2019 Southern Maryland Christmas Thread

[Editor]

Assorted announcements for the 2019 Christmas season...

As always, be sure to scan the Community Calendar for daily Christmas-related events.

So. Md. Community Calendar: 4/6/2024 5:30 AM

Community, Nightlife, and Sports calendar for the So. Md. tri-county area of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties.

somd.com

 

[Editor]

Expert craftsmen with sensational gifts for your holiday giving, homemade gourmet cocoa and Glühwein, music and home-baked goods make the 13th Annual Christmas Market the place to be Sat, 14 Dec, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at All Saints' Episcopal Church Parish Hall, corner of Rts 2 & 4, Sunderland, MD. Bring your red or green boot mug from previous years to buy beverage refills. Rain, snow or shine! Free admission & parking. Proceeds benefit parish & community projects.

 

[Editor]

Governor Larry Hogan, First Lady to Host Holiday Open House at Government House

All Marylanders Welcome for Public Celebration

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan invite Marylanders and their families to join them for a Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 7 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Government House in Annapolis. The event is free of charge, open to the public, and no reservations are required.

PARKING: Guests may park in the Bladen Street garage, which does not charge on weekends, or in other garages located on Main Street and West Street. Please click here for a detailed map showing more parking options in downtown Annapolis.

The First Family asks that guests consider bringing unwrapped toys that will be donated to those in need during this holiday season. On behalf of Toys for Tots, the Maryland State Police will be collecting donations under a tent by the front gate.

The decorations for the open house will include Christmas trees provided by Lowe’s Bayshore Nursery in Stevensville, MD, and refreshments will include assortments of holiday cookies, brownies, and dessert bars prepared by Government House chefs. Hot Wassail will also be available for guests waiting in line outside of Government House and live music will be provided by Maryland high school groups, with a different performance each hour.

Holiday ornaments, designed by the first lady and provided by the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House of Maryland will be available for purchase inside. Proceeds will help support and maintain the historical significance of Government House with repairs, remodeling, and preservation.

Last week, the first lady also welcomed members of garden clubs from all 24 Maryland jurisdictions to the State House to personally deliver and decorate Christmas trees and wreaths in the rotunda. She presented a certificate of appreciation and Christmas ornaments to each club. Menorahs have also been placed in the State House and Government House.

 

[Editor]

The 19th Annual Christ Church Celtic-Christmas Concert with Maggie Sansone, will be held December 8 at 3 pm followed by a small reception with the artists. This single show features Andrea Hoag, Sharon Knowles, Laura Byrne, and Connie Mckenna. This year we can sell tickets in advance by credit card over the phone.

Pre-purchased tickets: Can be held at the Will Call desk on the day of performance

Can be mailed to you for an additional $1

Ticket Prices

Adult $25 each

Child (12 and under $10 each)

For credit card sales there is a service fee of $1 per Adult ticket and $.50 per Child Ticket.

Credit Card Sales over the Phone: Call 410.867.0346

Monday and Wednesday 2 pm to 6 pm

Tuesday and Thursday 10 am to 2 pm

 

[Editor]

Holiday Exhibits at the Museums

A Very Retro Christmas Exhibit at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum
St. Clement's Island Museum Christmas Doll & Train Exhibit

