Alex Necker's Guide to Holiday Activities

Well, Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas Season is here.  This year, with Thanksgiving so late in the month of November, the Holiday Season is a bit condensed.  There are tons of great activities going on around the area to celebrate the season.  The best part is most of them are free!!

Cut and Choose Tree Farms

Since there are only 19 days left till Christmas getting your tree has to be the number one priority.  

As a kid, I grew up in an artificial tree household.  My wife altered that pretty quickly.    Dragging the box out of storage and setting up the artificial tree doesn't leave a lasting impression.  We have made it a family tradition to choose and cut our tree each December.

Deer Creek Valley Tree Farm

3744 Ady Road, Street, MD 21154

410 452-9793

dcvtfarm@iximd.com

**Full Disclosure - This where the Necker Family purchased our tree this year.  I have proof - http://foxbaltimore.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/christmas-tree-season-at-deer-creek-valley-tree-farm-23755.shtml?wap=0

Doyle's Christmas Tree Farm

1155 Bernoudy Road

White Hall, MD 21161

410-404-2095

Stansbury Christmas Tree Farm

3519 Stansbury Mill Road

Phoenix, MD 21131

(410) 666-2531

Hickory Hill Tree Farm

3123 Copenhaver Road 

Street, MD 21154

410-838-8733

Jarrettsville Nurseries

4336 Saint Clair Bridge Road

Jarrettsville, MD 21084

or

1121 Holy Cross Road

Street, MD 21154

(410) 452-8677

Applewood Farm

4435 Prospect Road

Whiteford, MD 21160

(410) 836-1140

Christmas Lights 

My kids really enjoy traveling around and looking at Christmas lights.  Xander is always pointing out even the small displays.  

Here are few houses that have some great lights.

Roland Avenue and Hall Street in Bel Air, MD 21014

407 Gittings Ave, Baltimore, MD 21212

1401 Boyce Ave, Towson, MD 21204

2460 Spring Lake Dr, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093

Now there are some that have taken exterior illumination to the next level with lots of lights, a catchy tune and an FM transmitter.

Corinthian Court and Econ Drive in Bel Air, MD 21014

Hackberry Court and East Ring Factor in Bel Air, MD 21014 

Valley Forge Road and Federal Lane in Abingdon, MD 21009 

Of course if you are downtown this Saturday, you have to check out the Parade of Lighted Boats in the Harbor.  The Festooned Flotilla  will be passing through Fells Point at 6:00pm and the Inner Harbor at 6:30pm.

And then there is the granddaddy of them all…A Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden.  For this one you have to hoof it.  Park the car and walk down the street.  There is so much to see up on those porches.  

Train Gardens

One of my family's favorite activities is visiting the all the train gardens in the area.  The one my son is sure that we don't miss is Christopher's Train Garden at Brooms Bloom.  He really likes the trains, but I am onto him.  He is really in it for the ice cream afterwards.

Another 2 for 1 Train Garden is the train garden at the Jacksonville Senior Center.  We also make it a point to go on their Opening Day - 12/15/13 - to see the trains and catch up with Santa.  

Christopher's Train Garden at Brooms Bloom
1700 S Fountain Green Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015

11/28/13 to 01/01/14 - Daily - 11:00am to 8:00pm 

The Jacksonville Senior Center Train Garden
3506A Sweet Air Road, Phoenix, MD 21131

Opens December 15 11am - 4pm then continues December 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 31 10am - 2pm & December 18, 30 Noon - 8pm

The Shops at Kenilworth Train Garden
800 Kenilworth Dr, Towson, MD 21204

11/22/13 to 01/10/14 - Daily - If the mall is open, then the trains are running

The Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Department Train Garden
3825 Federal Hill Road Jarrettsville, MD 21084

11/29/13 to 01/12/14 - Check there website for hours, it runs mostly on the weekends

This is a great time of year to get out and create some great family memories.  So get out there, take some photos and share what you do with your family to celebrate the holiday season.