It's Almost 2016... 6 Stellar Reasons to Buy a Home in 2016

Is 2016 the year for you to buy a new home? Realtor.com has an interesting article about home buying, 6 Stellar Reasons to Buy a Home in 2016. What do you think? Are you ready to buy?

{Things To Do} New Year's Eve - New Year's Eve at Noon at the EdVenture Children's Museum

New Year's Eve at Noon at the EdVenture Children's Museum
9am - 1pm
211 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201 
Free with admission or membership

"As the countdown to noon begins, a giant illuminated ball descends and lands at the foot of EDDIE, kicking off the biggest mid-day celebration in town!"

Activities include: party hat making, New Year's resolutions at the Wishing well, music and dancing. 

{Things To Do} New Year's Eve - Famously Hot New Year

"The celebration offers attendees a unique way to ring in the New Year. Set at the footsteps of the picturesque South Carolina State Capitol, attendees will ring in the New Year with Southern hospitality. The celebration extends down Main Street and beyond, encompassing the huge, free #FHNY concert featuring Ms. Lauryn Hill with supporting acts, a DJ, and a midnight fireworks show. Attendees will find a “comfort zone” seating area with regional food and drink, free parking, Alert Cab discounts, and COMET shuttle service running exclusively for FHNY to and from 12 park-and-ride locations. Guests also can enjoy the WOW! NYE Carnival, the Main Street Ice skating rink and special holiday hours at top attractions such as Riverbanks Zoo." Famously Hot New Year

As the clock strikes midnight ring in the New Year with the largest New Year's Eve fireworks display in the Carolinas. 

It's Almost 2016... The 5 Real Estate Trends That Will Shape 2016

Realtor.com is making predictions for 2016. The 5 Real Estate Trends That Will Shape 2016. What do you think? Do you agree?

{Things To Do} Last Chance to See the 2015 Holiday Lights

If you haven't had a chance yet to see the holiday lights get out there now. Tomorrow is the last day for Lights Before Christmas at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden and you have until December 31st to see the Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park. 

 

It's Almost 2016... Top Home Design Trends for 2016

Zillow Digs has come out with a list of the Top Home Design Trends for 2016. What do you think? Are you a fan of encaustic tiles and nubby wool rugs? Are you over Mason jars and burlap? How are you planning to design your 2016?

{Around Town} First Baptist Church's Annual Christmas Pageant

First Baptist Church's Annual Christmas Pageant 

This past weekend, the First Baptist Church of Columbia held its annual Christmas Pageant Show.

It is free to attend and it is the congregation's gift to the community. This was our first time seeing the show and it was truly amazing. It was one of those unplanned activities that turned out so well. Our neighbor had seen it the night before and told us that it was really something that we shouldn't miss. So, even without ticket in hand, we thought we would give it a go. When we arrived, we realized it was extremely popular and very well-known. There were people coming from all directions and we thought we would never get in.

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, comes this decorated, oversized  "golf cart" shuttle. They stopped... picked us up and off we went. They dropped us off at the door and once inside, the building was quite impressive. However, that was nothing compared to what was to come.

It was a cast of hundreds, all costumed, and it had the feeling of a broadway play. The singing and dancing was amazing. It was so well produced with such unbelievable talent. The woman that sat next to me said to make sure that I don't miss the one that they do for July 4th, Celebration of Freedom. I know that this will be a new tradition for us. Put it on your calendar for next year, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Two local television channels will be broadcasting the Christmas Pageant on Christmas Day. Check out First Baptist's website to find out the channels and times.

{Around Town} Fantasy of Lights at Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter SC

 
In our quest for seeing as many Christmas light displays as we can this year, we headed down to Sumter to see Swan Lake's Fantasy of Lights. It's worth the drive to see how they wrap these tall trees with over a million lights. They also have animated lights featuring cartoon characters.  
 
The park has walking trails, gazebos and an abundance of wildlife. Swan Lake Iris Gardens is also home to some of the nation's most intensive plantings of Japanese iris, which bloom yearly in mid to late May and last until the beginning of June. They hold one of the oldest festivals in South Carolina on Memorial Day to show off the irises. For more information about the Iris Festival check here.
 
I think the most amazing thing about this park though is that it is the only public park in the United States to feature all eight swan species. I'm hoping to go back in the spring and see the irises in full bloom. But, for now, it was fun to see the entrance all lit up with millions of twinkling lights.
 



Check out the mushroom tree!



 

Fantasy of Lights, located at Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty Street is open Sunday through Thursday from dusk until 9 and Friday and Saturday until 10 through December 31st.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty Street. 803-436-2640, sumtersc.gov

 

{Around Town} A Very Starry Night at Five Points

A Starry Night did not disappoint. Five Points was glowing with lights and the stores were brimming with shoppers. The gelato shop, Scoopy Doo, was packed full of customers enjoying their gelatos and a visit with a very popular St. Bernard. It's such a unique little dairy bar and the pistachio gelato hit the spot. Although, my friend thought the chocolate rivaled what she had in Italy.  The Gourmet Shop had a huge crowd and everyone seemed to be having a blast at the Champagne Bash and Art Auction. 

 

 

We never did take a horse and carriage ride, as we were too busy Christmas shopping. The find of the night though was a boutique called Portfolio Art Gallery. They had beautiful pottery pieces and very unusual jewelry. My favorite were a pair of delicate copper earrings made by an artisan from Oregon.