Merry Christmas! National Christmas Tree

K- This past Sunday I walked around DC and stopped to visit the National Christmas Tree. It was during the day so it wasn’t lit up but there wasn’t a crowd so I was able to move around and check out the individual state’s Christmas Trees and the model trains. Unfortunately I  missed one of the many Christmas concerts that are held by the tree as I was there during the break. However I will go back in the evening sometime this week so I can see everything lit up and hopefully enjoy some music.

2 Girls in DC wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a fabulous New Year. We will return on 6 January so until then enjoy the city, restaurants and New Year’s Eve parties!

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New Year’s Eve in DC

Usapics.net

K- Hard to believe but New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Got any plans yet?

Midnight in Marrakesh at W Hotel

Explore the intoxicating world of Morocco, dance the night away to the rhythms of the most sought after DJs and celebrate 2014 with a champagne toast at midnight.

Tickets are $95′

Big Night DC New Year’s Eve

Fifteen Massive Party Areas: (Main Event) Mardi Gras Ballroom & Stage, Vegas Casino Lounge (Mock Casino Gambling), Band Stage Stage & Ballroom, Retro Ballroom (Best of 70’s, 80’s & 90’s dance tunes), DC’s Largest Dance Ballroom (The hottest dance music), Dining Area, and Karoake Zone. In the VIP area there are many more additional zones, lounges, & and club Zones (for VIPs only).

Tickets start at $129.99

BYT Presents “Rumspringa” New Year’s Eve

Brightest Young Things hosts a New Year’s Eve party at The Church of BLIND WHINO, DC’s coolest and weirdest new art space. Go-go dancers, crazy art installations, lasers, and stuff and a bunch more!

Right now tickets are $84 and goes up weekly.

The Gibson “Calling All Troops”

Join The Gibson for a vintage USO-themed New Year’s Eve celebration to honor our troops with performances by Candy del Rio and Reverend Valentine.

Tickets are $150 and include an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment.

A portion from all ticket sales will be donated to “Wounded Warrior Project“.

New Year’s Eve 2014 with Art Soiree “Puttin’ on the Ritz”

Let’s ring in the New Year together at the Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown in a festive atmosphere with music, confetti, friends and good cheer!

Celebrate with live jazz band, DJ Agent Max, dancing, photo-ops at hte lobby lounge, Degrees Bar and Fahrenheit Ballroom.

General tickets are $25 online and only includes admission for one, complimentary midnight champagne toast, complimentary passed hors d’ouevres from 10pm-12am and one fantastic night. Special discount for groups of 5 – $20 per ticket.

For more ideas go to  In the Capital or Greg’s List DC.

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival

K- Over the weekend I went to the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival at the Dulles Expo Center to check it out – as I’d never been before –  and maybe get some Christmas shopping done.

The Expo Center isn’t as large as it used to be. It used to be in two buildings but apparently Walmart has the other one now. That being said, there were plenty of things choose from.

As I walked through the aisles I was overwhelmed with all of the stuff. There were booths that had fine jewelry, costume jewelry, hats, rocking horses, stained glass, Christmas ornaments, menorahs, pottery, hand-crafted furniture, paintings, cakes, cookies, jams, organic chocolate, soap, and so many other crafts. One booth had “steampunk” items, like balloons, airplanes and figures made out of pieces and parts such as beer mugs, napkin rings, nuts, bolts, etc.

Jack the Pumpkin King ornament

Another purchase from the fair

The tickets are a bit pricey but you may be able to get them cheaper online and ours was good for the whole festival – 3 days. You might even be able to split the cost with a friend.

Although the festival is over, there will be another in January to perhaps start your Christmas shopping extra early!

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5 More Things to do During the Holiday Season

Bull Run Festival of Lights

C – Winter has consumed the Washington, DC area and it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Here are 5 more things to do that will get you in the holiday mood:

1. Elf the Musical at the Kennedy Center Opera House
   One of my favorite holiday movies is a musical now, and it’s actually getting decent reviews. I had my doubts, but I think I might check this out.
   Dec. 17, 2013 – Jan. 5, 2014
   Tickets are $35.00 – $150.00
2. A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre
   They do this every year, and it’s one of those things you have to do at least once to consider yourself a true Washingtonian.
   November 21, 2013-January 1, 2014
   Tickets are $32.00 – $99.60
   
