Pretty Lights and Salty Air

If a stroll down the main streets of Rehoboth or Lewes doesn't put you in the mood for Christmas, your last name must be Scrooge. 


Snowy Gingerbread Houses at
Edie Bee's Confection Shop in Lewes


In addition to the pretty lights and decorations that the towns have put up, the shop windows are adorned with wintery displays that sparkle and shine and invite you to enter and warm up for a bit.

One of the most beautiful displays I've seen this season is the storefront at Edie Bees Confection Shop at 115 2nd St. in Lewes.  They have a glistening display of gingerbread houses and rock candy trees that is sure to make everyone that passes stop and admire the amazing detail.



Bella Luna on Rehoboth Avenue has some really cool decorations in their window and in their store.  I especially like the little cardboard buildings with the LED lights inside of them.  They bring me back to the Christmases of my youth, when I would spend countless hours playing with my grandmother's cardboard house village that sat under her tree.



Everywhere you go in these two towns, you are followed by holiday music that is being piped in to the streets and all of the shop owners and employees are, as always, so very friendly and happy to see you. 



Cardboard Christmas houses

With so much warm Christmas cheer, you won't mind braving the cold winds and searching forever for a parking space.  Little touches, like complimentary (with purchase) gift bags adorned with paper cut-out stars and sparkly tissue paper at Bella Luna, make you never want to shop at the mall or the outlets again!

There is still time to visit Santa on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach too.  He will be at home this Saturday from 3-5 PM and Sunday from 11 AM - 1 PM.  From 1-3 PM on Sunday, you can bring your pet to the boards for Pet Time with Santa.

Santa's House on Rehoboth Boardwalk



Christmas Tree in Bethany Beach

And, let's not forget, beautiful Bethany Beach.  They always do a great job with decorating the town for holidays and maintaining perfect, in-season, floral displays.  A chilly stroll down Garfield Ave. at night to see the lights and garlands is sure to be a quiet, magical experience.


I'm staying in Wilmington this weekend to bake, shop, wrap, and stress out.  Looking forward to heading back to OC for New Years Eve! 


Happy Holidays to all three of my loyal followers!  Looking forward to and exciting and memorable 2015 at the beach!!

New Years Eve By The Sea

Santa hasn't yet arrived, but it's not too early to start making plans for New Years Eve.  I've been checking out the events planned in the DE/MD resort towns and I'm trying to decide if I should venture out to party, or plan a quiet dinner at home.  Here are some options to consider if you're planning to head toward the sun and sand to ring in the new year:




1.  Fireworks at Northside Park (OCMD)

In conjunction with the Winterfest of Lights, Ocean City will be hosting a fireworks display (at midnight).  There will be live entertainment, warm hot chocolate, and the opportunity to ride through the light display one more time and listen to Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" over and over and over and over while waiting in line for an hour or more.

2.  New Years Eve at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach
Tickets are $100, but you get dinner, open bar all night, champagne toast @ midnight, free coat check, free photo booth, and a free fortune teller.  Entertainment includes The Rockets, Love Seed Mama Jump, and DJ Hector.  Plenty of Dewey motels are offering deals for those who don't think they can drive home after the festivities as well.


3.  Boardwalk Plaza (Rehoboth Beach) 2 Night New Years Package

Stay Tue/Wed or Wed/Thur at this Victorian-Style hotel sitting right on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk.  Package includes:  2 splits of champagne with 2 logo flutes on arrival, DJ and dancing in the banquet hall, breakfast or New Years Day brunch (Thursday only) in the hotel restaurant, and a late (1 PM) check-out.  They don't list the price for this package, but their regular winter rate for a 2 night package is nearly $500 so...yeah.

4.  Ocean City, MD Hotels - New Years Eve Party Packages

There are way too many of these to list.  Follow the link above to get details.  Lots of food,

fun, entertainment, and discounted hotel rooms.  They all pretty much follow the same formula - free food, drink, DJ or band, and, most likely, some party hats and noisemakers.

5.  Penguin Swim

For all the crazy people who aren't too hung over to raise money for charity on January 1, you can dip your toes (or your tush) in the Atlantic to benefit Atlantic General Hospital.  Registration is at 11:30 at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel (91st St.) and the "swim" starts at 1.  Suggested donation is $25, but there is no minimum amount required to participate.

Whatever your plans, make them early and make sure that you have safe transportation back to your home or hotel.