If You Blinked, You Might Have Missed These Great Holiday Happenings

I know it’s coming every year. It’s the 12th month. It’s the month packed with special events and parties and general merriment. Yet, somehow at the end of each December I find myself thinking “Next year, we’re gonna do…(fill in the blank with some fun and festive happening).

This is my Holiday Bucket List for 2012:

1. Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum – Like the famous Rose Parade, everything in the backdrop of this locomotive spectacular is made of natural materials. And if you just can’t wait another year to see this, you’re in luck. Jingle Rails is on display through January 8, 2012.
2. Gingerbread Village at Conner Prairie – Included in the price of admission is a visit to Gingerbread Village where elaborate edible (but untouchable!) gingerbread creations made by various community groups are on display. You just might be inspired to go home and try your own.
3. A Christmas Story Comes Home – Did you know that the holiday movie “A Christmas Story” was written by an Indiana native? Each year the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond re-creates scenes from the movie and hosts a season-long exhibition paying homage to the classic. Good news — this exhibit is also on display through January 8, 2012.
4. Martinsville Candy Kitchen – You haven’t had candy cane until you’ve had one that you’ve watched be created from molten sugar to hot, warm, minty goodness. The elves at the Martinsville Candy Kitchen are surely taking a well-deserved rest right now, but they’ll be back at candy cane making early next fall.
5. Plainfield’s Tri Kappa Gingerbread Christmas – There are Christmas craft shows and then there are Christmas handmade goods extravaganzas. The Tri Kappa Gingerbread Christmas is one of the latter. In 2012, the group will host it’s 42nd annual juried craft show event at Plainfield High School. I actually did get to attend this one. If you’re picky about these kind of events, pick this one. I know I’ll be back.
6. Night Before Christmas at the Foellinger-Freimann Conservatory – What do you get when you take a 12-foot tall poinsettia tree, scenes from the famous poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” and a collection of lighted gardens? A delightful visit in Fort Wayne! This is another treasure open through January 8, 2012.
7. Midnight Mass at the Basilica of Notre Dame – Beautiful church. Holy night. Is there a more perfect way to celebrate Christmas?