Madeline's Christmas

I have two daughters who are now 27 and almost 29. When they were young, we had a ritual of cuddling up after their evening bath and I would read them wonderful children's books. After they started to read they would sometimes read their favorite books to me. When we were living in Mobile, Alabama, one of our neighbors gave them books on two charming, mischievous, and feisty young girls. One was Eloise who lived at the Park Plaza and the other was Madeline who was an orphan in Paris. Eloise was definitely the spoiled rich girl who put her nanny through hell at times, but what I liked about both girls was their independent and fearless spirit.

All these wonderful memories of snuggling together while enjoying books came back to me when I saw in the paper that Ludwing Bemelmans', Madeline's Christmas (the musical) is being presented by Harwich Winter Theatre from December 12-30th.

"In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived 12 little girls in two straight lines. They left the house at half past nine...the smallest one was Madeline." Thus begins the first Madeline book. These twelve little girls always dressed the same and wore flat sailor hats. Madeline always stood out because she was mischievous, courageous and fearless.

Seeing the play would be a fun evening for both parents and children and a great way to usher in Christmas. In addition to being a fun activity, it's also educational and introduces children to literature and the theatre. For more information on the play, call their box office at 508-432-2002.


Voula

Unique Gifts from Cape Cod

If you are like me and haven't started your Christmas shopping, or have a beach lover on your list, Cape Cod offers some unique choices. While you're shopping you can also enjoy the unique flavor of the small Cape villages and towns. The very popular Cape Cod bracelet with its classic double ball is now available in both earrings and necklaces. It's the one item that guest ask me about most often. The beauty is in its simplicity with just a narrow band terminating in two double balls. There's also nautical jewelry available in sterling or gold. Some of the most dramatic I've seen feature starfish, scallop shells, and sand dollars. Almost all Cape jewelers and gift shops offer these items. Of course, the best quality will be found at jewelry stores.

Cape Annie's Lighthouse, Mrs. Mitchell's Gifts, Linda's Originals, Dennisport General Store are some stores offering gifts with nautical themes such as lighthouses. There's also galleries with blown glass in Hyannis and Sandwich. This is just a short list. Every town has its own unique gift shops. The fun part is exploring the Cape towns and you are actually enjoying Holiday shopping instead of fighting the crowds.
Happy shopping!

Voula

Seaside Christmas

There's still time to come to the Cape and get into the Christmas Spirit. In most Cape towns, the holiday season really gets rolling this weekend. I've already mentioned Nantucket, Hyannis and Chatham Christmas celebrations, but there's also Provincetown, Harwich, Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich... You have your choice of towns and traditions.

We are also running a last minute special of 2 nights for $99.99 at the Tidewater.

Voula

Christmas by the Sea, Chatham

Chatham is one of the most picturesque towns on the Cape and only a twenty minute drive from the Tidewater. This weekend they also have a Christmas festival which is the 30th annual "Christmas by the Sea". Friday, Dec 5 at 4:30PM, Main Street will be brimming with locals and visitors for the annual tree trimming at Sears Park. Town officials will be flipping on the lights, but children decorate the tree with homemade ornaments. Bell ringers and hayrides from 4 to 7PM will set the mood.

The festivities continue on Saturday with more hay rides and people strolling down Main Street and into the shops for shopping specials and refreshments. Santa arrives on Sunday at 1:30PM at Fish Pier and then to the Community Center where he listens to children while The Chatham Town Band plays. The festivities continue the following weekend with all the stores staying open late for the stroll and offering cookies and hot drinks. Dec 13th is the 12th annual historic inn tour, featuring 10 inns decked out in all their holiday finery.

As I said, Chatham is only a short drive from the Tidewater and we continue to offer our weekend special price of $59.99 per night for Friday and Saturday and $49.99 for Sunday - Thursday. Come to the Cape where you can relax and enjoy small town Christmas traditions.

Voula
Facts borrowed from Community Newspaper Company

Voula

Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll

The Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll takes place this weekend, Saturday December 6th, on Main Street, Hyannis and the waterfront. Most of the restaurants are offering a 20% discount on meals. Many stores have an open house and are offering a discount and also cookies and hot mulled cider to warm up lookers and shoppers. The fun starts on Saturday morning with breakfast with Santa at the British Beer Company. Starting at 10AM there will be hayrides and train rides down Main Street, cookie decorating, and crafts. Of course there will be carolers, music, face painting, jewelry making...the list goes on and on.

Harbor Lighting and Boat Parade along with carols and crafts will be at Bismore Park from 4 - 7PM. Only on the Cape would Santa arrive by boat. Watch the Harbor lighting from the warmth and comfort of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum and enjoy cider and cookies. The Artist Shanties will be open for shopping and Santa's arrival. Hy-Line Cruises will provide a complimentary Harbor Tour. What fun! For more details on the activities visit www.hyannismainstreet.com/ChristmasStrollor click on the title above.

So pack your bags, bring the kids and enjoy some Christmas cheer on the Cape. Of course, we would like you to stay at the Tidewater where you can enjoy the pool before or after the activities, and our own breakfast diner, Helen's Diner. This weekend's special is $59.99 for Friday or Saturday night.

Voula

Get Into the Christmas Spirit

Next weekend (12/5-12/7) is a wonderful time to come to Cape Cod to get into the real Christmas spirit. Almost all the small Cape Cod towns have their version of a Christmas walk or Christmas stroll. The towns are all decked out for Christmas, there's caroling, hot cider, merchant open houses and specials, tree lightnings, boat parades, and many more activities. The next few blogs will be about the activities in the different towns, but today I'll write about one of the most famous Christmas strolls which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world: "Nantucket Noel and Christmas Stroll".

It started 35 years ago as a small island festival down Nantucket's cobblestone Main Street and has blossomed into an island wide, month long celebration. "It's all about warm, cozy fireplaces, caroling under the stars, warm cider and all of the holiday traditions that many folks really enjoy". Sounds like a perfect way to get away from the shopping frenzy and commercialism of Christmas for a feel of a small town Christmas.

Streets are lined with lit Christmas trees, and in addition to the traditional carolers, local musicians also perform, including a Capella groups and a blues band or two. While this tradition is now a month long, the "Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend" is this weekend from December 5th to the 7th. If you'd prefer to avoid the crowds you can visit Nantucket midweek. For more information, visit www.nantucketchamber.org.

The Tidewater is only 5 minutes to the ferry for Nantucket. Our heated pool and hot tub are a welcome relief after a day of festivities and our 50's style diner is open on Saturdays and Sundays for an hearty breakfast. We are offering a special rate of $59.99 for the weekend.

Voula

Murder Mystery Train

For those of you who are train, mystery, and dining enthusiasts there's a way to combine all three interests next Saturday night, December 6th. The Cape Cod Central Railroad, only a mile from the Tidewater Inn, is offering a special night of "murder, mayhem, music and more on a fun-filled holiday elegant dinner train. Dine on a 5-course meal in climate-controlled comfort while testing your best sleuthing skills to solve the crime. Victorian costumed characters perform a Dicken's style show complete with seasonal music and merriment". The mystery is appropriately called "Decked in the Halls"and departs Hyannis at 6:30PM for three hours of entertainment and superb food in elegant surroundings.


The Tidewater Inn is offering a package for this evening for $222. This includes accommodations for two at the Tidewater where you can also enjoy our pool, hot tub, and breakfast diner, tickets for two for the evening on the train including, taxes, gratuity and fuel surcharge. Call us at 508-775-7322 or visit www.capetrain.com for more information. You can also click on the title above to bring you to their site. Bon appetit and happy crime solving.

Voula