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The Nashville Mom

Exploring Nashville with kids in tow.

/ Weekend Happenings

Nashville Weekend Guide: Dec. 20-23

Hard to believe it’s our last weekend before Christmas! Here’s your local weekend guide to enjoy before the holidays!

Cheekwood Holiday Lights

  • When: Through December 30th (Closed on Christmas Day) Timed-ticketed event
  • Where: Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
  • What: Over one million lights, real reindeer, meet Santa , Have Breakfast with Santa (for members only), Carolers, S’mores Pits, and so much fun!          

Feast with the Grinch.When: Through December 30th 

  • When: Through December 30th 
  • Where: Gaylord Opryland Resort
  • What:  Enjoy a delicious meal and meet the star of the holiday season…THE GRINCH himself! This one-of-a-kind interactive dining experience includes a buffet of Who-ville inspired items, table-side visits with The Grinch and special touches Dr. Suess fans are sure to adore!

Elf at Chaffin’s Barn

  • When: Through December 22nd
  • Where: Chaffin’s Barn, 8204 Highway 100, Nashville
  • What: Elf comes to life in this on stage performance for the whole family! 

American Girl Holiday Events

  • When: December 20th and December 22nd  
  • Where: American Girl Store, Cool Springs Galleria 
  • What: Decorate cookies on the 20th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Santa will be at the store on the 22nd from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bring your camera for a photo and treats! Reservations required for Santa!

 Festival of Trees

  • When: Through January 12th
  • Where: The Factory at Franklin
  • What: Stroll through the Factory to see locally decorated trees! 

Christmas at The Ryman with Amy Grant and Vince Gill

  • When: November 28th through December 23rd
  • Where: The Ryman Auditorium
  • What: Join Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the Mother Church for this annual Christmas concert tradition.

Nashville Ballet’s Nutcracker

  • When: December 1st through December 23rd
  • Where: Tennessee Performing Arts Center
  • What: Celebrate this magical production of the Nutcracker, this show will put you in the ultimate holiday spirit

Holiday Movies at The Franklin Theater

  • When: Throughout November and December
  • Where: The Franklin Theater
  • What: The Franklin Theater will be showing classic movies like A White Christmas, The Christmas Story, Elf, Polar Express, The Grinch Stole Christmas and more! Tickets are only $5!

Franktown Festival of Lights

  • When: November 22nd through December 29th
  • Where: Williamson County AG Expo Center
  • What: Beginning Thanksgiving night, FrankTown Open Hearts, a local nonprofit in Franklin, will host a drive-through holiday lights experience with synchronized music that stretches for a mile at the Williamson County AG Expo Center. $25 per car

/ Recipes

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit

Callie’s Biscuits is a handmade biscuit company with a small family of bakers, keeping the tradition of southern biscuit making alive by baking hot little biscuits! Founded in 2005, Carrie Morey had the goal of making her mother’s beloved handmade biscuits accessible across the country. This woman-owned business is bringing southern comforts into homes one biscuit at a time.

 Callie’s storefronts can be found on King Street and City Market in Charleston, South Carolina as well as Atlanta, Georgia. Never fear though, you can order these handmade delights online! Callie’s Biscuits make their biscuits, pimento cheese, pantry essentials and other gift ideas available for online purchasing.

Callie’s Cinnamon Biscuits and Sweet Potato Biscuits are two of my favorites. These handmade biscuits would make the perfect addition to your Christmas celebrations! If you need an appetizer for festive occasions, Callie’s selection of Pimento Cheese is sure to be a crowd pleaser! How fun would a Biscuit of the Month Club be for a gift for the foodies in your life! Callie’s offers many other gift ideas including a Confetti Biscuit Box to recreate Callie’s popular Confetti biscuit.  The Party in the Pantry Set would be such a sweet hostess gift! Callie’s has a little something for everyone! Use code HANDMADE18 for 15% off your order!

Order now through December 19th for standard, 2-day shipping. Orders placed after December 19th require overnight shipping.

You will find beautiful and inspiring recipes on Callie’s blog for your upcoming holiday meals, including a Cranberry and Apple Crisp with Sweet Potato Biscuit Crumble.

There’s nothing more comforting than sitting around your dinner table with your friends and family while sharing a buttered homemade biscuit! Make sure to get your orders in before Christmas!

