It’s become an annual holiday tradition for families to spot The Elf on the Shelf at home. Now, check out “The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical” at Capital One Hall on Nov. 28. “It’s a fantastic story about faith, hope, and love — that’s what brings Christmas spirit to everybody,” Director Sam Scalamoni told WTOP. “It’s a real Broadway-style musical, a two-act musical, there’s a great story involved … there’s amazing dancing done by our choreographer Charlie Sutton from Broadway, our elves are fantastic tap dancers.” Continue reading
While some residents in and around Alexandria may prefer to cut their own Christmas Trees some residents prefer pre-cut Christmas Trees. In Alexandria, residents can obtain a pre-cut Christmas trees at these locations in and around the City:
Greenstreet Gardens - 1721 W Braddock Rd Alexandria
Farlington United Methodist Church Christmas Tree Sale - 3900 King Street Alexandria
Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees - 2911 Cameron Mills Rd Alexandria. Trees are available at their North Ridge sale from Dec 6 - 8.
Alexandria Police Youth Camp Christmas Sale - Amtrak Parking Lot 110 Callahan Dr Alexandria.
West Potomac PTSA Christmas Tree Sale - Behind Sandburg Middle School 8428 Fort Hunt Rd Alexandria.
Washington Farm United Methodist Church - 3921 Old Mill Rd Alexandria
The Basilica School of Saint Mary Christmas Tree Sale - 400 Green Street Alexandria.
Holiday programs and tours fill each day with delight at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Visitors of all ages can tour the Mansion, watch 18th-century demonstrations and hear stories of Christmases past from costumed characters. Meet Aladdin the camel and commemorate your holiday visit with a photo at the selfie station as you start a new tradition of visiting Mount Vernon during the Christmas season.Continue reading
With the Christmas season fast approaching many residents in Alexandria will be starting their Christmas Tree decorations. Residents in the city can visit The Old Town Shop or the Christmas Attic on South Union Street in Old Town and purchase Christmas ornaments with an Alexandria Twist. Continue reading
The Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society invites everyone to the special performance at the Little Theatre of Alexandria 600 Wolfe Street. The performance will be held on Thursday December 5th with a reception and silent auction at 6 and the performance starting at 8pm. Continue reading
Tickets are now available for sale in Alexandria for the popular holiday event the Santa Train. Ticket are available for sale at Whistle Stop Hobbies located at 1719 Centre Plaza off of Quaker Lane. Continue reading
If you're looking into your crystal ball and see waddlesome sloth in your future, fear not. The Thanksgiving meal may have added some pounds, but the Christmas feasting doesn't have to.
A way to avoid the depressing feeling of holiday over eating is to beat it to the punch. I suggest heading over to Gold's Gym and becoming a member. Use the link provided here and investigate for yourself. The rewards will be apparent immediately when you walk in for your first work out. Simply arriving and walking through the door is the first step, as the sign on their front door will prove, to a better you.
Since joining, I've seen many changes in myself. I feel better and look better. I've also been going through a recovery period from injuries, so if this has held you back, no need. The hot tub and sauna will provide assistance in this area.
The people I have seen from day one have kept me going as well. I see the same grouping of people on a daily basis. When the doors open at 4:25 ish in the morning, we scoot in and get to work. As you can see from the link, my gym here in Alexandria likes to open earlier than the schedule suggests. They're also open late enough to get in that work out any time of day. For a real happy new year, get to the gym and feel better. Good luck and go for it!
Looking for the next abode to rest your head after that workout? Look into the listings below.
The National Christmas Tree and the Washington Monument
The first national Christmas celebrations began in 1913 when President Woodrow Wilson and over 20,000 visitors gathered together at the Capitol with a lighted community Christmas tree that began the national event.
In 1923, Vermont’s Middlebury College had presented the first official National Christmas Tree as a gift. It was decorated with 2,500 red, white and green lights and was lit by President Calvin Coolidge on the Eve of Christmas at President’s Park situated to the south of the White House also known as the Ellipse. Through the years, the National Christmas Tree had been relocated to several areas such as in 1923 when it was relocated to Sherman Plaza and to Lafayette Park years after, and was returned to the Ellipse in 1939.
On December 17, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower started the lighting of the National Christmas Tree for the Pageant of Peace, permitting more visitors to view the lighting and celebrating Christmas Eve at home with family.
From a single Christmas tree, the National Christmas Tree now is accompanied by 56 smaller Christmas trees representing each state, territory and the District of Columbia. The National Christmas Tree is lit with reflection of the current events such as when the lights were turned off for a moment in support of the American hostages in Lebanon and their families on Christmas Eve in 1985 as instructed by President George H. W. Bush, and the lighting in 2001, when the children of the September 11 attack victims of the Pentagon had assisted in the lighting.
An array of trees, such as the Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Engelmann Spruce and Red Cedar were constantly donated for the event till 1973, when the National Arborist Association then donated a 42 foot blue spruce intended as a permanent National Christmas Tree till it began to die and thus a 40 foot tall living Colorado blue spruce was donated from Maryland and served as the National Christmas Tree. Standard filament burning bulbs had long ago decorated the National Christmas, then Solar energy was then used in 1995 to light the tree, in 2007 energy efficient LED lights are now used as a reminder to everyone that energy can be saved to decrease carbon footprint.
Every year, the tree lighting ceremony begins the festivities of the National Christmas Tree program or “Pageant of Peace”, with re-known performers and a military band and a message of peace by the President dedicated to everyone worldwide. Entertainment and musical performances provided by volunteer choirs, bands and dancers are for free.
For the “Christmas Pathway of Peace”, the National Christmas Tree and its accompanying 56 smaller trees shall be lit every night at dusk till 11pm all through the 1st of January. While model trains surrounding the base of the National Christmas Tree are provided by the National Christmas Tree Railroad.
