Grab an eggnog, cozy up to your family and friends, and settle in for a month of holiday gatherings, glittering lights, and snowy peaks. It is the official start of winter and cold weather.
‘Tis the month many folks look forward to the most: Reuniting with loved ones, getting warm by the fire, snowball fights, and tacky holiday sweaters, and lots and lots of eating.
Here are our dreamy December choices for celebrating the values that unite us for shopping, dining, and entertainment through togetherness, generosity, and gratitude:
For a dreamy start to the holidays, take the family to Saturday Night Lights in Cherry Creek North Dec. 2-16, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy treats, see acrobats, and jugglers under 600 lit, musically choreographed trees. Information: 303-394-2904.
Join Chabad of Cherry Creek for the first night of Chanukah. Face painting, fire juggling, treats on E. 2nd. Ave. Dec. 10, 5-7 p.m. Information: 303-394-2904.
For laughs, catch the Ukulele Christmas Extravaganza as 65 ukulele crooners perform at the Lakewood Center Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-987-7485.
Enjoy a blast of Holiday Brass, as the Symphony Brass adds power-brilliance to ballads, carols at Boettcher Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Winterize your sprinkler system to avoid winter weather’s freeze-thaw-freeze cycle if you haven’t yet, prompts Denver Water. More: state’s oldest water utility says to drain outdoor faucets, exposed pipes. Information: 303-893-2444.
For a holiday dining experience like no other, book your reservations early at the Monaco Inn Restaurant. Serving Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 5 to 9 p.m. Good food, good prices, and good service. Information: 303-320-1104.
Relax at the annual Crystal & Himalayan Singing Bowl Concert, as it returns to the Denver Botanic Gardens Dec. 16, 12:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Hear Symphony’s take on Mr. Hound-Dog’s favorites at the Elvis Christmas Spectacular at Boettcher Hall Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Take the kids to the charming, song-infused retelling of Little Red Riding Hood at DCPA’s Randy Weeks Theatre through Dec. 25. Information: 303-893-4100.
Let the Symphony dance you into the New Year enjoying polkas, waltzes, and marches at Boettcher Hall Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Collect new toys for the 16th annual Dolls for Daughters® & Toys for Boys® Toy Drive being held at the National Western Complex Dec. 2, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. They plan to provide a big toy, a small toy, and a wooden toy car to 3,500 children ages birth to 18. To guarantee toys for each child, parents of needy families are required to register for the event. In addition to collecting toys, the group needs Denver Toy Shop volunteers. Information: 720-330-2804.
You can set your watch by it: when December arrives, the same music blares from speakers everywhere. More than any other time, music plays on our emotions this month.
Think of Wham!’s Last Christmas, or Mariah Carey’s holiday earworm: They are songs to get us in a “holiday mood.” A warm mood infused by happy families, gifts, and eggnog.
‘Tis the season to be jolly… fa-la-la! Giving back last year’s fruitcake is compulsory. Relatives are optional. Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year everybody.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.