December 1, 2019 - January 5, 2020 | 12PM-4PM

St. Clement’s Island Museum will host its annual Christmas Doll & Train Exhibit, daily, Dec. 1, 2019, to Jan. 5, 2020, from noon – 4 p.m., where families can enjoy a holiday exhibit of antique and collectible dolls (like Barbie, American Girl and more), classic trains and other vintage toys in this festive holiday display inside the museum. This event is a fun visitor experience where you can see a unique Christmas Exhibit in the museum setting and recapture or share your youth by running the model trains. This year’s exhibit will be all about Christmases in St. Mary’s County and how it has been celebrated by locals in the past. Visitors can try their hand as a conductor by running some of the model trains, play with dolls, write Santa a letter, read a Christmas story, and more. The Black-eyed Susan Doll Club of Southern Maryland will have collections of antique and modern dolls on display. The lifelike, hand-crafted felt creations of doll maker, R. John Wright, will be featured. There will also be an exhibit highlighting popular dolls and from the Victorian Era, 1920s, 1950s and 1980s. Look for “Holiday Touch Zones” and operate an O scale and a G scale Lionel train sets. Touch and learn about the different types of dolls children played with long go. Help decorate our schoolhouse - go to the Charlotte Hall Schoolhouse on the museum grounds and make Christmas decorations the way children used to make in school. Learn to make snowflakes, paper chains and reindeer. The cost for this exhibit is $3.00 Adults, $2.00 Seniors and Military, $1.50 Children, 5 and under are free. Exhibit is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Piney Point Lighthouse Museum presents “A Very Retro Christmas Exhibit” available, daily, Dec. 1, 2019, to Jan. 5, 2020, from noon – 4 p.m., where all can experience a holiday display inside the museum and lighthouse keeper's quarters. Whether you recall the bubble lights on your parent's Christmas tree, the neighbor's huge blown-mold lawn displays, or the vintage dishes that came out for holiday dinners, we have your cup of nostalgia at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum this holiday season. Enjoy a family-friendly holiday exhibit where visitors can see “retro” exhibits featuring holidays over the years. The admission cost is $7.00 for adults, $3.50 for seniors, students and military and 5 and under are free. Exhibit is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Check out the great holiday exhibits at both St. Clement's Island Museum and Piney Point Lighthouse Museum this December.

 

[Editor]

SMADC Releases 2019 Farm Holiday Guide

Celebrate the Holidays in Southern Maryland. Find local events, farm-made gifts and festive food and drinks.

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission has released the 2019 edition of the Farm Holiday Guide, a free booklet featuring Southern Maryland farm products and events available during the holidays.

The Holiday Farm Guide connects consumers with Southern Maryland farms of all types as well as dairies, wineries, distilleries, breweries and also seafood producers that are open for business during the holiday season and throughout the winter months.

This year's guide showcases over 80 farms and agriculture-related businesses in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties. Extensive listings offer an array of home-grown options for festive decorating, entertaining and gift giving. Find local 'choose and cut' Christmas trees and fresh-cut holiday greenery, quality meats and poultry, award-winning wines, beer, whisky and rum, freshly harvested oysters and seafood, farm-made cheese, produce, jams and pickles, plus unique handmade gifts and woven accessories.

Look for special sections in the guide that highlight resources and tips for buying firewood, where to order locally raised turkeys, and find farm-hosted tours, tastings, holiday-themed events and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

The "Holiday Farm Guide" is available now to view or download on the "Get Our Guides" page at SMADC.com. Starting early November, free printed guide booklets will be available in limited quantities at participating farms and businesses, and Southern Maryland public libraries and regional visitor/welcome centers. For more information, and to find a printed guide, visit "News & Events" on the SMADC website.

FIND A GUIDE AT THESE LOCATIONS

 

[Editor]

St. Charles Towne Center Rings in the Season with Holiday Events

St. Charles Towne Center will soon get Waldorf-area shoppers in the spirit of the season! Throughout November and December, Charles County’s premier shopping destination is decking the halls with Santa photos, gingerbread house decorating, breakfast with St. Nick, holiday canvas painting, a Disney Junior Holiday Play Date and more!

• Photos with Santa/Macy’s Court: November 15 – December 24

Families can capture special holiday moments with the jolliest man in town! For hours and Santa’s full schedule, visit simon.com/stcharlestownecenter and save time and avoid the line with Santa’s Fast Pass!

• Caring Santa/Macy’s Court: December 8 from 8-9 a.m.

