📫 A Candlelight Christmas | Water for Elephants | All Aboard 🎄

Read Online

Hello friends!

“December 18th is here! Take a moment today to share the peace of the season. Whether it’s sending a thoughtful message, lending a helping hand, or simply offering a smile, your small acts of kindness can light up someone’s world. Let’s spread love and calm in these busy days.”

See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane

—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Love looking fabulous without breaking the bank? When you shop through our Wake News & Events Boujee link, part of your purchase helps fund Esophageal Cancer research — so you can feel good while looking great!

💎 New deals drop daily — and if you’re lucky, you’ll uncover some hidden steals that’ll make your wallet happy.

So go ahead — enjoy the boujee life at budget prices.
👉 Shop our Boujee Link today and sparkle for a cause!

Please note that for some deals you may need to be an Amazon member.

📍 Today’s Chuckle 📍

What do you call a can opener that doesn’t work? A can’t opener.

📍 Trivia 📍

• NC’s Christmas Flame:
  The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — the tallest brick lighthouse in the U.S. — has long been a December pilgrimage spot for photographers capturing winter sunsets and holiday star fields.

• The “Embrace the Winter Bluebird”:
  North Carolina’s state bird, the Eastern Bluebird, stays active and colorful all December, often appearing in holiday nature photography across the state.

🎁 Local Toy & Gift Drives

Toys for Tots (Raleigh/ Wake County campaign)
The Marine Corps Toys for Tots program accepts new, unwrapped toys through mid‑December and distributes them to local children in need. You can find specific local drop‑off sites through their Raleigh/NC campaign page. Toys for Tots Raleigh

🤝 Community Collections & Support

The Giving Tree – A local nonprofit thrift and donation center that supports families and children in need.

Raleigh Dream Center – Offers programs for families; contact them to see if toy or gift donations are being accepted this season.

Note in the Pocket – Provides clothing and often children’s items; reach out to see how you can help.

SAFEchild & Children's Flight of Hope – Local nonprofits that serve children and families — some accept gifts, clothes, or donations during holiday drives.

Western Wake Crisis Ministry – Helps families in need in western Wake County; often runs seasonal donation drives.

🧸 Other Options

• Drop off new toys or gift cards at local fire stations or library holiday drives (many in Raleigh area coordinate informal collections). Reddit

• Donate gently used children’s clothing, shoes, or books via community thrift partners like Loop Local (pick‑up and drop‑off options). Loop Local

• Consider donating financially to agencies (e.g., Salvation Army Angel Tree program) so they can shop for children who still need support. The Salvation Army USA

🎁 Tips Before You Donate:

• New toys are usually required for holiday gift programs (especially for toddler and infant groups). Raleigh NC

• Always confirm current drop‑off deadlines/hours before heading out—many change week‑to‑week in December.

• Monetary donations or gift cards are often just as helpful, giving agencies flexibility to supply sizes or specific needs.

_{Read Online}

The Best Editor’s Pick

If you’re looking for a holiday music experience that truly captures the magic of the season, A Candlelight Christmas with the North Carolina Symphony Holiday Brass is our Editor’s Pick this year. This festive concert blends the radiant glow of candlelight with the triumphant sound of brass and the joyful voices of the Raleigh Youth Choir, offering an unforgettable musical celebration perfect for the holidays.

Set in the elegant Meymandi Concert Hall in downtown Raleigh, performances take place on several dates in December, including Fri., Dec. 19; Sat., Dec. 20; Sun., Dec. 21; and Tues., Dec. 23—with both afternoon and evening showings.

Whether attending with family, friends, or that special someone, you’ll be swept up in beloved seasonal favorites brought to life by top-tier musicians and the warm ambience of candlelit tradition.

Don’t wait—these holiday concerts are among the Triangle’s most beloved and often sell out early. Arrive a little early to enjoy festive carols in the lobby and seasonal cheer before the music begins! North Carolina Symphony

Water for Elephants Comes to Durham Performing Arts Center

This December, one of Broadway’s most buzzed‑about new musicals brings a spectacular tale of love, adventure, and circus magic to DPAC in Durham. Water for Elephants — the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Sara Gruen’s bestselling novel — will be on stage December 16–21, 2025, offering Triangle audiences a chance to experience this immersive theatrical journey live.

