Lauritzen Gardens by Tim Trudel

Decorating the tree takes on a new meaning at Omaha’s Lauritzen Gardens. The botanical garden hosts an annual poinsettia show highlighted by a 20-foot-tall tree made from poinsettias. About 700 colored potted poinsettias are used to create the tree, which prominently stands in the middle of the exhibit hall at the visitors center. At its base is a modern train track, with a scale model train steaming along. Beginning the third weekend of November, the Holiday Poinsettia Show runs until Dec. 31. A new tree, with fresh poinsettias, replaces the original in mid-December. The poinsettia show features more than 50 species of the seasonal plant, from Prestige Red - the best known and most popular - to Jingle Bells, with red brachts (leaves) sprinkled with pink or white colors. While their beauty is admired by the untrained eye, gardening enthusiasts will quickly notice the unique varieties of plants. With this year’s theme embracing the sights and sounds of New York City, silhouettes of the country’s largest city stand tall around the exhibit hall. Visitors will find the Empire State Building, as well as the Statue of Liberty. Of course, Rockefeller Center is featured, since the Christmas tree display

represents the iconic scene at Rockefeller Plaza. With six angels facing each other, holding their trumpets high, the white clad symbols of the season lead celebrants to the poinsettia tree. The display is framed with vibrant poinsettias. As always, the poinsettia show features model trains of all sizes, traveling throughout the exhibits. This year, though, most of the trains travel through New York and the poinsettia displays that run the length of the room, as well as smaller exhibits. Large nutcracker soldiers stand guard along a small bridge near the koi pond. A well-decorated bench area is perfect for group photos, but you may need to stand in line while families, couples, and friends pose for pictures. There are also a couple of selfie spots in the hall. Outside the exhibit hall, a row of poinsettias showcase models of classic Omaha buildings, such as the Woodmen Life Tower, First National Bank building, and Joslyn Castle. A model train and streetcar travel along separate tracks. The poinsettia show may be the major draw of the holiday season, but the evening brings Bright Nights, when the tropical and temperate gardens are illuminated with holiday colors and decorations. For an extra charge (timed reservations are required), visitors can stroll through the gardens at the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, taking in the sights and sounds of the holidays.

With red, green, and other colors lighting up the conservatory’s plants, season visitors check out decorations along the way. The center’s exhibition hall is also illuminated at night. Imagine seeing the silhouettes of NYC lit up brightly, along with the angels, and other decorations. It’s best to visit Lauritzen Gardens during the day, and again at night. The gardens are beautiful during the holiday season. Along with the poinsettia show and Bright Nights, the holiday celebration includes outdoor activities at the Family Chill Zone. Sit back and enjoy the crispness of the winter air, while warming yourself next to a fire pit. Purchase a s’more kit at the front desk and have fun making and eating the gooey marshmallow and chocolate treat. The Family Chill Zone also has games, including cornhole. Lauritzen Gardens’s Holiday Poinsettia Show also features special events, such as classes on how to construct the perfect gingerbread house. Bring the family, a date, or a friend and learn as a team on how to build and decorate a gingerbread house you’ll be proud to display in the front window. Or, how about learning to weave a basket? Hand-woven baskets are superb for holding Christmas cards received during the holidays. Lauritzen also hosts a class on decorating doors. With 17 individual gardens, consider exploring more than 100 acres of nature and attractions, including the Japanese Garden, Lithuanian forest, and a wetlands area with tall prairie grass. Along the way, you’ll find a variety of art, including bear sculptures and Dangos, large ceramic monoliths that resemble vases. After seeing Omaha’s vison of the Big Apple, head downtown to Gene Leahy Mall at the Riverfront, where you can take in thousands of white lights around the renovated city park. The Omaha Holiday Lights Festival also includes giant ornaments and yard displays, as well as a seven-minute multi-media show Friday and Saturday nights. Enjoy holiday music while strolling through the park. The Old Market also features lights and décor.

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GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE – A sleigh full of holiday celebrations returns to The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake with the Fourth Annual Light Up The Lodge, Holiday Ale Tasting Dinner, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinners and New Year’s Eve Dinner, making The Lodge a one-stop spot throughout the holiday season.

Dec. 2-4 - There’s a lot to celebrate at the Fourth Annual Light Up The Lodge from Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4. With fun for all ages, the weekend includes a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest, Elves Workshop, Sip & Paint Class, story time with Mrs. Claus, and the Lighting of the outdoor Christmas Tree. Dec. 3 - Gingerbread House Decorating Contest – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cost: $45 per team Elves Workshop – 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: Ornament craft – $10; Canvas painting – $15. For all ages Sip & Paint Class – 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Cost $40 per person – Must be 21 or older · Christmas music/carols – 6:30 p.m. · Christmas Tree Lighting – 7:00 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies in the lobby immediately following the tree lighting · Story time with Mrs. Claus – 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 - Pictures with Santa – 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Add to your holiday festivities with an overnight stay with our Bed & Breakfast package, which includes an overnight stay at The Lodge and breakfast in Horizons Restaurant. Or book our signature Wine Country Package that includes a one-night stay, one $50 dinner voucher, bottle of wine, breakfast for two in Horizons Restaurant, and a self-guided area winery map.

