Festive Family Traditions: 5 Ideas to Create Lasting Memories
This Christmas in Sussex County
A person with a yearly holiday routine often has feelings of both joy and nostalgia in their heart, as they embark on their annual adventure. Whether that entails a yearly Christmas show, visiting a particular place with interesting Christmas décor, picking out a tree, dining out at a favorite eatery, or shopping for unique gifts, there are many choices in Sussex County where people can create their own Christmas memories. Below are five great ways to celebrate the holiday season in Sussex County.
1. Take in a Light Show — A crisp, cool, clear, wintry night is the ideal time to see a festive light display. The Sussex County Lights Holiday Decorating Challenge is an annual tradition that Life in Sussex started. For people who would like to participate, you provide basics to Life in Sussex about your display, including your address and a photo. Our readers can find your display on the interactive map and can then drive by to see it in person. Life in Sussex started it to create holiday memories when families can hop in their vehicle together and be amazed at the participating illuminated and animated homes countywide. Then, readers can vote for their favorite, and the winner will receive a prize. Click here to enter your home by the deadline or to check out the entered displays. Skylands Stadium additionally offers its Christmas Light Show & Village. The entry fee is per carload, with the choices here. Over two million lights on the many displays stretch a mile through the stadium area. The Christmas Village offers opportunities. at additional costs, to shop, visit and take photos with Santa, toast s’mores at the fire pit, enjoy holiday treats, and, for adults, a visit to the Winter Beer Garden. Find out more here. The Edward McCracken Festival of Lights is another dazzling Sussex County display at Newton Medical Center. Newton Medical Center Foundation organizes this event, with funds raised for programs at the Medical Center. Created to deliver cheer to those hospitalized during the holiday season, the general public can also drive by the beautiful and heartwarming light display that lines the medical center property.
2. Pick Out a Christmas Tree — If getting a Christmas Tree with the people in your life is something you enjoy each year, Sussex County is the place to go on your Christmas Tree quest. Whether it’s a visit to a farm or stand with pre-cut trees or cutting one yourself, you can find an array of places to go. There’s always an opportunity for photos or selfies as you pick out your tree. For many, it’s a nice time to jump in the car with a warm beverage and then take in the sights, sounds, and scents of Christmas Tree shopping. Explore the Life in Sussex Christmas Tree stand and farm list here for more details about each place.
3. Attend Holiday Events — Throughout every town there are happenings during the holiday season, like the Holiday Parade in Newton, tree lightings, live nativities, concerts, and visits with Santa Claus among them. The Life in Sussex Events Calendar is your go-to for many of these happenings throughout the Christmas season, which can also help get you into the spirit of the season. Whether it is something special for the holidays hosted at a church or a Christmas show at The Newton Theatre, visit the calendar here for things to do throughout December. The German Christmas Market of New Jersey is another popular event that raises funds for local organizations, it has drawn people from around the region to the Sussex County Fairgrounds where it is held. For more information, visit the website here.
4. Shop and Dine in Sussex County Downtowns and Shopping Districts — Spending time making memories with family can happen as you prepare for Christmas. There are many stores and restaurants throughout Sussex County, in the town centers, and in prominent shopping locations. The Town of Newton has a vibrant, old-world downtown filled with retail and dining destinations. The charming Shoppes at Lafayette is an outdoor shopping center with local specialty stores, restaurants, and appeal. Sussex County is home to numerous antique store destinations, like the Lafayette Mill Antiques Center, Antique Row in Downtown Andover Borough, Scranberry Coop with over 170 dealers just south of the Andover Borough downtown, and Barb’s Treasures for antiques, collectibles, and more, on Route 94. The Life in Sussex, Sussex County Antiquing Tour can take you through these and other shops throughout Sussex County. Looking for a particular store or eatery in Sussex County? Click here for the complete list of places to shop, eat, and drink in Sussex County.
5. Give a Helping Hand — Doing something nice for someone else is heartwarming and an activity that can bring families closer together. Project Self-Sufficiency coordinates the Season of Hope Toy Drive every year to help thousands of families in the regions and accepts toys, gift cards, and monetary donations at their location on 127 Mill Street in Newton. Offshore Marine at 357 Route 206 in Branchville collects toys as well for the Season of Hope during their “Stuff the Boat” Toy Drive, which includes photos with Santa. For more about the Season of Hope Toy Drive, click here. Toys for Tots Operation Toy Train rides into the Sparta Train Station at 30 Station Road, with Santa Claus aboard. Bring a new, unwrapped toy that will be picked up by Santa and the crew on this real train, and enjoy free family-friendly events during the day. The unwrapped toy is the “admission” to the event, which includes photos with Santa before the train drops him back to the North Pole. Operation Toy Train has picked up over 6,000 toys at the Sparta Train Station to brighten the season for children in the area who are in need since the station became a stop for the S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation Locomotive in 2016. Food will additionally be available for purchase. See more about the Operation Toy Train’s stop at the Sparta Train Station and all the fun that day happening here.
What are your festive family traditions that have created lasting memories for you and the ones you love?
Members of Life In Sussex staff have contributed to this post.
