Feliz Navidad Hippo fans! We are now just ONE WEEK AWAY from Christmas! Can you believe it? I feel like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story”, anxiously awaiting the arrival of my bee- bee gun. Or like the cowboy that rode an ostrich on the Island of Misfit toys, desperate to see if Santa will come and save me.
What better way to celebrate a week away from Christmas than to dive head first into a pile of Christmas activities? Just be careful not to break your neck!
(1) Visit my previous weekend blogs
Yes, this is a shameless pitch to read more of my clever work, but for serious, I have outlined some really fun and free stuff to do this holiday season. You can visit Macy’s on State Street and look at their holiday window display. The Christkindlemarket is still running and zoo lights at Lincoln Park Zoo are showing through the New Year.
Wait, what’s that you are saying? Windchill? Below zero? For goodness sake, you pansies, this is Chicago! Fine. I GUESS I can offer up some INDOOR activities too. Bunch of sissies….
(2) 27th Annual Music Box Christmas Show
Warm yourself with some popcorn and Christmas Carols at the Music Box Theater. Running from 
Friday – Sunday and then from the 22nd – 24th, you can watch your favorite holiday movie classics and sing holiday songs with Santa in-between films. They will be showing “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas” back to back. You can purchase tickets for just one or at a discounted rate for both! Show times and ticket availability can be found at their website.
A double dose of Bing and Jimmy – it’s a girls dream come true!
Music Box Theater, 3773 N. Southport Avenue
(3) Ugly Sweater Contest at Blue Line
You know you all own one – an ugly as hell Christmas sweater from the many ugly sweater parties you have attended thus far this season. Why not win a prize for it? Or at least be recognized by your peers as having the worst taste in sweaters imaginable. We all just want a little attention, don’t we?
Running from 10:00pm – 3:00pm on Saturday the 18th, hit up Blue Line not just to show off your ugly sweater, but to eat and drink some divine items! And guess what – its right below the Damen blue line stop. Get it? BLUE LINE??
Blue Line Lounge and Grill, 1548 N. Damen
(4) Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue
Playing both Saturday and Sunday at 4:00pm, check out the Dysfunctional Holiday Revue if you insist on having your fun INDOORS. Everyone loves the humor of Second City – it’s the best in the world! So cough up $22 and have a jolly good time!
Second City, 1616 N. Wells Street
Who doesn’t love Sunday brunch? Why not enjoy your corn beef hash to the theme of Christmas and in the
company of Madam X? Sounds like a great plan to me! Running every Sunday in December from 11:00a – 3:00p, the Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club knows how to do a holiday brunch right! Something tells me their mimosas are delicious…
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 1700 N. Halsted Street
(6) STAY AT HOME
That’s right, I said it. One of MY favorite things to do during the holiday season when it’s freezing and yucky outside is to Netflix my favorite old school holiday movies (my list includes Elf, Home Alone, and Love Actually), grab a couple of bottles of my fav red wine and veg on my couch. Bonus points if you have a fire place. Invite a couple of friends over and pretend like you are back in grade school hosting a slumber party. The holidays are meant to be spent with the people you love and care about, and your home is the best place to start.
Your house, whatever your address is
Well there you have it, Hippo Fans, at least 5 additional indoor activities you can do this lovely weekend before Christmas!
Be Hip(po)! Have fun! Eat a Christmas brunch, watch a Christmas movie and spend time with those you love! But most importantly, have a save weekend!
~Corie Scarpaci
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Listen to Ashley Lobo on Chicago radio,
WBIG AM 1280, Thursday mornings between 9-10,
with JoAnn & Ryan!