Gift Guide from This and That

Check out the This and That Holiday Guide from their family: 

We hope our Holiday Gift Guide 2014 helps you tackle that shopping or wish list! Happy Holidays!

His

Otter Box iPhone Wallet Case-my favorite phone case. I love that it is a wallet too.

Altra Running Shoes-I have been eyeing these shoes for awhile. Hint, Hint, Santa!

Bluetooth Speaker-love this speaker for listening to music and podcasts.

Backpack-perfect for outdoor adventures! This is at the top of my list this year!

Socks-I love a good pair of socks and SmartWool are the best!

Wubanger Skis-love these custom skis! Perfect Christmas gift for the skier on your list.

Sweater-you can’t go wrong with the good old Christmas sweater! No crazy designs for me though!

Leatherman-a great gift for any dude on your list!

Million Dollar Arm-we recently watched this movie and I loved it. A great movie to watch with the family!

Headlamp-everyone needs a good headlamp!

Pizza Pan-I love making pizza and this is my favorite pan to get a crispy crust!

Water Bottle-the only water bottle I use!

GoPro-I really want a GoPro! Perfect for catching all of life’s adventures!

Briefcase/Bag-great for travel and going to work!

Cologne-Maria likes THE ONE so I guess I like it too! 

Hers

Milk and Cookies Pajamas-these pj’s were obviously made for me:) I hope you like them too!

Wood Salad Bowl with Salad Servers from Pacific Merchants-such a pretty salad bowl and a great gift for everyone!

Earrings from Katie Waltman-I love them all! You can’t go wrong!

Kindle-I really want a Kindle so I can read while I nurse Maxwell. Great for travel too! I hope Santa is listening:)

Greystone Tieks-Tieks are my all-time favorite flats and I am in LOVE with the new Greystone Tieks! All of the other colors would make a great gift too!

Chocolate Peppermint Snap Cookies from DeLallo-I was going to give these cookies as a gift, but we opened them and ate the whole tin! Oops! They are so good! I better order some more:)

Cookbooks-a few of my favorite cookbooks that came out this year include: Seriously Delish,The Skinnytaste Cookbook, Plenty More, Make It Ahead, Homemade Decadence, and Baking Chez Moi. All of these would make great gifts!

Nail Polish-love this set! Fun colors for winter!

Go Long Leggings from Albion Fit-love these leggings! I have the blue and black leggings and live in them! My favorite!

KitchenAid Sparkling Beverage Maker by SodaStream-I use this every day to make sparkling water! It’s so easy and fun! The machine comes in fun colors too! Of course, we have green:)

Everyday Tote-love this bag!

KitchenAid Stand Mixer-everyone needs a KitchenAid Stand Mixer! I love my Green Apple Mixer…perfect for the peas!

KitchenAid Flex Edge Beater-use this beater all of the time! I love that it scrapes the side of the bowl!

Tinwork Cake Stand-love this rustic cake stand! Great for all kinds of sweet treats or even savory little bites!

Lollia Wish Shea Butter Handcreme-perfect purse size and a great stocking stuffer!

Le Creuset French Oven-I love the new Cotton Matte French Oven! It is so purty!

Heart Snap Shot Frame from Minted-pick out your favorite photos and make a heart collage! Great gift for loved ones!

FashionABLE Scarves-love all of these scarves, plus every purchase helps create sustainable business in Africa! I love a gift that helps give back!

Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix from Not Without Salt-Ashley makes amazing cookies and now you can too! All you have to do is add butter and an egg to the mix! Love the packaging too!

Hunter Rain Boots-love these boots! Great for cold weather!

Spiralizer-turn your veggies into noodles with this fun kitchen gadget. It is all the rage!

Lip Gloss-love the shine, shimmer, and moisture of this lip gloss! It makes a great stocking stuffer!

Golden Monogram Mugs-great gift for the coffee, tea, and hot cocoa drinkers on your list! I love the gold!

Theo Gourmet Holiday Chocolate Bars-you can’t go wrong with chocolate! Love these holiday bars-the chocolate and the packaging!

Lindor Chocolate Truffles-you can’t go wrong with an assortment of chocolate truffles either! These come in a cute bag so you don’t even have to get out the wrapping paper!

Capri Blue Candle-my favorite candle and it makes a great housewarming gift!

Perfume-currently loving Vera Wang Princess Night and DKNY Be Delicious.

Whisk Necklace-a fun necklace for the cook or baker on your list!

