Search Results for: blog christmas fun in north pole alaska

More Fun Places to Ride with Santa

Railway companies across the country are inviting families to hop aboard and ride with Santa this season. Whether it’s the “North Pole Express,” “Christmas Tree Express,” or “Snowball Express,” the big red guy will be on hand to visit with your children. Take a look at where Santa will be riding the rails before he hits the skies on Christmas Eve: CALIFORNIA Fillmore and Western Railway Company offers not one, but three types of Christmas train rides. Kids can have dinner with Santa, pick the perfect Christmas tree, or visit the “North Pole.” The “Christmas Tree Train” takes families to … Continue reading →

Having Fun on Santa’s Christmas Express

Forget about seeing Santa at the mall and head to the train depots listed below for a seasonal ride your entire family won’t soon forget. Railways from coast-to-coast are decked out to deliver your kids to Santa (or vice versa). Conductors don Christmas caps and train rides feature milk, cookies and other treats from Kris Kringle himself. Take a look: WISCONSIN Hop aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad in Spooner for a festive trip of a lifetime. Not only will you be treated to a two and a half-hour train ride, but you’ll also get to share a pizza with … Continue reading →

How to Make Homemade Christmas Wrapping Paper and Ornaments

You’ve mastered homemade wreaths, candles, and other holiday decor, but how many of you have ever made your very own Christmas wrapping paper? It’s not rocket science nor is it as difficult as some of the crafts Martha Stewart cranks out. Rather, it is the ideal project for your kids to tackle on a cold winter’s day. If you have crafty kids, then you probably have all the materials you need right in your own home. The project requires a roll of easel or butcher paper. You can choose full-size or small rolls, which are available at toy and craft … Continue reading →

How to Make a Simple and Festive Christmas Wreath

Here’s a fun holiday project my teenage cousin is working on with his classmates to present to residents at area nursing homes. These evergreen and cranberry wreaths are easy, affordable and add a festive touch to any room. The kids are working assembly line style as it does take a while to pin individual cranberries on the Styrofoam ball that decorates the wreath. However, once the cranberry application is complete you should have no problem completing the project (alone) in less than 20 minutes. EVERGREEN AND CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS WREATH Materials: For Wreath: 1 12-inch pre-made evergreen wreath form 1 thin … Continue reading →

Fun with Fruitcake–The Best Gag Gift of the Season

It’s the holiday tradition that takes a lickin’, but keeps on tickin’. Actually, I know several people who wouldn’t put their tongues anyway near fruitcake, yet that doesn’t seem to diminish its role as a Christmas stalwart. Regardless of the fact that it remains the butt of countless jokes and no matter how many people toss it out as soon they get it, the Christmas fruitcake keeps coming back year after year (and in some cases it’s the same one making the rounds). Many fruitcake recipients are under the impression that the holiday dessert has no expiration. That it can … Continue reading →

How to Make Simple Christmas Topiaries

The economy is in the dumpster and you’re pinching pennies, but you still want to create a festive atmosphere in your home this holiday season. So how do you make that happen? Get creative with affordable materials that can be transformed into expensive-looking decorations. In the days following Thanksgiving my supermarket drastically reduced the price of fresh cranberries. I took advantage of the discount and stocked up on the festive fruit. However, instead of including all of them in holiday recipes I decided to use some for Christmas crafts. My first project is this Cranberry Christmas Topiary. The directions are … Continue reading →

Free Christmas Fun in Indianapolis

Who says you need to spend a bundle to have some holiday family fun? The economy is tanking and managers of Indianapolis-area attractions are responding by offering fabulous freebies during the 12 days leading up to Christmas. In what is being dubbed the “12 Free Days Of Indy Christmas” celebration, visitors will be gifted with free admission and other goodies at participating attractions. For example, on Saturday, December 13th, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum will be offering free admission to its collection of trophies and cars. On Sunday, December 14th, you can tour the President Benjamin Harrison … Continue reading →

Making Edible Garland for Your Christmas Tree

Is your Christmas tree up yet? Judging by the dozens of vehicles I passed this weekend with hearty pines strapped to their luggage racks, I’d guess that most families have their Tannenbaums in place for the countdown to Christmas. Our tree is up and trimmed, though according to our resident decorating expert (see: my 4-year-old daughter), it’s missing one very important item: a popcorn and cranberry garland. Ever since she saw the Little Bear episode where the entire gang created edible tree decorations, she has been begging to add snacks to our tree as well. So, tonight is the night … Continue reading →

A Week’s Worth of Holiday Family FUN

You survived yet another Thanksgiving and now Christmas is just 25 days away… are you prepared to have some holiday fun? This blog is designed to provide tips on how to make the season as entertaining as possible for families of all shapes and sizes (dysfunctional or not). If you missed part of the week due to Thanksgiving travel or meal preparation, here’s your chance to catch up: November 24th—–Homemade Decorations for Your Thanksgiving Table. The rustic crafts detailed in this blog allow you to add seasonal touches to your holiday dinner table. Not only will they help enhance your … Continue reading →

Christmas Fun in North Pole… Alaska

Yesterday I wrote about several U.S. cities that sport Christmas-themed names, including Noel, Missouri; Santa Claus, Indiana; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Christmas, Florida. Thanks to an astute reader I’m back again with one more-—North Pole, Alaska. North Pole, Alaska—-not to be confused with the planet’s geographic North Pole—-is located roughly 12 miles from Fairbanks amid the Arctic Ocean. Alaska’s North Pole has a population of 2,200 and got its name back in 1953. Each year despite the bitter cold tens of thousands of residents and visitors turn out for the city’s annual ice festival and sculpting contest. This year’s big North … Continue reading →