Caring Santa is a private photo event for children and young adults with special needs. St. Charles Towne Center has made adjustments to the environment to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities for this special event. Caring Santa will be held during private mall hours to provide a more sensory-friendly environment.. Register in advance on simon.com/caringsanta and use the Macy’s lower level entrance and parking area

• Pet Photos with Santa/Macy’s Court: December 15 from 8-10 a.m.
  Calling all festive, four-legged friends! Families are invited to bring their pets for an unforgettable picture with Santa Claus. Enter through the Macy’s lower level entrance and parking area (no reptiles or exotic animals permitted). To register in advance, visit simon.com/petphotossanta

Disney Junior spreads cheer, lower level, in front of Sears with festive activities from 12-3 p.m.

• Breakfast with Santa and 19 Days until Christmas Party: December 7 from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
  Little elves are invited to a morning with Santa, featuring a pancake feast, crafts, face painting and special giveaways! After breakfast, St. Nick will lead a jingle bell parade around the mall to kick off the 19 Days Until Christmas Party. The jolly celebration will include cake pop decorating, a DJ, pinatas and more holiday crafts. To RSVP, visit bit.ly/SCTCBreakfastWithSanta.
  
• Story Time and Singing with Santa/Kohl’s: December 8 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Spread holiday cheer with special story time and singing with Santa! St. Nick will perform favorite tunes on the ukulele, while his favorite elf reads seasonal stories. In addition, guests can look forward to a milk a cookies snack, crafts, balloon twisting and even a special gift from Kris Kringle! To RSVP, visit bit.ly/SCTCStoryandSingingWithSanta.

• Gingerbread House Decorating/Sears Court, Lower Level: December 14 from 1-3 p.m.
  Thanks to generous support from Cedar Point Federal Credit Union, guests can build their own gingerbread house, with a variety of sweet and salty options, while supplies last. Representatives from Cedar Point Federal Credit Union will choose their top three designs, and winners will receive an American Express Visa Gift card. For more information, visit simon.com/stcharlestownecenter.
  
  
• Holiday Canvas Painting/Center Court: December 21 from 1-4 p.m.
  Deck the halls with a hand-crafted holiday painting! Artists of all skill levels can create their own special keepsake during a fun-filled afternoon out with friends. Canvases, brushes and paint will be provided, $5 to paint on glass, $10 to paint on canvas paid directly to the vendor, while supplies last.

Busy elves can make holiday gift-giving a breeze by surprising a loved one with a shopping spree! Shoppers can’t go wrong with the gift of a Simon Visa or American Express Giftcard – available for purchase at the Mall Management Office.

To learn more about holiday happenings at St. Charles Towne Center, visit http://simon.com/stcharlestownecenter.

 

[Editor]

DECEMBER EVENTS AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Calvert Marine Museum. Join us for a variety of activities and special events as we celebrate the season. For a complete listing, visit us on Facebook or at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Sunday, December 1 – Museum Store Sunday

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Calvert Marine Museum Store is again proud to participate in Museum Store Sunday, a global one-day annual shopping event where patrons can shop for uniquely curated gifts while supporting the mission and fundraising efforts of local museums. On this day, CMM members will enjoy 25% off their entire purchase and have the opportunity to increase their discount to 30%, 35%, or 40% off their purchase. One lucky member may even get their entire purchase for FREE! Non-members will receive a 20% discount all day. Some exclusions apply; see Museum Store for details.

Tuesday, December 3; Thursday, December 5; & Wednesday, December 11 – Sea Squirts
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. FREE drop-in program for children 18 months to 3 years old and their caregivers. This month's theme is Lighthouse Discovery. Space is limited.

Saturday, December 7 – Solomons Christmas Walk
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The museum is open and FREE to the public. Enjoy musical entertainment, Santa, the Otter mascot, holiday crafts, and shopping in the Museum Store. While waiting to visit Santa stop by the Museum mezzanine to see "O" scale trains traverse through a miniature village. Santa’s Coffee House will be open with complimentary hot tea, coffee, hot cocoa, and holiday cookies. Museum members save 20% off in the Museum Store all weekend.

Thursday, December 19 – Little Minnows
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. A program for children ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers. This month’s theme is Shine on Me! Lighthouses. Fee is $5, CMM members are FREE.