/ Weekend Happenings

Nashville Weekend Guide: December 14th-16th

Tiny Little Donuts Holiday Fun

  • When:Saturday, December 14th from 9 a.m. t0 11 a.m.
  • Where: Tiny Little Donuts Airstream, 328 5th Avenue North, Franklin
  • What: Stop by for tiny, little donuts, hot chocolate, coffee, and paint little snowmen with Third Coast Clay. The Flying Ham will have their adorable camper their as well!

Cheekwood Holiday Lights

One of my favorite holiday events!! Read my Cheekwood Holiday Guide here

  • When: November 17th (Members) through December 30th (Closed on Christmas Day) Timed-ticketed event
  • Where: Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
  • What: Over one million lights, real reindeer, meet Santa , Have Breakfast with Santa (for members only), Carolers, S’mores Pits, and so much fun! They also have Gingerbread Workshops on Dec.15

Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas

  • When: November 9th thru January 1, 2019
  • Where: Opryland Hotel
  • What: Three million twinkling lights, festive decor and beautiful sights! Other events on the property include ICE featuring How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Soundwaves, an indoor water park opens December 1st! (Admission to the water amenities is only guaranteed to overnight guests)

Christmas at The Ryman with Amy Grant and Vince Gill

  • When: November 28th through December 23rd
  • Where: The Ryman Auditorium
  • What: Join Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the Mother Church for this annual Christmas concert tradition.

Nashville Ballet’s Nutcracker

  • When: December 1st through December 23rd
  • Where: Tennessee Performing Arts Center
  • What: Celebrate this magical production of the Nutcracker, this show will put you in the ultimate holiday spirit

Franktown Festival of Lights

  • When: November 22nd through December 29th
  • Where: Williamson County AG Expo Center
  • What: Beginning Thanksgiving night, FrankTown Open Hearts, a local nonprofit in Franklin, will host a drive-through holiday lights experience with synchronized music that stretches for a mile at the Williamson County AG Expo Center. $25 per car

Christmas at Belmont Mansion

  • When: Friday, December 14th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Where: Belmont Mansion
  • What:  Take a self-guided tour of the mansion decorated for a Victorian Christmas. Music, hot cider and cookies in the Grand Salon make for a festive evening. $10 per person

Nashville Flea Market

  • When: December 14th though 16th (Check times on the website)
  • Where: Nashville Fairgrounds
  • What: Come finalize your shopping lists at the ‘Tis the Season market with unique vendors!

Smashville Holiday Festival

  • When: Through January 6th
  • Where: Ascend Amphitheater
  • What: Enjoy outdoor iceskating, purchase tickets online to reserve your spot!

/ Weekend Happenings

Nashville Weekend Guide: December 7-9

*Photo by Leslee Mitchell

Cheekwood Holiday Lights

One of my favorite holiday events!!

  • When: November 17th (Members) through December 30th (Closed on Christmas Day) Timed-ticketed event
  • Where: Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
  • What: Over one million lights, real reindeer, meet Santa , Have Breakfast with Santa (for members only), Carolers, S’mores Pits, and so much fun! They also have Gingerbread Workshops on Dec. 1 and 15

Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas

  • When: November 9th thru January 1, 2019
  • Where: Opryland Hotel
  • What: Three million twinkling lights, festive decor and beautiful sights! Other events on the property include ICE featuring How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Soundwaves, an indoor water park opens December 1st! (Admission to the water amenities is only guaranteed to overnight guests)

Christmas at The Ryman with Amy Grant and Vince Gill

  • When: November 28th through December 23rd
  • Where: The Ryman Auditorium
  • What: Join Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the Mother Church for this annual Christmas concert tradition.

Dickens of A Christmas 

  • When: December 8-9
  • Where: Historic Downtown Franklin
  • What: The largest outdoor Christmas festival in Middle Tennessee! Step back in time with over 200 musicians, dancers and characters will fill the streets. Craft and food vendors will also be on site.

Music City Winterfest

  • When: Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th
  • Where: Centennial Park
  • What: Join us in Centennial Park for holiday cheer for the whole family. Shop our Holiday Market for unique gifts from Nashville craft artisans, enjoy live music by local performing groups, and treat yourself at our food trucks, s’mores stations, pet portraits, a beard competition, and tons more. Ages 17 and under are FREE! 18 and up-$5

Nashville Ballet’s Nutcracker

  • When: December 1st through December 23rd
  • Where: Tennessee Performing Arts Center
  • What: Celebrate this magical production of the Nutcracker, this show will put you in the ultimate holiday spirit