Ring in 2023 with a relaxing getaway spent lakeside at The Lodge. Dinner will be served in Horizons Restaurant and Lounge from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. (last reservation time 9:30 p.m.), with live music in the Lounge by Live Bridge Duo from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. The getaway includes an overnight stay, $50 dinner voucher and breakfast the next morning starting at $331 per couple. Promo code: NYE2023. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake features 109 finely appointed guest rooms (the majority with lake views) and 25 two-bedroom cottages; Horizons Restaurant, an upscale restaurant with a striking octagonal dining room and al fresco dining – all with a breathtaking view of Lake Erie.

Spend the holidays relaxing with your loved ones with candlelight a la carte Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinners in Horizons Restaurant, served from 4 - 8 p.m. (last reservation time 7:30 p.m.). Christmas Day dinner will feature live holiday music from Valerie Marini. Starters include: French Onion Soup; Baby Kale and Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad; Roasted Beet and Grilled Fennel Salad; Warm Crab and Shrimp Spinach Dip; Crispy Arancini; and Anti-Pasta Board. Entrees include: Oven Roasted Prime Rib ($42.99); Oven Roasted Turkey Breast ($22.99); Pecan Crusted Rainbow Trout ($25.99); Airline Chicken ($27.99); and Grilled Vegetable and Cheese Ravioli ($21.99) Call 440-466-7100, option 2 for reservations.

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Through Dec. 12, enjoy the beauty of Hocking Hills and the magic of holiday cheer whil shopping at locally-owned shops in the region. Collect stamps from any six of the 27 participating shops and turn in to the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center to be eligible for great prizes. Click on the gift at left for details.

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By Kathy Barnett Managing Editor

Southwest Ohio offers so many great attractions and activities for the holidays. Home to decorated, historic Main Streets, a variety of locally owned dining options and more than 100 antique, boutique and specialty shops, the towns of Lebanon, Waynesville, Middletown, and Springboro will once again be among the region’s most popular smalltown holiday shopping destinations. All are located just north of Cincinnatti and only a few moments drive time between each. Beginning with Light Up Middletown, come out to Smith Park and watch balloon pilots light up the night sky. Hear the flames roar and the fans cheer as the balloons glow from the ground level. A fan favorite, the night balloon glow is a magical display that families look forward to every year. You will also find Middletown Holiday Whopla downtown for ice skating fun, food, art and fun through Jan. 16. The mission of Light Up Middletown is to raise funds to make improvement to Middletown City Parks and to present a first-class holiday event that will draw guests from miles around. By working with other local holiday event planners and light displays, Light Up Middletown works to make Middletown a hub of holiday activity. Next, Kings Island’s Winterfest, Mason, is expected to be bigger than ever featuring ice skating on the park’s iconic Royal Fountain, state-of-theart light displays, live shows, festive food, nightly holiday parades and much more. The seasonal celebration will welcome guests select dates through Dec. 31. Celebrating its 33rd anniversary is Lebanon’s historic Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival. Once again featuring more than 100 decorated carriages pulled by mini horses, Clydesdales, Percherons and more beautiful breeds, the event will also offer live entertainment, specialty shopping and food and craft booths Dec. 3. Historic Downtown Lebanon will also be the site of holiday-themed train rides on the Lebanon Mason & Monroe (LM&M) Railroad’s North Pole Express. Offered select dates and times through Dec. 23, the experience includes visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, entertainment from elves, hot chocolate and holiday cookies. Great Wolf Lodge in Mason will once again transform into Snowland this winter. In addition to its sprawling 84-degree indoor waterpark, the lodge will feature life-size gingerbread houses, visits from Santa, holiday activities and more seasonal offerings. New to Warren County’s holiday lineup this year is Holiday in Lights, an outdoor, drivethrough collection of more than 250 light displays. Previously held at Sharon Woods in Sharonville. This year’s event will take place at Lebanon’s Armco Park for the very first time and operate select dates through December 30. Next, showcasing its nationally renowned outdoor walk-through display of approximately one million LED lights, The Christmas Ranch in Morrow will welcome guests through Dec. 23. Holiday shops, pictures with Santa, themed train rides and festive food and drink offerings will round out the guest experience. Waynesville’s Christmas in the Village will be held Dec. 2-4. Springboro’s La Comedia Dinner Theatre will play host to live, Broadway-style performances of the holiday classic White Christmas select dates now through Dec. 30. Yuletide Village, a 16th Century-styled holiday celebration complete with era-inspired light shows, music, live entertainment and more returns to the grounds of the Ohio Renaissance Festival in Waynesville select dates now through Dec. 17.

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