It feels like the list of things to do before Christmas is just getting longer by the day. Our personal season in the DC area is cut a little shorter this year as we’ll be packing up for New York in a couple weeks. That being said, there are plenty of things to do before we leave town beyond the Christmas-movie marathons we’ve been enjoying for weeks.

1. Every year we have to go see the several holiday/Christmas trees. We were able to attend the lighting of the Holiday Tree in Old Town Alexandria, and will hopefully be making our way into DC to see the National Christmas Tree next.

NationalXmasTree13

National Christmas Tree, 2013

2. With so much breathtaking history in the area we have to include Mount Vernon’s candlelight tours to the list. From 5-8pm during most weekend days leading up to Christmas Mount Vernon takes you back in time for a candlelight tour of what the property may have been like 200 years ago. Caroling, hot cider, and ginger cookies will accompany you on these tours guided by characters from Washington’s time, who will show you what Christmas night was like so long ago.

3. Why not add the Christmas Carol to your list? Ford’s Theater (Washington, DC), MetroStage (Alexandria, VA), Keegan Theater (Washington, DC), and the Little Theater of Alexandria (Alexandria, VA) are all currently performing renditions of the Charles Dickens’ classic this holiday season.

4. Christmas lights displays are all over the place and are a must! Old Town Alexandria does a wonderful job lighting up King Street, while the National Zoo offers free admission for the yearly-can’t miss zoolights tour.

With 2 weeks to go before we head out of town I don’t imagine we’ll be adding much more into our calendar beyond these 4 ideas. Christmas cookies, restaurants/bars decorated for the holidays, and possibly a romantic dinner out will likely find their way onto the list as well.

What makes your list this year? Are you doing any of the things on our list?

Cheers and Happy Holidays!