Friday, December 20 – Coffee & Doughnuts

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. in the Museum Store. Museum members are invited for coffee and doughnuts. Enjoy a 20% discount all day and, as a special treat for coming in early, receive a FREE gift with your purchase of $50 or more. Gifts are limited to one per membership, and only available while supplies last, so plan to arrive early!

Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas Day
The Calvert Marine Museum and Museum Store are closed.

Thursday, December 26 – Winter Wildlife
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Discover the animals that make the wintry waters of the Chesapeake their home. Check the daily events schedule at the admissions desk for special program times. FREE with museum admission.

Friday, December 27 – Winter Industry

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn about what winter work used to be like on the Chesapeake Bay. Discover the secrets of harvesting oysters and take a guided tour of the Lore Oyster House. *Programming will take place at the Lore Oyster House offsite exhibit, located 1/4 mile south of the Calvert Marine Museum.

Monday, December 30 – Boat Building – A Winter Project

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Summer is the time for sailing boats, and winter is the time for working on them. Just like the real boat builders, we will build and decorate our own toy boat for the warmer days to come. Appropriate for ages 5 and older. FREE with museum admission.

Tuesday, December 31 – NOON Year’s Eve Party for Members Only!

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Harms Gallery. Make a party hat, New Year’s Wish Ornament, and join the dance party with Bubbles the otter. Toast in the NOON Year with sparkling ginger ale and fishy snacks when the ball drops at high noon. Family program for ages 4 and older. FREE with museum membership. The museum is closed to the public.

Tuesday, December 31

The Calvert Marine Museum and Museum Store will be open for members only from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Explore how the prehistoric past, natural environments, and maritime heritage come to life and tell a unique story of the Chesapeake Bay. The Calvert Marine Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9.00 for adults; $7.00 for seniors, military with valid I.D, AAA and AARP members; $4.00 for children ages 5 - 12; children under 5 and museum members are admitted free. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042.

 

[Editor]

2019 So. Maryland Holiday Guide

 

[Editor]

Buying locally-grown trees, including choose-and-cut trees, supports family-owned farms and businesses, preserves farmland, and protects the environment. To find a Christmas tree farm near you, visit www.marylandsbest.net. For more information about the benefits of purchasing a Maryland-grown tree, please check out the Maryland Christmas Tree Association’s website: www.marylandchristmastrees.org.

After the holidays are over, check with your county about its tree recycling programs. For other tree recycling tips, visit: www.realchristmastrees.org/All-About-Trees/How-to-Recycle.

 

[Editor]

Free Parking During the Holiday Season

Annapolis (November 22, 2019) – Anne Arundel County will offer free parking in the Whitmore Parking Garage in downtown Annapolis during several days of holiday shopping designed to highlight local businesses. The Whitmore Parking Garage is located at 25 Clay Street, across from the Arundel Center.

"Residents from across the county come to Annapolis to enjoy Midnight Madness and Small Business Saturday, and we are pleased to support these events with free parking," said County Executive Steuart Pittman.

The shopping events are sponsored by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership and begin Saturday, November 30th, with the 10th anniversary of Small Business Saturday. Organizers host the event to remind shoppers that when they patronize a small business, they are voting with their dollars to keep these unique locally-owned stores in our community.

The first three Thursday evenings in December feature late night shopping fun in downtown Annapolis, as part of Midnight Madness. Shops and restaurants stay open late, and there is entertainment throughout the downtown area including West Street, Maryland Ave, Main Street, and the city dock area. The window displays are decorated for the holidays, and the city shines with festive lights, trees, and garland.

The free parking at Whitmore Parking Garage is available during the following times:

Small Business Saturday - November 29th: All Day

Midnight Madness Thursdays - December 5th,12th, & 19th: 4 p.m. - 6 a.m.

Whitmore Parking Garage is also free every Sunday year-round from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information on the events visit http://www.downtownannapolispartnership.org