Holiday Traditions

While it's great to try new things for the holidays, there are some traditions you shouldn't miss! Here are a few things to revisit or check out for the first time.

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel

The Fairmont Olympic is such a beautiful place, you have to at least stroll through during the holidays. But they have more going on than you may realize for Thanksgiving and Christmas. There's Tea with Santa on December 20, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas day Georgian brunch and dinner at Shuckers, and two seatings for New Year's Eve. Holiday tea in The Georgian is a tradition for many. It runs November 28-December 30. There are decorated trees located throughout the hotel (open to the public) from November 23-December 3. You can call for more information: 206-452-8166. And who can resist visiting the Teddy Bear Suite? They decorate a room every year and fill it with teddy bears. It's located on the third floor and there are signs, but you can call for more information: 206-621-1700. Visit, then have tea or chocolate in the lobby area.

The Sheraton Seattle Hotel's 22nd Annual Gingerbread Village

This year's theme is "Jingle all the way" and will take visitors on musical journey as they behold scenes from classic holiday songs. As always, the entire village is made from candies and treats. You have to see what 1,200 pounds of dough, 800 pounds of icing, 200 pounds of white chocolate, 250 pounds of almond paste and hundreds of pounds of candy can do for a town! The village can be visited in the Sheraton Seattle hotel lobby at 1400 6^th Avenue in downtown Seattle between Tuesday, November 25, and Sunday, January 4, 2015. It's free, but donations are accepted and go to the Northwest Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Tour the village, then head upstairs to Loulay for a holiday drink! More information is available at www.gingerbreadvillage.myevent.com.

Salty's Seafood Grills

Magical March of the Nutcrackers : individually designed by Northwest artists, these larger-than-life nutcrackers (and there are a lot of them) marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (November 28) then headed out to the three Salty's locations (Alki, Redondo, and Columbia in Portland). They trade locations each year, so if you think you've seen them all, you probably haven't. They preside over holiday meals and brunches in the dining rooms and lounges and really get you into the holiday spirit. Salty's also has their tradition of Santa brunches. Enjoy brunch amidst the nutcrackers and your kids will love meeting Santa. They can even get a free picture taken with him. Alki Santa brunches are December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21. Santa is there from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Santa is at Redondo on December 7, 14, and 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Holiday Carousel

Westlake Park is the home of the dazzling Holiday Carousel in the heart of downtown Seattle. For just $2 each (net proceeds benefit the work of the Downtown Seattle Association and Treehouse), the whole family can jump on and ride. Whirling around, with the city's Christmas lights blurring around you; it's a tradition you just can't miss. For more information on the carousel as well as other holiday events, go to www.2daysinseattle.com/holidays.

Snowflake Lane in Bellevue

In front of the Bellevue Collection, snow falls, bands play, holiday figures on stilts wander-it's pretty amazing. It all takes place through December 31. Head over to Bellevue, do some shopping, and have a beverage or meal in one of the restaurants along Bellevue Way and NE 8^th. Trust us, they're used to their guests suddenly leaving their tables and rushing outdoors. For more information on Snowflake Lane and other Bellevue holiday events, go to www.metrobellevue.com/magicseason.htm

Almost every neighborhood and restaurant/hotel/venue has something special going on. Kick up your holidays this year and take in a few things that just may become traditions for you.

November/December 2014