It’s a wonderful life here and there no time like the holidays for a reminder of just how wonderful it is. For those of us who live here year round, the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Victorian Bandstand (this year December 1 at 7 p.m.), the West Cape May Christmas parade, Saturday, December 2, beginning at 5 p.m. and Hospitality Night (December 7 & 8 from 7-9 p.m.) are three essentials for local and visitor alike.
  Often the Christmas Tree Lighting takes place on a Sunday night and is more local than tourist-driven, but this year the Friday night event should be a real crowd draw for both. Picture Santa Claus, Dr. Emlen Physick and a man dressed in Scottish garb reciting “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” from the Victorian Bandstand with the newly lit Christmas tree in the background. It’s a very small town event and very sweet to see the Deputy Mayor in his stocking cap caroling his heart out.
  As to the West Cape May Christmas Parade, we go from party to party along the route spreading Christmas cheer (imbibing in quite a lot of cheer as well). This year’s 41^st Christmas Parade will be headed, as usual, by the Parade Lady herself Charlotte Daily. It’s a hoot and a “don’t miss” – really people plan their reservations around it. Check our website for details should, God forbid, it be a rainy Saturday.
  For those who love the sound of their own voices or that of others, be sure to stop by the Town Crier in the 400 block of the Washington Street Mall at 6 p.m. on Fridays December 1, 8 or 15 for caroling.
  The 25^th Cape May Dickens Christmas Extravaganza (December 3-5) begins in earnest December 4^th with a discussion by Dr. Jay Friedlin of Dickens' “The Old Curiosity Shop.” Friedlin is the President Emeritus of the Philadelphia Branch of the Dickens Fellowship and is a vast reader of Charles Dickens and Dickensian lore. The festivities conclude with a Gala Dickensian Feast at 6:30 p.m. at Congress Hall Hotel. Come dressed as your favorite character from Dickens or in Victorian costume for this four-course Victorian feast and costume contest.
  Also on December 4 is the Great Annual Cookie Exchange from 6-8 p.m. at Cape May City Elementary School, 921 Lafayette Street.  The Center for Community Arts' 12th annual holiday party features stations where children of all ages decorate cookies, cookie baskets and holiday hats--and more!  Proceeds from a raffle benefit CCA.
  The annual Christmas Community Wassail Party is Dec 13 from 7-9 p.m.  Admission is free to this evening of old fashioned fun, music and good cheer in the Physick House and the Carriage House, 1048 Washington Street, which includes warm beverages and holiday treats. A donation of non-perishable food will be accepted for the Community Food Bank. Other evening Wassail tours are available most evenings through Sunday except Christmas. Times vary so call for information at 1-609-884-5404.
  Don’t think for one minute that our theaters are dark just because it’s December. East Lynne Theater’s production of  Dick Spindler’s Family Christmas runs Sun. December 3 as well as December 8-9; at 8:30 at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street. It seems the townsfolk of Rough and Ready were surprised that Dick Spindler was going to host a big family Christmas party.  He had the funds, having made a handsome strike on his claim, but no one knew he had a family.  Find out who is invited in this comic reading of Bret Harte’s humorous Western Christmas tale, complete with his usual cast of rustic, but endearing characters. For information and tickets call 609-884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.
  Cape May Stage is showing the very popular This Wonderful Life, a one-man adaptation of the Frank Capra film It's a Wonderful Life. Written by Steve Murray and conceived by Mark Setlock, this heartwarming holiday production takes place on Christmas Eve. George Bailey, played by Carleton, fears he's failed his family, his friends and his community, and considers suicide, until an angel-in-waiting named Clarence shows him how bleak life would have been if he'd never existed. What George discovers is that every man's life touches many others and that no man who has friends is a failure. Audience members don't need to be die-hard fans of the film to enjoy this new spin on the heartfelt holiday classic. Performances run Wednesday through Sundays at 8 p.m. at the Theater at Bank and Lafayette streets. For information and reservations call 609-884-1341 or visit www.capemaystage.com.
