Gingerbread houses made out of cookies and candy. Yes, it is the holiday season and LA! LA! LA! ‘Tis time to laugh with joy. Many of us travel long and far for Christmas, Hanukkah and other holidays during this festive season. “It’s the most wonderful time of year . . . the happiest season of all.” So says the popular holiday song.
Everywhere you look this time of the year, singers, dancers, bakers and others are offering tempting holiday treats for our eyes, ears, tummies and curious minds.
Here are our happy holiday choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to bring a little extra bounce to your step, a smile to your face and all around happiness:
3 Blending dance, live music and customs from around the world, Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum is a Valley favorite. See this holiday tradition at Cleo Parker Dance Dec. 1-16. Information: 303-295-1759 x13.
3 Shop Cherry Creek Dec. 8 and stop at Fillmore Plaza’s Winter Fest with fire pit, ice carvings and free refreshments. Information: 303-394-2904.
3 Catch Chris Daniels & The Kings Feat in Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall Dec. 15, 8 p.m. He’s joined by Freddi Gowdy’s funk band. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 See the joyous-opulent Ebenezer Scrooge musical A Christmas Carol playing the Stage Theatre through Dec. 24. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Meet Santa, learn about the Glendale Sports Center, at their annual Holiday Celebration Dec. 18, 5:30-7 p.m. Free and open to the public, there’s crafts, music, cookies and hot chocolate. Information: 303-639-4711.
3 Enjoy prime rib, lamb shank or lamb chops and grilled shrimp at the Monaco Inn Christmas Eve for $20; New Year’s Eve Prime Rib or Filet Mignon is $20, with Lobster Tail $30. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 For hilarious fun see The Santaland Diaries, a Macy’s elf stint tale, at the Jones Theatre through Dec. 24 Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Don’t forget fireworks are being launched New Year’s Eve on the 16th St. Mall at 9 p.m. and midnight. Information: 800-233-8837.
3 With its exuberant embrace of an enchanted world, Ballet Ariel’s The Nutcracker defines the holiday season. Returning to the Lakewood Cultural Center, there are matinees Dec. 15-16, 22-23 & 26-27 at 2 p.m. Evening performances are Dec. 21-22 & 26, 7 p.m.. The toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes and Sugar Plum fairies are magical with festive costumes, breathtaking choreography. Information: 303-987-7845.
The holidays are a wonderful time of year with joy, cheer and gratitude in abundance. Everywhere you look, people seem to be in high spirits: being kind to one another, taking time to pause and reflect, and taking care of those less fortunate. Whether you are 5 or 85, this is the season to enjoy yourself and reflect on the good things in life.
Friends and family are fantastic, and this is the time to gather and remember how lucky we are to have people around us that we care about and who love us.
On the flip side, don’t let the holidays overwhelm you with parties, buying gifts, and too many work and family commitments. Just remember to put some giggle in your wiggle as you flap your feet. As we say farewell to the old year, people are singing to bring in the New Year. We add our voice: Have a HA! HA! Happy New Year!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.