Alex Tobin
Staff Writer
Can you believe the holidays are almost here? It’s that time of the year again when everyone is anxiously waiting and preparing for Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s.
Although this is always a stressful and hectic time due to the rush of trying to get presents, preparing food, traveling to see friends and families, and most annoyingly the constant traffic all over town, it is also a time to enjoy all the activities designed to promote the holiday spirit.
Thanksgiving always seems to come fast and go fast, just like the food put on the table.
After Thanksgiving, December quickly arrives and the holiday festivities begin. There are plenty of Christmas activities to keep anyone busy for the whole month.
Of course most people will be buying a Christmas tree or menorah, decorating the house and making a gift list, but what’s better than starting off the month going ice skating with friends for free? In Hartford at Bushnell Park, ice skating is available seven days a week; skates are free too.
At the Reindeer Festival in Greenwich, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen will be in attendance. Feeding hours are 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon daily.
New York City is a short train ride away and the annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting is on December 3.
The famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular is also a sight to see. Tickets are available now. One last thing to take part in is the Winter Village at Bryant Park, also in NYC. There are also many things to do while celebrating Hanukkah, in addition to lighting the menorah.
For example, the Westfield mall in Milford will host an event called Hands on Hannukah Dec. 14 from noon to 3 p.m. There will be cookie decorating, origami dreidel-making and calendar decorating.
On Saturday, Dec. 16 there is a Hanukkah Party Bus Scavenger Hunt open to all teens hosted by the Jewish Teen Learning Connection of West Hartford.
Last but not least, on Dec. 31, start the new year of 2015 right by watching the ball drop on television or live.
Senior Leah Zinsky said she is excited to open all of her presents and visit with family. December looks to be a pretty exciting and eventful month, so enjoy.
