Goodbye, November. Hello, December. How did this month get here so soon? As Dr. Seuss stated, “It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June.” This month feels like both a beginning and an ending. It’s all the rushing, preparation and celebrating as we try to slow down right in the middle of a near year-long pandemic.
December is Denver’s coldest month. That mean the thermometer may drop below 0 °F on a few nights. Still we are nearer to spring than we were in September.
Here are our silver bells ringing and sugar plums dancing choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to prepare you for the merriment and bah humbug-ness ahead:
3 With jaunty jingles and titillating tales, the world premiere of Winterland at Wonderbound Studios is your antidote to the winter blues. Sunflower Bank is sponsor of the cabaret, Dec. 2-18. Information: 303-292-4700.
3 Take the family to Zoo Lights 30th Anniversary with more than a million lights aglow at the Denver Zoo, Dec. 4-31. Information: 720-990-5105.
3 View Begin Again, new artwork to inspire healing, hope and wonder on display at Walker Fine Art through Jan. 9. Information: 303-355-8955.
3 Book a time, dress in your holiday best for family photos at Lowry’s Eisenhower Chapel Dec. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 303-344-0481.
3 Make the holidays special with pastries, artisan breads, quiche and sandwiches from French bakery Detour on South Holly St. Tue.-Sat., 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Helpful staff to help you stock up. Information: 303-756-2020.
3 Spruce up for the holidays with décor fabrics from Boris’s Upholstery. Select from over 300 rolls of fabrics in-stock. One-stop home upholstery, custom cushions and decorative pillows. Information: 303-751-2921.
3 See Stories On Stage as it performs Making Merry live streamed from the Nomad Theatre in Boulder Dec. 13, 7-8 p.m. Information: 303-494-0523.
3 Catch Other People’s Pets, the Novel by R. L. Maizes during Dec. 17 virtual JAAMM Fest, 7 p.m. Information: JCCDenver.org/JAAMM.
3 Faced with this year’s historic challenges, take the family to December Delights at Four Mile Historic Park, Dec. 4-27. Outdoor winter spectacular features installations, ice skating, kids’ activities and a scavenger hunt. Event has snacks and a full bar. Open Friday through Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. the stunning space is designed to transform endings into new beginnings. Information: 720-865-0800.
Do You Hear What I Hear? AAAaaALViiiNN! Whether it’s the Chipmunk song or Jingle Bells, holiday songs are inescapable this time of year. They’re on your car radio, in department stores and your dentist’s waiting room. Even Up on the Housetop, click, click, the DINGing and DONGing and RING-A-LINGing dance in your ear drums.
Even if holiday songs don’t top our list, we still remember the words to Deck The Halls, FA LA FA LA! After all, it’s the time of year to “be jolly and don gay apparel!
Although December is filled with love and positivity, let’s face it: this month can leave you feeling pretty cold. So go ahead and cozy up to all those holiday songs and their December-themed lyrics — enjoy them while you can, it’ll be 2021 before you know it! Wishing you and your family health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.