Baby and Kids

Blankets-love this Cable Knit Blanket and this Dream Blanket. Both are super soft and perfect for snuggling a little baby!

Baby Einstein Play Along Tunes-Caleb loved this toy and so does Maxwell!

Pajamas for Baby-love these footed pj’s!

Sassy Floor Mirror-Maxwell loves his mirror!

Socks for Baby-these socks actually stay on Maxwell’s little feet! Love them!

Sophie the Giraffe-every baby needs Sophie!

The CUTEST handmade baby shoes for boys and girls!

Books-Caleb loves Little Blue Truck, Dear Zoo, and Giraffe’s Can’t Dance!

PlanetBox-I use this lunch box to pack Caleb’s preschool lunches! I might love it more than he does. I have way too much fun packing his lunches! 

Super Hero Action Figures-Caleb LOVES all of his Super Hero action figures! They are his favorite!

Engraved Wooden Toddler Spoons from Earlywood-the cutest little spoons and you can have them personalized!

Strider Balance Bike-the best bike for kids to learn on!

Play Kitchen-love this red retro kitchen for kids!

Lincoln Logs-an oldie but goodie!

How to Train Your Dragon 2-a fun movie for the kiddos!

Skip Hop Backpack-Caleb loves the monkey one!

This post contains some affiliate links, but is not sponsored. We are just sharing the items we love! 

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTINGS - Part II

AUBURN HILLS

The Annual Auburn Hills Tree Lighting will take place 6p on December 5, 2014 at the MOMS’ WWII Memorial on the corner of Squirrel & Auburn roads in downtown Auburn Hills.

Free events and activities at the Auburn Hills Tree Lighting Ceremony include:

-  bonfire

-  horse-drawn wagon rides through Downtown Auburn Hills MI

-  Santa and Mrs Claus visits

-  keepsake photos

-  holiday crafts and s’mores

-  donate to local charities

-  make Christmas cards for the soldiers

-  Santa’s mailbox

All activities are free and within walking distance of the Auburn Hills tree lighting ceremony. For more info, call 248-370-9400.

BERKLEY

December 6, 2014

Free Vintage Trolley Rides from 1 pm to 5:00 pm
Trolley stops along 12 Mile Road from Greenfield to Coolidge Hwy. and on Coolidge Hwy. from 12 Mile Road to 11 Mile Road. Look for the Trolley Stop signs for passenger pick up locations.

Discounts, special activities and holiday treats at your favorite Berkley stores and restaurants.
Carolers, snow princess and other entertainment with free hot chocolate near some of the trolley stops.

Chance to win prizes with purchase at a Berkley store or restaurant.

Petting zoo, 2 pm at 12 Mile Road and Tyler.

In the Evening
Holiday Lights Parade, 5:30 pm 
Tree lighting ceremony sponsored by the Berkley Junior Women’s Club immediately after the parade at the Gazebo in front of City Hall.

Visit with Santa in the gazebo in the front of City Hall after the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Evening Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides (corner of Rosemont & Coolidge). Ticket charge per person/family rate available.

Questions call RoseAnn at 248-239-0284 or e-mail roseann@nicolaievents.com.

NOVI
Light Up the Night

The annual Light Up the Night event will take place on the Novi Civic Center Campus on Friday, December 5, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Mayor Bob Gatt and a special visitor from the North Pole will light the holiday tree at 6:15pm.

Engaging activities will be held indoors and out and includes a craft show, kids’ crafts, marshmallow roasting, hockey skills competition, petting farm, ice sculptures, and more. Live performances from various dancing groups featuring Mexico Lindo Ballet Folklorico, Polynesian Dancers of Michigan, and other various dances will take place on the indoor stage. Attendees will enjoy free food samples from several local restaurants. A festive hay wagon will shuttle people to and from the Novi Public Library to enjoy two magic shows featuring Baffling Bill at 7:00pm and 8:00pm. The ever-popular Dan Dan the Choo Choo Man will offer miniature train rides from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

More info

Birmingham Santa Contest

Lucky Family Can Win Santa Contest in Birmingham, Entries Due by Nov. 19

(Birmingham Press Release, Nov. 8, 2014)

Families from Birmingham and surrounding areas are encouraged to enter the City’s popular Santa Contest. One lucky family will have the honor of helping Santa light up Birmingham’s 35-foot blue spruce, boasting more than 40,000 LED lights, on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 during the Holiday Tree Lighting event in Shain Park at 6 p.m.