The Little Mermaid at Nashville Children’s Theater

  • When: Through December 3rd
  • Where: Nashville Children’s Theater
  • A musical tale that will make you believe in the power of ingenuity and determination

Franktown Festival of Lights

  • When: November 22nd through December 29th
  • Where: Williamson County AG Expo Center
  • What: Beginning Thanksgiving night, FrankTown Open Hearts, a local nonprofit in Franklin, will host a drive-through holiday lights experience with synchronized music that stretches for a mile at the Williamson County AG Expo Center. $25 per car

Belmont Mansion

  • Noel Notes and Nibbles, December 8th: Light breakfast treats will be served alongside musical entertainment and a specialized stationed tour of the mansion. A photographer will be on hand to take holiday photos in the Victorian Christmas decorated home. Tickets are $25 per person.
  • Belmont Camerata, December 10th: A Camerata Christmas in the Grand Salon at 7:30 p.m. Program is free and open to the public. A holiday celebrated with the beloved Corelli Christmas Concerto and favorite bluegrass style carols led by Kathy Chiavola, Ryan Joseph and Tammy Rogers-King.

**More Festivities Below**

Volunteer with me at Shower Up-THIS SUNDAY

Spread Holiday Cheer at Draper James-Thursday, December 13th

Nashville Experience Gift Guide

Christmas at Belmont Mansion

Christmas Parade Guide

Nashville Live Holiday Music Guide

Santa Sightings

Holidays at Cheekwood

Nashville Holiday Event Guide

/ Nashville Eats

Little Gourmand

Little Gourmand is an authentic French cafe and shop located in Green Hills that will have you saying merci.

The cafe serves fresh imported breads, croissants, sandwiches, teas, coffee and more throughout the day.

You can also find French delights such as chocolates, macarons and honey to name a few. You can shop in the store or online.

Little Gourmand also specializes in gift baskets, you can build your own or have the shop customize one for you. Perfect for the holidays!

Little Gourmand also has a beautiful menu of holiday catering that you can order including a Yule Log cake. Stop by and enjoy this unique shop in Nashville.

/ Local, Things to do

Nashville Experiences Gift Guide

 

*For the Kids

*For the Music Lover

*For the Explorer

  • Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is one of my favorite spots in Nashville! You can wander through the gardens, view the art gallery or attend one of the many special events throughout the year. Give the gift of a membership or tickets for the day.
  • The Flying Ham offers vintage style campers for the perfect adventure! The best part is that they deliver making your camping experience super convenient! Our family can’t wait to try these out!
  • Go Glamping at Horseshoe Bend Marina Mention the Nashville Mom and receive 15% off your glamping when you reserve for the spring before December 15th!
  • Spend a weekend on the lake at Lynchburg Lakehouse

*For the Crafter

*For the Photographer

  • Anyone getting a new camera would love to take a PhotoMama’s online class to learn the best tips and tricks
  • Take photos throughout Nashville on the Mural Tour

*For the Athlete

  • The Nashville Sounds have several season packages to choose from for the baseball fan
  • Put some layers on and head to Smashville for a Predators game with the fang finger fanatic
  • Top Golf Nashville offers play time in the Bays, golf lessons, concerts, full service bar and restaurant. Read about my day at Top Golf here
  • Dinner and bowling at Pinewood Social’s nostalgic alley
  • Book the number one Ozone sauna in the world at Bluestem Wellness. It’s the ultimate detox with immune boost with 9 different therapies in one 30 minute session! They also offer AllCore360, which is a core therapy and training system. And another option is the Electric “Taco” which is a Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy mat, approved by the FCA to treat anxiety, depression, increased energy, muscle stimulation and more.

*For the Ladies

  • Pamper your girlfriend with a mani/pedi at Paint Nail Bar
  • The Nashville Ballet offers beautiful performances throughout the year, book a show or season tickets here
  • Give the Mamas a night out with a sitting service with Sitting Made Simple Nashville
  • Relax in a float tank of infrared sauna at Pure Sweat Float Studio (They are offering a “Detox and De-Stress package with a sauna and 40 minute float session for $89)**Also, check out my Instagram for a GIVEAWAY!
  • Give a gift that gives back with Able. Able is a lifestyle brand focused on ending generational poverty through economic opportunity for women. Not only do they provide jobs and resources for many women overcoming obstacles, they make beautiful products. A few of my favorites are the Able x Thistle Farms Moisturizing Set , the Merly Jacket and the Mini Pendant Cross necklace.

*For the Foodie