Based on the beloved story of a young man who leaves everything behind to join a traveling circus during the Great Depression, Water for Elephants blends romance, drama, and vibrant spectacle into a theatrical event filled with dazzling visuals and emotional depth. Praised by critics and honored with multiple Tony Award nominations, this production has captured hearts on Broadway and is now thrilling audiences on its national tour.

Performances include multiple evening and matinee shows throughout the week — from Tuesday evening on December 16 to multiple performances on Saturday and Sunday, December 20–21 — making it easy to find a time that fits your holiday schedule.

🎟️ Don’t miss your chance to see it live!
👉 Buy tickets here: _{https://www.ticketmaster.com/water-for-elephants-touring-durham-north-carolina-12-16-2025/event/2D0062FCD04E5CB2 ticketmaster.com}

Whether you’re a theater fan, a lover of epic storytelling, or searching for a magical holiday outing, Water for Elephants at DPAC is a show worth the spotlight this season.

All Aboard Holiday Cheer!

Get into the holiday spirit on wheels with the Must‑See Raleigh Holiday Edition aboard the Great Raleigh Trolley! This merry, family‑friendly tour turns Downtown Raleigh into a twinkling holiday wonderland as you ride through historic streets and festive sights in just about 60 magical minutes.

From the elegant charm of Historic Oakwood and the beautifully decorated North Carolina Executive Mansion to the towering City of Raleigh Christmas tree and the sparkling State Capitol, this trolley tour is the perfect way to soak up seasonal cheer with loved ones.

Whether you’re planning a fun family outing, a cozy night with friends, or a festive date night, this holiday tradition offers lights, laughs, and Raleigh charm all rolled into one unforgettable ride. 🚋✨ 

🎟️ Grab your tickets here:
👉 _{https://www.greatraleightrolley.com/christmas} — scroll to the Must‑See Raleigh Holiday Edition section to reserve your seats today!

Don’t wait — these holiday tours sell out fast, and Raleigh’s yule‑tide magic is calling your name! 🎅🎁🚋

The Mayton’s Holiday Market

📍 The Mayton, Park Room & Heated Terrace
📅 Sunday, December 21
⏰ 3–6pm
💲 Free to attend

Spend a cozy Sunday afternoon browsing with a drink in hand as 20+ local vendors fill The Mayton with handmade candles, pottery, artwork, and thoughtful gifts. It’s relaxed, festive, and refreshingly low-stress—perfect for treating yourself and checking off a few holiday gifts while soaking up the seasonal glow.

Love at the End of Life

When 96-year-old Ernie, a gentle and humorous great-grandfather from Arizona, made the deeply personal decision to use Medical Aid in Dying, he asked for one last thing: to see his family together, laughing, smiling, and sharing memories.

His granddaughter Karly Vavra gathered the family, including her young children who adored their great-grandpa. The moment the kids climbed onto his lap, Ernie’s face softened into the sweetest smile. They cuddled, whispered secrets, and held onto him with the trust only children can offer.

Karly captured a few photos — not for social media fame, but so her children would one day remember how peacefully and lovingly their great-grandfather left the world. The moment wasn’t about grief but about gratitude. A reminder that compassion can guide even the most difficult goodbyes.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

55 Plus - The New Silver Standard

What is the most populare Christmas movie ever?

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q 10% discount for seniors! Check out our list below for more senior discounts!👈😍

_{Read Online}

Check out our online calendar for more events and local activities!📌

We strive to make sure that all information is accurate. However, we always recommend check all details with the event organizer.

There are so many events happening in and around Wake County, NC that we have gone to a seperate page to list events. Please click this button to view all of the area’s great events!👇

Sometimes, email servers can cut off parts of the newsletter, making it tricky to enjoy the full experience. For the best reading experience and to catch all the details, click here to view the entire newsletter!

👇👇👇

If your business event, or restaurant, is not on the list and you would like to be added, contact us at [email protected]