SAT 12/24: Some Holiday Cheapness

As I expected, I didn't find any cheap fun that wasn't holiday-related -- and it's a similar situation tomorrow. Here are a couple diversions if you're in the mood.

Maybe catch a movie...

Happy Christma-Hanu-Kwanza!

Enjoy the weekend with loved ones. (Or with a big bowl of egg nog, whatever.)

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SAT 12/24

11am to 4pm
The Enchanted Village
at Jordan's Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr, Avon
FREE

Christmas (?) -- 11am to 6pm

Maybe because this chunk of Boston history is part of my childhood memories, but I think the barely-animated displays of winter scenes look really friggin' creepy!

The semi-realistic mannequins that usually have one slowly-moving element reminds me of an old "Twilight Zone" episode. Maybe chug a bottle of cough syrup, have a blueberry muffin, and brave the long lines...

Someone at About went a couple weeks ago, and the lines were long (obviously).

I think it's open tomorrow and will stay open until New Year's Day.

SAT 12/24 (thru ???)

After Dark
Illuminations: Self Tour
around Somerville (Winter Hill, Union Sq, East Somerville)
$5 to $3 to FREE

Did you miss the trolley tours but still want to bask in Somerville's multi-colored glow. It wouldn't be too hard to drive around at your own pace and enjoy the glowing gaudiness. Any can walk it, of course, depending on how far or long one wants to go.

There are a couple ways to go:

The "City of Lights" booklet has profiles of many decorators with street addresses in the back. It's sells for $5 at various Somerville & Cambridge stores. It's nice little book on the Illumination tradition. Ad the proceeds go to the Somerville Arts Council, which does a lot of cool stuff throughout the year.

It's possible/probable that some of those listed in that booklet don't still go full-bore, so you can pick up this year's route map for $3 at Blue Cloud (Ball Sq) and Magpie (Davis Sq). Proceeds also go to the Somerville Arts Council, and they should also have the "City of Lights".

Some people also rode their bicycles along the route last week, and they made a Google map. It ain't as pretty, but it gives you an idea where to go...

SAT 12/24

7:30pm
Christmas Caroling
at Louisburg Square, about 90 Mount Vernon St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE

There is a YouTube of the Beacon Hill Bell Ringers leading some carols last Christmas Eve.

The picture is a bit dark. One can hear the singing and the bells that doesn't really seem that exciting, but this is Beacon Hill. The American caroling tradition supposedly began here over 100 years ago. (I found another clipping from 1966.)

There's no official website. As I understand it, the singers & ringer stroll around the Square at the different houses. They may even stop and sing in front of Senator Kerry's house.

Feel free to sing along or just observe a Boston tradition.