  And for you lovers of food, Cape May has quite a selection beginning with the Taste of Christmas Tour Friday, December 1 at 11 a.m. Take a walking tour of Cape May’s Historic District then enjoy lunch at the Mad Batter restaurant on historic Jackson Street. Tours last about one hour. Limited advance reservations available. Contact the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) at 609-884-5404 or toll free 1-800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
  Cape May’s Holiday Cooking School is also being held at the Mad Batter Saturday, December 9 at 1 p.m. Learn how to become an expert entertainer then enjoy a feast that includes everything on the curriculum. For more information or to make reservations contact MAC.
  Another option for Saturday December 2 and December 9^th at 3 p.m. is the Wine Cellar Tour and Tasting. An afternoon at the award-winning Cape May Winery includes a tour of the vineyard to see how grapes are grown, an introduction to the winemaker’s art, and a barrel tasting with cheese, fruit, and a complimentary glass of wine. The tour is limited to 40 people.
  On December 8 at 7:30 p.m. a wine tasting dinner will be held at the Mad Batter. The theme is “Wines of Chile,” and includes a four-course feast influenced by South American, European and Mexican cultures, accompanied by new world wines. Presented by a guest sommelier the dinner is limited to 60 people.
  December 15 is Spirited Cape May Weekend. Triple your enjoyment with a package that combines a Wine Tasting Dinner, Winery Cellar Tour and Wine School Class. It’s a weekend of total indulgence, Friday-Sunday, December 15-17. A four-course Wine Tasting Dinner will be held Friday evening at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street On Saturday, it’s a guided tour and tasting at the award-winning Cape May Winery. On Sunday, a Wine School Class completes your experience.
  Finally Cape May Wine School is conducting a fun class on Champagne, “The Barefoot Contessa of Bubbly.” Come to the Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street, for an informative class about making, judging, stocking and appreciating fine wines. Sunday, December 17, 1 p.m.
  There are a couple of opportunities in which kids can have fun too. The Kid Holiday Workshop is Saturday, December 2 at 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Kids can make their own craft ornament at this easy and enjoyable workshop, held on the sun porch of the Emlen Physick Estate. Admission is $5. For more information, call 609-884-5404.
  For some family fun and a way to sneak in some education try the Cape May Family Treasure Hunt Tour. Discover the fun of exploring Cape May and uncovering its architectural elements from a kid’s perspective. Packets are provided and include a clue sheet and map that will take you on a self-guided discovery tour in which you can set your own pace (answer sheet also included). Available daily (except Christmas), year-round. $5 per packet. Only one packet is needed per family. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and Preservation New Jersey (PNJ).
  And there’s always something going on at the Nature Center of Cape May on Delaware Avenue, especially on a Saturday afternoon. For example, Saturday, December 9^th is Reindeer Games day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These activities are designed for children ages 6 through 9 years old. They’ll make crafts, holiday gifts, play games, sing, and dance. They’ll even get a chance to decorate the center’s Eco-Tree, dedicated to nature’s wild creatures. Lunch is included. Pre-registration is required. (Lunch includes macaroni & cheese, hot dog, or peanut butter & jelly. All served with a side of carrots sticks, fruit, & dessert). For more information call (609) 898-8848.
  The next Saturday (December 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) features Kids Can Create Holiday Gifts. Instructors will show kids how to create holiday crafts and gifts. They’ll make evergreen wreaths, stockings, ornaments, and a hot chocolate mix that will knock your stockings off! Then they’ll cozy up with a story and some hot chocolate.
  Of course Cape May always offers a plethora of tours including the Evening Holly Trolley Tours, Santa’s Trolley Ride, Spirited Cape May Weekend, Ghosts of Christmas Tour and Lamplighter Christmas Tour.
  So, there’s plenty do and plenty of activities to put you in the holiday mood, not to mention some fabulous stores to shop in, great restaurants to try and don’t forget, incredible sunsets to enjoy. From all of us, to all of you, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday and a prosperous New Year!