3. ICE! at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
   I did this three years ago and, I have to say, it was fun. I went with my friend and her family and we ended up hogging the ice slide. The kids got bored with it after a few runs, but we couldn’t stop.
   November 15, 2013 – January 5, 2014
   Tickets are $74.99*/person or $249.99* for a family up to five
4. Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville
   Now this is a light display. It’s a little far out from the center of DC, but totally worth braving 66 if you’re into something different.
   November 20, 2013 to January 5, 2014
   Monday – Thursday: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
   Fridays – Sunday & holidays*:  5:30 to 10 p.m.
   Tickets are $15 – $55 depending on your vehicle type.
5. ZooLights at the National Zoo
   So you won’t be able to see the baby panda, but there’s so much to do at this annual event you won’t even remember that she’s there. Plus, you can give back through five different, onsite charity programs.
   November 29, 2013 – January 1, 2014, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
   It’s free!

Cruisin’ for the holidays

K- Last Friday I took my first cruise on the Potomac on “The Spirit of Washington.” It may not have seemed the best day to do it as it was one of those rainy, cold and cloudy days but with all of the holiday cheer inside I didn’t notice the miserable weather outside.

We boarded the ship at Waterfront (near the Arena Theater). Inside the ship was decorated and the center table was set for lunch, which included pasta salad, green salad, macaroni and cheese (made with gouda), fish, pork, turkey, stuffing and roasted vegetables. Dessert was a spice cake I believe but as the staff was serving it rather than having it on a table I missed it as I had stepped outside for a bit to take some photos.

The cruise was two hours long and went past the airport, Torpedo Factory and the National Harbor. It was pretty cool to see the planes flying along the river and landing at Reagan National Airport.

The cruise was a fun choice for the office holiday party and I’m so glad I went.

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5 Things to do during the holiday season

K- The holidays are a great time to enjoy many things with family and friends. Here are five suggestions to do during the holiday season. I know  there is much more but this is a good start!

1. The National Christmas Tree.  The National Christmas Tree lighting is tonight at 4:30 p.m. The ceremony this year includes Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Janelle Monae, Train and Joshua Bell. If you want to attend the lighting “up close and personal” you need to apply to a lottery ahead of time. You can watch it live via the website or on PBS.

2. See the Washington Ballet’s “Nutcracker” at the Warner Theater.

3. See Handel’s “Messiah” at the National Cathedral.

4. Christmas at Mount Vernon. According to its website “Mount Vernon decks the halls throughout the estate with themed Christmas trees and festive holiday touches. Traditional boughs of hand-cut greenery will adorn doorways in the Mansion, which will be staged with an elaborate holiday course in the formal dining room.

Each Christmas, Mount Vernon welcomes special guests including Aladdin the Camel. In 1787 George Washington paid 18 shillings to bring a camel to Mount Vernon to delight his visitors. In recent years, Mount Vernon has also proudly displayed the National Thanksgiving Turkey after its official “presidential pardoning” at the White House.

Holiday visitors will also enjoy extra daytime treats. Tour the rarely-open third floor of the Mansion, where Martha Washington retired after her husband’s death and learn how chocolate was made in the 18th century with live demonstrations.”

5. Skating at the National Gallery of Art.

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink is open mid-November through mid-March, weather permitting. View magnificent works of sculpture while skating in the open air and enjoying music from the state-of-the-art sound system.

Julius Caesar Ibbetson,Skaters on the Serpentine in Hyde Park 1786

Admission
(two-hour sessions, beginning on the hour)
$8.00 adults
$7.00 seniors (age 50 and over)
$7.00 students (with school ID)
$7.00 children (age 12 and under)
$195.00 season pass

Panda-monium

C – I can’t get enough of Panda Cam. Yes, I’m one of those people. I never meant to be, but it happened. My sister made me watch it (in silence) during dinner, and that was it. Hooked. I watch it all the time. When I wake up unexpectedly in the middle of the night, for example, I grab my phone and I’m on the National Zoo’s website. It’s an addiction I’m not particularly proud of, but I guess it could be worse.

Sunday marked 100 days since the little panda cub was born. She has been named Bao Bao which translates as “treasure” or “precious” in English. It wasn’t the name I would have chosen. Yes, I voted. More than once. I don’t want to talk about it.

Bao Bao’s public debut is set for January. I suspect I’ll be there.

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