Column: Ditslear celebrates 25 Days of Christmas

Commentary by Mayor John Ditslear

The month of December is an exceptional time to spend with your loved ones and other in the community. Despite the cooling temperatures and possible snowflakes, there are so many events taking place in Noblesville, so I wanted to share a fun list of things to do for you to try:

1. Tell Saint Nick what you want for Christmas at Santa’s House. (If you are too old, enjoy the festive decorations on the courthouse square).
2. Go ice-skating at Hamilton Town Center.
3. Shop for holiday gifts at the Holiday Market Dec. 5 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds.
4. Help name the newest parks team member – an elf – at the free holiday party Dec. 4 at Forest Park Lodge.
5. Take the Noblesville Preservation’s Twelve Houses of Christmas Historic Neighborhood Holiday Lights Tour.
6. Wear an “ugly” Christmas sweater.
7. Enjoy the wonderful, locally created art on display at the Third Annual Gifted Exhibit at Nickel Plate Arts, 107 S. Eighth St., or the Hamilton Co. Artist Association’s Holiday Miniatures exhibit at Birdie Gallery, 195 S. Fifth St.
8. Support small businesses like the ones around the square by purchasing something for the holidays.
9. Drop the little ones off (ages 3 to 12) at either the Parent’s Night Out or Parent’s Day Out Dec. 11 and 12 and enjoy a little time to yourself or with your spouse.
10. Enjoy hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts at the Dec. 4 Noblesville Main Street First Friday event.
11. See a live reindeer and other animals of the North Pole when they visit the Hamilton East Public Library Holiday Party from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 1 Library Plaza.
12. Be like the Griswoldses, and cut down a family Christmas tree at Stonycreek Farm.
13. Sit back, relax and take a trip from Noblesville to Chicago during the annual shopping bus trip Dec. 5. (noblesvilleparks.org)
14. Warm up some hot chocolate, grab a blanket and drive around the city and neighborhoods at night looking at decorated homes and businesses.
15. Donate an item to the annual Noblesville Firefighters Food and Toy Drive.
16. Make-and-take an art project at Nickel Plate Arts or Kiln Creations, 60 N. Ninth St
17. Try out Bubble Ball Soccer or other indoor games free at the Recreation Annex at Ivy Tech Community College-Noblesville campus from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18.
18. Make a contribution to a worthy nonprofit during “Giving Tuesday.”
19. Visit the Indiana Transportation Museum, and take a ride on a holiday-themed train.
20. Make a snow angel while enjoying the winter weather and nature in any of our Noblesville parks.
21. Watch “A Christmas Carol, the Musical” at The Belfry Theatre (on stage through Dec. 6).
22. Try out a new restaurant and dine somewhere different.
23. Warm up in front of the fireplace at Cabela’s, and hear a seasonal story read by one of the outfitters.
24. Attend a Christmas cantata, holiday concert, or read a seasonal story.
25. Enjoy time with your loved ones regardless of what’s under the tree or on the dinner table. May you feel God’s love and blessing this season.

John Ditslear has been mayor of Noblesville since Jan. 1, 2004 and a resident of the city almost 50 years. He can be reached at 773-4614.