The winning family will enjoy hot cocoa and cookies with Santa at The Townsend Hotel in downtown =Birmingham, followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride to the Holiday Tree Lighting event. Once there, the family will help Santa, Birmingham’s Mayor and other dignitaries with the official tree lighting ceremony. Topping off the evening, the family will be presented with a gift certificate to a Birmingham restaurant.

“The Santa Contest adds to the magic of the Holiday Tree Lighting event,” said John Heiney, executive director of Birmingham’s Principal Shopping District. “We’re looking forward to seeing the children’s faces as Santa lights up the tree for the first time this season.”

Families may submit their entry online at http://bit.ly/BhamSantaContest; all entries must be submitted by Wednesday, November 19. For more information, call (248) 530-1200.

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTINGS- PART I

The holiday season is upon us. Add some cheer to your family's celebration by heading out to one of these spectacular seasonal events. We have a list of the best glittering tree and menorah lightings, joyful music and many more events in southeast Michigan to help your family celebrate, from metro Detroit to greater Ann Arbor.

WESTLAND

Wayne County Lightfest

Nov. 20-Dec. 31, 2014 (closed Dec. 25)

Address: Hines Park, Merriman Hollow Area, Westland; enter off of Merriman Road between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren Avenue

Times: 7-10 p.m. daily

Cost: $5/car

Phone: 734-261-1990

Four miles of twinkling lights are ready for you to drive through! 

The Wayne County Lightfest Grand Opening will take place on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at Merriman Hollow Park in Westland. 

This sneak preview will feature music, refreshments and fireworks!  After the ceremony, be among the first to drive through the Lightfest and check out all the new displays!

 afterward, visit until New Year's Eve. Pictures with Santa and concessions (Nov. 22-Dec. 23) provide even more Christmas magic.

WYANDOTTE 

Wyandotte Tree Lighting

Nov. 21, 2014

Address: downtown Wyandotte, Biddle Avenue

Time: 6 p.m.

Cost: free

Phone: 734-324-4502

Music and merriment await you and your family as this downriver city lights up its Christmas tree.

MILFORD

Event: The Big Reveal

Date: 11/20/2014

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Downtown Main Street in Milford 

Details: Come downtown and watch the kids "unwrap" the storefronts! Local merchants will wrap their storefronts on Tuesday, get busy, and reveal their holiday best on Thursday night. Come downtown for the fun

DETROIT 

Detroit Christmas Tree Lighting at Campus Martius, Detroit

Nov. 22, 2013

THE 11TH ANNUAL DETROIT TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AT CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK

5 PM - Midnight

OFFICIAL RINK SEASON OPENING!

Tree lights at approximately 7:45 PM

Spectacular Entertainment Featuring: Jena Irene American Idol Runner-Up | Plus: Second Ebenezer Mass Choir

Rhythm Society Orchestra with Paul King | Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences Choir | MOT Soloist Corey Roberts | Corktown Popes | The Salvation Army Band & more!

Exciting Skating Performances By: Ekaterina Gordeeva Olympic Gold Medalist | Plus: Detroit Skating Club, Arctic Figure Skating Club, and Creative Edge Ice Theatre

SHOWCASE D’HOLIDAYS

Outstanding Food, Drink, and Live Music, All under a Big Tent in Campus Martius Park!

Holiday Hoof & FestivALE and Tree Lighting in Ferndale

EVENT DATE/TIME

Nov 22, 2014

12:00 pm until 12:00 am

DESCRIPTION

This event packs in music, an obstacle run and fun walk, 7:30 p.m. tree lighting and more fun.

COST Free/general, $60/adults race, $10-$20/kids fun walk

LOCATION

West Troy Street, downtown Ferndale

Ferndale, MI

ADDITIONAL INFO

PHONE 248-546-1632

WEBSITE http://www.downtownferndale.com

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Wayne County Light Show

When: 11/20/14 through 12/31/14
Where: Hines Drive and Merriman, Westland

The Wayne County Park celebrates the holidays with an annual Lightfest consisting of over four miles of displays and approximately a million lights. Admission is by car and at minimum $5.

Starting on November 26th, Santa makes an appearance and can be found at Santa's Workshop at Warrendale Park. 

According to Wayne County Parks Facebook page, additional Lightfest-related events include:

• Lightfest 8K Fun Run/Walk takes place on Tuesday, November 18th.
• Bike Through the Lights takes place on Wednesday, November 19th.
• More Details here