get into the holiday spirit.
PHOTO: Flickr
Call Long Lost Friends or Family Members
On the phone -- not a Facebook post, not a text. Let them hear your voice. Find a way to reconnect on a personal basis.
Find out how they're doing. Make plans to catch up in person. But whatever you do, remember, texting doesn't count!
Give Money to Salvation Army
Throw some money in the Salvation Army kettle. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. The person who stands outside ringing the bell is often there for long hours.
Even if it's just some change, smile at them and wish them a happy holiday.
PHOTO: j_lai/ Flickr
Shop Local at AC Jewelers
Stay away from those big national chains and go to the local stores like AC Jewelers and get what you need for the holidays.
Shop local this holiday season.
Secretly Pay it Forward
Standing in line at a local coffee shop waiting to order can be a long wait at times.
Make the day of the person behind you by paying for their coffee. It will put a huge smile on their face, and on your face as well.
But shhh don't tell them.
Give to Those in Need
From giving trees at churches to Big Brothers Big Sisters as well as many other great organizations, there are plenty of families in the community that could use your help to put a present or two under the tree for a child who might not otherwise get one.
See 50 Ways to Give This Holiday Season Here
Spend Time With an Elderly Relative
The actual day when the family is around can be hectic. Before then, go have a cup of tea, bring some cookies, and find out what holiday traditions they enjoyed.
Give the gift of time.
New Holiday Recipes
Try new holiday recipes for the meal.Traditional turkey, ham, stuffing, and sides are good, but why not try something fun?
Click here for some cool holiday recipes.
Or for an even more extensive list of ideas, click here.
Start Thinking About Your New Year's Resolutions
Don't wait until December 31 to promise you'll drink less and work out more.
Take stock of your life, figure out what's important to you, and what you want to accomplish in the New Year and start jotting stuff down.
